Hola

Founder's Message

I created www.holaUSA.com from a place of passion, purpose and pride - a desire to celebrate the many stories, traditions, achievements, and contributions that make the Hispanic and Latino experience such an important part of our world.

My own journey has been shaped by many experiences and communities. I have had the privilege of working as a flight attendant, connecting with people from around the world; serving as a Community Liaison for three governors, helping build relationships between leaders and communities; and working as a substitute teacher in New York City, where I was inspired by the curiosity and dreams of young people. Along the way, I also had the honor of publishing seven Hispanic resource guides and a children's book-all opportunities to share knowledge, celebrate culture and create connections.

Each chapter of my life has helped shape the vision for this site. This website brings together my love of education, storytelling, community and Latino heritage into one place where people can discover resources, inspiration, and meaningful perspectives.

Thank you for visiting and becoming part of this journey. I hope this site inspires you, informs you and reminds you of the Beauty found in the experiences we share. Thank you for being here.

Under the same sky-

Bajo el mismo cielo-

Ivonne

The stars in their eyes When it all started. The union of a couple who saw each other three times and married on the fourth. Before the internet revolution. Still married 60 years later. Mucho Amor.	Smoking is no fun My dad is a photographer , amongst other things, including one of my heroes. He took this candid shot. Glad I stopped smoking. He is quite a jokester.
Puerto Rico-The Pearl of the Caribbean on Puerto Rican Day Parade float representing Governor Carlos Romero Barcelo, signifying the island Puerto Rico - Pearl of the Caribbean.	In awe of the first Puerto Rican Ms. Universe. Standing next to the first Puerto Rican, Ms. Universe, Marisol Malaret and Nelson Rockefeller circa 1970, thanks to my Pop's photo op. I really was happy to be there despite my face. She was so sweet at that moment.
"El Rey" Tito Puente El Rey del Timbal. Master Tito Puente. My father helped establish the Tito Puente Scholarship Fund. Happy that his legacy lives on through young people.	My dad, 1st Puerto Rican director OEO My father was the first Puerto Rican named to Direct the Office of Economic Opportunity. We are so proud of his achievements.
Dirk Dickten, Steinway Piano with Dirk Dickten and friend. Steinway & Sons named the factory selection room suite in his honor. A beloved technician and friend for over 25 years. RIP Dirk.	Legendary Herbie Hancock Herbie Hancock. the living legend and fellow Buddhist
Hillary Clinton	Ivana Trump with Ivana Trump. I told her that I was also going through a divorce as she was. She responded that it was not easy but she was not bad mouthing her ex to her children. Not turning them against him. Great advice. A class act. RIP Ivana
Bobby Capo with Bobby Capo at a family party. Born in Puerto Rico, he became a major singing sensation. His prolific songwriting contributed to the traditions Puerto Ricans celebrate today. "De Las Montanas Venimos" during Christmas. "El Negro Bembon" a famous huarache and the famous "Piel Canola". Was a dear friend of the family, my father's other brother.	They bring me sunshine. Love 08. These guys motivate, teach me and bring me joy. My heartbeats.
Lancome Girls Fun Lancome makeup promotion gig. Great bunch of woman.	Celia Cruz With Calia Cruz La Vida es un Carnaval

I haven't found a drug yet that can get you anywhere near as high as sitting at a desk writing.
Hunter S. Thompson

Why God Made Colors

From 35,000 feet high in the sky
To Punta Cana with 199 souls plus I

A picture means a thousand words
This one could really be for the birds

Our flight saw a rocket launch and bad weather
It was okay cause we were all together

This foto signifies what you want it to be
The clouds look so nice; like slopes, let's ski

Those hands might be from the one above
That energy that gives us life and much love

Or it could signify nothing but bull
Depends if your glass is half empty or full

Grandma said "that is why God made colors"
Whatever you see, we are still sisters and brothers

Just a picture and poem wanted to share
Because I love to write and I dare

May these praying looking hands bless you in all you do
If God got married, he or she still loves you

Really this pic is a reflection of light
You, Humanity is made of stars shining so bright

Not really sure how to close this poem
Sending you love and light from my home

One Love,
Ivonne

On a flight recently, we had an unaccompanied minor onboard. She was a beautiful, twelve year old girl with long brown hair and a pretty smile, slightly overweight and her name starts with the letter "M". She slept for most of the uneventful flight.
During a break in bidding the passengers good-bye and thanks, we started small conversation and I asked her what grade she was in and her favorite subject in school. She responded that she was home schooled and her favorite subject was Englsih. I commented that it must be fun being home schooled. She replied that she had no choice as she was terribly bullied in school because of her weight but hopes to return to school soon. I asked if she had many friends and she said no. Her parents are divorced and she travels between New York and St. Maarten often, where her parents live. I briefly continued to speak with her until the gate agents came to take her to her mother. I had never personally met a young person who had been bullied to the extent of not being able to attend school and who had no friends., I pray for her, her circumstances and for the kids who bully her and their parents.
Today , as I watched Mala on TV: the young hero from the Middle East who was shot by the Taliban and survived to inspire the world, I thought about "M". I hope she was watching because Mala and "M" are very much alike. They are both girls around the same age who remind me of little diamonds in the rough, humble, courageous and graceful. Mala was asked if she was afraid she would be executed as she becomes an international spokesperson for equal education for girls worldwide. Her response was that she was not afraid because if they are trying to kill her, it is they are living in fear and why should she be afraid of fear.
My thought in relation to :M" is that the bullies seem to be living in fear as they try to kill her spirit. I hope that "M" in her quiet, sweet and confident strength is able to reverse her situation and let her light shine as the beautiful, young healthy teenage girl that she is meant to be. Hopefully "M" will live her dreams and nurture her destiny. My heart goes out to her during the challenging times and I hope the bullies find love in themselves and the other kids in their school, their community and the world. "M" and Mala, may their courage, dignity, quiet strength and possibility, be an inspiration to ua all. IM

Hola

The stars in their eyes

When it all started. The union of a couple who saw each other three times and married on the fourth. Before the internet revolution. Still married 60 years later. Mucho Amor.

Smoking is no fun

My dad is a photographer , amongst other things, including one of my heroes. He took this candid shot. Glad I stopped smoking. He is quite a jokester.

Puerto Rico-The Pearl of the Caribbean

on Puerto Rican Day Parade float representing Governor Carlos Romero Barcelo, signifying the island Puerto Rico - Pearl of the Caribbean.

In awe of the first Puerto Rican Ms. Universe.

Standing next to the first Puerto Rican, Ms. Universe, Marisol Malaret and Nelson Rockefeller circa 1970, thanks to my Pop's photo op. I really was happy to be there despite my face. She was so sweet at that moment.

"El Rey" Tito Puente

El Rey del Timbal. Master Tito Puente. My father helped establish the Tito Puente Scholarship Fund. Happy that his legacy lives on through young people.

My dad, 1st Puerto Rican director OEO

My father was the first Puerto Rican named to Direct the Office of Economic Opportunity. We are so proud of his achievements.

Dirk Dickten, Steinway Piano

with Dirk Dickten and friend. Steinway & Sons named the factory selection room suite in his honor. A beloved technician and friend for over 25 years. RIP Dirk.

Legendary Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock. the living legend and fellow Buddhist

Hillary Clinton

Ivana Trump

with Ivana Trump. I told her that I was also going through a divorce as she was. She responded that it was not easy but she was not bad mouthing her ex to her children. Not turning them against him. Great advice. A class act. RIP Ivana

Bobby Capo

They bring me sunshine.

Love 08. These guys motivate, teach me and bring me joy. My heartbeats.

Lancome Girls

Fun Lancome makeup promotion gig. Great bunch of woman.

Celia Cruz

With Calia Cruz La Vida es un Carnaval

I haven't found a drug yet that can get you anywhere near as high as sitting at a desk writing. Hunter S. Thompson

I haven't found a drug yet that can get you anywhere near as high as sitting at a desk writing.
Hunter S. Thompson