Alumni Spotlight: Fernando J. Peralta Berrios, Class of 2021

Fernando J. Peralta Berrios is a Logistics Specialist and a Sergeant with the Texas Army National Guard. Enlisted with the Guard since 2018, Fernando works full-time (active) with the Texas Army National Guard in Fort Worth. Additionally, Fernando serves as the president of his neighborhood association, Las Familias de Rosemont.

“I would say that my personal work within the community that I serve, gives me the focus to see the faces of the students and family that I’m advocating for,” Fernando shared. “Now professionally my work with the Texas Army National Guard gives me the drive to continue serving all of our students in our public education system. With both of these I am able to continually advocate in and out of uniform for more equity for all our students.”

Fernando was a part of Leadership ISD’s 2021 Civic Voices Fellowship. “I think that with all the stressors of the pandemic, our fellowship was brought to an even deeper level. [Civic Voices] has given me the tools to be a better advocate and leader.” 
    
Both his community and military service give Fernando the drive to advocate for more equitable outcomes for all students. Encouraging others who share this commitment, he said, "The only way we are able to create real meaningful change is by taking the first step, no matter how uncomfortable that might be.”