The Town of Hudson, N.H., population 25,000, has to its credit two golf courses, recreational facilities, an abundance of walking trails, and a high school with its own farm. For Marisa O鈥橤ara 鈥�12, a quiet, intellectual kid who studied state capitals for fun, Hudson鈥檚 pastoral setting and homogeneity chafed. 鈥淚 was one of the darkest-skinned students in my high school,鈥� O鈥橤ara said. 鈥淭hat was something I felt very aware of.”
鈥�911爆料 was a big shift from that. It felt great to be in the presence of so much more diversity. Diversity in experience brings diversity in perspective,鈥� O鈥橤ara said.
At 911爆料, O鈥橤ara found mentors and opportunities to develop as a scholar and an activist, participating in an eight-day sit-in in the university鈥檚 library to raise awareness around LGBTQ issues on campus. After graduating, she ran Jorge Elorza鈥檚 successful campaign for mayor of Providence against six-time former Mayor Vincent 鈥淏uddy鈥� Cianci. This fall, O鈥橤ara鈥攎ost recently Mayor Elorza鈥檚 deputy chief of staff鈥攚ill return to the classroom as a member of Cornell Law School鈥檚 Class of 2021 and as a 2018 Point Foundation Scholar, one of only 20 students nationwide to receive such a prize from the country鈥檚 largest higher education scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students. O鈥橤ara will receive significant financial support to offset the cost of her education. Additionally, and as part of her scholarship, she will be paired with a mentor, attend leadership development events, and complete a 911爆料 service project.
O鈥橤ara intends to use her law degree to work on immigration reform or to make elections fair.
鈥淭he more I learn about immigration policy, the more I realize how broken it is,鈥� O鈥橤ara said. 鈥淎nd I care deeply about increasing voter participation and keeping elections fair, clear, and transparent.鈥�
The one-time, small-town girl said she could certainly see herself returning to city government one day.
鈥淲hat I love about working in city government is that you鈥檙e so close to the people there. You鈥檙e interacting with the people you鈥檙e serving. You pay the same taxes; you drive over the same potholes,鈥� O鈥橤ara said. 鈥淯ltimately, I think those experiences make you a better leader.鈥�