EDITED
STAR OF QUEENS-PABLO ROMANO
Pablo Romano
Leos and Lions Club leader
South Ozone Park
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: After the 2001 economic crisis in Argentina, Pablo Romano, 22 – then 12-years-old – yearned to help. He created the Argentinean Society of New York with the purpose of buying food for soup kitchens located in the providence of Tucuman and Buenos Aires, Argentina. At 13, Romano formed his own Leos club, dedicated to helping the blind, deaf and less fortunate. With up to thirty teens from ages 11 to 21 taking part in meetings, fundraisers and service projects, they received the 2002 Leos Club of Excellence Award. The following year, Romano was elected district president where he worked with all the clubs in the district and focused on growing in membership and activities. At age 22 he has now formed his own Lions Club for adults.
PERSONAL: Romano migrated to the United States at age five from the providence of Tucuman, Argentina. He attended Robert A. Van Wyck Junior High School and Francis Lewis High School. He is now a junior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he majors in government.
JOB: Romano works for Queens Borough President Helen Marshall as advisor for Hispanic affairs.
PROUDEST MOMENT: “During the summer of 2002, my family decided to visit the soup kitchens in Argentina and we came across a very young girl whose father was dying of cancer and lived in a shack. The only money they made was for her schooling, where she found a love for playing the violin … My family immediately sent out to buy a violin and had it shipped from the United States in less than a week,” said Romano. “This was by far my proudest memory since I was able to help impact someone’s life.”
FAVORITE MEMORY: Being able to get the little girl her violin.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Forming his own Lions Club because it took a lot of work and effort to get it done
INSPIRATION: “My parents and grandparents are my inspiration because they are very warm and giving people,” said Romano. “They have impacted me to help people in need and if it wasn’t for their support when I was young, I wouldn’t be who I am today nor would I have achieved all my dreams.” – Luisa Garcia
