by Jerome Hubbard | Aug 13, 2026
Born and raised in Modesto, Calif., by Mexican immigrant parents, Emily Marquez grew up in a close-knit, Spanish-speaking household where family was at the center of everything. Among the most influential people in her life was her grandmother, whose experience...
by Liz Madison | Jul 10, 2024
If you were to paint a portrait of Anaissa Medina, it wouldn’t be a complete picture without William and Juanita Huerta, Medina’s maternal grandparents. Their constant presence has had a tremendous impact and influence over her life, most notably in her pursuit to...
by Sutter Health | Jul 10, 2024
By Debbie Ritenour, Vitals contributor Naomi Dillard knows what it’s like to feel different. While the high school she attended in Sacramento is one of the most diverse in the state, the students in its International Baccalaureate program were not. Dillard was often...
by Liz Madison | Jul 10, 2024
Growing up in a Latino working-class environment, Eric Arauza worked toward a life similar to those in his community: working a labor job in areas such as construction or food services. After all, his father, Candelario, Sr., is a truck driver, and together with...
by Sutter Health | Jul 10, 2024
By Debbie Ritenour, Vitals contributor Priscilla Covarrubias didn’t just grow up in a bicultural home; she grew up in a bicultural community. Covarrubias is from Salinas, an agricultural community along the Central Coast with a Hispanic population of 79%. Her parents...
