Cellie Morales

What event was so impactful that it changed the trajectory of your life?

Well, let me take you back to when I was a kid, around third grade. That's when things really started to change for me. It turned out that I did very well on some standardized tests, and after that, all the teachers were talking about my scores. They thought I needed more than just the regular curriculum, so they moved me to a different school with more advanced classes.

Now, this was a bit of a puzzle for my parents. Neither of them had gone to college, and they were just trying to navigate the whole education system. But despite their uncertainty, they saw the potential in me and decided to embrace the opportunity. So off I went, traveling by bus for hours every day to attend this gifted program, which opened up a whole new world of learning for me.

Those years of challenging academics laid the groundwork for my future, leading me to Whitney Young High School. But it wasn't just about the academics; it was also about the exposure to different socioeconomic backgrounds.

In this gifted program, it didn't matter how much money your family had; what mattered was how your brain worked. And that's where I thrived. Sure, it was tough at times, especially with the long commute and feeling like I was missing out on some of the typical childhood experiences. But looking back, I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.

Fast forward to college, and a whole new chapter of my life began. It wasn't just about hitting the books; it was about meeting new people, and expanding my horizons and then after college, I was finally able to travel abroad!

Growing up, we didn't have the means for lavish vacations. Our idea of a getaway was driving to Texas to visit family. So you can imagine the excitement when I had the opportunity to explore other countries for the first time. It was like a whole new world opening up before my eyes.

Since then, I've been fortunate enough to visit 38 countries, with plans to hit 40 before I turn 40. Traveling has become more than just a hobby for me; it's a way of life. It's given me a deeper understanding of different cultures, a broader perspective on the world, and a stronger connection with people from all walks of life. Whether I'm trekking through ancient ruins or sampling street food in bustling markets, each adventure adds another layer to my personal and professional growth.

So when I look back on those pivotal moments in my life, from scoring highly on the standardized tests to boarding that first plane abroad, I see how they've shaped me into the person I am today—a curious, adventurous soul who's always eager to learn and explore. And for that, I'll forever be grateful.

I'd like to revisit the initial response. As I listen, I notice striking similarities between our stories, prompting me to ask: Was there a defining moment that fueled your drive for achievement, particularly at a young age?

Yeah, I think being the oldest Latina daughter, having to help my mom and be there for my sister and brother and take care of them. My mom worked days and my dad worked nights. My parents divorced when I was like 10, but when they were together, I was still having to take care of my sister and brother, and we struggled a lot. And I think a lot of my motivation came from "I never want to have to do that."

I was also recognized when I did what was told of me – I was applauded for not making trouble and maintaining peace in what could be a chaotic world. So part of my drive to achieve came from keeping the peace. I never really saw myself as an overachiever. I just did what I normally do, but then once it became the expectation of me to be the smartest person, to get the best grades, to be the perfect daughter, to, you know, speak up but not speak up too much, to get the good grades but still listen at home, when those expectations became part of me, I wanted to do those because I also think that there was just calmness when I could do that.

When I didn't follow the expectations, I added to the chaos. I was very scared of disappointment because I was always the one who made everyone proud. And it got hard.

It gets harder as you get older because I don't think you try to do that when you're little. But it feels good, right? When you make your family proud, when you were the one who achieved things like going to the good school or getting the good job. It becomes a mindset, you entwine your own self in that. And so I think that's where my drive continues to come from. I have this fear of disappointment, of disappointing people, and that was always my drive.

I really resonate with this Cellie. My mom is a teacher, and growing up, we didn't have much money. Once she became a teacher and the first to get a degree in the family, yes, things improved a bit financially, but her expectations for me also grew. It's that mix of her high expectations and the cultural pressure to put family first that really drove me to strive for more. But, you know, everyone faces setbacks. I'm curious if there was a moment for you, maybe a test you failed or something similar, that made you rethink things and reassess your approach?

Yeah, I honestly think it was when I switched schools from 3rd grade to 4th grade. It's really funny—I went to this gifted school, so I moved, and I had to take a bus.  And when I moved, because of my last name, they put me in the advanced Spanish class, even though my Spanish was different from "proper Spanish."

The class was much too advanced for me and I was getting a 'D' in Spanish.

When I didn't measure up, I felt like such a failure. My family got really mad because they felt I was put in that class solely because of my last name. The teacher just pointed and said, "Morales, you're in the Spanish class," without even asking me. All these kids didn't know Spanish and were doing better than me. I was like, "Screw this!" That was always my challenge—if I wasn't going to be the best, I didn't want to do it. I struggled with that my whole life.

Because I wasn't the best at Spanish and didn't understand it, I checked out and the teacher called my parents. My family was like, "What's wrong with you? You barely ever got a B!" Finally, I told them, and they asked why I didn't tell them sooner.

That was a big thing for me—I realized it wasn't about me; it was about this teacher's expectation. But as a 10-year-old, I was like, "I don't know Spanish, I should know this, and I don't. Then I'm done." It was fourth grade, but it hurt because I never got anything lower than a B. That was definitely a big moment for me—not only admitting failure but also learning how to move past it.

You don't get taught that when you're little; everyone says you're going to get past it, but you don't get taught how to do it. Everyone finds their own way. That was the first moment I had to say, "I'm still a good person, I can get past this, I need to ask for help, and it's okay not to always be the best." So yeah, that was a really big moment for me. It changed a lot of my life.

There's always that hindsight as an adult where you realize those moments, like a small test, seem insignificant. But as a kid, it's huge, and you internalize it, feeling like it's your fault. Additionally, I do believe having more black and brown educators is crucial. I'm curious, has your mindset shifted regarding the need to always be the best? What led to this change? How did you go about relearning that mindset? I imagine it wasn't an easy journey, so I'd love to hear about the steps you took to reach this point of acceptance and growth.

Yeah, that's a great question. So, one thing I've had to come to terms with is whether my failures stemmed from not giving my best or simply pursuing others' expectations, like excelling in Spanish because it was expected, not because I genuinely wanted to.

Growing up, I was fortunate to have therapy sessions from a young age due to my parents' divorce, which helped me understand my drive for perfection. I realized I needed to differentiate between pursuing excellence for myself versus meeting external expectations.

Learning to silence my inner critic and focus on progress rather than perfection was pivotal. I began asking myself if I'd given my best effort and embracing being among the best rather than always being the top. This shift in mindset allowed me to prioritize growth over being the best, fostering continuous improvement in various aspects of my life.

This reminds me of a recent interview I had, where Jessica Ortiz mentioned "don't want more, be better" and I've really resonated with that since hearing it. I'd like to pivot and hear how it was being the eldest daughter, especially in a Latino household?

I'm really grateful for my mother and all she did to break those generational traumas and expectations, especially as the eldest Latina daughter. There was this pressure, you know? Josh's mention of surface pressure in his song hit home for me because I've felt it too.

But as I got older, that pressure eased off, thankfully. My mom didn't want me and my younger sister to carry the same burdens she did. She worked hard to change our mindset, and it made a big difference.

Growing up, I felt this responsibility to take care of my siblings, help with homework, and support my mom. I had to navigate a lot on my own, like taking the bus at 11 years old. But oddly enough, it instilled independence in me.

Despite these traditional expectations, I've noticed ingrained habits, like always being the last to eat at family gatherings. It's these subtle things that stick with you.

Early on, I had to learn to behave, to not make my mom's life harder. There was conflict between my mom and dad, too. Living with my mom meant I had to be one, more free version of myself, while my dad was strict and I had to be a more obedient version . It was like straddling two worlds.

But I consider myself lucky to have been part of breaking that generational trauma cycle. It's a journey, but I'm grateful for the progress.

Growing up, even though technically I was an only child, I never felt like one because of my two uncles and younger cousin. While being the eldest had its expectations, growing up with men around showed me a different perspective. I noticed the gender roles—women cooking while men relaxed—and it made me realize I didn't want to conform to that. I believe in independence for everyone.

So, onto lighter topics. What's your favorite travel destination?

Oh, I get this question a lot, and I love it. My favorite vacation spot has to be South Africa. A few years back, three of my closest friends and I went on this incredible journey together. We explored Cape Town, did some whale watching at Hermanus Beach, paraglided off Table Mountain, visited Robben Island, and even saw penguins at the southern tip of Africa. Then, we headed to Kruger National Park for an unforgettable three-day safari where we saw all the Big Five animals. After that, we explored Johannesburg, including a tour of Soweto, where Trevor Noah hails from. It was such an eye-opening experience, filled with welcoming people and fascinating history. So, yeah, South Africa definitely tops my list as the best place I've ever visited.

I had no idea you traveled to South Africa! Whenever I hear about people visiting there, I always think it's such an underrated country. Now, onto my last question, intentionally left broad to let you share whatever comes to mind: What advice would you offer to someone in a similar position?

I would say the advice I'd offer to anyone in my position is to always seize the benefits and resources available to you and take a leap of faith, even if it feels daunting or uncertain. Many times, we hesitate because we fear the unknown or worry about the outcome. Especially as Latina women, representation matters, and stories like ours make a difference. Be smart, know your surroundings, and embrace opportunities that come your way. Sometimes, as Latina women, we're hesitant to seek or accept help, but it's crucial to lean into support and seize opportunities when they arise. Don't let fear of the unknown hold you back—embracing uncertainty can lead to some of life's most rewarding experiences.