For Whiz Kid At M-A, Cultural Preservation is a Piece of Cake

The impact that Menlo-Atherton High School senior Xochiquetzal Parra had on her school and fellow classmates will be felt long after she moves on to pursue her dreams.

Parra is the founder and president of the school's La Raza club, that allows students of Hispanic descent to celebrate their culture. And though she established the club her sophomore year, the greatest accomplishment of the club may have come earlier this year.

Last month, Parra was instrumental in bringing civil rights activist Dolores Huerta to speak to the students at M-A. Huerta worked alongside Cesar Chavez to fight for the rights of farm workers in California's Central Valley. She also co-founded the United Farm Workers of America, which has played a vital role in organizing labor movements nationwide.

Parra took the reins on coordinating Huerta's visit, and introduced her during the rallies in which Huerta addressed crowds of students. After the rallies, Huerta spoke privately to the La Raza class for nearly two hours.

"It was very inspirational," said Parra, of the experience meeting and working with Huerta. "I've never got the chance to meet anyone that important."

Before Huerta's visit, Parra worked with the teaching staff at the school to develop lesson plans that would serve to familiarize students with her work and accomplishments in the struggle for civil rights.  And from that, Parra said her greatest achievement in the process was accomplished.

"I like the most that the kids were excited to meet her," she said. "All the students knew who she was, what she did, and already knew her history. Seeing how they reacted, and how they were excited to meet her, was a lot of fun."

Parra's hard work had a profound impact not only on the students who reaped the benefits of witnessing Huerta's speech, but also the district staff who witnessed the extra hours Parra put in to make it all happen.

"She is a passionate and amazing leader," said district spokeswoman Bettylu Smith.

But Parra's passions expand beyond the realm of event organizing. On her own time, the East Palo Alto resident also loves baking, especially cakes.

Her specialty creation, a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, has won her awards through her participation in baking contests put on by the school's FHA club.

She said her love for baking started as a child when she would make cakes out of the box. But as she grew older, she began to enjoy the challenge of making them from scratch.

"Now I do it all the time, when I have time," she said.

Parra hopes to pursue a career in culinary arts once she graduates from high school. Currently she is considering attending San Jose State University or San Francisco State University.

She said the allure of living and going to school in San Francisco is enticing because of the city's reputation for culture, and the opportunities related to dining culture offered there.

While still attending M-A, she shared her love for creating food, and celebrated her culture's heritage by working with her club members to sell homemade tacos during the International Festival.  The benefits will go back into the La Raza club.

That tradition will live on once Parra leaves, as she passes on the responsibility to of running the club she founded to her sister Erendira, who will become president next year.

"I think it is important for our culture to be represented," Parra said. "And our culture unites around food, so that's one of the things that will keep going on in our club."

By passing on the responsibility to keep her culture's heritage alive, Parra is ensuring her legacy will be remembered in the hearts and minds of all those whose life she has impacted.