Maria Elena Hopkins, who spent 30 years educating students, is this month's KGNS Plus Honors honoree for her volunteer work in Laredo after retiring from the classroom. She is a member of the Laredo Area Retired School Employee Association, known as LARSEA.
According to the story, LARSEA has spent 50 years donating to and helping Laredo schools. Its work includes scholarship fundraisers, book donations and lobbying for retired teachers. Hopkins has been a member for three years and is the group's co-historian. Hopkins said seeing the joy on people's faces is rewarding.
Hopkins said she is also active in her church and takes part in several church organizations, including Bethany House, which is close to her heart. She said her mother taught her to be helpful, and she hopes to help the community for as long as she can. She also said she hopes her daughter will carry on that legacy.