Cambridge, Mass. -- During the presidential election, we often heard the word “elite” being used as criticism of politicians and members of the media. The main target of the accusation of being part of the “Washington elite” and the “Harvard liberal elite” was Democratic candidate -- now president-elect -- Barack Obama. I always wondered why his critics would use this particular word with such a negative connotation -- after all, being elite means being among the best. To be exact, the definition of “elite” is “a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual, social or economic status.”

Last week I met some of those Harvard elite. And while they don't necessarily enjoy a superior social or economic status, they certainly are smart. Maricruz, Jessica and Nancy are privileged. They don't come from very wealthy families with friends in high places. But they do have something special enough to make the university go out of its way to bring them into the prestigious learning institution.

The three freshmen were kind enough to give my daughters and me a tour of Harvard Yard -- the Law School that Obama attended -- Memorial Hall and the famous Widener Library, the second largest in the world, during my visit there to speak at the Second Annual Latina Empowerment Conference. My girls were impressed with the campus, and I was moved by these girls' personal stories.

Maricruz is from Los Angeles. She's not yet sure what her major will be, but she is interested in government. She is aware of how lucky she is to have beaten the odds and made it to Harvard. Her older sister, however, will not have such luck. “I'm very proud of my sister's accomplishments,” she told me. “She's studying at a community college, but it bothers me that just because of a paper, she will never be able to attend a university like me.” Her sister was only 2 months old when her parents arrived in the United States from Mexico. They crossed the border illegally with their firstborn, who to this day, at 20 years of age and having lived here virtually all her life, is still undocumented.

Jessica was born and raised in Arizona. Her father is a construction worker who puts in many hours of overtime to support his family. “Financial aid in Harvard is not merit-based, but rather need-based,” she told me. And she certainly was in need. But because her father earned just a little over the limit for her to qualify for a full-ride scholarship, they will have to pay part of the hefty tuition. Like the other girls, Jessica was among the best and brightest in her class, and luckily for her, Harvard looks for students with passion. Her interview for admission, which turned into a three-hour conversation with the recruiter, showed her enthusiasm and potential to do great things. Jessica is the first one of her entire family not just to go to college, but to graduate from high school.

Nancy thought her chances to go to Harvard were shot when her father refused to drive her 37 miles to Palm Springs, Calif., for her interview. They live in the small town of Perris in the Inland Empire. “He did not understand the importance of that interview and what it meant to me,” she said. Her parents had completed only the sixth grade. Nancy was pretty shocked when, a week later, she got a call from the recruiter, letting her know that she would be going to the town of Perris to interview Nancy. Those at Harvard evidently know talent when they see it. Nancy graduated at the top of her class and with the highest GPA in her high school's history. With her father unemployed and her mother working two jobs, Harvard would have to come to her. “They want to make sure that money is not an obstacle to getting the education you deserve,” she says. She is now studying biomedical engineering.

After our tour of Harvard, we all went over to the hotel where the conference was being held. We were greeted by Eliana, a sociology student at Harvard and president of Latinas Unidas, the group that organized the event, and Becky, the chair of the speaker committee. The room was full of young Latinas who, in spite of their academic accomplishments, are hungry for information and motivation to make a difference. They are among the best and brightest the Hispanic community has to offer. Unfortunately, only a chosen few end up making it to Harvard, but these young ladies are living proof of what is possible. They are an inspiration. They are the leaders of tomorrow. The real “Harvard elite.”

***

(Maria Elena Salinas is the author of “I AM MY FATHER'S DAUGHTER: LIVING A LIFE WITHOUT SECRETS.” Reach her at www 
.mariaesalinas.com)

© 2008 by Maria Elena Salinas

Distributed by King Features Syndicate