Meet Andrea Valadez | Staff writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Valadez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from a suburban town in Southern California called Santa Clarita – most people recognize it when I tell them that’s where Six Flags is located. My family and I moved to California from Tijuana, Mexico, my dad’s hometown, when I was around three years old. As I’ve gotten older, coming from an immigrant household and being a Chicana has impacted my day-to-day life more than I thought it could. As a Chicana, I feel immense pride in being Mexican and the hardships my parents have faced to give my siblings and I more opportunities than they had. I often think about how brave, intelligent and resilient they had to be in order to pick up their entire lives and move to a country where they didn’t speak the language and maybe weren’t widely accepted, all to ensure that their kids were accepted. I’m also hyper aware of the privileges I have with the “American” part of my Mexican-American identity. Being born in the U.S. and living here most of my life has opened my eyes to the realities of having multiple identities. It can be hard to find the balance of the two and feel like you can be accepted by both. Being Chicana has also made me especially empathetic toward the plights of underprivileged or marginalized folks, and is a big reason why I care so much about highlighting people’s stories through my writing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always loved reading and writing and the worlds that writers are able to create with their words. And while I always knew this was a passion of mine, I was never quite sure of how I was going to pursue it professionally. Like many other people my age, I did not enjoy online learning when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. After spending my first semester of college online in fall of 2020, I decided to take a gap year and focus on myself instead. When I returned to school in 2022, I took an Introduction to Journalism course that truly changed my life. I realized that I could use my passion for writing to help inform others on the complexities in our society. I wanted to use my voice to help others find theirs. I joined Cal State Monterey Bay’s student-run newspaper, the Lutrinae, and fell in love with reporting. I climbed the ranks and spent a year as the editor-in-chief for the paper. Through this job, I was exposed to so many opportunities and experiences that I was grateful for, but I also experienced a good amount of imposter syndrome. I didn’t know if I deserved to be there, but I am immensely proud that I came to the realization that I was ONLY there because I deserved to be. It wasn’t an easy job, but it’s what I’m most proud of. I learned how to help guide others in their writing and how to stand up for myself and others that were counting on me. It is not easy being a woman, let alone a woman of color, in any field – journalism included. I have done everything in my power to not let any societal norms get in the way of my work or of my pride in my work. I’m grateful to now work as a staff writer covering education for the Monterey Herald. I’ve loved learning more about journalism in a more professional setting. I’m determined to do everything I dream of, which is a lot, and along the way, highlight the voices of those who are still in the process of shutting down those same societal norms.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Monterey is such a beautiful town and there is a never-ending amount of things to do. As someone who grew up in the suburbs, this is a dream. If a friend was visiting, I’d send them a list like the one below to help plan our time together.

Things to do:
-We have to go to the beach (duh!) – my favorite is Asilomar. The coast here is gorgeous and you can walk directly on it. There’s a bunch of trails that you can walk the length of the coast. There’s also Del Monte beach, which is perfect for laying out, tanning and a bonfire once the sun sets.
-My favorite coffee shop is Bookworks in Pacific Grove. When you walk in, you can grab a coffee and bite to eat and sit at one of the many tables to chat or get some work done. As you walk through the coffee shop, there’s a bookstore in the back of the building. The book selection is great and the vibe is even better.
-I would be remiss to not take a friend to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It’s a Monterey staple for a reason! There are so many wonderful exhibits and animals to see. My favorite is the penguin exhibit.
-The 17-mile drive is one of my favorite things I’ve done in Monterey. Driving through Pebble Beach, the coast and forest reminds you just how beautiful Monterey is. You can stop at any point on the drive and really take in the views.

Places to eat:
-My favorite brunch spot is First Awakenings – there is almost always a wait but it’s worth it. I always go for the outdoor seating when the weather allows, but even if it’s a little chilly, there are heated seats! The food is delicious and the staff are super friendly.
-I love going to Pho Lucky in Marina on gloomier days. Their pho is great and I also love the spring rolls! It’s a perfect choice for when you’re in need of some comfort food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents have given so much in order to ensure that I have the opportunity to do whatever I want in this life. They were both born and raised in different parts of Mexico – my dad in Tijuana and my mom in Sinaloa. They moved to California with four kids, without speaking the language, and simply made it work. They are both the hardest workers and the most generous people I know. It’s because of them that I’m here writing this. They have given me the world without even realizing it.

Image Credits
Photo of me in red shirt speaking to student: Photo courtesy of Samantha Hutz