The Kiko Chronicles

Is verbal communication a skill or an art? All of us need the ability to communicate effectively, if just to excel in a professional or academic capacity. Those types of verbal skills can be learned and refined with routine practice. There are those, however, who live to perform; actors, writers, singers, speakers. It’s these communication artistes who possess the je ne sais quoi to create sublime verbal performance.

ESUHSD Superintendent Dr. Esperanza Zendejas has been openly criticized throughout her education career for her inability to effectively and professionally communicate with staff, parents and the community. Eyebrows rise when those same critics learn of her side career as a motivational speaker. Her writing career fares no better, with a string of self-published novels destined to fade into the Amazon.com dustbin of obscurity. An honest Amazon review of ?The Tame Cactus? recently appeared from a reviewer who attended a conference where Zendejas motivationally spoke. The review, interspersed with a list of 5 star reviews from Zendejas’ family members (Team Unruly knows this to be fact because we saw the names of the reviewers prior to Amazon’s new ?anonymous reader? posting policy), sheds light on Zendejas the spoken word performer and writer:

Loved the author, disliked the book, March 28, 2005
Reviewer: April (Georgia) - See all my reviews
I heard this author speak recently, and I liked her speaking style so much I read the book. She was really entertaining, funny, and provocative. After reading this book, I was terribly disappointed in "The Tame Cactus" because it was such two- dimensional writing. Not at all like what I'd expected. I know that the author recently put out a new book of true stories about her family and childhood. I would give that one a chance,because you could tell from the author that she really was passionate about her family, but I would not recommend "Tame Cactus". The characters are flat, undeveloped, unbelievable and uninteresting. The events jump too quickly and not enough information is given to evoke an emotional involvement in the reader. I wanted to like this book, but I couldn't.

(and here’s the link: )

(and for those interested in the sales rank: Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1, 206, 399 in Books)

Is Zendejas really that mediocre an artiste communiqué? Perhaps she can command an audience with her personal story, which she does well with students and in contexts where the audience knows little about her dictatorial behavior in educational management. Which begs the question: does the modest success of the public persona fail to translate to the written word?

Team Unruly has been researching this very question for a few months, and we think we’ve discovered the problem: Dr. Zendejas is showcasing the wrong talent.

Scroll down to the bottom of her resume, and you’ll note a curious word in the hobby list: ventriloquism. (read it for yourself here: )

Can ventriloquism really be cited as a hobby? Most people collect stamps or coins, maybe do a little scrapbooking or macramé. Those hobbies soothe the nerves and help pass the time. Ventriloquism is a performance art. It demands patience, range, depth, control, a sense of humor and, most of all, an audience.

Team Unruly has discovered a treasure that proves Dr. Zendejas is superbly talented as a verbal performer. Her only mistake is viewing her greatest strength as a ?hobby? instead of a talent. We aim to help. The Unruly Advocate is happy to provide a public forum to resolve this controversy once and for all.

Prepare to meet Kiko.

Bergman and McCarthy, Willie and Lester, Wayland and Madam. The dwindling pantheon of America’s ventriloquists hints that the art form is on the decline. The art critics on the Team Unruly editorial board believe America is crying out for a new master, one who not only pays homage to those who blazed the ventriloquist trail, but who also pioneers a new direction that could, in its proper context, revise this form of expression to heights far beyond its checkered past of Ed Sullivan shows and guest spots next to Paul Lynde on Hollywood Squares. What follows is our brief comments on a performance that speaks for itself, in two voices and while drinking a glass of water.

And, in spite of what our critics may say, we really do think she’s a damn good ventriloquist. Dr. Zendejas, it's your calling. A hungry public awaits!