Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) is proud to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the achievements and sharing the inspiring stories of our Hispanic students. This week, we are excited to feature Merlin Lopez-Turcios, a first-year student in EASTERN’s Culinary Arts program and a junior at Upper Moreland High School.

When Merlin thinks about National Hispanic Heritage Month, she thinks of traditional festivals, beautiful dresses, delicious food, and lively dances. She is extremely proud of her Hispanic heritage. Born in El Salvador, Merlin moved to the United States with her father’s side of the family when she was six years old. Her mother’s side of the family still lives in El Salvador, and Merlin visits whenever she can, although school and work commitments have made traveling more difficult. Even when they are apart, she stays connected with her family and speaks with them every day. Merlin’s great-uncle was the first of the family to immigrate to the United States. This helped the rest of the family immigrate to the United States in search of greater opportunities for their lives and family.

“I love cooking,” said Merlin. “My dad, my cousin, and I have learned a lot of recipes together. My dad is a great cook, and he always dreamed of owning his own restaurant.” Because she has the opportunity to pursue her passion for cooking, Merlin hopes to make her father’s dream a reality someday. She would love to open her own restaurant featuring a variety of traditional Central American dishes.

Merlin comes from a large family, so her cooking skills come in handy. Merlin’s favorite dish to make is pupusas, a traditional Salvadoran dish made from corn masa and stuffed with fillings such as cheese, beans, and sometimes pork. At family gatherings, Merlin is often asked to prepare some of her favorite recipes, including pasta with a creamy sauce, spinach, and shrimp, as well as fried chicken served with plantain slices and curtido, a traditional Salvadoran cabbage slaw often served alongside pupusas. Everyone in her family contributes a dish to the gatherings, with favorites including rice and pasta. The men in the family typically take charge of preparing the meat, making family meals a true group effort.

In addition to attending school, Merlin works part time at Worthwhile Thrift in Horsham, a nonprofit that supports survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. She loves the organization’s mission and has formed strong relationships with her coworkers. Through her work, Merlin has also had the opportunity to interact with survivors and hear their stories, an experience she describes as incredibly powerful and meaningful.

After graduating from EASTERN and Upper Moreland High School, Merlin plans to continue her culinary education at Montgomery County Community College while gaining hands-on experience in the culinary field. Her long-term goal is to use her education and experience to one day open and operate her own restaurant.