On November 4, 2006, Marisela Orta received a Young Alumna Acheivement Award from the Association of Southwestern University Alumni. The Young Alumna/Alumnus Acheivement Award is given to former Southwestern students who have graduated in the last ten years and whose acheivements in the civic and/or professional realm set a standard of excellence. The following citation was read to Marisela as she received her award.

One day, when Marisela Trevino Orta was 3 years old, her mother, Evangelina, was reading her a story. As her mother was reading, Marisela stopped her and said, “I can read through my eals” Marisela couldn’t pronounce “ears” at the time. And though it took her a moment, Evangelina understood what her daughter meant.

Today, her friends say, it is Marisela the poet-turned-playwright’s ability to see beyond her own words and to hear the larger story that makes her work so powerful, and that most influences those who work with her. A colleague continues, “Music and beauty are what Marisela is able to evoke in her writing. “In her hands, prose and poetry infuse human performance with larger themes of family and community. Marisela “tries to see other people and the world through the beauty in chaos.”

Marisela’s friends describe her as “ambitious and driven,” as a person who is “genuine, real.” They say she is “raw, but in a beautiful and creative way” and that she is “captivating, witty and brave.” More than one person also notes her special ability to help others find the creative side in themselves, as she does in her efforts to teach children the art of poetry.

In fact, it was Marisela’s work with Latino day laborers that fundamentally changed her professional life. Marisela joined !El Teatro Jornalero—a company of amateur actors who also happen to be Latino immigrants—as their resident poet. Soon, her work with them sparked a deeper theatrical interest within her and led Marisela to take a playwriting class. Her very first play, Braided Sorrow, was accepted to the Bay Area Playwrights Festival in San Francisco, California.

Yet, irrespective of her immediate success of being a playwright, Marisela remains committed to human justice and never shies away from rolling up her sleeves and getting her hands dirty in the face of social challenges. “She wants to be out in the community,” says one friend, “Most writers prefer to remain at home in solitude to work. Even though she has won so many awards and has an extensive résumé, that is not why she does it. Marisela takes the time to write, but she still makes time to be out in the community.” Participation in the Bay Area Playwrights Festival resulted in work with the Marin Theatre Company. Out of that working partnership, Marisela has developed a project to teach playwriting to Latino youth in the San Rafael area of California. The Marin Theatre Company also has commissioned her to pen an original play inspired by her work with the students and the community.

Marisela, you embody so many of the best characteristics we hope Southwestern instills in its students. Your dedication to lifelong learning and the betterment of humanity have not only led you to professional success, but also continue to enrich the lives of those whom you come in contact. It is with great pride and happiness that the Association of Southwestern University Alumni awards you the Young Alumna Achievement Award.