February 11, 2015

Dear LA Youth Council,

My name is Luis E. Ramirez and a former doctoral student in the School of Education
(Language, Literacy & Culture program) at the University of California, Davis and
current High School Coordinator at the Los Angeles-based non-profit Heart of Los
Angeles (HOLA). I am writing to you today in recognition of Emanuel Honorato, who
has continuously excels in his educational endeavors, in and outside academic spaces,
which has strengthened a determination for personal achievement. His strong initiative
has resulted in accomplishments that transcend the stereotypical norm for Latino young
men. Emanuel has shown a strong commitment and persistence to both his education and
community. As a current high school student who remains active with his time, Emanuel
has shown a strong personal desire to learn and assist others within his everyday
involvement. His experiences, leadership abilities, academic trajectory and continuous
growth has strongly led me to recommend Emanuel for this year's Los Angeles Youth
Council.
Emanuel is a constant presence at our after school program, Heart of Los Angeles
(HOLA). I have known Emanuel less in the formal academic setting and much more
involved in critical thinking about his academic setting in our after school space.
Emanuel is someone who places high expectations toward his learning and daily
experiences within such learning. He has been privileged to be a part of multiple
opportunities which have enhanced his academic and professional experiences through
high school. Emanuel has also been involved with the non-profit Archdiocesan Youth
Employment (AYE) within an employment and intern capacity. This has provided
continuous opportunities for him to engage with the public and become more aware of
needs of his specific community. Emanuel is truly a breath of fresh air and has both a
very original voice and way of analyzing situations in a deep way. I have continuously
enjoyed such critical conversations which mainly have centered on issues related to
environmental justice concerns that are very necessary particularly since Emanuel lives in
an area of Los Angeles that is lacking green spaces.
Specific to Emanuels interests and involvement, he has been a very active participant in our community
service/environmental justice group that we affectionately have called the LA Rakers. It is a weekly
gathering of high school students who have become critically engaged in their community through park
clean-ups, gardening, immigration actions, green space design and more. Emanuel has been in the center of
these conversations and has taken the lead in providing his expertise in gardening and design. Emanuel has
shared multiple times with me how he has felt empowered by his participation in such collaborations and
has been very critical of what often occurs or does not occur in his community. He is quick to challenge
and question his surroundings and I have had the privilege to experience his growth through his analyzing
and involvement. Emanuel is a natural leader and do-er. I have been very privileged to have seen this
growth and am LA Rakers. It is a weekly gathering of high school students who have become

critically engaged in their community through park clean-ups, gardening, immigration actions,
green space design and more. Emanuel has been in the center of these conversations and has
taken the lead in providing his expertise in gardening and design. Emanuel has shared multiple
times with me how he has felt empowered by his participation in such collaborations and has
been very critical of what often occurs or does not occur in his community. He is quick to

challenge and question his surroundings and I have had the privilege to experience his growth
through his analyzing and involvement. Emanuel is a natural leader and do-er. I have been very
privileged to have seen this growth and am pursuit for both self-sufficiency and becoming an
important role model in his community have been critical components to an identity as both
student and leader. The opportunity to become a part of a youth council will continue in his
personal processing of his passions and interests especially through law and politics. For all these
reasons, I am honored to recommend Emanuel Honorato for this year's Los Angeles Youth
Council.
If you may have any follow-up questions or comments, you may reach me at
lramirez@heartofla.org or you can simply call me at (562) 665-6263. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Luis E. Ramirez
High School Coordinator
Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)