From beauty queen to interpreter
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Some of these came with their families or brought their wives and children later. Some moved here on their own or came to live with relatives who have settled here. Some over the years have become naturalized citizens and eventually married, had children and established families here. Their children, having been born here, are American citizens. These children, though very much American in attitude and action, are also proud of their Hispanic heritage.
They have become a part of our community in a major way. Their names appear regularly on school honor roles, in sporting events and in student clubs and competitions involving the arts, history and various other educational pursuits. Their hard work and dedication is recognized in all sorts of venues.
And then there is another segment of the Hispanic population that has its own special story: children of mixed descent. Coming from a melding of two cultures these children, as a result, have had a whole different set of issues to deal with in our society. No doubt some of these children have experienced some sort of prejudice from both sides of their heritage in their lives, and have dealt with it in their own way, coming out the better for it in the long run, as with anyone who has been faced with adversity and overcome it.
And some have simply taken it in stride, like award winning 16-year-old model and student Alicia Lara, who has never found her ethnicity any sort of obstacle, just a fact of life.
Born here in McMinnville, Alicia’s father, Cornelio Lara, originally came from Tamualipas, Mexico. Her mother, Patricia, is from Warren County. Alicia’s parents divorced when she was 12 and her mother has recently remarried.
Alicia is well-known locally for her success in modeling competitions, which is not surprising considering her radiant beauty, long-legged model’s physique and natural grace. Though she doesn’t currently plan to take her modeling any further or make it a career, she says she has enjoyed participating in the competitions that have brought her local and state recognition.
“I think I just liked the experience,” Alicia said. “Getting to meet new people. I’m a very people oriented person. I love to meet new people and talk to people. I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much.”
Over the years Alicia has been involved in around 10 such competitions.
“I’ve had some here in Warren County,” she said. “I’ve had one in Nashville, and then I had a Model Search in Nashville, and I won that.”
For that competition, Alicia was offered a contract.
“But I turned down the contract,” Alicia said, noting she has other career opportunities she wants to pursue.
Alicia says she has never found her mixed heritage a real issue, and feels a strong sense of connection with the local Hispanic community.
“The Hispanic people communicate a lot,” she said, “and I think we rely on each other to help each other out, and that’s I’m so interested in helping Hispanic people, because I can relate to them.”
In fact, Alicia say her choice of career has a lot to do with her heritage and her desire to help.
“I’m actually going to start classes to become a certified court interpreter,” Alicia said.
Alicia says her heritage is definitely a part of her life.
“I’ve always had a little bit of an influence,” she said. “I’ve always been curious about that part of me. Actually as a child I went to Mexico on a trip.”
But even though it hasn’t presented a real problem, Alicia says her heritage has been a mixed blessing on occasion.
“Sometimes I think it kind of helps,” she said, “and then there are situations where it doesn’t really help.”
Alicia admits some people will change their attitude somewhat once they find out she is of Hispanic descent, but that really doesn’t worry her.
“I really don’t have much problems with that,” she said.
Alicia attends Cedars of Lebanon, where there are only around 50 students, and there are currently only two other Hispanics at her school. She says she likes the school because of the small classes, individual attention, and the fact that it’s a Christian school and has less of the problems and influences a large school has.
“You get more one on one time with your teachers,” Alicia said, “and if you have a problem with something, you’re more likely to get one on one help.”
In any case, Alicia says her heritage will always be a major influence in her life.
“I think it’s very important for me,” she said, “to have that connection. I can look at a person, I have a big heart anyway, and I can see them and I want to help them so much. And I know that that’s a part of me that I can use to help other people.”