Embracing My Heritage: A Personal Reflection

In the second half of my life, I’ve come to embrace something that was always part of me—my Hispanic heritage. For years, I didn’t fully acknowledge the richness of my roots, even while living and working near San Antonio. That chapter is behind me now.

Today, I stand proudly as a descendant of Aztec blood, honoring the legacy of my family and culture. I’ve taken intentional steps to reflect that pride—hyphenating my last name to include my mother’s maiden name, Medellín-Sturgill, and adopting my baptismal and confirmation names in Spanish. “Guillermo” for William was easy. “Darrel” has no Spanish equivalent, so I simply say: Mi nombre es Darrel. And my everyday name, Gregorio—affectionately “Goyo”—connects me to a broader tradition of names that carry meaning and history.

This journey hasn’t been about correcting the past, but about living more fully into who I am today. I hope my story encourages others to explore and celebrate their own heritage, whatever it may be. Our diversity is a gift, and our stories are worth sharing.

Con orgullo,
Goyo Medellín-Sturgill

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