4 minute read
Maria Lozano
VISION AWARD - Maria Lozano
Story by dalondo moultriePhotos by Felicia Frazar, submitted by Maria Lozano
Coming to Seguin from Mexico years ago, Maria Lozano knew in her heart that she needed to help others and to make a difference in the community. Decades of inspiring volunteerism across many areas of the community have earned Lozano honors this year as a Seguin Gazette VISION Award recipient.
Nearly 30 years working in Seguin ISD wasn’t enough for Maria Lozano.
After retirement, the Mexico native and longtime Seguin resident felt she still could do more. So, since her retirement from Rodriguez Elementary School, Lozano has continued giving to the community and the youth within it.
“She’s always involved with kids. She’s mentored about 10-15 young ladies with Seguin Youth Services,” said Gilbert Lozano, Maria’s husband who nominated her for the Seguin Gazette’s Citizen of the Year and VISION Awards. “She’s been on the board of United Way a number of years and she’s on the Habitat for Humanity committee, also.”
Maria is among the select few who were named a VISION Award recipient for her dedicated service to the community.
When told that she had been chosen to be recognized for her commitment to Seguin, Maria said she was floored.
“I”m in shock,” she said. “I’m excited, but I also know that it’s so many people today that give back to our community. For me being from Mexico, I just want to be an example.
“It doesn’t matter what you are. What God plans for you, that’s what you’re going to be.”
What matters is helping out your fellow man, Maria said. She strives to make a difference in the community and set positive examples for all watching.
It appears to be paying dividends, she said.
Many people recognize her after her years of helping them or them seeing her help others, Maria said. Some young folks she’s helped in the past now have children that she currently helps in various ways, she said.
Her spirit of giving spreads, Maria said.
“Now, some of those families are doing the same things because they saw me,” she said. “They’re doing it. That’s my reward.”
Maria moved to Seguin from Mexico about 45 years ago. She brought with her a can-do spirit and a learned willingness to help others.
Her need to share what she has goes back generations, Gilbert said.
“She comes from a family of givers. Her dad was that way,” he said. “Her dad was always helping people in her home town. She took it from her dad.”
Besides mentoring young ladies as a part of Seguin Youth Services, Gilbert said that Maria received a Humanitarian of the Year award from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which also recognized her for her leadership and service.
His wife organized Thanksgiving and Christmas food donation and distribution efforts at their church, Hillcrest Assembly of God, he said. She helps support a food bank in Mexico and has served as a talent judge for an annual mariachi competition at Texas Lutheran University, Gilbert said.
No matter what’s going on in Maria’s life, she continues to help people, he said.
“She’s always out helping people. She always has been,” said Maria’s spouse of 48 years. “I’ve always been very proud of her. She’s always been helping people out.”
Throughout all of her years of doing what she does, Maria never expected any recognition. She didn’t realize Gilbert noticed.
So when she learned he nominated her for the VISION Award, she was astounded.
Of all the thanks she’s received over the years, she took time out to thank Gilbert and then offer more of her own assistance to those in need.
“I would say thank him because I don’t have to tell him what I do because he sees what I do; he sees it,” Maria said. “(The people) know they can come to me. I’m in shock because I thought he never noticed the things that I do.”
Gilbert isn’t the only one who has noticed and that’s why Maria is a 2022 VISION Award recipient.
