Thanks for getting to know a little bit about me, my activities, and the things I’m interested in. I’m proud of my accomplishments to date, but I look forward to many more interesting challenges, and ways to give back to a community that has been so supportive of me.
Please explore here, but take the time to read about my experience with deafness on the About Me-Hearing page. I think you will find this adventure as exciting as I do.
I sit on several Boards and Advisory Councils. My first experience with a Board, of course, came with my own private corporations, The Spencer W. Elliott Corporation, and then with Your Secret Agents, Inc. In 2011 I was invited to become a member of the Tempe Union High School Superintendant’s Council, and later I was selected to be a member of the Tempe Union High School Career and Technical Education Board.
This experience, along with my community service involvement, was recognized by City of Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio who put my name before the City Council and nominated me to become a member of the City of Phoenix Ahwatukee Village Planning Committee tasked with making recommendations to the City’s Planning Commission and City Council on land use changes, zoning and development issues. I was sworn in by City of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton at the City Council Chambers in October of 2012. As the youngest member to serve on such a committee, I’m very proud to serve the citizens of Phoenix still today as the Vice-Chair of the Committee.
The Arizona Republic newspaper named me a 2013 “Person to Watch” along with the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, an entrepreneur, a School Board member and a State Senator. I’m proud that my accomplishments were acknowledged with a challenge- watch the things to come!
I served as President of my local DECA chapter, and became the Marketing Management District Conference Champion. I placed in Principles of Marketing at the Arizona State event, and placed in the Top Ten in the same event at the International DECA Business Competition, in Orlando, Florida. At the International Competition in Anaheim, California I placed First Overall in Marketing Management, and earned the DECA College Scholarship. I also won several presentation awards. DECA has proved to be a great experience. I encourage any student who is interested in Business to participate in the local clubs, but also to compete at the state and national level.
I’ve met lots of great people through DECA, and I can’t wait for another chance to see my friends from around the country.
I started playing chess with my father at the age of 3 while on vacation in Hawaii. The first two games were interesting. I checkmated my Dad on the third game. My Dad insists that the accomplishment was due more to his lack of skill rather than my natural ability, but who’s story is this? I beat him fair and square! If you look really hard you can see me in the middle of the picture to the left at the U.S. Chess National competition in Atlanta, GA.
After taking some group lessons, I was fortunate enough to have International Master Nikolay Andrianov as my coach in public elementary school. He took me to the U.S.Chess National competition in Nashville, TN. We went to National’s three times, and I played for first in the nation three times— lost them all, but it was great to make it to the top!
My play allowed me to travel to Moscow, Russia with the U.S. Chess Team and the Chess for Peace program organized by chess advocate Dr. Mikhail Korenman, and supervised by Women’s World Chess Champion, Susan Polgar. This was a great experience. The Russian people were so warm and inviting. I still keep in touch with my Russian friends Anton and Galia, Sergei and Natasha.
I offer private chess lessons to students of all ages.
I love Mexico! My family has owned and enjoyed our property there for years, and recently my Dad has made several micro-loans to new businesses. I spent a month in Mexico each of the last two summers learning the language and getting to know the wonderful Mexican people. I met several entrepreneurs, doctors, and small business people. I worked with Ramon and Nicholas Abarran at their jewelry store on the Malecon in Puerto Penasco, La Perla de Cortez, and attended several events with their family. Here’s the view from the balcony of the house where I stayed. Beautiful.
I had the opportunity to continue my Spanish education while volunteering with a group on a Medical Mission in Guatamala. My Mom and I saw hundreds of dental patients over the week long stay. I have been to Costa Rica to build an orphanage, and help the young people to learn English.
The local people were so appreciative for the care they received. I met lots of wonderful people, and I hope to return next year. Here is an active volcano only miles from where the dental clinic was set up. We got to hike and explore lots of the countryside on our free time.
I travelled to China, and parts beyond, to establish an orphanage for dislocated children from North Korea. My team of four was tasked with raising over $300,000 to fund the project, purchase land, and build a building to sleep over 300 orphans. Someday, the hope is to repatriate the young people into a country where they are free to achieve their dreams.
I love helping others learn. I was the “Tutor King” for the Mountain Pointe High School Totem Tutors Peer-To-Peer Learning Program for two years, and managed the 60 tutors involved in the program. Today, I offer private tutoring in English, Math, Social Studies, and Spanish. Contact me to discuss availability.
One more thing (if you’ve managed to read this far) I’m Profoundly Deaf and now have bilateral cochlear implants. That’s right, I’m totally deaf without them. I lost a lot of my hearing at age 3 shortly after receiving the Chicken Pox Vaccine, and I lost a lot more when I got the Chicken Pox at age 5. I guess I’m sensitive to Pox! Anyway, I obviously don’t let it slow me down. I’m doing just fine. Please see the About Me-Hearing section to learn more.
I’ve donated hearing aids, and helped to raise money for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and their fantastic Audiology Department. If you know of any hearing impaired kid who is struggling, pass him or her my way, and I’d be pleased to speak with them about how to make the best of things.