Latest news with #Guida
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I hyphenated my last name after getting married to honor my identity. It only created more problems.
At 19, I found out I had been adopted from Colombia, and my name had been changed. When I married, I chose to hyphenate my last name so as not to lose my identity again. Not all forms allow you to add a hyphen, leading to inconsistencies across records. At 19, I had the shocking discovery that not only did I have a different name when I was born, but that I was adopted from Colombia. When I was adopted, my birth name was immediately changed, and after years of fighting tooth and nail to fit in with my family, I decided that losing my family's name when I married was too much for me. I couldn't deal with yet another change to my identity, so I hyphenated my last name when I was married — a choice that I ended up regretting. When I was born, my name was Elisa Contreras Nieves, a name given to me by FANA, a foundation for the adoption of abandoned children in Bogotá, Colombia. While it is weird to think that strangers named me and not my mother, it was nevertheless my name — one of the few ties to my birth mom and country. Like many adoptees, my parents decided to change my name to something they preferred. Luckily, my mom liked my first name and only slightly changed Elisa. I did, however, lose my Latino last name to Guida, my father's very Italian name, which eventually led to years of racial ambiguity, where people were constantly asking, "What are you?" While I proudly wore it, the world questioned my ownership of a name that didn't quite match the face of what people expected to see. From cultural events at school, to repping his country in a vibrant green, white, and red Italian soccer jersey during the world cup, to winning awards in the Italian Honor Society with "Guida" proudly across the certificates, my identity was fully tied up in a name that didn't quite fit me. Growing up in an immigrant American family, I was taught the importance of family and culture. The struggles our family had before immigrating and achieving the ideal American dream came with prejudice that my father never let me forget. My father's heavy accent and name immediately signaled him out in school, where teachers called him the slur "guinea," which is one reason he pushed me so hard to represent not only his name, but his Italian culture. Being the first in my immediate family to graduate from high school and college meant my name — our name — was featured proudly in the program they handed out at graduation. My father had framed one in a beautiful plaque that hangs proudly in my home office, so when it came time to get married, I knew what I had to do. Changing my name almost seemed too simple. I filled out my marriage certificate and carefully wrote Guida-Richards, a tie to my old and new life. Now, I knew each change in documents and credit cards could add up to quite a few, but I didn't expect everyday activities to become a lot more difficult due to the simple addition of a little hyphen and my husband's last name. When I would go to the pharmacy to pick up medication, suddenly, there were difficulties in finding me in the system. Due to the hyphenated name, locating me in the system was now a challenge. And when you must pick up multiple medications throughout the month to manage your chronic illnesses, each of these interactions starts to add up. Over the next few years, I questioned my decision every single time an issue arose. While it is completely legal to add a hyphen to your name, it does not mean that it is an available choice when filling out an array of forms or inputting your information in computer systems at the doctor, pharmacist, or even DMV. This led to inconsistency across records and difficulty in my professional life. When I got married, I worried that embracing my husband's name would somehow erase my family ties. Completely changing was something I just couldn't get on board with until I spent years unpacking my identity in therapy. Now that I have, I have realized it's OK not to like it anymore. People change, we adapt, we grow, and sometimes our names need to change, which is why I will save up to do just that. Melissa Guida-Richards is a transracial adoptee, author, and advocate. She is the author of "What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption." You can find her @adoptee_thoughts or Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
12-06-2025
- General
- Business Insider
I hyphenated my last name after getting married to honor my identity. It only created more problems.
At 19, I had the shocking discovery that not only did I have a different name when I was born, but that I was adopted from Colombia. When I was adopted, my birth name was immediately changed, and after years of fighting tooth and nail to fit in with my family, I decided that losing my family's name when I married was too much for me. I couldn't deal with yet another change to my identity, so I hyphenated my last name when I was married — a choice that I ended up regretting. I lost my Latino last name when adopted When I was born, my name was Elisa Contreras Nieves, a name given to me by FANA, a foundation for the adoption of abandoned children in Bogotá, Colombia. While it is weird to think that strangers named me and not my mother, it was nevertheless my name — one of the few ties to my birth mom and country. Like many adoptees, my parents decided to change my name to something they preferred. Luckily, my mom liked my first name and only slightly changed Elisa. I did, however, lose my Latino last name to Guida, my father's very Italian name, which eventually led to years of racial ambiguity, where people were constantly asking, "What are you?" While I proudly wore it, the world questioned my ownership of a name that didn't quite match the face of what people expected to see. From cultural events at school, to repping his country in a vibrant green, white, and red Italian soccer jersey during the world cup, to winning awards in the Italian Honor Society with "Guida" proudly across the certificates, my identity was fully tied up in a name that didn't quite fit me. Growing up in an immigrant American family, I was taught the importance of family and culture. The struggles our family had before immigrating and achieving the ideal American dream came with prejudice that my father never let me forget. My father's heavy accent and name immediately signaled him out in school, where teachers called him the slur "guinea," which is one reason he pushed me so hard to represent not only his name, but his Italian culture. When I got married, I hyphenated both last names Being the first in my immediate family to graduate from high school and college meant my name — our name — was featured proudly in the program they handed out at graduation. My father had framed one in a beautiful plaque that hangs proudly in my home office, so when it came time to get married, I knew what I had to do. Changing my name almost seemed too simple. I filled out my marriage certificate and carefully wrote Guida-Richards, a tie to my old and new life. Now, I knew each change in documents and credit cards could add up to quite a few, but I didn't expect everyday activities to become a lot more difficult due to the simple addition of a little hyphen and my husband's last name. The hyphen became a headache When I would go to the pharmacy to pick up medication, suddenly, there were difficulties in finding me in the system. Due to the hyphenated name, locating me in the system was now a challenge. And when you must pick up multiple medications throughout the month to manage your chronic illnesses, each of these interactions starts to add up. Over the next few years, I questioned my decision every single time an issue arose. While it is completely legal to add a hyphen to your name, it does not mean that it is an available choice when filling out an array of forms or inputting your information in computer systems at the doctor, pharmacist, or even DMV. This led to inconsistency across records and difficulty in my professional life. When I got married, I worried that embracing my husband's name would somehow erase my family ties. Completely changing was something I just couldn't get on board with until I spent years unpacking my identity in therapy. Now that I have, I have realized it's OK not to like it anymore. People change, we adapt, we grow, and sometimes our names need to change, which is why I will save up to do just that. Melissa Guida-Richards is a transracial adoptee, author, and advocate. She is the author of " What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption." You can find her @adoptee_thoughts or
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused in North Carolina vacation town road rage shooting that left dad of 3 dead seeks release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A man accused of killing a father of three in a 2024 road-rage shooting in Lake Norman, North Carolina – a popular vacation town north of Charlotte – is seeking a reduced bond, according to court documents and local news. Terrell Eugene Giddens, 75, is accused of fatally shooting Jeffrey Michael Guida, 40, on Oct. 12, 2024, just before 5 p.m., while Guida was driving with his three daughters, ages 2, 11 and 13, in the back of a Jeep Wagoneer, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Eyewitnesses told authorities at the time that they saw both men exit their vehicles, and then the suspect allegedly shot the victim. Eyewitnesses also reported seeing the shooter fire "multiple rounds into the victim's vehicle," where the three girls were sitting. They were not injured in the deadly attack, according to the sheriff's office. Giddens allegedly drove home after the shooting, put his clothing in a trash bag and changed into new clothing, according to the Charlotte Observer. He took his kayak to the Lake Norman shore, paddled to the 17B marker and disposed of the trash bag and the rifle he allegedly used to shoot Guida. Six Illegal Migrants Charged In South Carolina Mother's Murder Defy 'Decency' In 'Civilized Society': Sheriff Now, Giddens' attorney, Robert Campbell, says Giddens "is presumed innocent" and "has significant ties to the community," in a new motion for bond modification filed in Catawba County, according to the Observer. Read On The Fox News App Giddens lived less than half a mile from the crime scene. California Judge Convicted Of Second-degree Murder For Fatally Shooting His Wife The filing states that Giddens worked for General Motors before retiring after 36 years. He was drafted into the Army in 1969 and "served active duty tours in Vietnam and Germany as a tank commander until his honorable discharge in 1971," the motion reviewed by the Observer states. Meanwhile, Guida's family is asking for support from the community to stop Giddens from being released. "The man who murdered Jeff while my children watched and then turned the AR 15 on them is AGAIN asking for bond and to be released," Jeff's wife, Karen Guida, said in a May 9 post on the family's GoFundMe page titled "Support Karen and Daughters After Tragedy." Florida Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend, Staging Murder Scene While Their Children Slept: Police "He has already given a confession, and there were multiple witnesses," she said. "We again humbly ask for your support and if you can please come help us fill the courtroom again." Guida was originally from Lewiston, Maine. His family remembered him as a "devoted husband" and "loving father," in his obituary. "Jeff loved playing with his children, hiking, cooking, motorcycles, traveling, weightlifting, and gaming," his obituary states. Giddens is charged with first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. He is currently being held without bond. Fox News Digital has reached out to Campbell for article source: Man accused in North Carolina vacation town road rage shooting that left dad of 3 dead seeks release
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Berks' Best 2025 communications winner: Sydney Guida has a passion for storytelling
Sydney Guida is a storyteller. That is abundantly clear when she is covering a community event for the latest edition of Fleetwood High School's Tiger TV newscast. And it is evident when she is writing about the athletic achievements of her fellow students for the Fleetwood Illustrated blog. And it is clear when she is reporting on school happenings for the Tiger Times. 'I think what I love about communication is the storytelling aspect of it,' she said. 'There are obviously a lot of different kinds of communication but, ultimately, at the core it's a form of sharing experiences with others.' Her passion for the craft and her skill at it has earned her recognition as the Berks' Best 2025 winner in communications. 'I have a genuine love for storytelling so receiving this award means so much to me,' the 18-year-old said. 'It was in the middle of a college tour when I got the email letting me know I got it and started freaking out in front of everyone.' Guida, who earned the title of valedictorian of her graduating class, said her love for storytelling began as a way to cope with the sudden death of her mother from a heart attack when she was just 9. She said writing became an outlet for dealing with all the changes that took place following the tragic incident. 'I have always valued memory,' she said. 'It made me sad to realize that so many important things in my life can easily be forgotten so I started journaling shortly after she passed away because it became a tangible way to keep those memories alive. 'Media, in a way, has been the way I hold onto things that I would have otherwise forgotten.' Guida said she was shy about sharing her talent with others at first. But that changed during her sophomore year when she enrolled in a TV media course and realized she liked the way it felt to be in the spotlight. And the instructor of that course, Sean Gaston, said he believes she has what it takes to go far in the industry. As the communications teacher at Fleetwood High School, Gaston said he has had the pleasure of teaching Guida these past two years. And, he said, she has proved to be a fast learner with the ability to think on her feet and figure things out on her own. 'I have no doubt that Sydney will succeed in this field because she is very driven, determined, willing to learn new things and is able to work well with others,' Gaston wrote in a glowing recommendation letter. As for the future, Guida will be attending the University of Pittsburgh in the fall to study communications. She said her dream is to be a journalist covering the entertainment industry while also continuing to write creative works of her own. 'There are a lot of things to cover in the entertainment realm,' she said. 'I really love films so I think getting to speak with directors and actors would be such a fun way to combine those two passions of mine.' Related Articles * May 16, 2025\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Berks' Best 2025 mathematics winner: Jasper Platt intrigued by the theoretical side of math\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 * May 16, 2025\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Berks' Best 2025 Taylor Seitzinger Community Service and Leadership winner: Garrett Hyneman has dedicated his life to helping others\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 * May 16, 2025\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Berks' Best 2025 career and technical education winner: Devra Longacre headed toward bright future\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 * May 16, 2025\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Berks' Best 2025 overview: 418 students nominated for 11 awards\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Brutal discovery at Aussie beach prompts $5,200 fine warning: 'Foolish behaviour'
Australians are being urged to adopt responsible fishing practices and avoid leaving large amounts of animal remains near the water's edge following the discovery of a "chopped-up shark" on the sand at a popular east coast beach. Posting to social media on Tuesday, a Queensland woman questioned the presence of the shark remains at a beach in Townsville in the state's northeast — prime croc country. Vision shows a large-looking shark torso, headless and without a tail. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Dr Leonardo Guida, shark campaign manager at the Australian Marine Conservation Society, said though the animal in question was butchered to the point it was unidentifiable, killing big sharks in the state is strictly forbidden. "It's illegal in Queensland waters for a recreational fisher to retain a shark over 1.5 metres," he explained, adding the law is in place to protect mature and breeding individuals. Size limits exist because larger sharks are usually apex predators, crucial for controlling prey populations and ensuring a healthy marine environment. Bigger sharks are often older and more mature, contributing significantly to reproduction. Protecting them helps sustain populations. Conversationists say that ensuring only smaller, younger sharks are taken allows populations to replenish and prevents overfishing. But, that's not the only issue with this scenario. In Queensland, leaving fish remains on beaches is strongly discouraged due to environmental and safety concerns. Improper disposal of fish scraps can attract predators such as crocodiles, especially in northern regions, posing significant risks to public safety. In response to such dangers, Queensland has enacted laws imposing substantial fines on individuals who discard fish scraps in areas inhabited by saltwater crocodiles. Leaving scraps or animal remains in areas inhabited by saltwater crocodiles can result in an on-the-spot fine of $483. More severe penalties may apply if the action is deemed to intentionally feed or attract crocodiles, with fines reaching up to $5,222. While Townsville isn't as densely populated with crocodiles as some areas further north, such as Cairns or Cape York, it is firmly within crocodile territory, and locals are accustomed to living with the predators. Responding to the woman's post online, a number of locals said they thought the Townsville killing was "a crime". And while it may be, depending on the kind — some sharks species are protected, and killing them is unlawful — and the size, it appears in this case it might have just been a poor idea, Guida said. "Irresponsibly disposing of an animal's body can result in potentially dangerous situations because of a carcasses attracting predators. Any large whole carcasses or remains should be reported to the appropriate authorities for further instruction," he told Yahoo. "Personally, I wouldn't target sharks for a feed as there's far more environmentally sustainable choices on offer, that are a great fishing experience. "Secondly when you do fish, you should only take what you need. The GoodFish [website] is a great resource to understand what sustainable seafood choices there are." Last year, authorities issued a desperate warning against what they described as "foolish behaviour" near the water's edge in croc country. Officers with the Queensland Department of Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation (DETSI) said they'd received multiple, separate reports of crocodiles "hanging around" boat ramps waiting to be fed, after learning to expect discarded remains at popular fishing spots. Fishermen's 'foolish' act at boat ramp in croc country Sinister discovery in Aussie waterway sparks $36,000 fine Rare crocodile moment captured in confronting drone footage DETSI director Lindsay Delzoppo urged fishers to take their scraps with them. "Many fishers clean their catch at boat ramps and throw the heads and frames away at the water's edge, thinking they are doing the right thing by 'recycling', but this should never be done in croc country," he said. "This foolish behaviour... needs to stop. People should dispose of fish frames and unwanted bait away from the water, because crocodiles have an amazing sense of smell and will be attracted to come along for a feed." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
