Norma Romero

By Janelle Ramon

Students who have classes in the Brazos Building might notice Norma Romero, Maintenance staff at Palo Alto, for her bright smile early in the morning. Romero is not tall, but when she smiles she has a presence that makes her seem very tall.

Romero came to the United States at the age of 25 from Monterrey, Mexico. She has two children: one boy, age 11 and one girl age, 13.

When asked where her cheerful personality comes from, she said her faith. Faith plays a big part of Romero’s life. Romero said her family, friends, and church members are very important to her.

“I’m a woman of faith; therefore, Jesus is the best thing that has happened to me,” said Romero.

“Being able to help my parents by providing moral support has given me great satisfaction,” said Romero, who is the only member of her immediate family in the U.S. All of her family still resides in Mexico. “I feel that I have returned a bit of what they have given me.”

Romero explained her number one achievement was to be able to support her family. During her spare time and on the weekends, she spends time on the phone talking to her family.

I asked Romero if she could choose to be anywhere in the world, where would she be? Repeating the question to herself, she slowly answered with a small smile on her face. Her eyes watered a bit.

“Monterrey, where I was born and raised until I was about 25 years old,” said Romero. “My parents still live there.”