by 
Maria Munoz
Copper Basin News
This year there was only one nomination received for the annual Citizen of the Year award, but according to Rose Bradford, chairman of the selection committee, the nominee is most deserving. “The committee unanimously voted to honor her. ..had that not been the case there would be no COY presentation this year,” Bradford stated. The selection committee is made up of past COY recipients.
Maria Munoz, of Hayden, was nominated in a letter that started as follows: “How does one choose a Citizen of the Year: Look around for a silent hero. A Citizen of the Year is responsibility-to-the-personified. The one chosen must be an example of altruism, a representative of the area whose purpose is to help others.
“In this case, the individual has proven to be concerned with the future of the Copper Basin Area. Most of the activities of this candidate have centered upon furthering education for students in our rural areas. Time and effort are spent promoting and emphasizing what is best for the different individuals to help them succeed in the present and the future. Simply stated, she is determined to make our communities a better place to live by helping the future leaders and citizens.”
Maria has been a member/vice mayor of the Hayden Town Council for seven years and she has served on numerous boards and committee including the St. Joseph’s 100 year Anniversary, Asarco’s 100 year anniversary, Asarco’s Family Day in Hayden, Hayden-Winkelman Light Parade committee, the Sept. 16th Fiesta and the 4th of July celebration.
“Most of all she works a full-time job at CAC where she does her best work,” the letter went on to state. She is the Student Advisor for the Aravaipa, Hayden, Kearny and Superior areas, is the GED Chief Examiner for the CAC campus, an advisor for College for Kids and runs the Student Leadership Program. She also represents CAC by sitting on the Copper Corridor Board, is a member of San Manuel Rotary and of the Delta Kappa Gamma Zeta Chapter.
According to the nomination letter, Maria also finds time to coordinate fundraisers for CAC including the CAC Annual Golf Tournament in Saddlebrook , the AVC Car Show and info/fundraising booths at such local events like Pioneer Days, Winter Wonderland and Octoberfest.
The letter ends with “Her positions as a Council Member/Vice Mayor, Advisor, or Coordinator are proof of her determination to make the Copper Basin/Copper Corridor a better place. She is proof that with determination, education, and hard work anything is possible.
“So it was not only a pleasure but an honor to nominate such a great colleague and most of all a great friend, Maria Munoz, for 2013 Citizen of the Year.”
The 2013 Copper Basin Citizen of the Year will be recognized Monday, Feb. 24 during the annual business dinner to be held at Rosalia’s in Kearny. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and reservations can still be made. Menu choices include carnitas, carne asada or chili rellenos each served with rice, beans, beverage and dessert for $15. Call the Chamber office, 363-7607, no later than Feb. 20.
Vicki started her career in the journalism field while attending Ray High School in Kearny with an excellent teacher who took her by the hand and guided her. She worked on the school newspaper and as a senior was a co-editor. Her dream was to go on to college to study journalism and eventually to travel the world reporting the news. This dream was interrupted by life circumstances. She stayed in Kearny and went to work for the Copper Basin News in 1964 as a typesetter. Her editor was Ira Q. Toler and he also was a good teacher. After marrying and having children, her desires to again work in the newspaper field surfaced. She responded to an ad for a position in advertising for the Copper Basin News which included selling, lay-out and design. She was hired on the spot. The business has greatly changed with technology and the introduction of desktop publishing. She was fortunate enough to be a part of it. She has now worked for Copper Area News Publishers on and off for over 30 years, starting when John Seater was the publisher. She has held many positions over the years, but is most proud to be named a reporter. She loves to write and is so grateful for being given that chance.
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