Ash Edwards
Dr. Joe Gerez, Principal of East Ridge Middle School
Our very own Principal, Dr. Joe Gerez, has a special connection to Argentina. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the newspaper crew conducted a Q&A interview with him about his heritage. Though he grew up in Riverside, California, his family is originally from Rosario, Argentina. “I’m especially excited because I’ll be returning to visit this fall break—it’s been 24 years since I’ve been back,” he shared.
As a child, Dr. Gerez loved playing sports. He played football and wrestled, later continuing in college and eventually coaching football, track and field, and wrestling.
At home, his family kept their culture alive through food and traditions. “Some common foods from Argentina that I grew up with are empanadas, milanesa, asado, pizza, and sandwich de miga,” he explained. He also remembers celebrating Christmas Eve at midnight and drinking mate, a green tea-like drink.
Dr. Gerez grew up speaking both Spanish at home and English at school. He noted that in Argentina, “people often greet one another with a kiss on the cheek, even among friends.”
Although he misses Argentina, Dr. Gerez also values life in America. He calls it “a true melting pot of people with customs, cultures, and languages from all around the world.