Page 6 - Mid Valley Times 12-19-19 E-edition

Thursday, December 19, 2019 | A6 | Mid Valley TiMes
News anchor tells her story of success
Liz Gonzalez keynote speaker at Cutler-Orosi Mother-Daughter Conference
By Rick Curiel
Mid Valley Times
Liz Gonzalez became emo- tional when recalling her first break in television broadcast- ing.
The KMPH Fox 26 news anchor and reporter was the keynote speaker at the second annual Cutler-Orosi Mother & Daughter Conference on Dec. 14.
Speaking to a large group of mothers and daughters in- side the gym of Orosi High School, Gonzalez encouraged the young girls in attendance to ‘flip the script’ and not let their current circumstances determine their future.
“I spent so much of my youth worrying about what other people thought of me,” Gonzalez shared with the ma- ny ladies in attendance.
She told the story of how she grew up poor in a bad part of Sanger, commonly referred to as the ‘Chancla’, and how she was the only daughter to a single mother who spoke no English.
She admitted that she was embarrassed to have to inter- pret for her mother at doctor appointments, the unemploy- ment office or even parent- teacher conferences. At one point, a teacher at one of those conferences stated that her English language skills would not advance much because it
about.
Said Gonzalez, “You have
dirty dishes in the sink? Be grateful that you ate. You have laundry that needs to be folded? Be grateful that you have clean clothes. You have floors that need to be mopped? Be grateful that you have a home.”
And the to the students, she reminded them, “Instead of complaining about how much homework you have, be grateful that you have the opportunity to receive an edu- cation.”
Though Saturday’s conference was entitled ‘I’mPossible’, Gonzalez re- minded those in attendance that they don’t have to think that they always have to do it on their own.
“Know that sometimes you can’t do it alone,” she said. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s something that took me 36 years to realize, once I had my daughter... Some- times you can’t do it alone and sometimes you don’t have to do it alone. It’s very humbling to rely on others but some- times you need to do that.”
She encouraged the young women to seek out men- tors and to chase after their dreams.
She concluded by telling them, “Alone, you are possi- ble. Together, you’re unstop- pable.”
The conference also of- fered breakout sessions for mothers and daughters to at- tend throughout the day. Ses- sions included subjects such as ‘Empowering the Commu- nity for a Better Future’, ‘Why Family is Important’ and ‘Col- lege Life, Your Questions An- swered,’ just to name a few.
R-N
MARKETS
13639 E. MANNING AVE. PARLIER
Open 8am tO 8pm Seven DayS a Week
SPEcIALS BEGIN: Wed, Dec. 18 thru Tue, Dec. 31, 2019
R-N
Nescafe Classico
Tripe
$ 99
Lb.
Act II
Popcorn 3 Ct.
5 Lb. REGULAR ONLY Armour Lard
18 Oz.
4 BBQ 78
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District Superintendent Yolanda Valdez, left, and former Assistant Superintendent Tanya Goosev get the audience up and ready for a fun-filled event with a little danc- ing at the start of this year’s second annual Cutler-Orosi Mother & Daughter Conference on Dec. 14.
wasn’t spoken at home.
“I spent so much time wor- rying what people would think instead of focusing on my blessings,” she added. “The key is to change the way we think and turn it all around, or as I like to say, flip the script.” So when the photo of her as a reporter at Univision 21, her first television gig, popped up on the large screen behind her, Gonzalez paused a min- ute to gather her emotions. Perhaps recalling all those appointments she felt embar- rassed to have to interpret for her mother, Gonzalez was now staring at the end result
of having done so.
Holding back the tears,
Gonzalez shared, “I show you these pictures because I was embarrassed that I had to translate for my family, all
the time.”
But while attending Califor-
nia State University, Fresno, a professor approached her about applying for a position as a television reporter. The posi- tion was as a Spanish sports re- porter. She got the job.
“It was able to open so many doors for me,” she said.
Liz Gonzalez, keynote speaker for the second Annual Cutler-Orosi Mother & Daughter Conference on Dec. 14, encouraged those in attendance to ‘flip the script’ and not let their current circumstances determine their future.
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
One of her biggest highlights, she said, was being the only reporter from the Central Valley to cover Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S.–Mexico bor- der in 2016.
During her presentation, Gonzalez challenged those in attendance not to worry about the things we often complain
MARKETS COUPONS
7.93 Oz.
WITHOUT COUPON
$3.98
Boneless/ Skinless Chicken Breast
Beef 1
Fresh Juicy Limes
¢ 48
Merry Christmas &
REGULAR ONLY $299
¢ Lb.
“USDA Choice”
Beef Thin Slices
Teriyaki Lb.
Fresh
38
Romero’s Corn 5
Tortillas Super King Size, 50 Ct.
2/$
La Tapatia Corn Masa
Lb.
Essential Everyday3 Classic Roast
Jammers $ 48 10 Ct., 6 Oz.
Teasdale 1
Happy New Year!
FOR
¢ 98
2/$
FOR
Kraft
Happy New Year!
“Sale price effective at R-N Parlier Only”
$2.98
Limit 1 Per Coupon/Per Family
Del Monte Tomato Ketchup
4 Lb.
24 Oz.
¢ 68
99 ¢
$ 98 Kool-Aid 1
Sauce
$ 88 In fairness to all our customers, we reserve the right to limit 10 pkgs.... OF any item for sale except where noted. Sale items not available to commercial dealers or wholesalers. And to correct all printed errors.
Ground Coffee 24.2-30.5 Oz.
$ 98
Mexican
Style
Hominy 108 Oz.
006714
CLASSIC AND FRENCH ROAST ONLY
Lb.
Chili
Jalapeño
5¢