Peña running for BISD school board

After 29 years of service, retired Texas State Trooper Minerva Peña is seeking election to Place 6 on the Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Being retired enables her to devote all the time necessary to assist everyone at BISD, she said, adding that she received a full retirement and thus can serve the district without having to worry about trying to balance her service to BISD and personal employment.

Her main objectives at BISD are to help find ways to increase teachers' salaries, and salaries for all BISD employees. Obtaining better insurance coverage for all BISD employees is also at the top of her list, she said.

She plans to work to find grants that will fund student activities that can enhance students' outlook on life and education.

Peña has been involved in several organizations that work with youth in the community. She is president of Brownsville Pony Baseball; president of Hanna Chess Booster Club; is a Demolay Mom and was a member for several years of the Hanna Band Booster Club.

She has received numerous awards for youth service and state service, which include Outstanding Female State Trooper in 1985; Hats Off award from the Demolay Phoenix Chapter in 2007; a proclamation from the city of Brownsville for outstanding service to youth in the community in 2008; Proclamation No. 948 for exceptional service and contributions to the State of Texas as a Texas State Trooper in 2008.

Peña is married to Lupe Peña and is mother to six children, Amy, Amelia, Rachel, Lupe II, Michael and Christopher. Peña, her husband, parents, brothers and sisters and all her children are products of BISD education.

Peña is a Brownsville native. Her parents and grandparents are or were lifetime residents of Brownsville. Her parents are the late Macario Martinez and Magdalena Najera Martinez. She is one of 10 children.

She graduated from Gladys Porter High School in 1976, obtained an associate of arts degree in 1978 from Texas Southmost College and a bachelor of science degree in 1979 from Pan American University in Brownsville.

She says her motto is, "Where there is a will there is a way. You make the choice and I will make the difference."