“A Home in the Parking Lot”: A Visit from Author Paul Cuadros

“If there was one place they could call home, a place where they could really feel at home, it was here – between two goals on a dusty field.” In his book, A Home on the Field, writer and soccer coach Paul Cuadros describes how kids who lived in one country but came from another and kids who had grown up in this country and watched the population change had found a home together on the soccer field, a place where they could become a family. When Mr. Cuadros came to Burnsville, we were able to find that place in the Centro de Enlace parking lot.

Paul Cuadros receives his membership card

After Cuadros spoke to the community about his book, and later to high school students about the changing demographics of the U.S., as part of the Carolina Mountain Literary Festival, Centro de Enlace welcomed him with a reception. Latino and Anglo teenagers, including the Mountain Heritage soccer team, came together for the celebration.

Cuadros honored all participants in Centro de Enlace’s “A Home on the Field” Latino Essay Contest and presented checks to the winners. First place went to Nancy Martinez, second place went to Araceli Guerrero, and third place went to Bety Sanchez.

Essay Contest Winners Bety Sanchez, Araceli Guerrero and Nancy Martinez

Cuadros emphasized the importance of staying in school and that academic work can earn money, just as he makes a living as an author and journalist. He went on to tell the soccer team that they must come together on the field, that regardless of where they were from or how talented they are, it takes unity to win games.

Then, in the small parking lot between the road and the row of sunflowers in front of the center, everyone ate tacos and drank agua de Jamaica together, had Cuadros sign their books, cheered during the soccer juggling contest, and danced. When parents came, the kids told them they were not ready to go home. Perhaps because they had found a home right there, for a couple of hours, in the parking lot.

Soccer juggling contest winner