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Community College lauds ‘Artists of Promise”

Optimist Club salutes Mesa policewoman

BY TOM SCANLON

Tribune Managing Editor

Community colleges often are known best for training students in trades: automotive, information technology, nursing, welding, and the like.

But the Maricopa County Community College District also has many arts programs. And Mesa Community College, part of that district, is home to several “Artists of Promise.”

Several MCC students living in Mesa were recently recognized for their talent in a district-wide contest.

Valerie Neal is a creative writer with far-ranging vision.

Jacqueline Gentry is a provocative poet. Ashley Tenney tells stories via the �lute.

Helena Balderrama Sauceda has an eye for fashion. Tenney won �irst place in the instrumental category for “Chaminade Concertino in D major.”

A Desert Ridge High School graduate, Tenny studied Music Education at MCC and is transferring to ASU.

“I have loved preparing this piece, and I’m so grateful for what music does for me in my life,” she said. “I hope I can share the joy it has brought me with others.

“I think music is an important part of humanity, connecting us across generations, countries, and time and letting us experience eras and places we cannot physically go. As one of my favorite artists said, ‘life is short, art is forever.’

“I want to take every opportunity to leave even just a tiny �ingerprint on our world’s mural.” In the �iction category, Neal scored �irst place for her short story “Jivan Yatra.” She quali�ies for the national League of Innovation community college competition.

Neal graduated from Mesa High in 1976 and attended MCC during her senior year.

“At that time I was focused in a medical line and didn’t have time for the arts. I returned to MCC later in life to study

Jacqueline Gentry is a provocative poet.

(Courtesy of MCC) Valerie Neal is a creative writer with farranging vision. (Courtesy of MCC)

���ARTISTS ���� 16

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In its 75 years of existence, the Optimist Club of Mesa has done a lot more than maintain a sunny view of life.

It builds its calendar year around a number of activities all aimed at giving back – activities like essay and oratorical contests, bike rodeo, a back-to-school supply drive, craft fair and a special Christmas party for kids at Mesa Arts Academy. Last month was the Optimists’ time to observe one of the club’s basic tents – respect for the law.

And members did just that by naming Mesa Police Of�icer Amanda Cook the club’s 2021 Law Enforcement Of�icer of the Year.

A member of the Mesa police force for just over �ive of the eight years she has been in law enforcement, Cook is currently a �ield training of�icer – meaning she teaches street savvy to new police Sandy Pickens, president of the Optimist Club of Mesa, gives Mesa Police O cer Amanda Cook the group’s O cer of The Year Award. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Sta Photographer)

academy grads.

She’s a general instructor, driving instructor and lead instructor over traf�ic stop training at the Mesa Police Basic Training Academy and also is a member of the department’s innovations committee, which looks to improve department ef�iciency and identify best practices.

Along with all that, Cook is a member of the Mesa Police Honor Guard and helps with special events such as Neighborhood Watch and other community meetings.

“She was highly recommended by one of our members who has worked closely with her in the Mesa Police Department,” said Optimist Club spokesman Terry Morrison.

Besides, he said, “In these times, it is often good to share the positives now about law enforcement with the community.” Morrison explained that “one of the �ive purposes of all Optimist clubs is to inspire respect for law.”

Among the other four is maintaining “a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed, which unsurprisingly embraces an enthusiastic and cheerful outlook on the world and life in general.

creative writing,” she said.

She described her story as “a mix of fact and �iction inspired by my travels in India.”

In the fashion category, a second-place award went to Sauceda for “Flower.”

She came here after going to high school in Mexico. After graduating from MCC, she has big plans: “I would like to work with Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro Iñárritu.and the other Mexicans who won Oscars.”

Gentry took second place for her poem “Corruption.”

She attended Red Mountain High School before studying creative writing at MCC.

“I’m still working towards a seemingly arbitrary goal of ‘Author’ or ‘Writer’ and receiving such a placement in the Artist of Promise Competition is both motivating and reassuring that my goals aren’t so far out of reach,” she said.

Her winning poem has a dark edge, below its sugary surface: “Honey is so sweet. Tangy and tacky and smooth and saccharine— Tenney won fi rst place in the instrumental catGooey silk stuck to egory for “Chaminade Concertino in D major.” the back of your (Courtesy of MCC) Helena Balderrama Sauceda has an eye for fashion. (Courtesy of MCC) teeth. A �leeting luxury to the meager. An evening treat for the privileged. But I was never one to Indulge. But then, there are those, who gaze upon its luxurious sheen and its rich gleam blinds their eyes. They arrive in the dead of night, under full moons with sharp knives poised. Pale light shining off their chipped edges to take what is not theirs …” The full poem and other winning works can be read, viewed and heard at mcccd-aop.myportfolio.com/work. 

OPTIMISTS ���� ���� 15

“Promise yourself to be too large for worry, too large for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble,” the Creed states, among members’ promises to themselves. The Of�icer of the Year award is not made randomly. Morrison explained that because many of its members work or live in Mesa, they will recommend a recipient whom they know and who has had a demonstrated impact on the community.

“Our club membership is not exclusive to Mesa residents, and many members reside in neighboring towns such as Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe and Scottsdale,” Morrison said.

“We also have members from other states who maintain part-year residency here. If you are passionate about helping the youth, engaging in programs that are directed at this, while all the while being positive and having fun, we would wel-

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come you.”

Optimist International is a worldwide volunteer organization made up of over 2,500 clubs whose mission statement is: “By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids.”

Information: President Sandra Pick-

ens at sandy.pickens@yahoo.com 