A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Charymill Otero

Anyone who visits Central Elementary School in Portage will likely be greeted by Charymill Otero, the school secretary. A native of Puerto Rico by way of Philadelphia, Otero is a graduate from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. However, Otero has lived in Portage for 22 years and she believes the town has a lot to offer. She loves her husband, Moises, who she has been with for 17 years, and their three kids Charielyz, Isaiah, and Isabella.

“Portage is actually very nice,” Otero said. “I like the people here, the neighborhood and the school system. My husband was born and raised here, so it’s actually what we were looking for. I have three kids, two here at Central and one at Fegely Middle School.”

With Central’s family-style atmosphere, Otero enjoys a close-knit bond with her colleagues. Her connection with Central’s students brightens her day. A former classroom assistant, Otero’s interaction with Central’s students has changed. She misses the direct connection with them, but she does get to see them whenever they come down to the office.

“I love it and all the different ages of the kids,” Otero said. “They’re characters. They’re amazing kids. I love working with them. That was one of the biggest things about me not leaving Central, because I love the kids here. It’s nice to see how their knowledge is just growing and growing. You can see the difference of a year. It’s amazing.”

Otero likes to read books that enrich her faith whenever she can. The book currently sitting on her nightstand is “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget” by Lysa TerKeurst. Otero and her family are active members of Life Point Church in Hammond. She enjoys the welcoming, casual atmosphere and the people at Life Point are more akin to family.

“We welcome everyone with open arms,” Otero said. “I always tell anyone that I meet to just come visit once and you’re going to love it. From the worship to the message to the members of the church, it’s just so welcoming.”

When she’s not at work or in church, Otero’s children keep her quite busy. She relishes these moments with her kids. She enjoys taking walks and playing with her children.

“One is in marching band, another one is in soccer, and the little one is in ballet,” Otero said. “My hobby is basically their life right now.”

Otero goes to Puerto Rico to see family at least once a year. She said the island has a rich culture that is a cross between Native American, Spanish and Latin. She misses the beach and the cuisine while she’s away from there. Her favorite Puerto Rican dish is mofongo with shrimp and garlic sauce.

“Mofongo is plantain smashed with garlic, butter, and a little bit of seasoning put into a ball,” Otero said. “It’s super good if you eat it with any kind of seafood on the side.”

Otero believes that if one keeps moving forward with their goals in sight, they can be happy and successful.

“Reach for the stars,” Otero said. “Don’t get stuck and always be who you are.”