A Father’s Lullaby Becomes a Young Woman’s Anthem

Jenn McNeill explains how one song from her childhood reflects her desire to understand who she is. She talks about her desire to have meaningful relationships and admires the Indigo Girls for their years of friendship.

Faces of UWM: The Swimmer

UWM swim and dive team member Andrea Bellart tells how the team has prepared her for life after college.

Faces of UWM: The Fan

UW- Milwaukee journalism major Bella VanLanen talks about how her strong affinity for pop culture led her to pursue a career in media.

Faces of UWM: The Filmmaker

Joshua Velazquez has a passion for creating fantasy art and film, a product of his background, aspirations and core identity.

Puerto Rico Bonds

Maria Gonzalez-Edwards, 60, is a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood. She was raised in Milwaukee, but her family is from the central mountainous region of Puerto Rico. Maria’s parents came from Utuado, almost directly in the center of the island. Maria said it is more “campo,” meaning countryside. […]

The Trip that Changed Everything

The year was 1971. Leticia Arryo Pastrana was 15-years-old about to embark on a journey that would thrust her future into the unknown. She was home in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico when her grandmother; her father’s mom who was living with them at the time, got struck with illness. After the news of Pastrana’s grandmother being […]

Sisters of St. Francis Recall Memories of Early Puerto Rican Community in Milwaukee, Discuss Hurricane Maria Aftermath

Two sisters of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Francisca Colon and Ana Martinez, have many memories of the Puerto Rican community in Milwaukee. St. Francis, a Roman Catholic Church, is home to many Puerto Ricans in the Milwaukee area. The large, inclusive church welcomes all to Mass every Sunday, but for community members who only […]

Bringing Truth and Information to the Community

Victor Huyke, 59, is the Publisher of El Conquistador Newspaper, the only Latino-owned newspaper in Southeast Wisconsin. Journalism has been in Huyke’s blood since the days of his Great Grandfather, Juan Bernardo Huyke. Juan worked as a writer, publisher, educator and served as the Interim Governor of Puerto Rico in 1923. Along with his many […]