Getting Real About Culture: Daniel Gonzalez on Hispanic Heritage Month

By Kayla Milhon
Staff writer
Email: thehutchinsoncollegian@gmail.com

For freshman Daniel Gonzalez, Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t just about food, music, or parties — it’s about family, hard work, and pride in where he comes from.

Gonzalez, 19, grew up in Hugoton surrounded by a close family that continues to guide him. His mom, Olivia, is his biggest inspiration. She crossed the border from Mexico to give her children a better life, and Gonzalez says that sacrifice motivates him every single day.

“It’s pushed me to give my all,” he said.

Family is everything to Gonzalez. He looks up to his brother Bryan, a HutchCC alum who was the first in their family to graduate college.

“He showed me it could be done when I thought it was impossible,” Gonzalez said.

His younger brother Guillermo and his sister Fernanda also play a role in keeping him connected to home, along with his brother Bryan.

Holidays and special occasions in the Gonzalez household are all about being together — big parties, music, dancing, food, and catching up with cousins, aunts, and uncles.

“It’s about having fun and making memories,” Gonzalez said.

Food is another way the family stays tied to tradition. Gonzalez admits he’s a little obsessed with tacos — especially his mom’s tacos de asada.

“I just love tacos in general, but when they’re my mom’s, they always bring back happy memories,” he said.

At home, Spanish is the main language spoken, which Gonzalez says keeps him grounded in his culture.

He also lives by a saying he often hears: “Ponte las pilas y echale ganas,” which means, “get your act together and give it your all.”

Like a lot of Hispanic students, Gonzalez has faced challenges balancing two languages, but he sees it as a strength. His advice to others? “Don’t be afraid to be yourself and express your culture and beliefs.”

As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, Gonzalez hopes his classmates learn more than just the surface level of the celebration.

“It’s about the sacrifices, the struggles, and the pride we carry with us every day,” he said.

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