LOCAL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2019
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A3
Hermiston celebrates Cinco de Mayo
By JADE MCDOWELL
NEWS EDITOR
usic fi lled the fair-
grounds all week-
end long as Herm-
iston hosted its annual Cinco
de Mayo celebration.
The event, which out-
grew its previous homes at
various city parks and down-
town streets, took place at
the Eastern Oregon Trade
and Event Center on Friday
through Sunday.
On Saturday, the slate of
live performances kicked
off at 5 p.m. Luz Lopez of
Boardman, who was listen-
ing with her friends from the
bleachers, said she hoped
people got up and started
dancing soon.
“I came here because of
the music, and I wanted to
dance,” she said. “It’s been a
long time since I’ve danced.”
She said she appreci-
ated the local volunteers that
come together each year to
put on the event.
Lopez said she was there
because it seemed like a fun
way to spend a Saturday
night, but also because “it’s
my culture.”
While Americans some-
times incorrectly assume
that Cinco de Mayo is Mex-
ico’s independence day, the
holiday actually marks Mex-
icans’ victory in a single
battle against the French in
1862 at the Battle of Puebla.
M
Staff photo by Jade McDowell
Cuarto Concepto performs at the Hermiston Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday night.
In the United States,
the day has evolved into
an opportunity for Mexi-
can-Americans to celebrate
their heritage.
Bands
performing
throughout the weekend
ranged from local bands to
international stars, such as
Huichol Musical.
Other
performers
included Paso Firme, Plebil-
loz Style, Inizzio Norteño,
Cuarto Concepto, Herencía
con Estilo and more. There
was also dancing by Baile
Folklorico.
Christian Contreras, a
guitarist from the local group
Herencía con Estilo, was
spending time with friends
Saturday while waiting to go
on. He said he always enjoys
the games, food and music at
Hermiston’s Cinco de Mayo
celebration.
“We’re here to just chill
and have fun,” he said.
In addition to live music
the weekend featured a car-
nival, food vendors, beer
garden and a pageant.
Lili Juarez was crowned
this year’s Miss Cinco de
Mayo during the pageant
on Sunday afternoon. Also
competing for the title were
Hermiston teens Nayeli
Resendiz, Paloma Silva and
Bresieda Sandoval.
Juarez told the Hermis-
ton Herald that winning the
title of Miss Cinco de Mayo
meant a lot to her because it
was a way to show her pride
in her heritage. She said she
felt honored to represent her
culture and her family, who
have taught her the impor-
tance of never giving up on
her dreams.
“As I grow older, I fall
more and more in love with
my culture and our beauti-
ful traditions,” she said in
an email. “I’m proud to be
a part of such hard work-
ing culture, who come here
with nothing and work hard
everyday for a better future
for their families.”
The Hermiston High
School student enjoys cheer-
leading and fi shing, and
said she loves playing with
makeup. After she graduates
she plans to attend cosmetol-
ogy school.
East Oregonian newspaper welcomes new managing editor
By CHRISTOPHER RUSH
PUBLISHER
The East Oregonian has
hired a new editor who is
no stranger to Northeast
Oregon.
Andrew Cutler, an Idaho
native with experience at
papers in Oregon, Idaho and
South Dakota, started work
for the East Oregonian on
Monday, after spending 16
months as a manager of
communications and pub-
lic relations for Oregon
Trail Electric Cooperative
in Baker City.
“We’re delighted to
have someone of Andrew’s
journalistic
experi-
ence and Northeast Ore-
gon background lead our
award-winning newsroom,”
said Regional Publisher
Chris Rush in making the
announcement. “I’m certain
Andrew will continue the
tradition of excellent com-
munity-focused journalism
already established here at
the EO.”
The East Oregonian is
the Hermiston Herald’s sis-
ter paper. Both are owned by
EO Media Group and share
some of the same staff. Jade
McDowell will continue to
serve as news editor of the
Hermiston Herald.
Prior to going to work
for the electric coopera-
tive, Cutler spent fi ve years
in La Grande as the editor
of The Observer, with the
last three including an addi-
Cutler
tional role as publisher of
the publication.
“I’m excited about com-
ing to Pendleton and, spe-
cifi cally, working at a paper
like the East Oregonian and
for a company like the East
Oregonian Media Group,”
Cutler said. “This paper
has a long legacy of great
journalism. Its reputation
is unmatched by any paper
in Eastern Oregon and is
among the best in the state
of Oregon. I’m in awe of
trying to uphold that legacy
but looking forward to the
challenge.”
Cutler’s
newspaper
career began in late 2000
at the Argus Observer
City to begin work in category for General Excel-
La Grande in Novem- lence, fi nishing behind the
ber 2012.
East Oregonian.
Cutler-led publica-
“I’m really happy about
tions are the winners joining the East Orego-
of numerous Oregon nian, instead of compet-
Newspaper Publish- ing against it,” Cutler said.
ers Association and “This paper has a great
South Dakota News- staff of hardworking, tal-
paper
Association ented people who truly love
awards. As manag- what they do and the prod-
ing editor of the Cap- uct they put out. I’m excited
ital Journal, Cutler to be part of that.”
led the paper to the
Cutler was born in
2008 SDNA Gen- Pocatello, Idaho, and raised
eral Excellence award in Fruitland, Idaho. A 1990
for daily newspapers graduate of Fruitland High
with circulation under School, he went on to earn
16,000. It was the fi rst an associates of arts degree
time the Capital Jour- from Treasure Valley Com-
nal had earned the munity College in 2000 and
award in 126 years a bachelor of arts degree in
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
of existence. Cut- multidisciplinary
studies
ler also won general from Boise State University
excellence awards as in 2016.
in Ontario where he fi rst
a member of staffs
After high school, Cut-
started as a senior sports- at the Argus Observer and ler joined the U.S. Army in
writer before being pro- the Rapid City Journal. As 1991 and served as a com-
moted to sports editor in editor of the La Grande bat medic in Germany, Fort
early 2001.
paper, he led the publica- Stewart, Georgia, and Hon-
Following a stint as tion to a second-place fi n- duras before his discharge
a Boise State University ish in ONPA’s Division C in 1995.
beat writer at the Idaho
Press-Tribune in Nampa,
Awnings · Patio/Sun Shades
Idaho, Cutler returned to
the Argus Observer in 2004
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and worked both as a sports
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Cutler moved to South
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editor at the Rapid City
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I am Banner Bank.
Stacy is a veteran banker with
25 years experience. Raised in
Boardman, she’s proud to call
Eastern Oregon home. As an active
member of our local community,
you’ll find her volunteering with
the Hermiston Sports Boosters, the
Blue Mountain Golf Tournament
and the King and Queen’s Golf
Tournament. Find out how Stacy
can support your success.
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Their oldest son, Brady, cur-
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lines and will be attending
fl ight school this fall. Their
youngest son, Connor, is
completing his sophomore
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