Jaquez Completes 21 Year Tenure

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Shayla Hernandez- Jaquez is approaching the completion of her 15 year tenure as the Publisher and President of Ulysses Newspapers Inc this Thursday, May 19, 2022.

Previously Jaquez was the advertising representative for six years at the Ulysses News, before taking the position as Publisher in November 2007 at 25 years old.

In February 2022, Jaquez decided that it was time for her to hand over her newspaper badge and begin a new chapter in her life, as she gave the company notice that this would be her last few months at the helm of the 131 year old newspaper.

“After my mother died in 2017, life really changed for me. My outlook and perspective has changed over the past five years, and after almost 21 years in the newspaper business I feel like it is time to try something new — to enjoy my life more, slow down and experience new adventures. Not that I wasn’t enjoying my life but my priorities have changed and I really want to be more available to my family.”

Jaquez is the mother of six children; three children are adults, Adonus, Iexa and Kaden. Kaleb, Kiya and Karis are still at home with Kaleb being a senior this fall. She has been married to Adan for almost 21 years. “I have been working at The Ulysses News since I was 19 years old. I am excited to spend more time with the three kids I have left at home and be emotionally available for my girls, especially.”

Jaquez is in her final year at Fort Hays State University majoring in Business Management with a minor in Human Resources. “I’m just going to take this last year to focus on my degree and  my family. I started to finish my degree during COVID-19. I started a family young and was married at 19. I know this accomplishment is something my mother wanted for me to finish and something I want to finish for myself as well.”

Jaquez is also a Community Advocate for Impact Ulysses, a local health coalition, in which she is now trained in diabetes care, a federal Health Insurance navigator and is certified with the arthritis foundation routinely hosting Walk With Ease groups within the community. “Health has been a huge part of my life the past two years. I just turned 40 and have been working very hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I have a strong family history of diabetes and it has become very important for me to focus on my health.”

Jaquez is also enrolled in a Community Health Worker program this summer through Wichita State University as she has found her love for helping others in the community through her role as a Health Insurance Navigator. This new pathway will create more opportunities for her to assist others.

Jaquez is the founder of the annual Mexican Independence Festival that will soon celebrate three years running this September. She has served on various site councils, board of directors, the spring fling committee, Operation Christmas Child Marketing Director, and school budget reduction committees & planning groups. “I enjoy bringing a different perspective to the community. I want all people to feel welcome here and feel like they are a part of the community. I also love progress and working towards a goal. I try to be goal driven in my private life and professional life. I hope that I will continue to be asked to sit at tables where decisions are made, so a diverse perspective can be considered for our community members that are underrepresented.”

Jaquez is planning to continue her work supporting her husband with their barbershop and salon and continue to manage their rental properties. Jaquez often helps her father with some of his marketing for his businesses as well and helps coach her younger daughters in Junior Tiger club volleyball and basketball.

Jaquez will maintain an office at their barbershop, 203 N. Main in Ulysses for those needing help with Medicaid, Marketplace Insurance or any other need in the community and don't know how to find the resources for it.

Jaquez also wanted to thank her current staff, along with so many that have worked for her in the past 15 years as Publisher, "I have had some of the greatest staff. Many have moved to other towns, other jobs and other countries but I still love connecting with them when they are back in Ulysses. So many of them made me a better person."

Jaquez is excited for her replacement and is working hard to make sure there is a smooth transition. Her replacement will be named the afternoon of Thursday, May 19 and a story will be in next week's newspaper.

"Lastly, I want to thank my family and friends. It is not easy working with the public. There were many mistakes I made as a 25 year old publisher that I had to learn the hard way from. I continued to work at being a better me and a better manager. I am proud of where I am ending. I thank God for my very supportive family. We are very close and they have supported me and loved me through some of the hardest times in my career and even this decision to bring this chapter to a close. They have believed in my abilities and encouraged me to seek new opportunities that challenge me. I am so grateful for you all," added Jaquez.

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