(CORNELIUS) — What began as a goal to complete community service hours through the National Honor Society has turned into a love for uniting the community for Cornelius’ Leslie Cuellar Chavez.

Now in her senior year at Glencoe High School, Cuellar Chavez volunteers at the library for a few hours a week. As a freshman, she began with graphic design, crafting flyers and spreading the word about upcoming events for the library.

With just one graphic design class under her belt, Cuellar Chavez says she’s seen her skills improve through diligence and hard work.

“I like to step up and find what I like and new challenges,” she said.

And now, years later, in the recently rebuilt library — opened in 2019 — Cuellar Chavez does a little bit of everything. She still crafts posters for events while also participating in and helping to facilitate those same family-friendly activities.

“I feel like the library is the heart of the community, especially since it’s connected to city hall,” she said. “I love bringing the community and families together. I get to meet my neighbors and new people and know the people around me.”

And of course, a love of reading comes along with volunteering at the library. Her favorite genres are history, especially U.S. History, and mystery novels.

Cuellar Chavez grew up in Cornelius and has gradually gotten more involved in her community.

“I wanted to see what the community brings that had been overlooked before,” she said. “Unity is one thing I’ve loved.

“I feel like every person should be counted and feel belonging in something, even if it’s a small community. It’s always fun to see what you could bring and find a family within that.”

Cuellar Chavez also has a home in City Hall, just across the street from the library. Despite initial apprehension, she joined the city’s Youth Advisory Council just over a year ago.

In her time there, she has seen the council grow and expand from six members to 12 as the group plans events that promote unity in Cornelius.

“The younger kids have grown so much and it’s cool to see,” Cuellar Chavez said. “I remember being in that place and saying, ‘I don’t know if I want to do it.’”

Looking at them now, the Youth Advisory Council has a hand in organizing Cornelius’ regular summer activity, Flicks in the Park, which was last year located at Harleman Park.

Those events are her favorites, especially last year, when the Youth Advisory Council helped host raffles and scavenger hunts for children during the festivities. This year, the Youth Advisory Council has also crafted an art contest that encompasses all of Washington County. The winners will be displayed at an upcoming Cornelius farmers market.

If the council sounds interesting to other local students, Cuellar Chavez is recruiting, and the council is accepting new members.

In her spare time, Cuellar Chavez loves being outdoors and spending time with her church community through the youth group.

Cuellar Chavez said a lot of her motivation to do good and find the gold in her community is driven by her faith.

“It teaches a love for people, your community, the broken and the lost,” she said. “You don’t know what people are going through, so have a positive attitude toward the people who you are serving and what they are going through.”

Plans aren’t settled for after graduation, but Cuellar Chavez is hoping to study building design or become an architect.

“I love puzzles, and a lot of that would be involved — piecing together the needs and wants into the design aspects.”

---

Proudly sponsored by…

On Site Tire Pros

3827 E. Baseline St., Cornelius

971-999-0892

onsitetireservices.com