Student Works

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11801/3

This collection includes academic and creative works produced by UPRM students apart from theses, dissertations, and project reports submitted for graduate degrees. These may include textual documents (articles, books, book chapters, technical reports, etc.), conference presentations, research posters, and other products such as maps, graphics, or computer code. Works in this collection may or may not be produced as part of a class. To learn more about what works can be submitted to this collection, visit https://libguides.uprm.edu/repositorioUPRM/estudiantes

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Oral history interview with Aurea “Aggie” Hernández and Mirna I. Carlo, June 17, 2022
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Hernández, Aurea (Narrator); Carlo, Mirna I. (Narrator); Betancourt Malavé, Natalia M. (Interviewer); University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
Aurea “Aggie” Hernández Rodríguez se mudó a Toa Baja a los catorce años, donde estudió antes de ir a la universidad a estudiar Historia. Su familia tiene un largo historial de trabajo comunitario en la iglesia, lo cual también la inspiró. Cáritas es una organización internacional sin fines de lucro subvencionada por la iglesia católica, y Hernández Rodríguez es la coordinadora de la organización en la Iglesia del Espíritu Santo en Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. El objetivo principal de esta entrevista es entender mejor cómo Cáritas ayuda y provee a su comunidad. “Compartiendo mi pan” es un programa de banco de alimentos que comenzó hace 10 años donde los miembros de la comunidad pueden donar alimentos frescos y artículos no perecederos a la organización. Tienen un gran armario de almacenamiento que usan para guardar suministros de comida, así como congeladores para los alimentos frescos. Las personas necesitadas pueden comunicarse con la organización o presentarse en la iglesia y ellos brindan provisiones de emergencia. Hernández Rodríguez describe el llamado a la acción que tuvo la organización tras el paso del huracán María. Comenzaron llevando a cabo un censo casa por casa para averiguar cuáles eran las necesidades y comenzar a repartir provisiones. Colaboraron con miembros de la comunidad para identificar a las personas con necesidades y llegar a ellas. Como afirma Hernández Rodríguez, “Cáritas se envuelve. Tenemos grupos dedicados a personas sin hogar, familias, niños. No discriminamos. Es para todos los que necesitan ayuda y todo tipo de ayuda”.
Oral history interview with Ingrid P. Pietri and Osmarie M. Cruz Rosas, December 15, 2021
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Pietri, Ingrid P. (Narrator); Cruz Rosas, Osmarie M. (Narrator); Armstrong Velázquez, Gabrielle M. (Interviewer); University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
Las entrevistadas son Ingrid P. Pietri y Osmarie M. Cruz Rosas, quienes trabajan en el Hogar de Niños Portal de Amor, una entidad que brinda protección a menores de edad que han sido víctimas de maltrato. Ingrid y Osmarie hablan sobre la fundación de la organización y sobre distintos aspectos de la vida en el hogar, como el trabajo que se realiza, los retos que enfrentan y los vínculos de afecto que se crean entre las personas cuidadoras y los niños. También relatan las experiencias que se vivieron en el hogar durante el Huracán María, los terremotos ocurridos entre fines del año 2019 y el 2020 y la pandemia del COVID-19.
Oral history interview with José Mateo Rosario, November 18, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Mateo Rosario, José (Narrator); Mateo Lliteras, Ricardo (Interviewer)
I’m going to interview my dad, Jose M. Mateo. He is an attorney in the health industry, along with my mom, Dr. Olga Lliteras. She is a pediatrician for the hospital, Auxilio Mutuo, in San Juan. The main topic we will talk about, for the oral history project, is one of the major social injustices in the 21st century, which is the lack of health professionals and how they are undervalued in Puerto Rico as well as the lack of proper health care for patients because of political, economic and social circumstances. In Puerto Rico, we have so many other problems, but I wanted to learn more about this one because my parents are associated with the health industry. I would love to bring out their experiences to light for others to know what is going on nowadays. There is nothing more important than family and health. With this project I will emphasize what I believe to be true, while killing two birds with one stone.
Oral history interview with Wilson Rodríguez Olmeda, November 25, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Rodríguez Olmeda, Wilson (Narrator); Hidalgo Rodríguez, Fernando (Interviewer)
The narrator's name is Wilson Rodriguez Olmeda, the grandfather of Fernando Hidalgo Rodriguez (interviewer). He was a teacher, policeman, owner of an auto parts shop, and worked in the construction business until he turned sixty five. He addresses the times when he was a kid, when he started working, and a small period of his married life. The discrimination towards people in different political campaigns is adressed during the couse of the interview. Wilson goes against the government that mostly helps the same people of their political campaign. Everybody is equal, we are all human and we are allowed to have the same rights and benefits. Listen to this interview to find out Wilson's point of view in the refugee crisis!
Oral history interview with Janet Acevedo, November 17, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Acevedo, Janet (Narrator); Rodríguez, Naomi (Interviewer)
Janet is a very dedicated woman, in all facets of her life as a worker, as a mother and especially as a daughter. Growing up in economic disparity she quickly learned the importance of family and perseverance. When Hurricane Maria came, and her parents’ financial situation turned dire, her and her siblings saw themselves carrying their financial needs and providing for them. But Janet, especially, saw herself carrying the burden of their health appointments. In this story she recounts her experiences dealing with a poor health care system and a very sick father in need of medical attention in the past two years. Along with her distaste of the governments handling of the island wide crisis.
Oral history interview with Samuel Pagán López, November 15, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Pagán López, Samuel (Narrator); Núñez Pagán, Naielys (Interviewer)
Samuel Pagán López is a retired plumber who worked for 38 years. He also worked in the construction of some buildings of the UPRM for three and a half years where he had an accident that changed his life forever. Mangual Coliseum has some of his worst memories, but he is still grateful for his experience. Now he lives with his wife peacefully in their forever home, having family reunions and watching their grandchildren. The interview took place in Moca, Puerto Rico on November 15, 2023. He is currently 72 years old, and he remembers all the details of that horrible accident that happened in September of 1972 when he was just 22 years old.
Oral history interview with Wayner K. Ramón Ortega, November 4, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Ramón Ortega, Wayner K. (Narrator); Ramón Ortega, Isbeth A. (Interviewer)
Wayner Kalik Ramón Ortega is a trumpet player who left the island after acquiring his bachelor's degree at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. On the island, the highest degree that can be obtained in the field of his interest is a bachelor's degree in orchestral trumpet performance, which he had already obtained. With no more opportunities for him in the world of classical music, Wayner makes the decision to leave the country to seek better opportunities in the United States. In recent years, many Puerto Ricans have left the island behind to seek a better lifestyle, since public services such as water, electricity, and public health have been in decline after the passage of Hurricane María in 2017, of the COVID-19 pandemic and the earthquakes that occurred in January 2020. In this interview we see a different point of view of why people leave the country. Wayner explains the lack of up-to-date resources in music education and the difficulties that arose in his life as a musician after finishing his studies. He compares studying and living in the United States and in Puerto Rico and expresses his feelings about leaving the island.
Oral history interview with Sepúlveda, November 7, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Sepúlveda (Narrator); Jakob (Interviewer)
Sepúlveda, a Cabo Rojo native, is a second-year software engineering student deeply immersed in the worlds of video games and martial arts. His journey from childhood memories of gaming with his father to achieving a second-degree black belt in taekwondo showcases his resilience and passion for both the digital and physical realms. Currently navigating the challenges of software engineering studies, Kenneth's diverse interests and experiences contribute to a nuanced perspective on societal trends and social justice issues. In this interview, we delve into the life of Sepulveda, a second-year software engineering student residing in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. The narrative traverses key periods of his life, from childhood memories centered around bonding over video games with his father to his journey through taekwondo, global competitions, and academic pursuits in software engineering. Kenneth shares vivid accounts of the impact of hurricanes, particularly Hurricane Maria, which brought communal unity amid the destruction in his neighborhood. The interview also touches upon the lingering consequences of Hurricane Fiona.
Oral history interview with Gabriella Sánchez Egipciaco, November 24, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Sánchez Egipciaco, Gabriella (Narrator); Anonymous (Interviewer)
Gabriella Sánchez Egipciaco is a pharmacy student at the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy at Gainesville. Gabriella has always lived close to her parents, but in search of her dreams, she leaves her city behind and has to experience new customs, languages, and places. Throughout her time there, she has experienced discrimination and racism just because she isn’t like all Americans. As Latina her first language is not English, even though she studied all her life at bilingual schools, she has faced difficulties at the time of expressing and comprehending others. She was discriminated against because of it by a doctor, an instructor, and a healthcare professional. She talked to us about her experience and feelings toward the problem that she encountered. Discrimination is a problem that we still face nowadays and is something that needs to be stopped. It doesn’t only affect Latin American people, but every race and ethnicity around us.
Oral history interview with Luis, November 21, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Luis (Narrator); Acevedo López, Luis Javier (Interviewer)
The narrator in this interview is Luis. The interview provides a personal perspective of the narrator's experiences during Hurricane Maria in Moca, Puerto Rico. The narrator is depicted as a humble, responsible, and hardworking man who, as a cook at San Carlos Hospital, played a crucial role during the hurricane in ensuring patients received necessary nourishment. The interview primarily addresses the period surrounding Hurricane Maria in September 2017, specifically focusing on the narrator's experiences as he navigated the challenges of working in a hospital during the storm, the devastation to his home, and the subsequent process of reconstruction. The interview references significant events such as the arrival of Hurricane Maria, the challenges faced by essential workers like the narrator during the aftermath, and the community's collective efforts to rebuild in the tight-knit neighborhood of Naranjo, Moca. Other significant elements in the interview include the narrator's childhood memories, his early work experiences in a bakery, and his passion for animals, especially horses. The broader societal trend highlighted is the resilience of Puerto Ricans in the face of natural disasters, emphasizing community strength and determination in overcoming adversity.
Oral history interview with Alexandra Erazo Ramos, November 19, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Erazo Ramos, Alexandra S. (Narrator); Toro Padró, Nehemías (Interviewer)
The interview is about Alexandra Erazo Ramos, her experience in the public education system and how it has impacted her later work in educational justice through the Center for University Access. Alexandra narrates some of her experience as a high school student and links it to how she worked as a tutor and mentor in the outreach program.
Oral history interview with Nicolás, November 19, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Nicolás (Narrator); Cruz Rivera, Jorge L. (Interviewer)
Nicolás was born on September 10, 1936 in Leguízamo neighborhood of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. His early years were shaped by the economic challenges of the time, with limited resources, no electricity, and a lack of potable water. Despite these hardships, Nicolás's childhood was marked by a profound sense of community, where respect and kindness prevailed among neighbors. Growing up in rural Mayagüez, Nicolás's education faced obstacles due to the scarcity of schools. Determined to pursue knowledge, he navigated challenging circumstances, attending night school in Mayagüez while working as a sugarcane cutter during the day. This perseverance led him to complete his education, overcoming hurdles that included long, late-night walks home. Nicolás's family, consisting of five brothers and one sister, was a cornerstone of his life. Reflecting on his parents, he recalls a mother from Lares, known for her culinary expertise and kindness, and a hardworking father, a man of honesty and determination despite the challenges of those times. Professionally, Nicolás dedicated over two decades to public service with the Commission of Public Service. Simultaneously, he studied and obtained a license in electrical work, a skill that not only supplemented his income but also became a lifelong profession spanning 46 years. Retired from government service, Nicolás finds joy in reading, traveling, exploring nature, listening to music, and staying physically active. His resilience and values, forged through a lifetime of experiences, shine brightly, leaving an indelible mark on his family and community.
Oral history interview with Noemí Cortés, March 26, 2022
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Cortés, Noemí (Narrator); Acevedo Cortés, Fabián A. (Interviewer)
This interview is about the life of a pharmacist and her experience during hurricane Maria. She is a mother and businesswoman that was forced to help others, including her parents. She was blessed and didn't suffer any consequences. As a professional in the health field, she was able to gather medicines and help others with commodities that were not available at the time.
Oral history interview with Doris A. Sánchez Colón, April 29, 2022
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Sánchez Colón, Doris A. (Narrator); Méndez Reyes, Alexis J. (Interviewer); University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
Doris Sánchez is a teacher who has encountered several circumstances throughout the course of her career. With the current state of her retirement plan, she will not have enough money to support herself, let alone her two children, once she retires. It is described how her many experiences throughout her life reflect the significance she focuses on the education of rural Puerto Ricans.
Oral history interview with Osvaldo Ríos Fernández, November 6, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Ríos Fernández, Osvaldo (Narrator); Rodríguez Rodríguez, Alejandro (Interviewer); University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
In dark times in Puerto Rico a hopeful generation awakes in search for a better future in the next generations. In this interview Osvaldo talks about his point of view of Puerto Rico current political situation and how we are managing it. Since the 2019 protest he tells us many things are changing and that people are waking up from a eternal sleep and its time to make a change ourselves.
Oral history interview with Blanca, April 14, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Blanca (Narrator); Rosario Portillo, Joelys Marie (Interviewer)
The narrator is called Blanca. This 58-year-old woman has been through difficult times, and yet she is always willing to help people. Through her employment as a food attendant with the Head Start Program, she had the opportunity to meet many people whom she had the pleasure of helping by providing delicious food and much more. This interview spans from the lady's childhood to her time working at Head Start, as her upbringing influenced the quality of person she became. There should be more employees with the initiative that Blanca has to observe what happens to the people she works with and be able to notify the organization to help those people.
Oral history interview with Lydia Rivera González, April 30, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Rivera González, Lydia (Narrator); Pérez Rivera, Brian (Interviewer)
The narrator is Lydia Rivera González, she has 68 years and has lived in diferent places and has a strong ties to her church. This interview addresses her childhood, aswell as her youth in her search for jobs and the safety for living and food, aswell as her difficulties during the hurricane and how she helped others afterward. Her life experiences fit on those people that needed to go out and be able to help others becasue of the slow help of the government. She and others, part of the organization Caritas, send food, water and coupons to help people regain somewhat, of what was ultimately lost.
Oral history interview with Juan Antonio Vélez Feneque, April 17, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Vélez Feneque, Juan Antonio (Narrator); Chaparro Vélez, Glerysbeth Alanis (Interviewer)
Juan Vélez Feneque, also known as Tony, was born and raised in Rincón, Puerto Rico. He was an orphan and the youngest of all his siblings. During the mid-1900, Juan Velez decided to migrate to the United States as a way to help his mother make ends meet. Living in "The City That Never Sleeps" can come with its ups and downs. There were instances where Tony found himself lost while traveling on public transportation, as well as overcoming difficult obstacles, such as searching for a job at the age of sixteen while still learning English. Throughout this journey he experienced many social injustices such as racism and discrimination. As a minority, he had to witness countless gang fights that have impacted life in many ways. He used them as a learning experience as a way to achieve the American dream.
Oral history interview with Lorna, April 8, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Lorna (Narrator); Green Rodríguez, Diego André (Interviewer)
The narrator, Lorna, shares her life story growing up in Naranjito, Puerto Rico, with her loving family consisting of her mother, grandmother María, and great-grandmother Juana. The central topics discussed in the interview are the importance of education, family values, and the bond Lorna had with her grandmother through their shared love for food. The interview covers Lorna's life from her childhood to her academic pursuits in natural sciences and public health. Significant events include her grandmother's resilience in the face of adversity and her entrepreneurial spirit through the sale of "pasteles". Lorna's experiences provide insight into the societal trends, social movements, and social justice issues in Puerto Rico, especially the value of education and women's empowerment.
Oral history interview with Nicole Feliciano Díaz, April 17, 2023
(Oral History Lab @UPRM) Feliciano Díaz, Nicole (Narrator); Rivera Reyes, Lionel (Interviewer)
This is an interview between Lionel and Nicole, two friends. Lionel interviewed Nicole, a 20-year-old mechanical engineering undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus. She is originally from Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, located in the center of the island. Nicole is currently doing a co-op in an aerospace industry and hopes to work in the same industry in the future. Nicole is asked to describe Puerto Rican culture in one word, and she says "resilience", because it describes how Puerto Ricans have overcome difficulties and situations in recent years. The next question is about her childhood in Adjuntas, and she describes how she loved playing outside, running, and wrestling with her grandparents. She also talks about how her family loves cooking and eating together, and how they have a tradition of getting together every Sunday to prepare food and catch up with each other. She deepens on how that helped her through Hurricane María and after its impact. Throughout the interview, the Nicole states different aspects of Puerto Rican culture, such as the importance of family, the love of food, and the spirit of curiosity and exploration. Nicole shares a sense of pride in their culture and the resilience of their people. The interview provides a glimpse into the unique traditions and experiences of growing up in Puerto Rico.