Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, McCarthy joyfully recognizes and celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 - Oct. 15.
Hispanic Heritage Month honors the contributions and influence of the Hispanic community - and together we honor its rich history, achievement and dynamic culture. Learn about the cultural traditions our employee partners cherish and what this month means to them.
Raymond Hidalgo
Project Engineer, Southern Pacific Region Lea en Español
What are some cultural traditions that you cherish the most? Why are they so important?
One of the many cultural traditions that I cherish the most is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This special day is dedicated to honoring my departed loved ones. Rather than mourning their loss, it is a time to celebrate their lives.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally?
Hispanic Heritage Month holds great significance for me as it highlights the Hispanic community and offers a chance to showcase our rich cultural traditions to other communities.
Marilyn Renderos
Marketing Communications Coordinator, Corporate
What are some cultural traditions that you cherish the most? Why are they so important?
For me, one of the cultural traditions I cherish the most is parties. In El Salvador, we have what we call "Fiestas Patronales." Each district and town has its own party that is centered around celebrating figures in the Catholic heritage. As these parties evolved over time, they now are used to celebrate the many different parts of the culture and history of our districts and towns. These parties are huge events that normally happen in the town square and typically start with a parade of kids from the local school who make up the band, the drill team/cheerleaders (in El Salvador, we call them Cachiporras), and then usually younger kids who will dress up as either historical figures or in the town's traditional clothing. Then the party continues for three days with different events and local vendors; sometimes we even have the dangerous activity where people will run with fireworks on their back through the parties. These parties made me truly cherish the importance of celebrating your culture and passing it down to the younger generations to also celebrate. I hope our culture is never erased, but that it also continues to evolve and grow.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reconnect with the importance and significance of our cultures. How we all share some similarities, but also to appreciate our differences. A lot of us are first-, second-, or third-born (or even more) in different countries from the ones where our culture originates. It can sometimes be easy to feel disconnected from our heritage feeling/being so far away from it. This month is important to remember where it all started — and where we could all go.
Humberto Lopez
Estimating Manager, Southern Region
What are some cultural traditions that you cherish the most? Why are they so important?
I know this may sound silly, but my mother’s cooking. Food is such a central part of Mexican culture. It brings people together and provides an opportunity to connect and build relationships with others. Growing up, it was very special to me when my mother would teach me a few of her tips and tricks for perfecting some of my favorite dishes, like Carne con Chile Rojo which is just beef strips cooked in a red tomato and pepper salsa.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally?
Inclusion and being seen/heard.
Zahel Gonzalez
Project Manager, Northern Pacific Region
What are some cultural traditions that you cherish the most? Why are they so important?
They say Puerto Ricans have the longest Christmas in the world. It starts the day after Thanksgiving and ends in mid-January with Las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian right after Three Kings Day — which is why my neighbors will always see our tree up and glowing until mid-January. Growing up, it was the time where all the family came together from all over and would roast our traditional lechon asado. Every weekend someone else is hosting and they always make more food for anyone to join. Can’t forget the parrandas, where you gather some food, drinks, instruments and bring the party from house to house, singing, eating and drinking into the night all Christmas season long. To me, it symbolizes the importance of family and community, the acceptance and welcoming of your neighbors no matter who they are.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally?
It’s a moment to celebrate all the different Hispanic American cultures, from Latin American and Central American to South American, all the different foods, music, traditions and how they each collectively enrich our daily lives in their own way.
