Every year during Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), Passaic Prep and The Boulevard Online will honor our Hispanic Heritage Heroes!

NAME/ROLE: Diosmerida Reyes, teaches Spanish III and AP Language and Culture

HERITAGE: I was born in Cuba. Since Cuba is a Communist country, my parents knew there was no future for my brother and myself. Therefore, my family escaped Cuba in a small boat, illegally in the summer of 1994. This was known as the 1994 Cuban rafter crisis. My grandparents, parents, aunt, uncle, brother and cousins all risked our lives in search for FREEDOM, and the American Dream. We were rescued by Guantanamo Bay coast guards after being 16 hours at sea without any water or food. We were detained in Guantanamo Bay for about 6 months until we were granted asylum to come to the United States. It was a time of uncertainty because it was unknown whether we were going to be granted access to the United States or be returned to Cuba. My family lived with fear because if we had been returned, my parents would have gone to jail for fleeing the country illegally.We were lucky enough to be able to achieve what many people can only dream of.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: I have two daughters, Emily who is 11 years old, and Melanie who recently turned 10 years old. They are my world. I couldn’t be any prouder of my girls. I graduated from Saint Peter’s College in 2006. I worked at South Amboy Middle/High School for 13 years. I have been part of the Prep Family since 2019. This school year will be my 5th year at Prep, and my 18th teaching Spanish. I’m so blessed to be working with such wonderful people, students included. On my free time I love spending time with my girls and my family. I love to watch Turkish soap-operas, Netflix series and TikTok. I love to listen to almost all kinds of Spanish music.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR HISPANIC HERITAGE: It is imperative that as a Hispanic, I keep my roots and my culture alive. I use my personal experience to help others the same way my ESL teacher helped me learn and appreciate the American culture. My daughters’ first language was Spanish, even though they were born here. Until this day, my daughters are not allowed to speak English at home, unless it’s with their cousins. I’m always finding ways to teach them not only about our Cuban culture, but about the Hispanic Culture in general.

ADVICE TO KEEP YOUR CULTURE ALIVE: I always encourage my students to learn and cherish who they are and where they came from. Never be afraid of speaking Spanish, no matter how you think you sound. Practice makes perfect. Ask your parents, grandparents about your cultural history and let that help you continuing to shape who you truly are and be proud of your roots. Whenever my students want to speak with me, they have to do so in Spanish. It doesn’t matter if they are no longer part of my classes. This is one of the best ways to embrace their roots.

COMMENT FROM COLLEAGUES: “Ms. Reyes is a dedicated teacher who strives to have a good rapport with her students. She cares about their future and strives to provide them with beneficial opportunities. She is a hard worker and it is a pleasure to work with her.”