05/24/2026
So what’s the deal with my first name? A question that I have been asked recently after recording a public service message promoting high school graduation. So here’s the backstory. My birth name is Jorge (pronounced hor-hay). Having moved to Bemidji in 1976, I was often the first Jorge many people here had ever met resulting in a lot of confusion about how to pronounce my name. After a year (and many interesting pronunciations), I just started going by George which is how our community has known me for decades. I have family members and friends who use both pronunciations. I am not regretful to have made my choice years ago nor am I troubled by those who wish to embrace the Spanish pronunciation. So as they say, “call me what you will, just happy you called me.”
