The late Mrs. Esperanza Gonzales, like many of her generation, was a strong leader with a si se puede (can-do) and you can too attitude.
   Elementary teacher Gonzales in 1971 organized a school-based effort to raise student and parental pride in their educational foundation and community.
   She wanted to change the letter N (for El Rito Normal School) to a letter E to represent the El Rito Elementary School. The latter was the only school remaining.
   The letter E remains symbolic of both institutions and the community to this day. However, it fell into fading disrepair. Liability concerns stopped the childrenâs and Gonzalesâ forays to its annual painting fundraisers.