Flavor the future with salt from the past

If you’re like me, you’re already looking at this new year with lots of excitement and plenty of optimism. But you know what they say — flavor the future with salt from the past.

So as I look ahead to 2019, I want to revisit some of the things from 2018 that left a lasting impression on me and will hopefully inspire me through this new year.

In April, you may recall that APS and the Phoenix Suns partnered with the City of Yuma to build a new basketball court at the Joe Henry Optimist Center. It was such a fun and rewarding event for me personally because I, like many of you, played on that old court when I was a child.

The collaboration between so many entities to breathe new life into a neighborhood in the midst of transformation was really something special.

Later in the year, one remarkable Somerton teacher was awarded one of 28 statewide Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) minigrants that will allow her students to act as NASA engineers to build a robotic rover. This grants program is another APS partnership with the Phoenix Suns that focuses on helping teachers across Arizona realize their creative ideas for inspiring students to explore science and technology.

In this coming year, I hope to work with many different nonprofit, civic and municipal organizations to help our communities grow and thrive. In 2019, I will serve as chairperson of two boards that I’m equally passionate about — Yuma County Chamber of Commerce and Visit Yuma.

I have experienced tremendous personal growth from my participation with both nonprofits over the last several years and am excited to continue on that path.

In 2019, I aim to work with both organizations individually and collaboratively to bring value to members and truly help Yuma shine.

I had an amazing 2018 and I hope you did as well. Looking forward, I wish you a very happy and healthy 2019. Cheers!