We have moved a lot, from one place to the other, my Mom, my sister and me. We finally ended up in a place in Florida, where we met my future dad. After a horrible day at the office, dad came home and asked mom to come and pray with him regarding a decision that had to be made about moving once again. This time is was to a place called "Yuma," in the desert, in Arizona. "Yuma, I cried, where on earth is that?" When it was pointed out to me on the map, I just knew right then our lives would end, we would fall off the face of the earth and surely, we would all die!
Mom and dad came out of their rooms after praying and both said, "Looks like God is pointing us to the desert that is Yuma." "Here we go again," I said. So we packed everything we owned, including our vehicles and our dog, (that's another story), on a 52' truck and watched it roll away heading to Yuma.
We took a flight from Jacksonville, landed in Phoenix at 10:30 at night, where it was 110 degrees, and then had to drive three hours to get to this place called Yuma. "I told you we were all going to die!" I said. Then I fell asleep in the air-conditioned Yukon and did not wake until we reached our hotel.
Six days later, we unpacked our truck in 122-degree heat! Thank God, mom made dad buy a home with a pool (for the dog) or we for sure would have all be dead. That was in July of 2000, and we are still here today.
Yuma has been an amazing home to my family and me. It is rich in American Indian culture and history, current events and art. From the Yuma Territorial Prison to the Yuma Theatre (where I used to work) in downtown, great things happen here. Mom said Tom Mix got married here in Yuma, at Gretna Green on 1st street, I do not know who that is, but she said he knew Wyatt Earp!
Every year, the hot air balloons come from all over the country to participate in the Colorado River Crossing. From our backyard, you can watch every November as the balloons take flight in the wee early morning from my old High School Cibola High. It is an amazing sight, I know because it is a known fact that when it is going on, we know there will be a tap on our doors and we will be made to get out of bed to see it. (Thanks mom!)
I have been studying to be an actress since my ninth grade year in high school. You should be aware that people come to Yuma in search of talent and the perfect location to shoot a movie or commercial. I was chosen to play in four scenes in a movie called "Altamont Now," it was based on a true story. It had several write ups in the paper and my Professor, Chip Straley, play my dad in the film. It was a very cool experience! Recently I was chosen for a public safety announcement for the Arizona Highway Patrol. That was fun!
While attending AWC, I was able to be in many plays. It is an amazing College, with great people and awesome opportunities. Just last week our commencement ceremony was held at AWC amphitheatre. You should have seen all the people watching their family members graduate. Over 90 people graduated with Masters Degrees, 200 with Bachelors and 350 with Associates Degrees, and even had one graduate with a PHD, from our "little" college.
My dad, mom and sister were there watching me as I was handed my certificate. It was a moment I am sure would never be forgotten, especially by my mom. You see, I am the first kid to graduate college from her side of the family, I could not tell you out of how many people. Now I am on the way to U of A, another wonderful place in Arizona!
My family and I have made many friends and "Yuma Family" since we have been here. We never had that opportunity before. Dad is in Rotary and mom is beside him all of the way. Yuma is about community involvement, even if it takes you out of the community and into another country. Our church sends groups to Africa and Asia. Oasis Church is a big supporter of the Dominican Republic, where my parents went two times on missions to help build housing for orphans and put roofs on churches.
I know that this probably is not the kind of essay that you are looking for, however people need to be aware that no matter where you go in the world, as long as you have a family that loves you, stands by you and instructs you along the way, corrects you when your wrong and always welcomes you back, that you are truly home! Yuma has been my only "true" home, ever! Yuma is my family.
Mom and dad came out of their rooms after praying and both said, "Looks like God is pointing us to the desert that is Yuma." "Here we go again," I said. So we packed everything we owned, including our vehicles and our dog, (that's another story), on a 52' truck and watched it roll away heading to Yuma.
We took a flight from Jacksonville, landed in Phoenix at 10:30 at night, where it was 110 degrees, and then had to drive three hours to get to this place called Yuma. "I told you we were all going to die!" I said. Then I fell asleep in the air-conditioned Yukon and did not wake until we reached our hotel.
Six days later, we unpacked our truck in 122-degree heat! Thank God, mom made dad buy a home with a pool (for the dog) or we for sure would have all be dead. That was in July of 2000, and we are still here today.
Yuma has been an amazing home to my family and me. It is rich in American Indian culture and history, current events and art. From the Yuma Territorial Prison to the Yuma Theatre (where I used to work) in downtown, great things happen here. Mom said Tom Mix got married here in Yuma, at Gretna Green on 1st street, I do not know who that is, but she said he knew Wyatt Earp!
Every year, the hot air balloons come from all over the country to participate in the Colorado River Crossing. From our backyard, you can watch every November as the balloons take flight in the wee early morning from my old High School Cibola High. It is an amazing sight, I know because it is a known fact that when it is going on, we know there will be a tap on our doors and we will be made to get out of bed to see it. (Thanks mom!)
I have been studying to be an actress since my ninth grade year in high school. You should be aware that people come to Yuma in search of talent and the perfect location to shoot a movie or commercial. I was chosen to play in four scenes in a movie called "Altamont Now," it was based on a true story. It had several write ups in the paper and my Professor, Chip Straley, play my dad in the film. It was a very cool experience! Recently I was chosen for a public safety announcement for the Arizona Highway Patrol. That was fun!
While attending AWC, I was able to be in many plays. It is an amazing College, with great people and awesome opportunities. Just last week our commencement ceremony was held at AWC amphitheatre. You should have seen all the people watching their family members graduate. Over 90 people graduated with Masters Degrees, 200 with Bachelors and 350 with Associates Degrees, and even had one graduate with a PHD, from our "little" college.
My dad, mom and sister were there watching me as I was handed my certificate. It was a moment I am sure would never be forgotten, especially by my mom. You see, I am the first kid to graduate college from her side of the family, I could not tell you out of how many people. Now I am on the way to U of A, another wonderful place in Arizona!
My family and I have made many friends and "Yuma Family" since we have been here. We never had that opportunity before. Dad is in Rotary and mom is beside him all of the way. Yuma is about community involvement, even if it takes you out of the community and into another country. Our church sends groups to Africa and Asia. Oasis Church is a big supporter of the Dominican Republic, where my parents went two times on missions to help build housing for orphans and put roofs on churches.
I know that this probably is not the kind of essay that you are looking for, however people need to be aware that no matter where you go in the world, as long as you have a family that loves you, stands by you and instructs you along the way, corrects you when your wrong and always welcomes you back, that you are truly home! Yuma has been my only "true" home, ever! Yuma is my family.
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