Spirit of Freedom: Patsy Howerton, Sharing and Caring

"Kindness, sharing and caring are an ingrained part of Patsy Howerton's character," said Geraldean Knox in her nomination letter.

  For many years, Howerton helped different school districts in the county with her ideas and passion for education. She does much community service work that involves the schools and the whole community.

  She has lived in Yuma for 20 years and in that time she has been a teacher, principal and a family literacy coordinator.

  Howerton retired in 2002 but then got a job at Yuma School District 1 in 2005; she retired again last June and does not want to be tempted to start working again.

  In her years as a teacher and a principal, she really got the her students and their parents reading. She had various book fairs, reading programs, invited authors to read at the schools, and many other programs that encouraged kids to read.

  "I love helping kids and families, especially when working with kids and making them realize their potential," Howerton said.

  She always tried to get the parents involved with school activities even if they did not speak English, she said.

  As a member of the schools and of the community, Howerton made bags every Christmas that contained hygiene products such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste. She donated the bags to Crossroads Mission and would get many people in the schools involved in the project.

  She also works in a program called Valentines for Vets, which takes students chosen by their teachers or a student who wants to help to assisted living homes and give the veterans some gifts on Valentine's Day. Some of the gifts include a Valentine card, flag, candy and even a CD with Howerton's own music.

  Among other activities, Howerton was part of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a mentoring program where a person is assigned a young person who is missing a parent or both parents. The person assigned is supposed to act like a big sister or brother and not like a parent. Up to this day she still talks to some of her little sisters and is asked for help and suggestions.

  She was a member of Rotary, and there she hosted about 13 students from all over the world in her home. She only did that for about 12 years; she thought about having another student at her house after her husband passed away, but decided against it.

  With Rotary she also traveled to New Zealand and France. There she visited some schools and picked up some tips from each.

  With all the help she gives to others, she just hopes she can inspire someone else to do the same.

  "It's like throwing the pebble in the water and watching the ripple effect," she said.

  Among her newest accomplishments is that of writing music and singing. She has made some demos, and some of her songs have been on compilation CDs in the country.

  What she likes most about singing is that she can express her feelings very clear. She is planning on making a children's music CD and a Christian music CD.

  "I have been very blessed," she said, "(to) have the satisfaction to do the best you can with your knowledge."

  Her future plans include helping out the Humane Society of Yuma and keep writing songs.

  "We need to make the most of each of these stops," she said as she interpreted the poem, "The Station." "Before we know it, our journey is over."