Maria Monisera
Costa Rica
Costa Rica, 1920-1942
Costa Rica, 1920-1942
Telina and her five children in 1929: Emilio, Rodrigo, Flory (in her mother's lap), Yolanda, and Maria Isabel
The year she was 15, "Marisa", as she was known to her classmates then , was elected queen of her high school, the Institut de Alajuela (1935)
Telina Sala-Gamboa with students from the Alajuela Boys' School (date unknown)
Maria Monisera was born in Alajuela , Costa Rica on January 8. 1920 as a twin whose sister died at birth. Christened Maria Isabel Vargas Salas, she weighed only 2.5 pounds and was also not expected to survive. Her parents were Austelina Sala-Gamboa (known as Telina) and Jose Vargas Porras (known as Chepe). At the time she was born, her father was a congressman commuting to San Jose. He remained a well-known lawyer, diplomat, and politician throughout his life. Her mother had been a teacher but stopped working to raise her eventual five children: Maria, Emilio, Yolanda, Rodrigo, and Flory.
Maria Monisera was born in Alajuela , Costa Rica on January 8. 1920 as a twin whose sister died at birth. Christened Maria Isabel Vargas Salas, she weighed only 2.5 pounds and was also not expected to survive. Her parents were Austelina Sala-Gamboa (known as Telina) and Jose Vargas Porras (known as Chepe). At the time she was born, her father was a congressman commuting to San Jose. He remained a well-known lawyer, diplomat, and politician throughout his life. Her mother had been a teacher but stopped working to raise her eventual five children: Maria, Emilio, Yolanda, Rodrigo, and Flory.
Growing up in Alajuela, Maria remembers her father always rode a beautiful horse and her favorite thing to see was all the colorful oxcarts along the streets. When she was in 3rd grade (c. 1930) her father was sent to London as a diplomat; he soon sent for the rest of the family to join him. While in England, Maria's parents took their children to many museums and monuments, as well as the zoo and on a trip to Paris.
Growing up in Alajuela, Maria remembers her father always rode a beautiful horse and her favorite thing to see was all the colorful oxcarts along the streets. When she was in 3rd grade (c. 1930) her father was sent to London as a diplomat; he soon sent for the rest of the family to join him. While in England, Maria's parents took their children to many museums and monuments, as well as the zoo and on a trip to Paris.
"I appreciate what my dad was doing. He was trying to give us culture that he thought perhaps we would not get afterwards."
"I appreciate what my dad was doing. He was trying to give us culture that he thought perhaps we would not get afterwards."
The family returned to Costa Rica the following year because the country could no longer support Chepe as a foreign diplomat. The Great Depression was affecting all countries.
The family returned to Costa Rica the following year because the country could no longer support Chepe as a foreign diplomat. The Great Depression was affecting all countries.
"We had a problem buying food because my dad didn't have any job. Who wanted a lawyer at that time? The people of Costa Rica were having as hard a time as the people of the United States, but nobody starved... my dad had many friends who were farmers and on Saturday when they came to market, they had something for us."
"We had a problem buying food because my dad didn't have any job. Who wanted a lawyer at that time? The people of Costa Rica were having as hard a time as the people of the United States, but nobody starved... my dad had many friends who were farmers and on Saturday when they came to market, they had something for us."
After years of lean times, her father was finally able to regain control of his finances and return to London. This time, Maria stayed in Costa Rica with her mother, who had begun teaching again, later becoming the principal of the boys' school in Alajuela. Maria graduated high school and attended Normal School, then went to teach at her mother's school. While struggling to teach her students a unit on the United States, she contacted the American Embassy for materials. There she met John Kenneth Galbraith, who notified her of scholarships available to study abroad. She left Costa Rica in 1942 on a scholarship to study at Smith College in Massachusetts.
After years of lean times, her father was finally able to regain control of his finances and return to London. This time, Maria stayed in Costa Rica with her mother, who had begun teaching again, later becoming the principal of the boys' school in Alajuela. Maria graduated high school and attended Normal School, then went to teach at her mother's school. While struggling to teach her students a unit on the United States, she contacted the American Embassy for materials. There she met John Kenneth Galbraith, who notified her of scholarships available to study abroad. She left Costa Rica in 1942 on a scholarship to study at Smith College in Massachusetts.
Wartime American Student, 1942-1947
Wartime American Student, 1942-1947
After some travel difficulties--from Costa Rica to Guatemala to Browningsville, Texas, to Niagara Falls-- Maria finally arrived, exhausted, in North Hampton, Massachusetts and got settled in at school.
After some travel difficulties--from Costa Rica to Guatemala to Browningsville, Texas, to Niagara Falls-- Maria finally arrived, exhausted, in North Hampton, Massachusetts and got settled in at school.
Following the year at Smith, she applied for a scholarship to George Peabody College for teachers in Nashville, Tennessee.
Following the year at Smith, she applied for a scholarship to George Peabody College for teachers in Nashville, Tennessee.
"My year at Smith College was very hard. I really didn't know enough English to understand the professors. In my psychology class I only understood "so on and so forth." Every day I spent hours and hours translating from the textbook into Spanish-- I spent hours and hours with the dictionary and the textbook."
"My year at Smith College was very hard. I really didn't know enough English to understand the professors. In my psychology class I only understood "so on and so forth." Every day I spent hours and hours translating from the textbook into Spanish-- I spent hours and hours with the dictionary and the textbook."
"The [Peabody] campus was very different. So many soldiers were there. Later on I was told that half the college was given to the Air Force and half the college was for students."
"The [Peabody] campus was very different. So many soldiers were there. Later on I was told that half the college was given to the Air Force and half the college was for students."
She got a job in the cafeteria serving toast to the soldiers in order to secure herself three meals a day for free. One soldier who came through her line was Frank Monisera. The two struck up a friendship, attending movies, listening to music, and going out for lunch or dinner.
She got a job in the cafeteria serving toast to the soldiers in order to secure herself three meals a day for free. One soldier who came through her line was Frank Monisera. The two struck up a friendship, attending movies, listening to music, and going out for lunch or dinner.
"He said, 'Remember Maria, this is war time. I will enjoy your friendship, but I do not want to meet anybody who will get serious with me because I am a soldier. I want no commitment.'
"He said, 'Remember Maria, this is war time. I will enjoy your friendship, but I do not want to meet anybody who will get serious with me because I am a soldier. I want no commitment.'
I told him, 'I have the perfect friend because I want to return to Costa Rica and I want not to get serious with anyone in this country.'"
I told him, 'I have the perfect friend because I want to return to Costa Rica and I want not to get serious with anyone in this country.'"
On June 9, 1944, Maria Vargas received her Masters' degree from Peabody College, with Frank there to support her. Soon after, he was transferred to Montgomery, Alabama. While she was making plans to return to Costa Rica, Frank visited her and declared his love, asking her to be his wife. They were married in Nashville on August 31, 1944, at a local Catholic Church with the janitor signing as their witness. By the following year, Frank had been transferred to Washington, D.C. and the couple moved to an apartment near Bolling Field, where their son Richard was born in December, 1945. Maria's second child Linda was born in 1947, and she stayed at home to raise their family while Frank attended university and started work.
On June 9, 1944, Maria Vargas received her Masters' degree from Peabody College, with Frank there to support her. Soon after, he was transferred to Montgomery, Alabama. While she was making plans to return to Costa Rica, Frank visited her and declared his love, asking her to be his wife. They were married in Nashville on August 31, 1944, at a local Catholic Church with the janitor signing as their witness. By the following year, Frank had been transferred to Washington, D.C. and the couple moved to an apartment near Bolling Field, where their son Richard was born in December, 1945. Maria's second child Linda was born in 1947, and she stayed at home to raise their family while Frank attended university and started work.
Frank and Maria Monisera, 1945.
Educator and Principal, 1952-1982
Educator and Principal, 1952-1982
Once her children were both in school (c.1951), a friend suggested to Maria that she return to teaching. She sent applications to the heads of schools in Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and Washington, D.C., but heard nothing. On a whim, she reached out again to Montgomery County, where they offered her a job in Rockville, within the Twinbrook neighborhood. A brand new school was opening, and many of the houses were still being built. The Moniseras were able to purchase a house in Twinbrook but it was not finished in time for the 1952 start of the school year. Along with two small children, Maria had to commute to Rockville from D.C., involving travel on three buses. Once they were moved in, Maria could walk to the school along with her daughter.
Once her children were both in school (c.1951), a friend suggested to Maria that she return to teaching. She sent applications to the heads of schools in Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and Washington, D.C., but heard nothing. On a whim, she reached out again to Montgomery County, where they offered her a job in Rockville, within the Twinbrook neighborhood. A brand new school was opening, and many of the houses were still being built. The Moniseras were able to purchase a house in Twinbrook but it was not finished in time for the 1952 start of the school year. Along with two small children, Maria had to commute to Rockville from D.C., involving travel on three buses. Once they were moved in, Maria could walk to the school along with her daughter.
A few months after she started, the principal, Dr. Larrimore, told her a parent had requested a meeting.
A few months after she started, the principal, Dr. Larrimore, told her a parent had requested a meeting.
"When the conference began, Dr. Larrimore said, 'What seems to be the problem, Mr. Smith?'
He said, 'Well, my son has had a problem learning how to talk. He had a little stuttering and now he has Mrs. Monisera as a teacher and I'm afraid that he is going to speak with a Spanish accent.'"
"When the conference began, Dr. Larrimore said, 'What seems to be the problem, Mr. Smith?'
He said, 'Well, my son has had a problem learning how to talk. He had a little stuttering and now he has Mrs. Monisera as a teacher and I'm afraid that he is going to speak with a Spanish accent.'"
Dr. Larrimore stood up for Maria, and in 1959, recommended her for a promotion to be a resource teacher for the Board of Education. The Monisera family moved to Silver Spring around this time. In 1965, Maria was appointed as assistant principal for Jackson Road Elementary School.
Dr. Larrimore stood up for Maria, and in 1959, recommended her for a promotion to be a resource teacher for the Board of Education. The Monisera family moved to Silver Spring around this time. In 1965, Maria was appointed as assistant principal for Jackson Road Elementary School.
Above: Rich Monisera, 120-pound division champion in 1963 (his junior year).
At right: Monisera wrestling for Northwood in 1964.
(Photos from Northwood High School yearbooks, collection of Montgomery History)
Also in 1965, the Monisera family suffered a terrible tragedy. During his second year in the pre-med program at Wilkes College in Pennsylvania, Maria's son Richard was killed in a car crash. Because of his previous success as a championship-winning wrestler at Northwood High School, Montgomery County schools established the "Richard J. Monisera Scholarship Fund" in his memory, which provided an annual award to the senior wrestler accumulating the most points for the team during tournaments. This award is still presented today.
Also in 1965, the Monisera family suffered a terrible tragedy. During his second year in the pre-med program at Wilkes College in Pennsylvania, Maria's son Richard was killed in a car crash. Because of his previous success as a championship-winning wrestler at Northwood High School, Montgomery County schools established the "Richard J. Monisera Scholarship Fund" in his memory, which provided an annual award to the senior wrestler accumulating the most points for the team during tournaments. This award is still presented today.
New Hampshire Estates Elementary School
New Hampshire Estates Elementary School
In 1967, Maria was appointed as principal of New Hampshire Estates Elementary School in Silver Spring. The challenges of the school's population meant many of the students didn't speak English, came to school hungry, and often disappeared mid-year. Maria established a cafeteria to feed the children who needed breakfast and worked to establish after-school programs, involving the Department of Recreation in the planning of activities.
In 1967, Maria was appointed as principal of New Hampshire Estates Elementary School in Silver Spring. The challenges of the school's population meant many of the students didn't speak English, came to school hungry, and often disappeared mid-year. Maria established a cafeteria to feed the children who needed breakfast and worked to establish after-school programs, involving the Department of Recreation in the planning of activities.
"I also realized that the children had no place to play in that neighborhood. So I started thinking about a gym. And, of course, they told me we couldn't have a gym. But I started bugging them and bugging them. And finally the Board of Education realized that we should have a gym. So a gym was built and every night it was full of children playing ball or other games."
"I also realized that the children had no place to play in that neighborhood. So I started thinking about a gym. And, of course, they told me we couldn't have a gym. But I started bugging them and bugging them. And finally the Board of Education realized that we should have a gym. So a gym was built and every night it was full of children playing ball or other games."
Maria (front row, right), Principal of New Hampshire Estates Elementary School, and her faculty, 1974
"I had wonderful staff. The teachers were dedicated, good teachers, friendly-- I couldn't ask for better teachers than I had."
"I had wonderful staff. The teachers were dedicated, good teachers, friendly-- I couldn't ask for better teachers than I had."
In the early 1970s, the family moved again to the Springbrook neighborhood. By this time, daughter Linda was graduating from college. She met her husband Joseph McKenna and they married in 1972.
In the early 1970s, the family moved again to the Springbrook neighborhood. By this time, daughter Linda was graduating from college. She met her husband Joseph McKenna and they married in 1972.
Maria spent 15 years as principal of New Hampshire Estates, but she decided at age 62 to retire. When she told the superintendent of her plans, "He sat down and said, 'Oh s***.' I've never forgotten that."
Maria spent 15 years as principal of New Hampshire Estates, but she decided at age 62 to retire. When she told the superintendent of her plans, "He sat down and said, 'Oh s***.' I've never forgotten that."
Her staff arranged multiple events for her retirement, including a party for her birthday at which they presented her a quilt: each staff member had created an individual square with a personal message, stitched together into a full quilt as a keepsake. At a surprise retirement party held at the school, the gymnasium Maria had fought to have built was named in her honor.
Her staff arranged multiple events for her retirement, including a party for her birthday at which they presented her a quilt: each staff member had created an individual square with a personal message, stitched together into a full quilt as a keepsake. At a surprise retirement party held at the school, the gymnasium Maria had fought to have built was named in her honor.
Above: Some of Maria's staff, with the squares they contributed to her quilt, 1981.
At left: Harry Pitt presents Maria with a basketball to signify the dedication of the Maria Monisera Gym, 1982
Below: Maria and Frank dancing at her retirement party, 1982.
"I was so shocked. I cried so hard. I couldn't believe that somebody was honoring me with this... What an honor, what a surprise. So you see the Lord has been good to me. I did have many experiences, loving experiences for my career."
"I was so shocked. I cried so hard. I couldn't believe that somebody was honoring me with this... What an honor, what a surprise. So you see the Lord has been good to me. I did have many experiences, loving experiences for my career."
Maria wrote a memoir of her life, presented to her daughter in 2002. At her mother's funeral in 2014, Linda Monisera McKenna said the following:
Maria wrote a memoir of her life, presented to her daughter in 2002. At her mother's funeral in 2014, Linda Monisera McKenna said the following:
"No matter where she was, she tried to bring joy to those around her. She loved everyone who crossed her path and would give kisses to all. She brought joy to all with her dancing feet and her vivid personality."
"No matter where she was, she tried to bring joy to those around her. She loved everyone who crossed her path and would give kisses to all. She brought joy to all with her dancing feet and her vivid personality."
Many of the quotes and photographs used on this page appear in "My Journey," a memoir written by Maria Monisera for her daughter in 2002. This and other materials related to Maria Monisera's life and career are available as part of the Jane Sween Research Library's special collections at Montgomery History. Special thanks to Linda Monisera McKenna for providing additional details about her mother's life and family.