Riverhills Elementary Celebrates Head Custodian Becoming U.S. Citizen

TEMPLE TERRACE, FL — Riverhills Elementary Magnet IB World School is celebrating a major achievement by head custodian, Dinorah Paula Echazabal. She recently earned her United States citizenship.

Risking everything to leave her home country of Cuba in 2016, Echazabal wanted to secure a better future for herself and family. In November 2017, she began working as a custodian at Riverhills. She worked her way to head custodian in 2021. Next year will mark seven years of service with Hillsborough County Public Schools.

Among the list of endearing qualities she possesses, Echazabal continues to allow her integrity and caring nature drive her impeccable work ethic. Her commitment to persevere through personal obstacles and language barriers adds strength to the school community. These attributes exemplify everything the students at Riverhills aspire to be as International Baccalaureate learners and global citizens.

She attributes her success to an unrelenting hope.

“Hope is the last thing you can lose when it comes to improving your future. If I was able to become a citizen, being an immigrant at my age, without knowledge of the language of this country and with perseverance, dedication and effort, I can dare to say that everyone can achieve it."

To learn more about Riverhills Elementary Magnet IB World School, contact PYP coordinator/ leader teacher, LaGretta Snowden, at 813-987-6911, ext. 225, or visit the school website: Riverhills Elementary Magnet / Homepage (hillsboroughschools.org).