Celebrating the journeys that crossed oceans, the traditions that shaped communities, and the stories we continue to weave in California.

Roots Across the Valley: The Story of Alayna Rosalie Azevedo

Alayna Rosalie Azevedo is a first-year transfer student at Fresno State, majoring in Agriculture Education after beginning her studies at Modesto Junior College. She dreams of becoming a high school agriculture teacher and an FFA advisor, a role that will allow her to inspire future generations in the same community that shaped her. Born on September 29, 2003, in Modesto, California, Alayna proudly identifies as a first-generation Portuguese American. Though her early years were spent in Oakdale until the age of eight, her family eventually moved to Escalon. In this town, Portuguese families make up roughly 12% of the population, compared to 7% in Oakdale. Despite these small numbers, Alayna’s connection to her heritage has always remained strong.

Family Roots and Migration

The Azevedo family is deeply bound by love and tradition. George and Lori Azevedo, Alayna’s parents, raised four children—Kevin, Justin, Gracie, and Alayna—in a household rooted in hard work and cultural pride. George immigrated from Portugal in 1977 at the age of six, during the economic crisis of the mid-1970s, settling with his family in Stevinson, California. Lori, born in Modesto to Portuguese parents who had immigrated in the 1960s, grew up navigating the balance between heritage and American life. Her father worked as a butcher, and though leaving Portugal meant sacrifice and hardship, it also opened doors to opportunities unimaginable back home.

The family’s Azorean ties run deep. When Alayna was just 18 months old, her parents traveled back to the islands, leaving her in the care of her grandparents. Since then, she has longed to see the Azores herself, carrying that dream as part of her cultural compass.

Siblings and Bonds

Each of Alayna’s siblings has charted a unique path, yet all remain bound by their shared upbringing. Kevin and Justin are dairy farmers, while Gracie works in healthcare—a role Alayna affectionately calls that of a “hippie doctor.” She looks up to each of them, admiring their resilience, humor, and love. During her junior year of high school, Alayna lived with Kevin for a year to help him manage his dairy farm, an experience that deepened their sibling bond. Like most siblings, disagreements exist, but these never diminish the loyalty and affection that define their relationships.

Language, Community, and Festas

While only Kevin and Justin were taught Portuguese, George and Lori decided not to teach the language to Gracie and Alayna, concerned it might hinder them in school. Yet language was not the only bridge to identity. From a young age, Alayna was immersed in Portuguese traditions, becoming a festa maid at just four years old and later serving as a festa queen. She has taken part in festas across California—in places like Manteca, Tracy, and Stevinson—keeping alive the rituals of her ancestors. She also participated in the Portuguese LUSO Fraternal Society for five years, underscoring her active role in cultural life. For Alayna, these traditions prove that identity extends beyond language; it thrives through community, participation, and pride.

College Life and Cultural Continuity

Now living in Fresno, Alayna balances her studies with maintaining close ties to her family and cousins. Though distance separates them, communication is constant. She shares a home with roommates who often show curiosity about her customs, such as keeping butter on the counter, reusing Tupperware, and removing shoes before entering the house. What might seem unusual to others sparks conversations that help bridge cultural differences with respect and humor.

Taking Portuguese 1A at Fresno State opened another door for Alayna. Even though she did not grow up speaking Portuguese fluently, the course has given her a renewed sense of belonging and pride. For her, culture is not only inherited but also actively cultivated through education and connection.

Heritage, Pride, and Future

Alayna takes immense pride in being part of the Portuguese American community. She especially admires the growing visibility of Portuguese Americans in public life, extending beyond traditional professions. Her motivation stems from the sacrifices of her parents and grandparents, who arrived in America with little but worked tirelessly to build a better future. Alayna carries their legacy with gratitude, weaving it into her own aspirations.

Her story is one of resilience, love, and cultural continuity—a reminder that identity is not only preserved but also reimagined with each generation. With individuals like Alayna, who embrace heritage with pride and passion, the Portuguese American community is certain to thrive well into the future.

Breanna Somsack – May of 2024