For over a decade, Romero Elementary School has hosted Love Romero Day—a vibrant celebration filled with community spirit, school pride, and an unwavering commitment to student success. What began as a humble effort to raise scholarship funds for Romero alumni heading off to Gustine High School has blossomed into one of the school’s most anticipated events.

“Love Romero Day was designed 11 years ago as a way to raise scholarship money for former Romero Patriots who were graduating from Gustine High School,” explained Anel Flores, one of the event’s dedicated organizers. “Originally, it was a way to showcase community projects within the school population, but over the years it has evolved into so much more.”

Today, the event is a thriving hub of activity. From personalized class projects on display for a silent auction to booths hosted by local vendors and community organizations, Love Romero Day now serves as a showcase for both student creativity and small business entrepreneurship.

“The support we receive from our local vendors, community partners, donors, and Romero staff/PTC members plays a huge role in the success of an event like this,” said Flores. “Without their collaboration, there simply wouldn’t be a Love Romero Day. It truly takes a village.”

Though turnout can vary from year to year, Flores said the team remains grateful for every single person who shows up. “Many factors play into how we are supported each year, but we prefer to focus on those who take time out of their Saturday to show up and support Love Romero Day.”

Funds raised during the event directly support the Romero Alumni Scholarship program. For students with limited access to resources, the scholarship can make a world of difference. “The goal is always to provide scholars with as many opportunities as possible,” Flores shared. “Being able to provide them with scholarship funds to support their educational journey is something we take pride in. It’s a way to cheer on our Romero Alumni and encourage them to keep reaching for the stars.”

Of course, hosting a large-scale community event doesn’t come without its challenges. From coordinating volunteers to juggling last-minute changes, the Love Romero Day team works tirelessly behind the scenes. “You can make a million different plans and have a specific way of executing them, but it really boils down to how well everyone works together,” said Flores. “Just like any family, we put our heads together, collaborate, and see things through.”

Looking ahead, the organizers are already thinking about how to make next year’s event even more impactful. One of their goals is to create dedicated committees focused on planning, promotion, and donor/vendor outreach. “We want to continue to host fun and engaging activities for our community that locals and visitors can enjoy,” said Flores. “We never stop caring about our Romero Alumni, so the goal is always to promote resilience and create as many opportunities to open doors for them as possible.”