AC DAMA
"culture brings us together"
Meet Our Directors
Conoce a nuestros directores
HERIBERTO TORRES HERNANDEZ
My name is Heriberto Torres Hernandez. I was born March 16, 1960 in the“Congregacion” La Petaca Municipio De Linares Nuevo Leon, Mexico. I attended CETA #58 a technical school in Galeana NL. I got my BA in Natural Sciences in the Normal Superior de Tamaulipas. I spent several years working as a science teacher in several middle schools in Durango and San Luis Potosi. I emigrated to the United States in 1986. Here in Yakima I attended Heritage University where I earned a master degree in educational development and English as a second language. I have been working for the Yakima School District since 1992, mostly as a science teacher. I am married, and I have five children and seven grandchildren. I have a passion for Mexican music and folklore. In all schools where I have had the opportunity to work, I have always started a mariachi or a folkloric dance clubs. Miss Veronica Cobarrubias and I have joined efforts to put together AC DAMA, abbreviation for “Asociacion Cultural de Danza y Mariachi”, a non-for-profit organization that would serve as a platform to offer young people the opportunity to learn more about their own culture.
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Mi nombre es Heriberto Torres Hernandez. Naci en congregación La Petaca municipio de Linares Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Asistí al CETA # 58 que es el equivalente a una escuela técnica aquí en los Estados Unidos. Posteriormente gradue con una licenciatura en Ciencias Naturales en la escuela normal superior de Victoria Tamaulipas. En Mexico trabaje como maestro de Ciencias Naturales en varias escuelas secundarias en los estados de Durango y San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Emigre a los estados unidos en 1986. Una vez aquí en el valle de Yakima, asisti a Heritage University en donde gradue con una maestría en desarrollo educativo con especialidad en ingles como segunda lengua. Aquí en Yakima he trabajado para el distrito escolar de Yakima desde 1992, la mayor parte del tiempo como maestro de Ciencias Naturales. En Agosto de 2024 la maestra Veronica Cobarrubias y yo unimos esfuerzos para fundar AC DAMA que es la abreviación de Asociacion Cultural de Danza y Mariachi la cual es una organización no lucrativa que tiene como principal propósito crear unaplataforma para que los jóvenes aprendan mas de sus raíces culturales.
VERONICA COBARRUBIAS CHAVEZ
My name is Veronica Cobarrubias Chavez. I was born in Lombardia Michoacan, Mexico. I attended elementary school and part of middle school in Lombardia. At the age of 12, when I was in 7th grade, my family decided to move to the United States. We moved to Wenatchee Washington in 2004. I attended the rest of middle school and high school in Wenatchee. In middle school, I was placed in a mariachi class, and that is where I learned how to play the guitar. I continued with the mariachi class in high school. Because of the mariachi program in high school, I was able to go to Washington State University (WSU). I graduated with my degree in math with a teaching certificate and a music minor. In 2014 after graduation from WSU, I got a math teaching position at Davis High School. That is when I decided to move to the Yakima Valley. I want to give back to the community, and also help students get a degree, so that is one of the reasons why AC DAMA was created. With this non-profit organization we want the younger generations to learn more about their culture and also motivate them to continue with school after high school.
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Mi nombre es Verónica Cobarrubias Chávez. Nací en Lombardía, Michoacán, México. Asistí a la escuela primaria y parte de la secundaria en Lombardía. A la edad de 12 años, cuando estaba en séptimo grado, mi familia decidió mudarse a los Estados Unidos. Nos mudamos a Wenatchee, Washington, en 2004. Asistí al resto de la secundaria y la preparatoria en Wenatchee. En la secundaria, me pusieron en una clase de mariachi, y ahí es donde aprendí a tocar la guitarra. Continué con la clase de mariachi en la preparatoria. Debido al programa de mariachi en la preparatoria, pude ir a la Universidad Estatal de Washington (WSU). Me gradué con mi título en matemáticas con un certificado de enseñanza y una especialización en música. En 2014, después de graduarme de WSU, conseguí un puesto de profesora de matemáticas en Davis High School. Fue entonces cuando decidí mudarme al Valle de Yakima. Quiero contribuir a la comunidad y también ayudar a los estudiantes a obtener un título universitario; esa es una de las razones por las que se creó AC DAMA. En esta organización sin fines de lucro, queremos que las generaciones más jóvenes aprendan más sobre su cultura y también los motivemos a continuar sus estudios después de la preparatoria.​​​​​​​
JUAN RAMON MONROY
A Biography of Juan Ramon Monroy Pulido. Hello, my full name is Juan Ramon Monroy Pulido. I am currently a math teacher at A.C. Davis High School in Yakima, WA. I take pride in my accomplishments as they have represented a challenge. I hold a Master’s degree in mathematics and I am National Board Certified. English IS not been my first language, and I don't come from a privileged background.
However, my parents have modeled hard work and dedication. At age 15, my family emigrated to the United States. I first found myself in a new educational system with teachers who spoke a language that was not my own. I have to say that it was a struggle. However, I graduated from high school and moved on to Central Washington University, where I earned a degree as a High School Math teacher. Soon after graduation, I began the master’s degree program and worked toward completing the national boards aswell. I like teaching and working with students. I believe that we currently have a high need for teaching solid academic skills. I believe education is a tool for prosperity and order in the world. It is a resource as well for individuals to improve their lives and achieve their dreams. I am thankful for the opportunities that I have had in this country. I have four kids: twin daughters of 6 years old, Natalia and Jimena, my son Matias age 3, and Mariana of 1 year old. I adhered to Mr. Torres and Miss Cobarrubias in this endeavor of propelling folkloric dance and mariachi music as a great opportunity for young people to keep their Mexican culture alive.