The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
STUDENTS SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS AWAY FROM HOME
Harvey High School students will break tradition this holiday season
While holidays are often a time for families to unite, two Painesville students will be far away from their loved ones during this special season for different reasons.
Harvey High School senior Gustavo Murillo Diaz said this will be the first time that he will spend Christmas and New Year’s away from his family.
Gustavo will remain in Painesville with his two sisters, while his mother and brother head to Mexico to see his father, sister, niece, and other relatives and friends.
“It is a tradition,” he said. “We usually all go to Mexico around this time every year.”
However, this year Gustavo is not able to go because there are graduation requirements that he must complete.
Because he will be missing this opportunity to go to Mexico, he said he may not get another chance to go until next year.
Although Gustavo will be surrounded by his siblings, he said the holidays will not the same. His mother usually makes tamales and their family comes together and opens gifts on Christmas.
“I feel kind of sad that I can’t go,” he said.” This will be the first year that we’ll be apart.”
Gustavo said Christmas is not celebrated as much as New Year’s in Mexico. He said they host a huge New Year’s celebration that features food, punch, music and dancing.
Meanwhile, Daniela Barrios Rodrigues also will be separated from family during the holidays. She is living in Painesville after being displaced from Puerto Rico following the recent devastating Hurricane
“It is completely different here — the school, security, environment, teachers, students, the language — everything. Where I’m from there is no snow falling like here. Puerto Rico is very tropical.” — Daniela Barrios Rodrigues
Maria.
Hurricane Maria was the worst hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in nearly 90 years, causing catastrophic damage, according to the National Weather Service.
In addition to coping with being away from family during the holidays, Daniela is adjusting to living in a new city, going to a new school and being surrounded by all new people.
She is a sophomore and recently enrolled in Painesville Schools.
“It is completely different here,” she said. “The school, security, environment, teachers, students, the language — everything. Where I’m from there is no snow falling like here. Puerto Rico is very tropical.”
She will spend the holidays with her sister and away from her parents, who are still in Puerto Rico.
Similar to Gustavo’s tradition
in Mexico, Daniela said for the new year, her family gets together to celebrate with food and music.
“Well, I’m a little sad, because it was a sudden change,” she said. “I am used to being with my family every year.”
Daniela said she will miss the rice pasteles, a traditional Puerto Rican dish, and tembleques and majaretes, Puerto Rican deserts.
Although Daniela is feeling a little homesick and missing her family, she has a positive attitude and plans to stay in Painesville for a few years to finish school, possibly go to college and start a career.
“It will just be something I have to get used to,” she said. “I planned to come at some point, but the hurricane expedited the process.”
Getting through the holidays without family will be challenging for Gustavo and Daniela, but they have shown a tremendous amount of resilience as they prioritize their school work and plan for their futures.