Yadirah Rivera:
CLASS OF 1976
Pedro Albizu Campos High SchoolClass of 1976
Toa baja,
Colegio Santa RosaClass of 2005
Bayamon,
Inter American UniversityClass of 1984
Hato rey,
Levittown High SchoolClass of 1976
Toa baja,
Maria Libertad Gomez EscuelasClass of 1973
Toa baja,
Yadirah's Story
Life
I was born in Manhattan, New York, and raised in Puerto Rico. Until I was 9 years old I was raised by my grandmother, doña Providencia (Pura) Vega, then I moved to Levittown with my parents, Antonia Reyes and Pedro Rivera.
I was the leader of "Batuteras Las Leopardos de Levittown" and this gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of people all around the Island, especially during the international competitions. When I was 16 years old I participated in Miss Levittown and Miss Piel Canela.
I married a guy from Bayamon, Pedro Merced, in December 1980. I was a petite model for Fontecha Agency and had the opportunity of making few TV commercials and "tiny appearances" for TV shows and novelas. since I liked contests so much that I participated in Mrs. Puerto Rico by the year 1984, when my daugher was two years old.
Well, I've been living in Bayamon since January 1981. In 2001, when my dad passed away, I stayed in Levittown for one year taking care of his house ad other belongings until my mother and sister were able to move back to Puerto Rico, then I came back to my house with my husband and kids.
In October 1981 my grandaughter Kyarah Liz was born in Puerto Rico; few months later my daughter Sasha, who's 24 years old now, moved to Jacksonville with her husband Frankie. Sashie is a Civil Engineering student and works for one of the main power and acueduct companies of Jacksonville. My son John Anthony, 19 years old now, moved to Jacksonville in June 2006 to continue his college education. He's an excellent web designer. You'll be able to see a sample of his works at undefeateddesign.com.
My husband is an Accountant in charge of the operations of Ludan Industries, Inc. Besides the military, I worked for many years as Administrative Assistant, then I had my own business dedicated mainly to technical translations. For five years I worked as a teacher (English, Computers, Accounting, and Management) for Padres Dominicos (Colegio Santa Rosa Superior). Simultaneously, I took courses toward Natural Health Consultant, which is what I do right now. After doing almost anything I liked for living, currently I'm a natural health consultant, speaker and saleswoman.
Years ago I had few dogs, and the last one we had was a pitbull named Kisha, who was stolen from our house. Right now I don't have pets, except for few goldfish. We had a beatiful persian cat named Nefertitis Cleopatra (Cleo) who passed away in 2002. After her death, we had few "sato" cats: Malvada, Fergie, Camila Parker Bowles, and Filiberto Ojeda. I'd love to have another p...Expand for more
ersian cat, preferably as beautiful as Cleo (gray hair and yellow-orange eyes), or any other because I think all of them all beautiful.
Workplace
My first job was in Levittown: Panaderia Moises. I hated it because I had to wake-up too early in the morning. My second job was in a cafeteria. In my first year of college, thanks to my cousing, I got a secretarial position at Constructora Tolec/Garita Development. It was when I enrolled the military that I quit this job to go to Basic and Technical Trainings. When I came back to Puerto Rico I worked for Kelly Services, being assigned as clerk, secretary, customer service representative, and receptionist at different places such as Banco Popular, Banco de Ponce, Burroughs, Sears, and so on, giving me the opportunity to learn a lot and to meet my husband who worked for RJ Reynold Tobacco, one of my temporary assignments. Then I got this full time and permanent job in (in progress)
Military
3701 Squadron; Flight 062
I remember the day of my arrival to the Lackland AFB (Gateway to the Airforce). I was very scared. They called us "rainbows" due to our mix of colors (no uniforms). The introduction to the military life was not easy. When I saw the "House of Fashion" I was sure we were not entering Plaza Las Americas. Dorm teaching was scary too. Now I had to learn how to fix my bed the way they want it. For the first time in my life I was missing my bed and my parents arguying because of the "mess" I had in my bedroom (it look pretty good to me though!!!) Medical Processing was awful (I hate shots). I hated inspections, "no PDA" and chow in the "great outdoors" too. The "Dining Hall, "Markmanship Training", the "Confidence Course", and physical conditioning were not that bad compared to everything else. The happiest days in Lackland were when I "sneaked" into the 'Skylark Club" and the last day in Texas, even though in a way we were sad because we were taking different destinations. I had to say goodbye to my "boyfriend" Craig Farr and take my airplane to Gulfport, Mississippi (Keesler AFB).
In Gulport I went to tech school and met many new friends, but I was looking forward to get home as soon as possible, until I met Benny Lizardi, a Coast Guard guy who tried hard to make me the happiest girl in Mississippi.
Time was over and I had to report to my Air National Guard base in Puerto Rico: Punta Salinas Radar Station (140th Sq.) were we didn't do much. I requested my discharge in 1980, but it was not until 1984 (in the middle of Desert Storm) that I received my official "Honorable Discharge".
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