The Stories of Team Gilbert: Hispanic Heritage Month

What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?

"My Hispanic heritage is central to who I am. It means honoring the values I was raised with: family, hard work, and resilience. It means carrying forward a deep sense of responsibility to create opportunities for others, just as those before me did for me. My heritage shapes the way I lead, connect with people, and contribute to my community."

What do you love most about serving the Town of Gilbert?

"What I love most about serving Gilbert is the opportunities that I have every day to support residents and businesses through services that directly impact their quality of life. I love working with a team that's committed to making sure the Town continues to thrive for years to come."

What's something about you that people might be surprised to learn?

"People might be surprised to learn that I am a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. That experience taught me discipline, teamwork, and adaptability, which I carry into my work every day. It also deepened my appreciation for public service, which is why I've dedicated my career to serving communities here at home."

What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?

"I am a proud first-generation Mexican American. My parents were born in Mexico, and my siblings and I were raised in a home where our cultural values were not just taught-they were lived every day. We grew up with a deep sense of family, hard work, respect, service to others, resilience, and humility.

These values were more than just ideals-they shaped our identity. Watching my parents work hard and give so much of themselves to others inspired me to do the same. That sense of purpose led me to a career in public service, and I continue to uphold those values in everything I do.

Serving my community is one of the greatest honors of my life. It's not just about wearing a uniform-it's about honoring the legacy my parents gave me and doing my part to lead with compassion, integrity, and heart."

What message would you share with younger generations in the Hispanic community?

"Always remember your roots-they are a source of strength and wisdom. Every culture brings something meaningful to the world, and ours is rich in family, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others. Carry our traditions with pride and humility. Honor the sacrifices of those who came before you by building the future they dreamed of. You are part of something beautiful. ¡Sí se puede!"

Is there a cultural tradition or celebration you love sharing with others?

"Tamales are more than just a holiday dish-they're a tradition that lives at the heart of so many Hispanic families, including mine. Growing up, making tamales was never a solo task. It was a full family affair-gathering in the kitchen with relatives and close friends, laughing, dancing to music, and working side by side. Especially during Christmas, the tamalada became a time to reconnect, share stories, and pass down traditions from one generation to the next. Some of my most treasured memories are wrapped in corn husks and filled with love."

What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?

"It is something that I am proud of, the life I lived and the way I was brought up to have respect for others."

What message would you share with younger generations in the Hispanic community?

"Be proud of where you came from and there is more out in the world than the barrio that you live in. Don't hate others because they live in a different barrio. More than likely your grandparents or parents know others from the same place."

Is there a cultural tradition or celebration you love sharing with others?

"Easter Sunday, getting as many family members as possible together to celebrate that day. My mom comes from a big family with 13 brothers and sisters, so I invite all aunts, uncles and cousins over to celebrate."

Is there a person (past or present) who inspires you within the Hispanic community?

"Both of my grandfathers. They both taught me to be a hard worker and do a good job!"

What food reminds you most of home?

"Corned beef tacos, a recipe my mom made that was passed down to her."

How has your cultural perspective influenced your approach to your work?

"No matter what the issue is, there is a way to work it out and having patience with others."

What's something you're proud to have contributed to in Gilbert?

"That I was able to make someone happy, and if they were having a bad day, that I was able to make it a little better for them."

What's a value or lesson passed down in your family that guides you?

"My grandparents were immigrants from Veracruz, Mexico. They moved to Yuma, Arizona, a border town where they worked in the fields. They worked hard and built a better life for themselves and our family. They taught us the value of hard work and that nothing is out of reach."

Who's the best cook in your family and what do they make?

"My Nana Pita was the best cook. She made incredible food and taught me everything she knew. She gave me my love for cooking. Sadly, she passed away suddenly in April 2024. Everything she made was delicious, but my all-time favorite was her homemade tacos de papa (potato tacos) made completely from scratch. While they may sound simple, I've never tasted any that come close to hers. She would shred fresh cabbage and prepare the most delicious salsa and queso fresco. I miss her so much."

What's a memory from your childhood that stands out?

"During Christmas time, my family gathers together on Christmas Eve to enjoy each other's company and have a lot of fun. We make tamales, pozole, and various other snacks and dishes. We also play games like Lotería, which adds to the enjoyment of the evening. It's a special time for all of us to be together, and we often stay up way too late while the little ones eagerly wait to open one gift each. This tradition has been a part of our celebrations for as long as I can remember."

How has your background shaped who you are today?

"I come from very humble beginnings, grew up in Mexico surrounded by poverty. However, the people who I grew up around were happy, hard-working people. Always grateful for what they had, even though it wasn't much. I really never heard anyone complain about anything."

Is there a cultural tradition or celebration you love sharing with others?

"My family loves playing 'Loteria.' It is a card game like Bingo but with pictures on the cards instead of letters and numbers. This brings everyone together and it can be enjoyed by adults and kids."

What's one way you stay connected to your roots?

"Food. One of the many things my mom taught me was cooking. I have become a decent cook and can duplicate several traditional meals of my upbringing. I enjoy making meals and sharing them with people and letting them know 'this is how my mom used to make this!'"

What's a song, movie, or book that resonates with your culture or heritage?

"'Gema' (Spanish for Gem). Although this is a very old song, way before my time, it is a beautiful classic love song that everyone knows."

Is there a person who inspires you within the Hispanic community?

"My mom had no education and was very poor. She showed me the value of hard work and taking pride in what you do."

How has your cultural perspective influenced your approach to your work?

"I am excited to come to work every day and make a positive difference in people in need. I have a different perspective that does not allow me to get complacent or feel entitled. This job is so rewarding, and it has provided for me and my family that I feel like I must continue to earn my place in this organization. I know what it's like to have nothing, so I am so grateful and appreciative for my job."

What's something you're proud to have contributed to in Gilbert?

"I am proud to have worked side by side with some of the original founding members of the Gilbert Fire Department as well as mentoring some of our younger members. I have been involved in multiple projects from scheduling to our bid process and most recently a very in-depth study that provided data to allow us to change our shift schedule."

What's something about you that people might be surprised to learn?

"That I was born and raised in Mexico, in a very poor area with weather like Arizona with no AC and tons of bugs."

What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?

"Being lucky enough to learn and enjoy the best of two nations' cultures."

What message would you share with younger generations in the Hispanic community?

"Work and fight for your dreams. If you can visualize it, you can create it. Nothing is impossible-some things just take longer sometimes."

What's a value or lesson passed down in your family that guides you?

"How hardworking my parents are! They will show up to work no matter what."

Do you have a favorite saying or proverb from your culture?

"Donde come uno, comen dos."

What do you love most about serving the Town of Gilbert?

"Interaction with people in general, either residents or coworkers. Even when the job type may look repetitive, every day is a different experience!"

What's something you're proud to have contributed to in Gilbert?

"Being able to join during the worst part of the pandemic and being willing to go out and serve the community, help others when we had a lack of workforce."

What's something about you that people might be surprised to learn?

"When I started my family's process to bring them legally into the United States, every lawyer I went to told me I stood no chance due to my situation. Then I tried on my own, studied, did a lot of research, and finally after four years of hard work, effort, and being part of the Town of Gilbert community, made it possible."

Is there a cultural tradition or celebration you love sharing with others?

"My favorite tradition is that every winter, my family comes together to make tamales. For as long as I can remember, we have been making tamales once a year and then eating them all throughout the holiday season. We have welcomed our friends and significant others to join the fun, and I enjoy teaching them our process and spending time with everyone."

What's one way you stay connected to your roots?

"One way that I stay connected to my roots is by staying connected with my extended family members and listening to their stories of the generations before us. Through storytelling, I get to learn more about my culture and the traditions that were celebrated long ago, some of which are still celebrated today.

I also like to watch movies and read books to learn more about other traditions, such as Día de los Muertos, which my family has not normally celebrated in the past. Since we are able to learn about these traditions, we can try some of them ourselves and feel connected.

For example, my sisters and I have started to create our own small ofrendas, or altars, covered in pictures and marigold flowers in our homes for Día de los Muertos, to participate in the celebration of remembering and honoring our loved ones who have passed."

Who's the best cook in your family, and what do they make?

"My grandma, who my family calls 'Nana,' is the best cook in my family, in my opinion. My favorite things that she makes are red cheese enchiladas, Mexican rice, and chicken mole, which she usually makes for special occasions and birthdays. She also taught my siblings and me how to make homemade tortillas, using a recipe that she learned from her mom.

Since the recipe was never written down, and my great-grandma would use her hands to measure, we have not been able to replicate the recipe exactly, but we have gotten pretty close."