Youth Spotlight: Edgar Landeros

By Nick Krishnan: Marketing and Events Manager

For some people, positivity comes naturally; rain or shine, they’ll show up with a smile.  Edgar Landeros is a young man who exemplifies these traits.  A sophomore at Vail Christian High School, Edgar was born and raised in the Eagle River Valley, along with his two siblings.  Rosario, Edgar’s mom, owns a housekeeping business and his dad, Jorge, owns a construction company.  Having grown up surrounded by examples of hard work and dedication, Edgar has adopted those qualities and directed them towards his desire to serve the community.

I first met Edgar at the Community Market, where we were volunteering as part of an SOS Outreach service project.  At 8:00am on a Saturday morning it would’ve been completely understandable if he had shown up tired and over it, but that’s not Edgar’s style.  Edgar showed up early with a positive attitude and a smile on his face.  Instead of just trying to run out the clock, Edgar took pride in working hard and getting as much done as possible, leaving the Community Market prepared to provide community members in need with healthy food options they could take home. 

At Vail Christian, Edgar is a member of the Hispanic Leadership Club, where he and other students host an event called Loaves and Fishes at the Eagle River Presbyterian Church.  This event gives Edgar and other Hispanic Leadership Club members the opportunity to cook food for and serve members of the community who are in need.  Edgar also enjoys volunteering at St. Clare of Assisi when they hold fundraisers, where he will usually work as a vendor.  These fundraisers raise money to go towards construction of two new churches in the valley, a cause Edgar is exceptionally passionate about.  As Edgar says, “So many people have lived in the valley for way longer than I have, and motivates me to help this community earn what they have been putting money towards, to see this community come together and enjoy the church together.”

When Edgar isn’t working to serve his community, he stays busy with other hobbies and projects.  On the weekends, Edgar can be found snowboarding with SOS Outreach at Beaver Creek.  He also enjoys creating art, so much so that Edgar is currently working on a project that will be featured in Articulation Magazine for Vail Christian High School.  Making sure he’s a well-rounded student, Edgar additionally competes in electrical vehicles, designer gens and circuit lab at the Science Olympiad.

Edgar truly epitomizes the ideal of what community service should look like.  He doesn’t volunteer and give back for recognition or to check a box off on a school requirement, he does it because it’s the right thing to do.  Combine all of this with his infectious smile and well-rounded achievements, and you have a recipe for someone who’s going to change the world for the better one day.  As Edgar told me, “Take every chance and opportunity you get to help out people in need, either in small ways by opening a door for them, or doing something way bigger, like helping build a community building.  Never let someone ruin your day, and always help those who are the most in need.”