Celebrating with Old and New Traditions with Minerva Valencia
Culture, traditions, and heritage are parts of identity that are essential in defining who we are. These practices grow as life progresses, as people continue or begin to celebrate new and old traditions. An Impounds Specialist at Bridgecrest, Minerva Valencia, first learned about her heritage through her grandmothers, and is now creating new practices for herself and her family.
“I learned about different parts of my culture, from food to holidays to practices, from my two grandmothers,” Minerva shared. “My culture is important to me because it’s the roots of where I came from. It’s what makes me who I am.”
Growing Up in Two Worlds
Born and raised in San Fernando, California, Minerva grew up in a dual-culture environment. Her mother, a third-generation American, and her father, a first-generation Mexican immigrant, raised Minerva in San Fernando and spent summers as a family in Mexicali, Mexico.
“Living in California and visiting Mexicali was the best of both worlds,” Minerva shared. “I attended elementary, middle school, and high school in California, but during the summers, my family would stay in Mexicali with my dad’s side of the family.”
Touching more on her experience growing up in both states at an early age, Minerva spoke to how being immersed in the culture of both worlds allowed her to learn both English and Spanish at the same time.
“When I would go to Mexicali during the summers, I would have a hard time remembering my Spanish after speaking only English for so long,” she laughed. “And the same thing would happen when I came back to California; I’d forget my English.”
These summers in Mexicali and winters in California are memories Minerva holds close to her heart, especially the traditions she celebrated with her family.
Traditions and Celebrations
One of the first holidays Minerva remembers celebrating is Mexican Independence Day, which falls on September 16th every year, the day after Hispanic Heritage Month begins.
“In Mexicali, we would wear the colors of our flag and drive around my neighborhood shouting and celebrating,” Minerva explained.
Formally known as El Grito, Minerva and her family’s celebration of Mexican Independence Day is just one of many traditions they engaged in growing up.
These celebrations were a time not just for family, but for everyone in Minerva’s neighborhood to come together and show their Mexican pride through chanting and dancing to Mexican music in the streets.
But the celebrations don’t end there. Another family tradition Minerva celebrated was around one of her favorite times of year, Christmas.
“Christmas was one of my favorite holidays as a kid. In California, we celebrated Las Posadas, which was a nine-day celebration that involved singing carols to neighbors, and spending time with them afterwards talking together while enjoying Mexican snacks, like Mexican hot chocolate and pan dulce,” she shared.
These communal gatherings are a cherished memory for Minerva, who enjoyed having her whole family come together under one roof to celebrate.
Another, newer tradition for Minerva includes celebrating Dia de Los Muertos, a two-day Mexican holiday dedicated to remembering those passed. This time allows Minerva to celebrate and honor the people in her life no longer with her, like her friends and grandparents.
“I didn’t really celebrate Dia de Los Muertos growing up, but it’s something my family and I have been doing for the last few years,” Minerva explained. “I always like to set up early, putting up the pictures of my friends and family that have passed along with their favorite food.”
Minerva loves the memories that come from celebrating these traditions and has found excitement in sharing them with her daughters. Practices like speaking Spanish and cooking Mexican food are everyday aspects of Minvera’s culture that she is passing down to her girls.
“I’m teaching my daughters how to cook all kinds of Mexican foods, like pozole, ceviche, and sopitas,” Minvera shared. “It’s important for them to know not just because it’s their favorite food, but because it’s an important life skill to have. I want them to know how to make these dishes, especially for the moments that I’m not there to do it for them.”
In addition to traditions and celebrations, Minerva also hopes to create the same happy memories of adolescence for her daughters. “I had a really great childhood, and those happy memories are things I want my girls to experience too.”
Feeling Represented at Work
Outside of her home, Minerva’s second family, her team at Bridgecrest, has played a big role in helping her feel welcomed and represented in the workplace.
“I spend more than eight hours a day with my team. They’re my friends, and we’re always checking up on each other. I truly feel represented here,” Minerva said. “We’re like one big happy family.”
Minerva started at Bridgecrest twenty-three years ago while she was studying law in college. She began working as a customer service agent before transferring to the Total Loss team. She then learned more about Impounds and assisted with several Bridgecrest projects before acquiring her title as Impounds Specialist.
“I genuinely love what I do. I get to utilize my skills and love for law every day at Bridgecrest,” Minerva explained. “It’s been about eight years now going steady as an Impounds specialist.”
When asked about her tenure with Bridgecrest, Minerva shared that a combination of love for her work and love for her team has resulted in her continuing to stay and growth with Bridgecrest.
“I love the people, and I love what I do,” she shared.
Continuing to Celebrate
As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, Minerva is looking forward to spending time with family and friends and has already begun to set-up her ofrenda in preparation for Dia de Los Muertos.
“I am incredibly proud to be Hispanic, and I will always cherish the cultural memories with friends and family I experienced growing up.”
