HACER would like to give Hispanic athletes a public forum so that the Rice community can learn about them and their team.

9-24-01 Interview

Personal History HACER: Please tell us about your family's background in particular your Hispanic heritage. MG: Well my family is all from Texas. My mother was born in Uvalde and my father was born in Brownsville. My mother is one of ten children (I have a large family as you may remember from the UT game, that was only a couple aunts and cousins!) My mother's side of the family is where I get my Hispanic background. Although I do not speak Spanish fluently, much of what I know about Hispanic culture and traditions is from visiting them when I was little. My Papa, which is my father's dad, is of Mexican descent as well and all of my grandparents speak fluent Spanish. So growing up I was always surrounded by conversations in Spanish. I think they used to speak it when they did not want us kids to know what they were saying! All of my cousins on my mom's side know how to speak Spanish (even the little ones) and I am jealous of them. I mean I took Spanish in high school but I am sure that if my family were to live in San Antonio with the rest of my mom's family that I would know how to speak it and have more of a sense of who I am and where I came from culturally. HACER: You were born in Houston. How did you end up in California? What's it like to be back in H-Town? MG: I moved from Houston to California when I was eleven because my dad got transferred. It was hard to leave Texas because we were leaving everything behind like all our family and friends. I am so glad we moved, though, because California is such a part of me now. I loved it there and I think I will end up living there after I have traveled the world! HACER: Is there anything that defines you as a person? MG: Well I don't know if there are words to describe me! J/K I love to learn and I am interested in so many things. I love to make people laugh and smile. I love to create and have ideas and to argue about things I feel passionately about! HACER: Who are your role models (outside of soccer)? MG: My role models are definitely my parents for very different reasons. My mother is a schoolteacher in San Juan Capistrano, Ca. It is a very divided city meaning there is a big gap between the rich and the poor. My best friend lives there in the nicer part of town and my mother teaches in the other part. She teaches the second grade, so basically helping Hispanic children learn to read and write in English. At the beginning of every year she stresses that she has the slowest kids. By the end of the year she receives dozens of presents from families that don't have much to give because they are so grateful that their children can read. She really does make a difference and I admire her passion and dedication to these children. I only hope that one day I can help people the way that she does everyday. My father is just the most sensitive and wonderful father. I don't know of any other father who cares so much about his children and making sure he raises us right. Like most teenagers I took for granted the nagging advice that he wold give me but I have come to appreciate it especially since I don't see him everyday anymore. HACER: Rice prides itself on attracting leaders to its school. How have you demonstrated leadership qualities? MG: I don't know if I have demonstrated leadership qualities but I try to set a good example and I am confident in all of my capabilities. Soccer Background HACER: You were also recruited by Univ of California-San Diego, Dartmouth and some other schools. Why did you choose Rice? MG: This is ironic because as you know I used to live in Houston, well my father actually took me to the Rice campus when I was five years old and from then on I said I was going to go here. As I grew older I was so into living in California and it really was hard for me to leave. I got a lot of "why would you want to go to Houston?" Actually a big part of my decision was Coach Huston, whom I had remembered from when I played for Klein Challenge. She was so positive and encouraging. Also I was excited about the idea of a brand new team I knew I would be a part of history. So far it is the best decision I have ever made. HACER: How does the level of college play compare to your experiences in club (NHB Magic) and high school (Santa Margarita Catholic) soccer? MG: I really love my college team but I feel that it is very different from both my club and high school teams. The level I played at for club was extremely competitive, every single girl on my club team was recruited to a Div 1 school. My high school was ranked 9th in the nation. So as you can imagine it was very tough. I believe that tactically my club and high school teams were more difficult. College soccer is difficult as well and there is much more contact and requires me to be more fit (which is still a work in progress!) Despite this I feel as though I am enjoying soccer more than I ever have, maybe it is because it is my life right now. I don't know but I have never been so motivated and excited about a team and this season! HACER: You are left mid-field starter. What are your strengths for that position? What experiences do you draw upon from your high school years? MG: Yes I play left mid field. Many players dread that position because it is known as the running position. Although I am not a big fan of running ironically enough it is the position that I feel most comfortable in. It requires me to play defense as well as offense. For some reason I just love having that sideline there as my boundary. From my many years of experience I have learned the value of picking and choosing my moments to attack so as not to kill myself running back and forth. The strongest part of my game I think is my ability to distribute and keep possession, I think I could always be more fit though! HACER: What's the story behind your pirouette when the players are introduced? MG: The pirouette? Well I am just a very outgoing funny girl and I like to make people laugh and to be the center of attention... that's all! :)

10-1-01 Interview

Inside the Hedges HACER: What is your major and what are your career aspirations? MG: Well I am still undecided on my major. I am looking in the direction of political science. However, I am very interested in history as well as women studies and religion. If I actually declare one of these as my majors, I really don't know where it will take me as far as a career goes. I do know that I want to travel and maybe that will influence my career choice. All I know is that I want to enjoy my classes and learn as much as possible. (that is why I am never taking math again!) HACER: What other Rice clubs or activities interest you? MG: Ha ha! I can't even think about taking on a club right now with my schedule! I actually would love to participate in college politics like holding an office or be involved in event planning. I also happen to believe that I am a natural performer so I might try to be in a college play that doesn't require any acting experience. I don't know I was always heavily involved in high school and once the season is over I'm sure I will have time to enjoy these activities. HACER: How has the adjustment been to college life (coursework, Baker College, etc)? MG: I have definitely made a home here at Rice. Although I miss my family and friends, I have never felt terribly homesick. I have family and friends here in Houston too so that has made it much easier for me to adjust. I absolutely love my soccer team and my roommates. This makes me not think about home so much, that and the fact that I am too busy to think about it! HACER: Athletes and non-athletes don't always have time to interact. What could be done to increase relations between the two? MG: I agree that there is an obvious separation between the athletes and the non-athletes. I think it will take efforts from both sides on improving relations. I know that I personally try to participate in as many events as my schedule allows. I think that the college system is such a great way to meet people and I think that students should take advantage of that and try to be as involved as much as possible whether you are an athlete or not.