My journey into family history began with journaling at a young age. After losing my father, a police officer, when I was just eleven years old, writing became my way of holding onto memories and emotions. If I had not written down those moments, I would not remember the
exact last words I said to him. That experience showed me the power of recording stories, and it became the foundation for my lifelong passion for preserving family history. Genealogy became even more important when my family relocated to Houston, far away from relatives. Research and storytelling gave us the connection we craved and reminded us that our identity is strengthened by the achievements, struggles, and resilience of our ancestors. Discovering family history gave us confidence in who we are and a deep sense of belonging. Professionally, my background as a college professor and in project management has equipped me with the skills to organize, teach, and lead. These experiences directly support my ability to plan and facilitate workshops, conferences, and family history events that engage and inspire others. Over the years, I have hosted numerous family history events, led beginner genealogy workshops, been featured in the North East News, and spoken at various community development gatherings. My research experience includes using FamilySearch.org . My primary areas of research focus are South Texas and Mexico, where I continue to uncover and preserve the remarkable stories of families and their legacies. As President of the Hispanic Genealogical Society – Houston Chapter, I am committed to helping individuals and families discover, preserve, and celebrate their histories. For me, genealogy is not just research; it is a way of honoring those who came before us and  empowering future generations with their legacy.