Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in San Francisco California.
What is your family heritage?
Both my parents where born in Guatemala.
What is your occupation?
I am the Coordinator of Diversity and Engagement for the Olathe School District.
How have you supported or contributed to the local Hispanic/Latinx community?
I have worked with the community for 16 years. I created several programs including the Hispanic Leadership Club and the Olathe leadership Lowrider Bike Club. I have also created several programs in Spanish for Spanish speaking parents. I serve on several committees in the county and I am on the board of El Centro and United Community Services of Johnson County. I am also on the Olathe Police Department's Community Police Advisory Board.
How do you connect with your Hispanic/Latinx culture?
I connect by being part of the community. I talk with the community everyday. It is important for me to be in tuned with what is happening in the community so that I may better serve the community. I am also very active in the Lowrder community.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite memory is when I would walk to the grocery store with my mom and I would get to see all the Lowrider cars showing off parked at the B.A.R.T (subway) station. We lived in the Mission district of San Francisco, so we did not drive anywhere. I loved seeing all the cars and listen to the oldies that they always had playing in the background.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month means that we get to highlight how much the Hispanic Community has contributed to this great nation. It gives me the opportunity as an educator to teach our young people about who we are. I get to talk about how we have have served in every U.S. war. It gives the nation an opportunity to remember how much we have done, and how much we belong to this nation.
In your opinion, what is the most important issue facing the Hispanic/Latinx community?
I think that the most important issue right now is access to secondary education. Scholarships are tough to get and paying out of pocket can be very difficult.
