by David Mielach, Staff Writer/Intern
Walk in the shoes of Daniel Torres for one week and one will see he is just your ordinary college freshman, that is, depending on your definition of the word ordinary.
Monday started with an open forum at the Lenape Elementary School in New Paltz, New York, that was supposed to last from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., but did not get done until 10:30 that night. Tuesday follows with a presentation for the Student Government Association and a conversation with State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill. Add in teaching, Hebrew School and another board of education meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 12:00 midnight on Wednesday and a meeting with the Community Partnership for a Safer New Paltz on Thursday, and his week is pretty busy before meeting with Congressmen Maurice Hinchey’s staff on Friday. That, however, is just the half of it. Throw in 16 credits and the normal transitions that come with a college student in their first year and you have just met Torres. Sort of…
At age 19, Torres made history when he was elected as a member of the New Paltz Central School District Board of Education. This election made Torres a three year board member and the youngest elected official as well as the youngest Latino elected in the history of New York State. The reason for Torres running was simple enough. “I like being involved,” said Torres, a Communications and Political Science double major. “Education is different than even just 10 years ago I thought it would be cool and useful to fill in the age group that existed in education.”
In August 2009, Torres started his first year at Marist College, bringing his experiences to
Poughkeepsie and the student government association. At Marist, Torres became involved as a junior senator and a member of the Jewish Student Group. Torres is also looking to found the college’s first democratic student group and change the perceptions of student government.
“One of my goals is to help students better understand what student government is,” added the half Polish half Puerto Rican Torres. “I hope this would help to get more done since there will be more input and suggestion and less intimidation when it comes to SGA.” This involvement in such a short time; however, was not a surprise to those who knew him.
“What’s nice about Daniel is his actions speak to his character,” said Colin McCann, a Communications professor of Torres, who has known him for the past two years. “The past events he has been a part of, the causes he has championed seem to have just occurred to him and he still remains grounded despite what he has accomplished. I just hope he is able to pace himself when it comes to all he has done and what he plans to do.”
One of these accomplishments got Torres recognized as one of Times Herald-Record’s “10 under 20” for his work in getting local businesses to donate a portion of their revenues to schools within their range. This campaign raised $160,000 for 200 schools in the sales range of Olympia Sporting Goods Stores. These stores donated a portion of the sales from each item of clothing bearing a New Paltz school logo to that store nearest the school.
With all these accomplishments occurring in just 19 years for Torres, some may wonder what will happen in the coming years. “I would like to be a congressman someday,” said Torres. “But first I would be interested in running for a county legislature seat in the near distant future.” Only three years to go.
