cover story
recent interview, Hispanic Network
Magazine got an inside peek at the
experiences and goals of the Latina
educating role model.
HNM: When did you realize that
Dora had become a nationwide phe-
nomenon?
Kathleen Herles: “When I was lit-
tle, I wanted to grasp what was hap-
pening but didn’t realize it until now
that I’m older and look back on it and
really see the impact. I went to Miami
to a Spanish speaking school and all of
the kids were parading in costumes that
represented their countries. I read Dora
books to them and it was then I real-
ized just how much Dora makes an
impact on the world.”
HNM: Obviously you are bilingual,
how difficult is it to switch? Does it
come naturally or did you have to prac-
tice and study?
Kathleen Herles: “Well, when I
was younger, I think I spoke more
Spanish than I do now. My grandmoth-
er didn’t speak much English so we
had to speak Spanish to her. When I
was younger, we would go to Peru
every year; there we learned the lan-
guage as well as the culture.”
HNM: How did you keep up with
your education? HNM: How supportive has your Kathleen Herles: “An animation
Kathleen Herles: “They (the show) family been and how involved are they show can make such a big difference.
provided tutors, we would all go three in your daily life? Now I’m in college and I’m learning
times a week. And at home, my moth- Kathleen Herles: “My brother and communications and media and how
er and brother would help me out.” my parents were and have always been people influence other people and I can
HNM: What obstacles did you very supportive… they were always connect the two. It doesn’t have to be
encounter? What were some hardships there for me, for the premiers of the an animation show or live, it just has to
you experienced? shows and for just about every big change the way people’s minds work
Kathleen Herles: “Some of the event. Most of all, they have been very for the Hispanics… like the show was
biggest obstacles were the transporta- supportive by encouraging me to do the first Latino TV shows on Nick-
tion to and from the studios. My par- what I like to do and that is to entertain elodeon… it just reminds me that you
ents each had their jobs, which kept and be a role model. For me, my fam- can do anything!”
them quite busy, and at times my older ily’s support has been the most impor- HNM: You have become such a
brother Christopher, who was only 12 tant factor in continuing my career, positive role model and have influ-
at the time, accompanied me to and without them, I would not have made it enced so many children and their fam-
from the studios. It was hard on us as a this far.” ilies, how will you continue to do this
family because my parents were doing HNM: What have you learned from in your future?
their best to make ends meet so that I Dora or from the experience you have Kathleen Herles: “Hopefully I get
could continue doing what I wanted to had doing the show for so many years? to continue my acting career and do
do.” something with kids to continue being
WWW.HNMAGAZINE.COM Celebrating 15 Years of Embracing Diversity 65
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