HHS band student raises money for music trip

Published 4:00 am Wednesday, June 14, 2023

HERMISTON — As she prepares for her senior year at Hermiston High School this fall, Leslie Mendoza Romero has her eyes set on another goal.

The 17-year-old was selected to participate in the Oregon Ambassadors of Music program, which features an opportunity to travel and perform next summer in Europe. In her GoFundMe campaign, Romero shares about her desire to become the first in her family to graduate from college — her mom was born in El Salvador and her dad in Mexico.

Mendoza Romero became interested in music while participating in middle school band. During high school, she has played clarinet in the wind ensemble, baritone saxophone in the jazz band and served as drum major in the marching band. Mendoza Romero’s goal is to pursue a career as a music educator.

“This is not a hope or a simple future plan, but (a) reality that I am willing to put my everything in to accomplish,” she said. “I want to teach students of this art, which is so universal.”

She said the trip represents everything she has worked so hard for in school. In addition to touring Europe, Mendoza Romero looks forward to performing with other talented Oregon students.

For more about the music program, visit www.oregonambassadors.com. To donate to Mendoza Romero’s GoFundMe, visit https://rb.gy/6v0c4.