Ms. Julia Moreno, the new NYHS custodian, is passionate about wearing skirts.

Growing up, Julia Moreno went to church everyday and always wore skirts. About 30 years ago, when she was in school, skirts were not in fashion, so she had to buy old worn out skirts at thrift stores. Moreno said she would go shopping to the thrift store to buy skirts for middle aged women and size them down.

“I remember it was so weird, you would not find anything,” she said. “Now you go to the mall, and literally every store will have something pretty and in style and cheap, back then it was just a lot harder.”

Moreno lived in a tiny part of Mexico called Tlaxcala until she was eight and then moved with her family to south Seattle. Growing up in the 2000s was tough especially during middle school. 

“I feel very comfortable here because I wear skirts,” Moreno said.  “Growing up, I went to public school, so I got picked on a lot.”

After getting married she moved back to Mexico from Seattle for about 10 more years. 

She loves pozole, a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy, a type of corn, and either pork or chicken, often seasoned with chilies, garlic and onions. She enjoys cooking her own food rather than eating out at restaurants.  “If I go out to eat, it better be good,” said Moreno.

However Moreno didn’t always work during school hours. She was hired about two years ago, working after school hours, until this year when she started working during school hours as well. When Moreno worked after school, it was calmer for her because she had space for herself to work. For example, taking out the trash without someone coming over and throwing more trash in right after she throws it out.

“I can just go and do what I need to do without having someone come in, it’s peaceful,” said Moreno.

Overall, Moreno enjoys working at NYHS because the environment is very comforting for her. She can relate to everyone around her who wears skirts and dresses like she does.

“It’s interesting to see what I already know from church,” Moreno said. “Like the history of the Bible, and knowing Jewish people more on a deeper level. Also seeing your traditions, it’s interesting to see how you practice Judaism nowadays.”