Letter: Hispanics need to study English to be successful

Friday, Feb. 4, 2000 | 10:09 a.m.

Laffit Pincay, a jockey, has set a new record for most career wins in horse racing. Originally from Panama, Pincay arrived here at age 17. He learned English watching the old television sitcom "Hollywood Squares."

What a tremendous role model for our Hispanic youth. We cannot succeed in this country without good English savvy. I was fortunate to attend schools appointed by the Christian Brothers and Jesuits.

If our Spanish-speaking parents would encourage the study of English, i.e., punctuation, reading and writing, I believe our culture would achieve economic and political status in any community. I was raised in a Southwestern town where now dentists, lawyers, accountants and nurses flourish and all are bilingual. Those are sadly lacking in Las Vegas. This must change and it will. Only when the study of English is taken seriously, then many can erase the present image!

MILO NARANJO

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