José Moreno Hernández

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, every school day The Cardinal will feature a prominent and historical Hispanic American, living or dead, who has worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes, who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

Natalie Molina

September 19, 2023

José Moreno Hernández was born on August 7, 1962 and is an American engineer and former NASA astronaut.

Hernández was born in French Camp, California, but calls Stockton, California, his hometown. His family is from La Piedad, Michoacán, Mexico. As a child, Hernández worked alongside his family and other farmworkers throughout the fields of California, harvesting crops and moving from one town to another. He attended many schools and didn’t learn to speak English until he was 12. His first memory of space is about adjusting the television in order to watch the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

José Hernández participated in Upward Bound during high school, a Federal TRIO program that prepares students for college. He graduated from Franklin High School in Stockton. While in college, he was involved in the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, an academic preparation program that provides support to students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds so they can attain four-year degrees in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) fields.

He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Pacific in 1984. In 1986, Hernández earned an M.S. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 2001, Hernández joined the Johnson Space Center, in Houston, Texas. After three years and being turned down eleven times for astronaut training by NASA, Hernández was selected in May 2004.

Hernández worked various technical assignments until his selection on July 15, 2008, as a mission specialist on the STS-128 mission, which launched on August 28, 2009. While in orbit, Hernández became the first person to use the Spanish language in space while tweeting. Hernández is the subject of the 2023 biopic A Million Miles Away in which he is portrayed by Michael Peña.

About the Contributor

Natalie Molina, Junior Editor

Natalie Molina is a junior in Hoover High School. Her birthday is March 21st and she enjoys hanging out with friends, and still playing Animal Crossing but barely. Music brings Natalie peace and helps her disconnect from the outside world. This is her 2nd year of yearbook and excited to be an editor!

Natalie and friends are in a so-so situation for her. She either wants to be alone or needs someone to hang with. Being a massive introvert comes with its hardships but a gateway of opportunity. She tries to make everyone satisfied with how she behaves, but at the same time, she loves to be open to any funny, silly situation.

Although sports are not something she excels in, she really depends on academics as one of her safe places. If Natalie understands the curriculum, she excels in that category. Anything academic, Natalie is a scholar. No matter how hard it is or even how easy it is, she tries her best and works hard to achieve the highest she can receive.

She isn't excited about her junior year at the moment but hopefully, she can change herself for the better like she hopes to. With all the obstacles in her way, she breaks through them with help and support from everyone around her.