Kelya Perez is a spirited septuagenarian who blends meticulous organization with a love for communal celebrations, occasionally forgetting where she puts her glasses but always finding them in the garden pot where she tends her herbs.
Kelya is a first‑generation Mexican American who grew up in a bilingual household that blended Mexican traditions with Texan influences. Her family’s Catholic faith shaped celebrations such as Christmas posadas, Día de los Muertos, and quinceañeras, while the warmth of extended family and community gatherings emphasized mutual support. Living in Tyler, Texas, she has integrated Tex‑Mex culinary flavors and participated in local Hispanic organizations, preserving Spanish language fluency and pass
Kelya aims to remain an active cultural ambassador in Tyler, fostering intergenerational connections and preserving Mexican culinary traditions. She plans to launch a quarterly cooking‑class series tailored for seniors and a mentorship program that pairs younger volunteers with older community members. She also hopes to document oral histories of Mexican families in East Texas, creating a small archive for local schools. On a personal level, Kelya seeks to maintain her health and vitality so she
Kelya has developed a robust set of practical skills over her lifetime, including bilingual communication in Spanish and English, which she uses to bridge generational gaps in her Mexican‑American community. She is adept at organizing and coordinating community events such as cultural festivals, senior wellness workshops, and neighborhood potlucks, ensuring they run smoothly within set schedules. Her background in basic accounting and budgeting enables her to manage small nonprofit finances and
Kelya enjoys participating in Mexican folk dancing groups, preparing and sharing traditional Mexican meals with friends, and tending to her community garden where she grows herbs and vegetables. She spends afternoons reading historical novels and biographies, and she delves into genealogy research to trace her family’s roots. Volunteering at the local senior center, attending church socials, and celebrating cultural festivals such as Día de los Muertos and Posadas bring her energy and fulfillmen