by 
I started compiling the highlights for 2014: the things that have happened, the births, deaths, milestones and tragedies. I looked at pictures posted and shared all of the memories made, sometimes as a reporter it feels as if each year is a little bit like Groundhog Day. How will I write about something that happens every year without sounding like a broken record? Either way many events and activities were covered and new projects explained.
To be very honest, as I write this my mood is somber reflecting back on 2014. There have been some real struggles for many people, including myself and I must admit it is always easier to think of the negative versus the positive. As I write this I fight the urge to write a story on why I am glad 2014 is ending, why it should just be tucked away in some deep dark file cabinet and be forgotten. I always say that even numbered years are the worst.
Then I hear the laughs of teenagers coming from my living room, I see our residents and visitors enjoying our downtown. There are the familiar sounds of the garbage truck coming through the neighborhood, dogs barking. It is sharing a meal with friends new and old and it all reminds me that it is the familiar things in life that keep life real. It is in those real moments, that ordinary time and space, that prepares us as individuals and as a community to accept the miracles and joy in life and they also ground us through the tough times. Then we can remember the many things there are to celebrate.
There have been just as many miracles as tragedies in 2014. Barbara Gomez received a heart transplant and Bobby Real received a liver transplant. Superior’s favorite little girl Marisol “Tee Tee” Perez continues her battle with Leukemia; she continues to remind us all that life is way too precious to be sad and miserable. As a community we have come together to pray and support these families. Maybe we don’t know them all personally but somehow, some way their stories will have impacted your life.
Sadness and grief turned into goals and dreams as our family and friends were reminded of the service my Uncle Billy Preciado gave to the community. In his memory thousands of dollars have been raised to install new score boards at the baseball and softball fields at the school. Those score boards will be ready for the 2015 spring season. The #BeLikeBilly motto was born and his legacy will live on as more and more people find ways to emulate his gift of service to the community he loved so much.
Our local non profits set goals and continue to thrive despite difficult economic times, the Superior Chamber of Commerce opened its own building on Main St. In the 30-plus year history of the organization, they finally have a home to call their own, which is a huge asset to the community and has brightened up downtown. The Superior Optimist Club celebrated 10 years of service to Superior and set a goal to light up the Besich Park permanently and now the park will glow throughout the year. The Rotary Club, Superior’s oldest service club continued to grow in 2014. They offered several new activities to the youth of Superior as did the Superior Substance Abuse Coalition. Each of these groups found ways to work together to make Superior a better place.
Athletically our young athletes gave us all something to cheer about as our Little League teams advanced in tournament play and our football team made it to state as did our baseball and softball teams. We all had something to cheer about. Academically our students strived, our local graduates headed off for local colleges, universities, and the workforce. Some made commitments to the armed forces. But they all left ready to tackle the world, with any luck they will return to a stronger community and they too will be ready to give back to the community.
Milestones were made by local workers as miners completed the number 10 shaft at the Resolution Copper Mine and the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange was passed in Congress. Both were projects that many thought would never be completed.
I really only scratched the surface of the many things that happened throughout the year. When you put it all together, as a community we have had a pretty good year. There will always be more work to be done and we all won’t always agree but one thing is for certain our community is resilient and our residents are always there to help each other out.
The year 2015 will bring its own set of challenges and celebrations. Some things we can look forward to are the completion of the Magma Hotel, the expansion of US 60, new businesses coming the town. These good things and those ordinary moments will also prepare us for the struggles that will come. One thing we can guarantee is that somehow, as a community we always find our way through the struggles.
Happy New Year … 2015, we are so ready for you!
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
by by