Father Benedicto Cuesta, an educator, journalist, lecturer and scholar, as well as a priest was educated at the University of Salamanca, Spain, and Notre Dame, Father Cuesta spent decades in New Mexico, "deeply involved with the people, especially in the rural communities of the North." He says further, "I have combined, in most of my life, service to the people as both teacher and priest, and by taking an active part in the academic programs of colleges and universities, both here and abroad, have sought to further interest in the Spanish culture and language." Father Cuesta lived in Spain, Mexico and other South American countries before coming to New Mexico. He taught at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico.