JSC honors Hispanic Heritage Month
 |  | jsc2004e21435-Hernandez
Name: Jose M. Hernandez
Time at JSC: Three years
Organization: Astronaut Office
Position title: Astronaut Candidate
Education: Bachelor’s of science in electrical engineering from the University of the Pacific, 1984; master’s of science in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California-Santa Barbara, 1986
Place of birth: Stockton, Calif.
What is your heritage? First-generation Mexican-American
Hobbies: Jogging and raising five kids!
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? It means a time to reflect upon the accomplishments of Hispanics to society while utilizing them as role models to encourage and inspire the next generation of Hispanics.
What do you enjoy most about working at JSC? The ability to work with people who are as passionate about space exploration as I am!
Tell us one unique/unusual thing about yourself. I did not speak English until I was 12 years old.
Favorite words of wisdom: ''The best opportunities come to those who are well prepared.''
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 | | jsc2004e41353-Kerrick
Name: Ginger Kerrick
Time at JSC: 12 years
Organization: Spaceflight Training Division
Position title: International Space Station Lead Capcom
Education: Master’s of science in physics from Texas Tech University, 1993
Place of birth: El Paso, Texas
What is your heritage? Half Hispanic (my mother was born in Chihuahua, Mexico), half Caucasian (my father was born in Kentucky).
Hobbies: Sand volleyball, running, lifting weights, baking, cooking, scuba diving and motorcycle riding
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? It is a time to reflect on the challenges that my mother's family had to overcome in order to bring such wonderful opportunities to their descendants.
What do you enjoy most about working at JSC? I enjoy the diversity of my day-to-day tasks and the fact that I get to learn something new every day.
Tell us one unique/unusual thing about yourself. I can speak Russian.
Favorite words of wisdom: Try to add joy to the life of least one person every day.
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 | | jsc2004e41267-Martinez
Name: Melissa P. Martinez
Time at JSC: 18 years
Organization: Information Resources Directorate
Position title: Secretary
Education: Currently pursuing a degree
Place of birth: Corpus Christi, Texas
What is your heritage? Mexican American
Hobbies: Cooking, home decorating, reading magazines, watching my daughter play sports and spending time with my family.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? It's an opportunity to reflect on our heritage and recognize the accomplishments Hispanics have made in recent history. We are a growing culture and I believe it is important for us to be positive role models for our children. I believe it is our responsibility to help pave a path for our children so they won't encounter many of the obstacles our parents and grandparents did when they were young. I think about how hard my mother worked after she became a widow to provide for my family when I was just an infant. She may not have had much to offer us financially, but she always instilled in us the importance of family, faith and education.
What do you enjoy most about working at JSC? What I enjoy most about working at JSC are the people and the work environment. JSC really has a lot to offer its employees that many other companies don't, which is what makes JSC a great place to work.
Favorite words of wisdom: ''If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.'' --William Arthur Ward
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 | | jsc2003e48313-Nunez
Name: Stephen C. Nunez
Time at JSC: Three-and-a-half years
Organization: White Sands Test Facility (WSTF)
Position title: WSTF Manager
Education: Bachelor of science in civil engineering from Mississippi State University
Place of birth: Presque Isle, Maine
What is your heritage? My grandparents on my father’s side came to the United States from Chile.
Hobbies: Golf, fishing, camping
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? Hispanic Heritage Month means a time when we can reflect on the many contributions of Hispanic Americans.
What do you enjoy most about working at JSC? I enjoy working with the extremely talented people at JSC.
Favorite words of wisdom: Never give up on your goals in life. Seek out mentors you can learn from and who can advise you on how to achieve those goals. Take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves and always believe in yourself.
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 | | jsc2004e41268-Pool
Name: Leti Pool
Time at JSC: 15 years
Organization: Planning and Integration Office within the Center Operations Directorate
Position title: JSC Space Utilization Manager
Education: Bachelor’s in business adminstration with specialty in management
Place of birth: Harlingen, Texas
What is your heritage? Hispanic
Hobbies: Being a mother! I have a handsome 12-year-old boy and a beautiful 2-year-old girl that keep me busy all of the time. They are my hobby and I love it. We are expecting our third baby (boy) in January and I am just thrilled to continue to share the love and joy that has been bestowed upon us. Children are such a blessing!
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? To me, Hispanic Heritage Month is a special way of recognizing Hispanics in the JSC workforce and just how far we have come. There are so many stories I can share of people I know of Hispanic heritage that started at the bottom and diligently worked their way to higher positions. I have worked for Center Operations for 15 years and they have taken great care of me. That is just what people do when you serve them willingly and wholeheartedly. So, if there is anyone out there thinking that ''you will never get there,'' erase those thoughts! You can get there and you will. Thank you JSC for recognizing us and thank you Center Ops for believing in me!
What do you enjoy most about working at JSC? The people! We are such a diverse group, yet we are a team and it shows! We look out for one another and take care of each other when the need arises. We stick together through thick and thin! We have a great leader with great values and he has had such a great influence on everyone! It is indeed a privilege to work with such a great team!
Tell us one unique/unusual thing about yourself. I love life, in good times and in bad times!
Favorite words of wisdom: What gets me through everyday life is this awesome verse: ''I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'' This is true wisdom!
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