I am a resident of the Grand Canyon State of Arizona. The first fifteen years of my life, I lived in Mexico, along the border with Arizona, and visited it so many times that I wanted to move to San Luis, AZ. Then, my parents decided to come over here to live, so now this is my third year living in Arizona, and I love it. I really enjoy living in Arizona because it is unique. It has so many things that distinguish it from other places, and this makes San Luis a really nice place to live. First, Arizona has such nice weather. Second, there are huge numbers of agricultural activities. In addition, as for the third reason, one can find numerous recreational activities throughout the area. Although a person may think that Arizona is just desert, that is one aspect that makes it so special and interesting.

     If there is something that I like the most about Arizona, it is its climate. I like the fact that the air is generally dry and clear, with low humidity, and has a high percentage of sunshine that makes the days radiant. Arizona is considered one of the hottest states in this country. Its temperatures are over 125 degrees in the summer, and it has been observed during the winter with a daytime average of 70-degrees. One does not have to be afraid of the heat in Arizona. After living here for a long time, an individual can get so familiar with it, that he or she does not feel it. In addition, there are large numbers of people that come to Arizona in the wintertime to feel the warm air in their faces. This type of weather can make people love it. One characteristic about Arizona is that the rain is limited, but what Arizona has for sure are high winds accompanying heavy thunderstorms during July and August. Seriously, I would never change the desert for a beach. I am so much more comfortable living here, that I would not like to move to any big city.

      Another advantage of living in Arizona is the huge number of agricultural activities that can be found. It moreover gives an opportunity to work for many people. Irrigated crops in the desert valley areas are important to the economy of the state. Personally, I love to live in a place where the harvest is constant because my parents are farm workers and their lives are in those fields. My father has worked in the field around 30 years, and I would never ask my dad to leave Arizona, because I know it is a nice place for me to study and an excellent place for him to work. The land of Arizona produces infinity of fruits and vegetables, and a nationwide distribution of them. I could really say that Arizona is my home and my life, because although I have been living here for only three years, my father has always worked here. The money that he has made in Arizona because of his effort has helped me to eat, to dress, and to pay for my education. For a great number of people not only in Arizona, but also for those that live on the border with Mexico, fieldwork is the only way to survive and to give their families a better future. I am completely confident about what I am saying because I have worked in the fields as a citrus picker, and I understand the situation of all those people. I actually enjoy the time I have worked in the fields even though it is a difficult job; the people are so humble that one can have a good time working with them. Furthermore, agriculture has given Arizona a beautiful landscape.

     Besides climate and agricultural there is also something else that makes Arizona a great place: the recreational facilities. There are numerous National Monuments and recreational facilities throughout Arizona. For example, the Grand Canyon is a very popular attraction throughout the entire year. In addition, one can find a lot of museums and recreational parks in Arizona. Moreover, a person can appreciate the great diversity of vegetation in our desert. Many things about the desert are amazing and impressive. Fishing is another activity that characterizes Arizona. It is practiced throughout the year in the mountain streams and in numerous reservoirs, as well as in the Colorado River.

     I love Arizona, and would never change my home. Honestly, I do not like the beaches, and am happy living in a place where rain does not occur too often. In addition, I am living in a place where I know my parents have an assured job and there is a great school for me, as well. Arizona has many places to go to have fun at the same time that I am learning. I am living in a safe place, and the people here are very kind. Arizona is my home and although I have a short time living here, I feel like I have lived my entire life. I can proudly say that I am an Arizona resident, and do not know if I will be living here the rest of my life, but I can state that it will be with me forever.

    After having traveled the world, and living in various places, I have come to live in the small and secluded town of Morenci, Arizona. I have lived in Europe, America, the Middle East, and even to the far reaches of eastern Asia and found nothing like this town. It is a large copper mining community that offers so much to its people and especially to the youth. Morenci may be small and only been around for a little more than a hundred years, but it is packed full of history that has even reached all the way to the Supreme Court. The small town of Morenci is my current, but not my original hometown; it has a unique lifestyle, and plenty of historic events.

    As I said, neither Morenci nor Arizona is what I would call my true home. The fact is I can’t say that about any place because I have been to 9 different places, and the longest time I have stayed in one place was for five years. My parents have had many jobs either in or with the military, which would explain having moved so much. I was born in a small town in Germany, and then moved to El Paso, TX, Titusville, FL, and three cities in Saudi Arabia: Dhahran, Jeddah, and Riyadh. I then came to Globe, AZ where I stayed for the summer, then to Superior, AZ for a year, and finally to the present, in Morenci where I have been for two years. Morenci is nothing like any other of the places I have lived.

    The town itself, according to the government, is actually a mining camp. Therefore, we have no mayor or police force of our own. The nearby town of Clifton has its police and sheriff stations patrol Morenci’s neighborhoods. The most distinctive attribute of Morenci is of coarse the copper mine run by the Phelps Dodge Co. The company has its own rules for the citizens of Morenci. First off, in order to live in Morenci you must either work in the mine or have some affiliation with it, or the Morenci elementary and high schools because all of the houses belong to Phelps Dodge. Most of the people of Clifton also work for the mine as do people from other towns in Greenlee County, but are only subject to the company’s laws when at work. In order to get a job you must go through a series of stages until you are given some more freedom. After being accepted to the mine, you have a ninety-day trial called probation, which means that any “slip-up” at work or with the law within the ninety days and you are fired and not allowed to come back. Most of the kids that have grown up in Morenci usually go to work at the mine at least for a short time, which the mine needs in order to keep going on. Phelps Dodge offers pretty good paying jobs, which young people are looking for to pay for college. The most preferred job is to be a haul truck driver, because it’s simple and it starts paying at fourteen dollars and fifty cents an hour. Phelps Dodge also helps with some school functions and community events. The housing arrangements are split up into different neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has a certain style of house. The more important an employee is to the mine and by how much you are willing to pay for housing rent indicates where the company will place you, either in a duplex, the economy size home, or a large home. It is much like the big cities in that way, but Morenci still has a certain uniqueness to it.

    Another great aspect to this small town in rural Arizona is its vast history. One of its biggest and oldest incidents was an orphan train from New York that went horribly wrong. All of the orphans where white Catholic Irish children that where already set to be adopted by Mexican members of the church. Then when the Anglo people found out they decided that the children should be placed with them and be raised by good wealthier white families. It started such a legal mess that it finally found its way to the Supreme Court, where it was decided that the children should go to the Anglo families. Other historical events were the strikes the mine had and a tale of nine soldiers were caught in the draft of the Vietnam War and only three came back. The memorial in their honor and soldiers from other wars are held in one of the Clifton’s parks. Another continuing affair is the piling up of dirt mounds from the copper mine. Many old neighborhoods and schools have been buried. Some of my teachers can recall what the town used to look like and how it has changed because of the dirt mounds. Our high school has some pictures hung around of Morenci all the way back to the 50’s. This funny little town always has something new and interesting to learn about.

    Although Morenci may not be my hometown, I will consider it as one, always remember its exceptional way of life, and enjoy the many remarkable stories it has to offer. My parents want to stay here until their retirement, which means that I’ll have to come back here for holidays, which will make me feel as if I have my childhood home to come back to. I am going into the Army and will once again experience a different way of life, but I still think Morenci has one of the most unusual lifestyles. The many things I have come to learn about this little Arizonan mountain town will be something I can share telling other people and enjoy the memories I have made here. Morenci definitely has made an impact on my life so much that I feel it is something I can always fall back on.

    I was lucky enough to grow up in the small mining community of Morenci, Arizona. Our crowning glory is one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world. It is an amazing sight! Most people see this area as just a place that you have to drive through, a nuisance, an eye sore. I see an amazing place full of history, history from the old west, and history from the mining industry that helped settle this part of the nation.

    Just four miles from Morenci lays Clifton, who in its heyday rivaled Tombstone with its boisterous cowboy activities! In Clifton, there is a small street that veers off the highway, it is easy to miss, and it looks messy, as if it does not have much to offer. However, the history that you sense just walking down Chase Creek is awe-inspiring, there are old “shoot ‘em up” bars and the breathtaking skeletal remains of what was once a vaudeville theater. Half way down Chase Creek probably one of the world’s most beautiful catholic churches, that never fails to catch the stray tourists’ eye and yields some memorable photos. The Phelps Dodge Copper Mine actually started in Clifton and you can still see the remnants of a few mining buildings from the highway on your way through Clifton to Morenci.

    Morenci is also unique in that you can drive an hour in one direction and be in a breathtaking forest up in the White Mountains, where you can enjoy a day of skiing. Drive an hour in the other direction and your smack dab in the middle of the desert taking in the beauty that it has to offer.

    I enjoy the small community feeling that this area offers. You know that if something happens, the people here will stand by you and support you. That is a great feeling, the feeling of family, that it why I am proud to call Arizona my home!

Where the desert meets the mountains in the southeastern corner of Arizona lays a little town by the name of Morenci. I have always lived in Arizona, since I was born in Thatcher, Arizona and now live in my hometown of Morenci. Everywhere I go people, wonder and ask me, where is Morenci? How do you get to Morenci? How far is it from Phoenix? Now I have gotten pretty good at explaining where it is over the course of my life, but people still do not understand what a great place Morenci really is. Sure there is no mall, clothing stores, or even a Wal-Mart, but besides those facts, Morenci has its own good qualities.

First off, we have the biggest copper mine in the United States. Phelps Dodge is the company who own this mine. Phelps Dodge is also the second largest mining company in the nation. Now I know that is pretty large in size. Most tourists come to Morenci to see that “big hole” in the earth, and trust me on this, it is a BIG hole. I would not really call this place a town or city. We are more of a mining camp. I have heard people comment on our humble place in Arizona, and they have compared it to a military base. I guess I can see where that comes from. Morenci is nothing but houses, dead ends, hills, and our three stoplights…yes I said three. But like I said, it has its wonders and glories just like any other place in this world. People just have to get accustomed to the small town life to understand.

Another great part of Morenci is one of my and most people in this town’s favorite pass time, which is the San Francisco River. There are several corrals down by the San Francisco River where most people keep their domesticated animals. We have families that are known for their horses, chickens, goats, etc. Camping is one of Morenci’s specialties. People get on their four wheelers almost every weekend during the spring and summer time because they cannot wait for the fishing, hunting, and scouting. You cannot do that in the big city. The river hosts several activities for the summer. The big rig trucks are what most people see around this town. Getting across the river and the numerous crossings we have to go across is our goal. Having memories of who got stuck where and who had to be pulled out of the crossings is also a joy. Swimming in the river is a great way to cool down. This hot Arizona weather is a killer, not to mention that we do live in a desert. It is dry during the summer, so the river is a great place to experience. Morenci also has some interesting history to it, as well.

Geronimo’s birthplace was here in Clifton, Arizona about four miles or 8 minutes away from Morenci. We have a famous painter by the name of Ted De Grazia who graduated from Morenci High School. Ted De Grazia is known for his western paintings and lived in Morenci back in the early 1900’s. An original painting from him is displayed at the Morenci High School in a glass case and framed in memory of him. The Phelps Dodge 1983 Strike made many headlines. This was where hundreds of workers were laid off or quit. My parents themselves went through that strike along with several other family members.

Besides all those facts and history, I have a little personal history with Morenci of my own. I enjoy Morenci because of its safe environment. I am able to walk outside and not be afraid of something happening to me. Walking down my street is no problem. In fact, it is pleasing. Everybody knows everybody. This is a friendly town full of friendly people. You walk down the streets and everybody says, “Hi, how are you doing? How are your parents doing?” It makes me feel good knowing I have that connection with my town. Also, most people in my community know each other so there is always that protection. Having friends here is no problem. Most people are very accepting and welcoming when newcomers move to the area.

I live in Greenlee County, which covers Morenci, Clifton, and Duncan, which is about forty-five minutes from Morenci. This little place in Arizona only has a Bashas, Dairy Queen, Conoco, the Morenci Lanes for bowling, and a theater. Most people ask, “What do you do in such a rural area out in the middle of nowhere?”  Well, as I stated above, even though we are so small, some things you just do not get or experience in the city with all of its traffic and accidents. If we go up the Coronado Trail, there are tons of sight seeing and scenery, wild animals, camping, and hunting. Picnics at Cherry Lodge are a must. Everybody enjoys being up there during the winter because the snowfall is extremely beautiful. On most weekends, up-town is the place to be. Bowling, watching a movie or just sitting with your friends around the town are our past times. Catching up on the latest gossip is what mainly goes on or going up to somebody’s house to “chill” is always fun.

Morenci is a great place in Arizona. I love living here for the simple fact that it is a safe environment and a fun place to be. The copper mine is memorable and growing everyday. The San Francisco River is full of memories. The great atmosphere of clear blue skies and fresh air is refreshing. Everything about Morenci is great. I have made several friends, met some amazing individuals I will never forget, and have experienced the time of my life living in Morenci. Being in a big city is great yes, but understanding the fun and closeness in a small community is even better. This is why my hometown of Morenci, Arizona is a pleasurable and unforgettable place to live, grow, and appreciate.

      Arizona for me is more than just my home and birthplace it is my history. On both sides of my family, I have rich history in Arizona that goes back for generations. This land marks my family name and my life. Out of all the towns and cities within Arizona that have influenced my existence, I feel that Mesa has had the greatest influence on me. Mesa is a town rich in history and full of potential.

     One of the best traditions within Mesa is education. I was lucky enough to attend Mesa High School while growing up and was able to be a part of the 100th graduating class of that school. This was a special experience for me because it allowed me to see many of the people who had been touched by the great traditions of that school over the years. It helped me to see how education had played a vital role in the progress of this area by influencing those who lived here for the better. My grandpa Royd Shumway, had taught and coached at Mesa High years earlier and it made me proud to be able to carry on some of the same traditions that he had stood for. Even though my mother and father had both gone to Westwood High School, they also were able to help me appreciate the rich history of my high school and of Mesa itself. They helped me realize that it wasn’t the fact that Mesa High School was the oldest school in the city that made it so special, rather it was the people that it represented that made it great. I believe that is what I love most about this city, the people. It is not the heat, the lack of rain, or the awesome desert climate that make this place great; it is the people and the traditions and lessons that they left behind for us to learn from that have turned this desert land into an oasis. It was those who came before that made this place great, and it is those who live here now that give it potential today.

     Mesa has grown a lot since I was a child and even more since the spread out farmland days that my parents have described. It is now difficult to tell where one city starts and another one ends as one drives through Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, and the Greater Phoenix area. The population in these areas has just exploded in recent years, and it shows no sign of slowing down. As more and more people hear of the great things that Arizona has to offer they can’t help but zone in on this beautiful sprawling desert oasis. As more people come to live in this area of the world, those of us who are natives are faced with the opportunity of change, and while some of the change that comes may be a little less than desirable, most of it provides us with a great potential for success. The potential that Mesa provides is something that invites me to stay in the place of my birth. While traveling through the city, it is easy to spot economic growth and stability. However, the less obvious; but more important growth of the people is viewed not through a quick drive through, but by daily interaction with those that call this place home. It is easy to spot optimism and hope in the lives of almost all who live in Mesa, and that for me is the best thing about this city.

     Mesa is a place that I cherish because it has provided me with a great history and an even more promising future. Things here are not perfect but they are great. People come here from all over the world because they are provided with the opportunity to succeed. That is why Mesa is my favorite town in Arizona.

     Recently I went back and visited the northeast coast to visit my uncle and his family. It was so green there and I appreciated the beauty of my surroundings. However, after a week of being there, I found myself missing home. Suddenly, the green place I was in didn’t seem as beautiful as the scenery waiting for me at home. Some may call me crazy, but the desert was more beautiful to me than the lush, green forest I was visiting. Nevertheless, more importantly, I love Mesa at Christmas and it is during that time of year where I feel the most that Mesa, Arizona is my home.

     Here in the valley, we don’t receive snow too often, and when we do it usually only lasts for a couple of hours. Therefore, Arizonans are not used to the normal Christmas everyone else in the country tends to look forward to. We don’t have sled rides, or snowball fights, or the magic of a white Christmas, but we have something better. In Mesa, AZ, we have the LDS Christmas lights display on their temple grounds, Merry Main Street, and the Landmark.

     Every year my family and I go to the LDS Temple to look at the Christmas lights. There are exactly 1 million lights on display every year! Going there helps my family and me to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Inside the visitors’ center located next to the temple, we watch a movie about the birth of Jesus Christ and his life. It helps me to remember that Christmas isn’t about getting lots of presents, but so much more. I feel closer to my family every year after visiting the temple and that means feeling more at home.

      Mesa is full of many historical buildings and what better way to see them then every year at the Merry Main Street Christmas celebration. At this celebration, Main Street decorates its street and stores to get into the Christmas spirit. All the stores stay open late and there are even fun things to do with the kids there. I always walk these streets with my friends during Merry Main Street and we laugh and laugh and just have so much fun.

      At last, the third thing I love to do at Christmas is go to the Landmark restaurant for my company’s annual Christmas lunch. The Landmark restaurant was actually the first church built here in Mesa. After closing, the church was later restored into the Landmark restaurant, but still has the same design as it did back then. The funniest part about going to this restaurant is that down in the basement, there are pictures all over the walls of what Mesa looked like when it first started out.

      To me, home is where memories are built. In addition, with memories like the ones I get every year at Christmas in Mesa, and year around, I will always call this town my home. I don’t know why anyone would want to live anywhere than in Arizona.

     My hometowns are Gilbert and Mesa, Arizona. I moved here in 1996 from Plattsmouth, Nebraska. I was 14 years old then. I will admit, when I first arrived, I missed the mid-west and all of my friends. Months would pass and winter would come around, and the weather was perfect. I never had to shovel the snow here. It was never too cold to go outside. Every day I liked it more and more.

     The first town we moved to was actually Gilbert. I was a Gilbert “Tiger.” I made many friends at school. I loved how they had a mini Taco Bell in school, which was amazing for me. I grew up. I met the first of many girlfriends. I got my first job in Gilbert at a Pizza Hut on Gilbert Rd. The reason why I say that these two towns are my hometowns is because you simply cross the street and you’re in another. It would be wrong not to give credit to the two towns that raised me.

     Every year there is a carnival on Gilbert and Baseline right next to McDonalds. It’s on the border of Gilbert and Mesa, so it’s a carnival for everyone. It’s not huge, but it’s our yearly carnival. They put up rides and games, I never win, but I always try. Every year I see people that race miniature RC cars in the parking lot. I was never really interested in that, but I like the idea that we have a tradition in these two towns. There is always something to look forward to.

     My hometowns have grown so much since 1996. It’s sad because I want to live forever and time is a reminder that I won’t. Nevertheless, it’s a good thing too, because there are more memories of good times from the theaters and restaurants that have been added to my towns. I remember when they added the AMC on Stapley and Baseline in Mesa. Macaroni Grill followed along with so many other restaurants. I don’t hang out there anymore with friends, that was when we were the younger crowd. Now there is a different high school crowd, but it’s a place that I now bring my dates; a place to fall in love over dinner and a movie. For dessert, a good place to have a sundae is at Streamers in Gilbert.

     My hometowns will always be here, which is why there will always be so much to say about them. Many new memories I have are at Mesa Community College. There are classes that I’ve loved, like World Religions and Psy101, and there are some I have not liked so much like math in general. I definitely enjoy learning and living in my hometowns, and I never plan on leaving.

Rain in The Desert

     It wasn’t perhaps until I was overseas, on a small Caribbean island that I could say I truly adored my upbringing as an Arizona youngster. I have been blessed with the opportunity to visit other states on many occasions and for over two years; I experienced life in a foreign country. I chuckle as the memories come back to my mind rather frequently- “Read, Where is Arizona? Is it near New York?” “No,” I would always reply, “it’s actually far from New York, I guess you could say it’s like a desert in the West.” “Does it ever rain in the desert?” They always had to ask. In retrospect, it was always in those moments that I realized how happy I was as a child in my Arizona hometown.

     It’s hard not to find peace in such a special atmosphere. It seems like we often times wonder about who we would be without certain circumstances, which were presented in each of our lives. Looking back now, I never realized the special ambience I was a part of or the incredible history that precedes all of us who call this great state home. A native of Mesa all my life, I have come to appreciate hard work and loyalty to a community. My experiences here in Mesa have changed my life and I will always remember learning to appreciate the small things that we enjoy on a daily basis. The sunset in August around 6:50 PM is always more beautiful here in the Valley of the Sun. You can’t beat the peaceful echoes of the Verde River swishing through the low canyon bends or the glassy face of the Saguaro Lake that smiles invitingly in any season of the year.

     I have always been curious as to how we have so much here in the Valley of the Sun when the early pioneers only stumbled upon a barren desert. After about a hundred years of backbreaking effort, thousands of Arizonans hang their hats here in Mesa. Here you can sense the ‘footsteps of giants’ that once walked hundreds of miles with their families and pushed all that they had along the way to arrive here in this valley. Our canals, roads, and much of the early hydroelectric innovations can be accredited to those who sacrificed years of sweat, blood and tears. Mesa is truly a miracle in the desert. I feel obligated to continue the dream that was once started here over a century ago. After so much has been done, on behalf of these future generations, I get a sense of pride and gratitude for what I am a part of. I can say “this is Mesa, this is my home.”

      Arizona’s history is rich in Legends of America’s Old West. It was here that great Indian chiefs Geronimo and Cochise stood tall and led their people against the frontier men. Arizona played home to some of the most veritable Western classics including the most famous shootout in all the west; the gunfight at the OK Corral. From past to present the history of Arizona exudes a panorama of heroes and legends that will always live on. Brave men and women who established a state in which millions now call their own. It is the second fastest growing state in the United States. The name “Arizona” is believed to come from the Aztec Indian word “arizuma” which translated means “silver-bearing”. Since 1540, visitors from near and far alike have been attracted and fascinated by these western skies and gorgeous desert landscapes. Whether searching for the seven cities of gold or just a tranquil setting, many have arrived and continue to come and be part of what is truly an American epic.

     I can never forget the experiences that have taught me so much as a young man here in Arizona. As I now remember the times, children and adults would ask me “Does it ever rain in Arizona? Does it ever rain in the desert?” I smile because nowhere else can you find the smell of the Arizona rain in July. The way the desert rain just causes your entire body and mind to relax until after it passes by. As the clouds move on to greet other destinations one can watch from a window (but it’s always much better outside) as the summer sun smiles again and the rays of light fall through one by one. I could only smile and just say, “Yeah, it rains a little here and there.”

The Mesa I Know

    Two nights ago, I was having dinner with my family when suddenly my dad mentioned moving back to his hometown in Texas. Everyone went silent with shock. His explanation was that he missed where he grew up. My younger sister looked up and said, “But this is our hometown and we don’t want to leave. We grew up here and have so many memories here.” After my sister said that, I realized how much I love living in Mesa and never considered moving away. The only exception is for school in Tucson in which I drive back home every other weekend and spend my summers here. I always viewed spending my whole life in Mesa. It is the place I want to come back to after college to be a Pediatric Oncologist.

    Later that night I got to thinking about why I love Mesa so much and why I always get comments from people about how they don’t see what makes Mesa so great. I remember one incident when someone asked me where I was from and when hearing my response laughed and said, “you live with all the senior citizens and their mobile homes.” However, this is not the Mesa I know.

    The Mesa I know has a gorgeous view of the Superstition Mountains. It’s the place where I can go outside and enjoy the Red Mountains with blue skies in the background. Mesa is the place where I can just hop in my car and drive ten minutes to be in the nature either swimming at Canyon Lake or hiking steep trails. Where else in the Phoenix area can one live close to the city, but even closer to nature? However, the beautiful view and closeness to nature is not the only reason why I love Mesa.

    I love Mesa for its award-winning neighborhoods. Mesa is a growing city and has many new middle class suburban neighborhoods. Many neighborhoods targeted to be comforting to families. Take my neighborhood for example. I live in a large community that includes an elementary and high school within it. Both are in walking distances. We also have a large park in the middle of the neighborhood. We have monthly neighborhood meetings and garage sales. Everybody knows each other, gets involved with the schools, and watches out for any crime. This type of neighborhood is all over Mesa and it’s these communities that Mesa has built that make this town such a wonderful place to live for families.

    Nevertheless, what makes me love Mesa so much are the schools and extra-curricular activities. I have graduated from high school in Mesa and am excited to have my younger sister going to the same school as me, that way she may get the best education that I received. The high schools in Mesa are very academically competitive. Each school is constantly competing for academic decathlon state champions. We are the people champions, and highest SAT, ACT, or AIMS scores. The schools prepare students for college very well and many offer a wide array of college duel enrollment courses. Every Mesa school has many advance classes to offer with great teachers and counselors. I know that because my sister is going to a Mesa school, she has a great opportunity to go to a great college.

    Now the extra curricular activities Mesa offers are amazing. Our parks are always full with baseball or football practices. Our schools offer a wide arrange of clubs for people. For example, I was Historian of National Honor Society, Treasurer of the We the People team, President of Coyote Connection Leaders, member of Skyline’s Community Service team, and many more. Students who go to a Mesa school have the opportunity to join many clubs and sports like these. However, it’s not just the schools that offer many activities. The city does too. I was President of Mesa Mayor’s Youth Congress, which gave students the opportunity to learn more about the government and work with many leaders such as Governor Napolitano. The city also offers many all-age activities at their many recreational centers. All together, Mesa is a great place to be if one wants to get involved.

    However, Mesa is not just an active family community, but it’s a community that offers help to those in need. It’s easy to find ways to volunteer through the schools, community bulletins, or the City of Mesa website. Mesa has created programs dedicated to helping people find ways to volunteer. I have done over a thousand community service hours in high school here and I know I wouldn’t have gotten the experience I did anywhere else. I volunteered at many places here in Mesa like Save the Family, the Child Crisis Center, Race for a Cure, Sunshine Acres, Special Olympics, and many more. However, Mesa has two organizations that have change many lives, the Therapy Zone and RPAC Adventures. Through years of working with these two organizations and eventually becoming head counselor, I have had a life changing experience. Therapy Zone is a non-profit organization that offers many types of therapy to special needs children and RPAC takes these children on field trips and activities. I have seen these two places change children’s’ lives and volunteers. Because of these two organizations, I want to become a Pediatric Oncologist. I am proud to say that Mesa has two places that have made a difference in many lives and has many more organizations like these to offer. No other city has as many places like these that touch lives.

    Nevertheless, it’s not just the scenery, schools, neighborhoods, and organizations that make me ultimately love Mesa. It’s the people here in Mesa that has made this city my favorite. I have never encountered a problem with anyone in Mesa. I feel safe to walk around without pepper spray or go somewhere when it’s dark out. In fact, everyone I have met has been kind and helpful in my life. My teachers and counselors at school were constantly offering help to get me into a great college. The Mayor was always offering me insight on how the city works. My bosses at the Therapy Zone and RPAC were always concerned with my education and how my family was doing. The many children I have met volunteering have showed me happiness since I have many abilities. My neighbors say hello everyday and the bagger at the grocery store is always offering help. I live in a community full of people that make everyday living happy.

    So all together, Mesa is a wonderful place to live because of its scenery, environment, schools, organizations, extra curricular activities, and neighborhoods. Nevertheless, it is because of the people who live here and I communicate with everyday that I can say Mesa is a perfect place to live in.

    When you live somewhere for 18 solid years, you tend to call that place home. The place becomes even more special to you when you absolutely love it. The place that has this general effect on the public happens to reside in the great state of Arizona. It is the little suburb of Mesa. When you get so many people together, it creates a city. However, when you have so many great people together that’s when you get a community. I love the community of Mesa because of the at home feel, the great schools, and the low crime rate.

    Feeling safe is one great feeling. However, feeling at home just makes you feel relaxed. Mesa gives off the “at home” feel of a loving community. We are like one large family. For being such a large city, everyone seems to know and respect each other. We love our neighbors and trust each other. I have never had to lock my car when it is parked in front of my house. In accordance, now that I have moved north to Flagstaff for college I still feel the relaxed comfortable atmosphere that only comes from an Arizona city.

    Mesa contains some of Arizona’s best schools. I was fortunate to attend the best of the best. I am a proud alumnus of Mountain View High School. The Toros are famous for being stars in the classroom and on the field. I myself graduated with honors. I feel I could have never accomplished this without the great educational program in Mesa Public Schools.

    In addition, Mesa has been known for its low crime rate. Recently, we had a serial shooter come to our quaint little town. This really shook the community up and the perpetrators were immediately apprehended. Such occurrences like this are found everyday elsewhere. Violence in that form hardly ever occurs in Mesa and when it does, the community is very alert and aware. I’m glad I was fortunate enough to grow up in such a wonderful environment.

    Nothing was better than spending the last 18 years in Mesa. I hope to love Arizona more and more by growing to love the city of Flagstaff. Arizona is such a wonderful state and I plan to live here my whole life. There are too many benefits of living here to pass up. Mesa is by far the greatest home ever because of the low crime rate, the at home feel, and its great educational system.