2024 Mexican Heritage

MEXICAN HERITAGE MONTH FIESTA 56

Burrito Factory becoming an instant community favorite with Cal-Mex fare

Opening a restaurant is a difficult process that often comes with its fair share of growing pains. However, the new Burrito Factory location in Port Arthur has had nothing of the sort.

The new fast-casual restaurant offers a variety of Cal-Max fare ranging from massive burritos to carne asada fries, plus a salsa bar. How has the community responded to its soft opening?

The burrito business appears to be booming.

Throughout its first several weeks of operation, the Burrito Factory has been met with rave reviews online thus far. Much of the acclaim has come from Facebook via Southeast Texas Restaurant Reviews, a popular group with over 80 thousand members.

“The Burrito Factory in Port Arthur: FLAVOR-FREAKING-TASTIC… the flavor and quality is not of the typical franchise chains. Some of the BEST carne asada I have ever had, plus on a pile of the medium size nachos,” one reviewer wrote.

Another reviewer said, “With all the talk, it did not disappoint. Everything was well-seasoned, fresh and absolutely amazing! The salsa bar with all the choices was good as well. Highly recommend dropping in if you haven’t!”

This high praise isn’t just hype – plenty of other members in the group are impressed by the size of burritos and their toppings (unlike other, more well-known competitors), the rich flavors of the offerings, and the wide variety of options available on the menu.

The menu, inspired by Mexican street food, includes burritos, tacos, and fries

loaded with chicken, beef, shrimp, and other meats.

Slow-roasted birria, a favorite, also makes an appearance. If meat isn’t your thing, the menu also includes vegetarian options.

While the Burrito Factory has been open on a limited schedule as they ease into operations, they will soon expand their hours to include a breakfast menu as well. Burritos with chorizo, steak, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns are all on the list of offerings.

Southeast Texas. The Port Arthur location is the first one in the state, and it will soon be joined by another in Pasadena, Texas, which is currently under construction.

-By Keagan Smith

According to the Burrito Factory website, the business is owned by a Mexican-American family who loves flavors and traditions. The owners, brothers Jorge and Eligio Mendoza, even said many of the items their restaurant offers are variations of family recipes.

The pair started the first Burrito Factory location in El Centro, California and added a second one in the Golden State before deciding to bring the concept to

Fiesta 56 Pageant Contestants

The festival will be held on Saturday, September 14. Doors open at 9 a.m. and will go on until 7:30 p.m. The pageant will begin at 11:30 a.m. The categories for the pageant is Tiny Miss, Petite Miss, Young Miss, Little Miss, Teen Miss, Junior Miss, and Miss. Each age category will be awarded the following: Miss Photogenic, Best Costume, Best Seller (selling the most raffle tickets), 1st Runner Up, 2nd Runner Up, and Runner Up and Winner-Queen.

Tiny Miss

Petite Miss

Young Miss

Little Miss

Teen Miss

Junior Miss

Bob Hope High School Mariachi Band provides cultural experience

Bob Hope High School Mariachi Band, established in 2021, have entertained many while bringing cultural awareness.

The group is led by Kathleen Odom and Reggie Rogers, both music teachers from Bob Hope High School.

“This was a vision of our CEO Dr. Bobby Lopez who is a supporter of the fine arts, Dr. Jesús Acosta Campus Director, said.

The group’s first performance happened only six weeks later at the Hispanic Heritage Festival, and it was an immediate success. Requests started coming in for the group to play at area functions since there was nothing else like them in the area. Businesses in the area wanted to support the newly founded arts program and generously contributed to the purchase of authentic instruments for the ensemble, Acosta said.

Every year the group grew, and a generous grant secured the purchase of mariachi trajes for the members.

Since that time, the group stays active during the school year with performances throughout the community and local businesses.

It was at one of these performances the group was named Mariachi Esperanza, bringing hope and a flavor of music from various areas of Mexico for the enjoyment of their listening audience from the talented students of Bob Hope High School.

The Maraichi group currently consists of 24 students.

Most often the entire group performs together but occasionally there are smaller ensembles performing special repertoire.

There are a number of instruments in the band, which include violins, trumpets, vihuelas, guitarras, bajo quintos, guitarrons, accordion, harp and assorted percussion instruments such as maracas, claves ad shakers.

Kathleen Odom, strings, piano and Mariachi instructor at the school, said the Mariachi Esperanza is a group that allows for the development of students’ existing talents and social growth with their peers.

“The group performs at many different venues throughout the school year, providing entertainment and cultural music experiences for others while doing something they enjoy,” Odom said.

To be in the Mariachi Band previous musical knowledge and skill on an instrument is appreciated but not a requirement.

“The students will however be ‘born in the fire’ in a fast-paces classroom environment that has them performance ready within the first six weeks of school,” she said.

The program is not an extra curricular group. Students participating receive a fine arts credit in Mariachi for the class. They must maintain good grades in order to participate in field trips to performances that occur during normal school hours.

-Special to the News

First Miss Mexico of Port Arthur recalls her time as queen

Decades have passed since a shy 16-year-old Christine Juarez (now Vasquez) stepped into the spotlight and competed in a first of its kind pageant and event.

She came away a confident young lady and the first to be crowned Miss Mexico of Port Arthur — a title she feels honored to hold as she represented her heritage.

Vasquez was one of 23 teens vying for the title in 1969 in what was originally a community-wide observance of Mexican Independence Day. This was the precursor of the current Mexican Heritage Fiesta, which is set for Sept. 14 at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.

The first queen

Vasquez, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School at the time, remembers the pageant contestants going to KPAC-TV in Port Arthur to have their photos taken prior to the event.

The big Mexican Independence Day Show was held at Jefferson City Shopping Center on Twin City Highway between 32nd and 39th streets. There was live music, home -

made Mexican food, and “Mexican dancers dressed in elaborate costumes,” according to archive information.

The turnout was massive with approximately 12,000 in attendance. Jesse Bernal, chairman of the 1969 event, said “I apologize for not being able to handle the entire crowd with the facilities we had but we didn’t anticipate the large attendance. Next year, however, will be bigger and better.”

Vasquez wore a black costume adorned with an eagle made of gold sequins. She had a decorative sombrero to match her costume.

As the newly crowned Miss Mexico of Port Arthur, Vasquez was swept up in a whirlwind of activity.

“I remember I was invited almost every week to an event,” Vasquez said from her League City home. There was chamber of commerce events, store openings, and parades.

She recalled the float for CavOILcade that was built with the colors of the Mexican flag and featured different flowers. She rode the float with the runners-up, she said.

Then there was a Christmas parade where she rode in the back of a convertible while representing her title and heritage.

see Queen page 3

Queen

From Page 2

The list goes on and on and Vasquez has a scrapbook filled with the memories of this and later events.

She returned for the second annual Fiesta where she passed her crown down to the next girl — this time the crowd was at about 15,000.

She has been called back through the years; the 10 year queen’s reunion, a Fiesta in 1982 where she was mistress of ceremonies. She has helped judge the pageant and has returned for anniversary events as well.

“To be honest I was shy but this pageant really got me to come out of my shell, I guess,” she said. “I became very active and even now I League City I’m in a number of different organizations. It brought out my personality. I feel it really helped me grow.”

Vasquez and husband Catarino “Cat” Vasquez Jr. have attended a number of the anniversary Fiestas

— By Mary Meaux

Mexican Heritage Folkloric Dance/ Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana

The Mexican Heritage Society is proud to sponsor Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana, a group of dancers dedicated to learning and performing traditional Folkloric dances representing States and Regions of Mexico, according to information from the Mexican Heritage Society.

By pairing beautiful costumes with dance steps, the team of dancers give an incredible show. This is one of the many ways the society preserves and shares Mexican culture.

Participation is open to the public for anyone interested in learning and performing. The group is broken up into three levels based on age and experience. Registration is open to ages 6 years through adult and is typically held in late Spring of every year. Practices begin after registration through September with a grand performance at Fiesta. The Society brings in dance instructors from Houston to teach and prepare the dancers for Fiesta.

Dancers also perform at events throughout the year. They are available to book for performances at fairs, carnivals, parties, showers, quinceañeras, church and company events, and just about any other family friendly event under the sun.

— By Mary Meaux

Los Presidentes

This moment in South East Texas History and Hispanic Heritage is important to note. For the first time in recent history both the Rotary Club of Port Arthur and the Beaumont Rotary club are being led by Hispanic individuals simultaneously. These Rotary Clubs are service clubs that make up part of Rotary International, which is the biggest Foundation in the world. If you don’t know anyone with Polio, you can thank Rotary International. Ending polio has been one of the major campaigns of Rotary International.

Both Perez and Acosta were elected by their club and have served in numerous positions and committees.

Last year Acosta as President-elect served as “King Gumbo” he lead the effort to raise money via the annual fundraising event Taste of Gumbo for scholarships given to seniors in the Port Arthur area. Michael has also focus his efforts on leading young people and is involved in various aspects of the community. The fact that we have two leaders of high caliber, like Michael Perez and

Acosta and Perez took office in July and will serve one-year terms as is customary in Rotary Clubs.

“He represents what Mr. Nederland is all about,” Burden said. “He has invested in the community and continues to do good. Sadly, a lot of the time those who serve go unrecognized, and this is an opportunity to spotlight a guy that’s doing right. We need more guys like this in our community.” The fact that we have two leaders of high caliber, like Michael Perez and Dr. Jesús Acosta at this moment in history is of great significance for South East Texas.

In July District 5910 Governor Leon Willhite visited Port Arthur and surprised Dr. Acosta with a Paul Harris Fellow for his work in education and service to the community. This award is one of the highest awards given to a Rotarian. Alongside Club Secretary Dr. Rosalind Queen. Michael Perez leads the district 5910 RYLA efforts ensuring students from all over the world come to our area to experience a leadership camp. Students are sponsored by Rotary clubs from the area, and they participate in a life

Business Bureau of Southeast Texas, The Southeast Texas Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County, and as past Chairman and lifetime member of the Board of Directors for The United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Beaumont since 2008, and currently serves as the Club’s President. Perez previously served for eight years on the Board of Directors for the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce.

A native of San Antonio, Perez has made Southeast Texas his home for the last 18 years. “Southeast Texas is a vital cog in our national economy, and I love living and working amongst people who make a difference every day.”

Dr. Jesús B. Acosta is a Trail Blazer in his own right as the first in his family to go to college and

earn a Doctorate Degree. As the youngest of five kids in a blended family household, he quickly learned the value of family unity and collaboration at an early age. Dr. Acosta empathizes with families who immigrate to the United States as his family also came here in search of better opportunities.

Like many Spanish speaking families, the Acosta family came to the United States in search of better life. Although his mother did not speak English, only completed the 6th grade and his father completed the 9th grade, they both instilled in him the importance of getting an education.

Dr. Acosta’s humble beginnings have allowed him to connect with students consistently since he is a shining example of what can be achieved with grit and determination. He joined the United States Air

Force (USAF) and served on Active Duty and in the USAF Reserves. During his stellar military career, he had several deployments and earned numerous awards and commendations.

Dr. Acosta earned Superintendent Certification and earned his Doctorate from the University of Houston Central Campus in 2012. As part of the Doctoral Program, he spent time in China where he visited several major cities to explore the Chinese educational system. During his stay there, he met with leaders and discussed some of the differences and similarities between the two educational systems. This visit was instrumental in impressing his mind-set with respect to the

and achieving great results.

Dr. Acosta is passionate about culturally responsive classrooms and the importance of establishing equitable practices amongst students and staff members.

Currently Dr. Acosta serves as the Director for Bob Hope School in Port Arthur Texas. He has been a transformational leader at the High School campus and has worked to lead the effort in regaining the academic loss experienced due to the pandemic. Bob Hope School is a high performing charter school due to the hard work and dedication displayed by students, parents, and teachers.

Faith, Family and Excellence is at the primary core of Dr. Acosta’s beliefs. He is a husband, father of three children, and grandfather. He believes that every child is filled with the greatest potential, and it is our duty to help them achieve

Dr. Acosta gives all the credit to Dr. Bobby Lopez CEO of Bob Hope School for having the vision to help transform the community.. Dr.

Lopez introduced both Perez and Acosta several years ago when Lopez asked Perez to speak at a leadership camp for students. Dr. Acosta attended the camp with the students and was impressed with Michael’s message. We were so impressed that we met Michael again later to award him a plaque for his great service. It was Dr. Lopez a Past-President of the Nederland Rotary club himself who encouraged Dr. Acosta to join Rotary and set him on this journey.

Michael Perez and Dr. Jesús Acosta attended President Elect Training in Dallas two years in a row. Although the two clubs are of different sizes and in different Rotary categories, Acosta says he has always looked to Michael to see what they are up to and what projects they can collaborate on. We know that Perez and Acosta will continue to do great things and are a source of pride for the Hispanic Community in the South East Texas area. Que Vivan Los Presidentes!!! (Long live the Presidents).

— By Dr. Acosta

Photos from top left to right: President Michael Perez speaking to the group at a meeting for the Beaumont Rotary Club.

Dr. Acosta spaking to the Port Arthur Rotary Club.

Dana Espinal hands over the gavel to Dr. Jesus Acosta at the installation ceremony in Port Arthur.

Mexican Heritage Queen’s robe highlights culture

Like any other royalty the teens earning the title of Mexican Heritage Queen don a special robe for their promenade.

The robe’s exact history goes back some years to when a woman who worked with a Mexican Heritage Society in San Antonio donated it to former organization president Tony Ramirez’s wife, Darla.

The elaborate robe, or cape, sat in storage for a few years then in 2009 longtime volunteer and board member Flisha Ramirez had the idea of using the cape for Miss Mexican Heritage to wear in the promenade, pageant director Zita Downs said.

At the promenade after all the new royalty is introduced to the community the outgoing Queen wears the cape out to the center of the room and passes it to the newly crowned Queen, it’s has became a ritual, she said.

“We call it the passing of the cape. Along with that comes a lot of responsibility. The Queen keeps the cape for the year of her reign,” she said.

The robe, or cape, has undergone some restoration. The mother of one of the queens worked on it by replacing the mirrors and sequins because it hadn’t been done in years.

— By Mary Meaux

14 Schedule sep

9 Doors Open

9:15 Welcome by Emcee Angel San Juan

9:30 Prayer & Flag Presentation

9:45 Costume Contest

10:30 Jovencito & Preciosa

11 Alumni Dancers

11:30-2 Little, Young, Petite, Tiny

…break…The Flintstones visiting Coahuila

2-4:30 Miss, Jr. Miss, Teen Miss

…break… Butterfly Michoacan Dance

4:30 Bob Hope Mariachi

4:45 Bob Hope Dancers, State Champs

5-7 Folklorico

…break… 5:30 Female Tamale Contest

… break… 6 Male Tamale Contest

7 Raffles

7:30 Friend of Fiesta Award

8 Promenade

8:30 Karaoke Sing Off

9-10:30 La Nueva Maravilla

10:30-11:30 Reflejo Nuevo

11:30 Ozeeck

12 El Grito by Roberto Castillo

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

MOTIVA IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MEXICAN HERITAGE SOCEITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING AN INCLUSIVE AND INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.