I grew up in a multiethnic family as my father is Caucasian of German and Scotch-Irish descent and my mother is a Salvadorean immigrant. At home I speak Spanish and English, plus I attended a dual language (Spanish/English) school that instilled a commitment to community service as a part of its curriculum. When I was in the eighth grade I was given a project to study some of our city's leading environmental problems and come up with ways that...

Over the years in school, a number of classmates have looked at me and asked about my last name. It may seem odd to them that a brown-skinned girl with obviously Latino features would have such an English last name. Some follow with the question to which group do I identify with ethnically. I simply say that I am neither one nor the other, but of two ethnicities. My father is American, of German/ Scotch-Irish descent, and my mother is...

The ticket I hold in my hand took me back in time to a fair that is known for a countless number of things and holds much mystery. The fair I am referring to is the Chicago World Fair of 1893 also known as the Columbian Exposition. It was about four in the morning when the train I was on finally arrived in Chicago. I was in contact with a woman who was one of the secret organizers that helped push...