From One Person of the Year to the Next

2025 FRONTeras Magazine 4th Quarter Vol. 1 No. 4 Issue

Last year, I was lucky enough to be chosen as the 2024 FRONTeras Person of the Year, a title that gave me great honor. The year has come and gone, and with it comes the bittersweet moment of transition. It is now my privilege to welcome the next person who will carry this meaningful recognition into 2025.

Congratulations, Father Roy Snipes. The baton is now in your deserving hands.

To "pass the baton," generally speaking, means to hand over a duty or responsibility. While there is no single verse in the Bible that explicitly uses the phrase, Scripture clearly embraces the concept. Second Timothy 2:2 serves as the core reference, emphasizing the importance of entrusting truth to faithful people who will, in turn, pass it on. Psalm 78:4–7 reinforces this idea by calling us to teach God's deeds to future generations, and in Second Timothy 4:7–8, we are reminded of the call to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.

The idiom "pass the baton" originates in sport—specifically track and field—where runners literally transfer a baton to the next teammate. It symbolizes teamwork, trust, and seamless transition. A successful exchange is essential to winning the race, just as a fumble can cost the entire team everything.

As the 2024 FRONTeras Person of the Year, it is now my time to ensure a smooth and successful baton exchange to the next deserving "runner." This moment represents a transfer of responsibility, duty, and leadership, and it invites our community to recommit to continuity and collective effort toward a shared goal. Progress depends on how well we carry what has been entrusted to us—and how intentionally we pass it forward.

Now, in all honesty, I didn't run track. I was more of a nerdy band-girl type. But the principles of hard work, dedication, and devotion—to a goal, a moment, a movement, or a community—have never been lost on me. I spent my entire young life training to be "baton-worthy," and there has never been a prouder moment for me than the day I was selected.

Being named the first-ever FRONTeras Person of the Year felt like an even greater accomplishment. To be recognized by one of the first  Latina-led, independent magazines in South Texas affirmed something deep within me: that I belonged.

FRONTeras is led by women who consistently tell some of the most creative and impactful stories, while maintaining clarity, depth, and fairness. To sit down, share your story, and have it retold with such soul and artistry is truly priceless.

This moment is bittersweet. That little Black girl from southern Louisiana could never have imagined that she would one day stand among the fortunate few—entrusted with a platform, a purpose, and a baton. And yet, here I am, profoundly grateful for the race I have run and deeply committed to ensuring that what comes next is even greater.

We often place immense pressure on ourselves to be perfect, forgetting that our missteps and failures can be just as inspiring as our victories.

To the young lady at our local fast-food restaurant whose mother made her read my article to help inspire her future goals—please know that I hope to be a small part of your inevitable success. The most meaningful lessons in my life came from those who ran before me, and now it is my turn to do the same. It is time for me to pass the baton—confidently and joyfully—to exceptional individuals just like you.

To FRONTeras Magazine, its exceptional journalists, and its team: thank you for this extraordinary gift. The opportunity to be heard, to be seen, and to represent women of all colors and communities has been one of the greatest honors—and proudest accomplishments—of my life. As I pass the baton forward, I do so with gratitude, faith, and a renewed commitment to service, remembering the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve."

@Santitos

@salinasmariasantos

Copyright © 2026 Maria Santos Salinas for FRONTeras.

All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Sharing the original posts or links from FRONTeras on social media is allowed and appreciated.