PALOMA MAGAZINE VOLUME 55

Jorge Luis Palacios Rivera,
today a Spanish teacher with
a double master's degree in
counseling and English, in
addition he is also a teacher
of folk dancing, he has given
35 years of volunteer service to
our community and won several
championships being the coach,
but find out how he managed to
become the recognized and respected
"Maestro Palacios", his story is really
very admirable and motivational.
Jorge Luis Palacios Rivera, was born
on December 7, 1952 in Las Palmas
Durango Municipio de Santiago
Papasquiaro Durango, Mexico.
He was raised by his maternal
grandparents in the mountains of
Santiago Papasquiaro up to the age
of six where he spent the best years
of his life riding horses, milking cows
and herding calves in the mountains,
happily he shares with us: I was an
only child and grew up with my
grandparents, uncles, and cousins.
I attended primary to elementary
school in Nuevo Ideal, Durango.
I graduated in 1968 from high school.
I was a member of the school color
guard and basketball team. After
graduating I went in search of the
American dream like all of us here.
Jorge Luis Palacios Rivera, tells us
about his economic needs throughout
his childhood, from his memories he
tells us: In July 1970 I came to
Tijuana where for the first time,
I watched Mexico play in the world
cup on TV. In Durango I never had
that luxury. We lacked a TV, electricity
and money of course. In 1970
I arrived in San Jose California and my
dream was to work and buy a TV,
boots and a leather jacket. I arrived
on a Friday and on Monday I started
working at Del Monte Food
Corporation. First as a floor cleaner,
then putting cans of fruit in boxes
(Caser), then as a machine operator
and lastly as a forklift driver (Forklift
operator). Admirably working and
studying at his age, he tells us how he
did it: I went to Peter Brunette Junior
High School at 17 for 6 months.
At 18 I transefered to San Jose City
College to learn English there the
counselor helped me start as a
Spanish major which ended at San
Jose State University in 1977. Seven
years after he arrived in the United
States. In 1978 I began my studies
for credentials in teaching Spanish
and in 1979 my American dream was
fulfilled when I became a teacher at
Alisal High School. Here I felt what it
was to be part of an American country
that gives you what your own country
denies you. Yes because in Tijuana
I tried to enter the
school while waiting
for my papers, and
no sir there I was
asked for a lawyer to
help me go to school
and had no money for a lawyer and
my own country denied me the
Perseverance, patience,
dedication and of course
the most essential is the
courage to get where you
and only where you want.
-Jorge Luis Palacios Rivera
opportunity to exceed in Tijuana.
Now I was able to receive a teaching
license of Spanish, a masters in
counseling and a masters in
English as a second language.
Life gave me pride and the chance
to be head coach the next soccer
champions. Alisal High Varsity Boys
1984 Overfelt High School Varsity
Boys Junion 1994, Everett Alvarez
High School Junior Varsity Girls 2004,
Everett Alvarez High School Varsity
Girls 2013. Every 10 years a
championship and the first one in
every school I was in. Dancing for 35
years serving the schools of the
community of Salinas and San Jose
with cultural events. My motto is: "To
know your culture is to know yourself."
When we asked Jorge Luis Palacios
Rivera, what have been the obstacles
in your life, he added with confidence:
The obstacles in my life have been
able to overcome fear of the unknown
and proceeding without fear to
progress without knowing who holds
my destiny and this is also my
greatest weapon because I always
venture into the unknown no matter
how difficult the path to reach the
goal. Thanks to God and my patience
I got where I am now. Precisely this
2015-2016 near retirement he
explains: This school year is my last
year in school and at 63 years
I believe have given me the pride of
having left a positive legacy to my
students and my community.
We met Jorge Luis Palacios Rivera,
serenely in his beautiful ranch, he
shows us how his work, strength,
confidence, and resilience, got him
something more than a TV, boots and
a leather jacket that was his dream
when he got to California and gladly
he confirms: Life gave me a daughter
who is also a High School teacher,
a son who is still in school, 3
grandchildren, a mare and a foal and
of course a wife who supports me in
everything. With gratefulness he tells
us that his great inspiration were his
grandparents and his mother. Ending
we asked Jorge Luis Palacios Rivera
to give us some advice to society he
stated: My advice to all who want to
achieve that dream like me is very
simple. Perseverance, patience,
dedication and of course the most
essential is the courage to get where
you and only where you want.
Finally it is an honor to congratulate
Jorge Luis Palacios Rivera, for his
perseverance, for everything that he
gave to the community, thanks to his
passion for teaching, remembering
that he also keeps our culture alive
with Folkloric Dancing and most
surprising how he overcomes every
obstacle, clearly proving to be a
valuable example for everyone,
from the foregoing Paloma Magazine
recognizes his achievements,
appreciates his efforts and he is
Our Orgullo Hispano forever.
Translation by: Shantal Dena/Michelle Enriquez
Writing by: Maria Guadalupe/Julio Enriquez
Photography by: Dena Photo & Video
family+culture+religion+society 831.917.4227 43