Honoring Johnny's Heritage and Culture

Understanding the Significance of Hispanic Heritage Month

“For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the diverse and rich cultures, histories, and contributions Hispanic communities have made in the United States. From Mexican to Puerto Rican, Cuban, Honduran, and beyond, our country is beautifully enriched by these blended cultures. To honor our ancestors, cherish our present, and instill pride in future generations means the world to me.”

Celebrating Traditions

“This month, when I think of a celebration that stands out for me as a Mexican American, it's the 16th of September, Mexico’s Independence Day from Spain. Many people mistakenly think that's Cinco De Mayo, but in reality, it's the 16th of September. Like millions of other Mexicans, that week usually brings a weekend that highlights a major boxing match. On that Saturday, the whole family gathers at the house to cook, dance, sing, and watch the prized fight. The night usually ends with some tíos and tías expressing their pride and sometimes even shedding tears.

I come from a small town in South Texas where many were migrant workers. Spending time at ranches and sharing stories about our lives, struggles, and successes is a long-standing tradition. Even today, these customs continue. Throughout the year, we head to our family ranch to cook, dance, sing, hunt, cry, and laugh!”

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Tribute & Legacy

"I don’t pay tribute to a specific individual, but rather to all the Hispanics who came before me. My ancestors migrated here in search of a better life, escaping poverty. Growing up, I heard stories about the hardships many of them faced and their desire for opportunities. My grandfather would drive a crew of migrants thousands of miles north to pick fruit, and by fall, they'd be back home picking cotton. I can still recall being a 5-year-old boy, accompanying my grandparents and mother to the cotton fields to watch them clear weeds. That wasn’t very long ago. Over the years, I have seen the progress and growth of our community.

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Nationally, figures like Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Sonia Sotomayor, Roberto Clemente, and Corpus Christi’s very own Selena Quintanilla stand out. On a personal note, my grandparents were migrants, and my father became a mechanic, which improved our living conditions. I then became the first in both my immediate and extended family to graduate from college and now work for a great company like Nevro. I envision this legacy of progress continuing with my children and their children in the future."

Celebrating our History & Future

" Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for all Hispanics to reflect on how far we have come, and the work we still must do. We must honor the achievements of figures like Cesar Chaves and Dolores Huerta, and we must also salute our families. They've created their success stories and continuously aspire for a brighter future."

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Parting Words

" I'd like to leave you with a favorite quote from Geraldo Rivera about Hispanos: ‘La única diferencia entre nosotros, Los Hispanos, es el color de nuestro frijoles.’ In essence, while we might have minor differences, at our core, we're all the same. And this month, we celebrate just that."

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