Alicia Bristow:
CLASS OF 1963
Sonora Union High SchoolClass of 1963
Sonora, CA
Virginia Commonwealth University - Social ScienceClass of 2001
Richmond, VA
Alicia's Story
When I think back on our school years, it is strange how little we really knew about each other. Perhaps taking the time to help people, listen to them, get involved in causes that just make you feel good, and feeling comfortable with yourself only comes from maturity. I feel badly that I did not know my classmates better.
Also, I am certain that most of my friends did not know how lonlie I felt because I was raised by so many relatives and passed around every couple of years. Did anyone ever notice that I was in school and then would disappear for awhile? I traveled back and forth between Carson City, Nevada and Sonora to attend high school. I think I changed elementary schools 9 times. Wow, I sure could have fallen through the cracks, but I didn't. Now I look back on my student years and think about how lucky I was to have had the time I did in Sonora with all my classmates; how fortunate I was to have family members who cared about me. When you are young you don't see the benefits of life and understand how important all of the relationships are in your life. Now I do!
I left Sonora and headed for Carson City, Nevada where thanks to my dad I was hired by the local newspaper. I spent 10 years in the printing business. I married in 1964 to someone in the Air Force. We moved around some and one time even got out of the service to live in Kentucky, but jobs then were hard to find. So we rejoined the Air Force. We lived in Germany for 5 years, California, and lastly, Arizona.
I began working for the State of AZ and thinking that I really wanted a degree. Since I was in business, I decided to earn a Business Management degree. Also about this time I decided that my husband and I were not compatible for the future. We wanted different things. We had two children, a 2 year old and a 13 year old. I worked my ...Expand for more
way up to an executive director of a state environment commission position before earning my degree. My commissioners, 100 of them, from federal, state, city agencies were from the environmental field. They became my mentors. I was totally blessed to work with such great people. Eventually I met my present husband, Bud, who was the AZ Game and Fish Dept. director at the time. We have now been married for 23 years and have lived in various places, Phoenix, Richmond, VA, and now Oracle, AZ. Bud is retired. We have 15 grandchildren between us. "Lots of presents to buy, always." I have worked for the Hands Across the Border Foundation for 10 years as its executive director and love helping young students to experience cultural learning. We contract with schools to help them develop a school/student exchange with Sonora, Mexico and we handle all of their training. Luckily I improved my Spanish to the point where I can interact fairly well with my counterparts in Hermosillo, Mexico. I am certain Mrs. Wolf, my Sonora High Spanish teacher would be surprised. The students in our program range from 5th - 12th grade and they are matched with a partner. Students stay in host homes and attend school during their visit. They work on an academic project and the remainder of the agenda deals with family time and cultural activities. The exchange is for a short period of time, 4-7 days.
I love working with schools and have learned lots about nonprofits, my Hispanic heritage, and have made great friends in Mexico. I also am an LLC partner in a art and gift shop called the "Green Javalina". I make jewelry and do rather well with sales. In 2000 I was fortunate enough to earn my Masters in Public Administration. I hope that I have not bored anyone with my life. There is lots more to it, but I feel like I provided the highlights.
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