Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween!!!!!

We got to Larissa and Arianna's by 3 p.m. and Arianna was all ready in her angel costume....

She picked Grandpa's mask as she did not want a very scary one...

Halloween 001

The Angel and The Witch.

Halloween 003

Lari got home from school and got her ready, too.  She is a  Vampire but we have to work on her collar.

Halloween 008

Six O'clock came and we were out the door....

Halloween 009    Halloween 017

  Halloween 013

Halloween 015

Halloween 019      Halloween 021

We went on one street and by then, Mom and Dad are home....

Halloween 022      Halloween 023

We are waiting for some of our cousins that will come over to our neighborhood.... while we wait, I take pictures of them.  They have decorated their house pretty nice.

Halloween 024      Halloween 025

Halloween 028

They have snakes everywhere....

Halloween 026     Halloween 027

Oh, No, Grandpa got into Arianna's bag!!

Halloween 029

Halloween 031

Our Aleman Cousins are here.... off we go.

Halloween 033 

As we are leaving, a bunch of kids come for candy....Grandpa is giving out candy.  

 Halloween 034

This is all our group....What a fun night!

Halloween 037

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Driscoll Student Reunion & Celebration

My Nephew, Enrique Aleman, Jr., Ph.D., Associate Professor at University of Utah, has been working on this research project for a year and this weekend he shared with family and participants of the Hernandez court case the accomplishments and activism of Driscoll students and families.  This was a very emotional time for most of the attendees as they were directly involved in this case of  racial discrimination growing up in the small South Texas town of  Driscoll.  Manuel and I came home feeling very touched by his presentation.  It also brought many horrible memories of our early childhood school years. 

This case took place in 1956 and not much was ever said about it.  Like many nightmares, it was just swept under the carpet and forgotten.  Dr. Enrique Aleman has done much research and has found many of the participants in this case and personally interview each and everyone of them still living....

The poster for his project was created by his 9 year old daughter, Gema, who is the same age his mother, Lupe was at the time of the trial.  Lupe is depicted at the bottom left and Gema at the bottom right. Gema and all three of his children have been involved in his studies at one point or another...

Driscoll Reunion 008

Driscoll Reunion 007

The gathering was held in the Driscoll School Library....there were a lot of attendees.

Friday 056

Friday 057

Friday 048

My oldest Sister, Lupe, was the inspiration of his study.  Her story now told.

Not a very clear picture of his slide but readable, non-the-less.

Friday 047

The presentation, photos and case participants' stories were enjoyed by all.  There were tears, laughter and just sheer silence in the room as we listened intently.

This Lady, Albesa Hernandez is the person responsible for bringing this case to be when she moved from Corpus Christi to Driscoll and her children were segregated because they were of Spanish speaking decent.   She tried working with the school officials but when they failed to listen when she told them that what they were doing to Mexican Americans was wrong, she went on up to the district and changed things....

Friday 054

Connie Galvan (left), Mary Trevino (top center) and Carmen Aleman (far right) are only three of eight girls (ages 7-9 at the time) put on the stand to testify during this trial.  There were also 2 boys that testified but could not be present today. They are pictured here with Albesa Hernandez and Dr. Aleman.  Three of the eight girls testifying were MY Sisters:  Lupe, Mary and Carmen.  Sad to say but in hearing Dr. Aleman and also having read all of the trial transcript:  These children were intimidated by lawyers as well as the judge...they testified right in front of the teachers they had to go back to the next day in school.  God Bless these girls, they have all become strong professional women.  They are also three of the 5 girls on the poster.

Saturday Reunion 028

Members of the G I Forum were present and presented Dr. Aleman with a poster of Dr. Hector Garcia, who was very instrumental in bringing this case to justice.

Saturday Reunion 019

Friday 067

Enrique Aleman, Sr. (Dad) was the Research Assistant, who helped Dr. Aleman find case participants locally and set up interviews.  Thank you, Henry for your hard work.

Friday 075

The following are pictures at the reception which followed the presentation.

Friday 055

Delia and Dovie Trevino....it was great seeing them both!

Saturday Reunion 051

My only Brother, Jesse with Niece, Kathy and my husband, Manuel.

Friday 037

Rose Meza Harrison, who is running for Congress....

Friday 062

My Brother Jesse, told about his project.  Naming two streets in Driscoll to honor our Fallen Heroes, Leonel Aleman (Korean War) and Richard Garcia (Vietnam MIA).

Friday 071

Connie Gavlan Galan and her husband.

Saturday Reunion 002

Saturday Reunion 012

My Sisters and Brother:  Carmen, Alma, Dolores, Jesse, Mary, Josie and Myself.  My Sisters, Lupe and Alicia, are watching from Heaven.

Saturday Reunion 024

This is part of the group that Dr. Aleman interviewed.  Some could not make it.

Saturday Reunion 030

Albesa Hernandez and her family.  Bottom Row: Bernice, Mrs. Hernandez, and Sylvia.

Top Row:  Yvette, Eve, Tony and Danny.  Henry, Sonny and Gilbert are not present.  Now, do you understand why she had to fight for her children's education?

Saturday Reunion 045

Again, Albesa, Danny, Sylvia and Eve.

Saturday Reunion 049

Mrs. Hernandez got a standing ovation when she was wheeled in to the library.  She was so happy to see everyone.

Next photo, Elijah fell asleep on Mommy's lap.

Friday 053    Friday 046

The photographers who never get photographed.....Great job, guys.

Friday 068

I wonder what she is saying....she is really a cute lady.

Saturday Reunion 023

The tall Texans.....Manuel and Alonso.

Friday 042

Drs. Aleman and Trevino....

Friday 073

Friday 076

Beautiful baby, Elijah.

Saturday Reunion 009

Alonso and Delia went to school together but after the Trevinos moved to Houston, they never saw each other until today, 50+ years later.

Friday 077

Friday 072

We took this picture with our Nephew, Jacob Aleman.

Saturday Reunion 046

We are so proud of this project and were so happy to see everyone here today. 

Love you all and Blessings to all....