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Joshua Arthur will graduate from
Mingus
Union
High School on
May 25, 2007. The son of Dr. and Mrs. James Arthur, Josh has lived
in
Cottonwood all his life—18 years.
Josh is MUHS National Honor Society president and Student Council
senior class president. He is vice president of the Cottonwood Youth
Advisory Commission. He is a five-time academic letterman and
five-time MUHS Strive for .5 Recipient. He received the Youth
Leadership Award from the Congressional Youth Leadership Council at
the Global Young Leaders Conference in
Washington
DC and
New York City in 2006.
Josh won local National Piano Playing Auditions and was involved
with the Arizona Association of Student Councils and Rotary youth
leadership training camps. In January 2007, he was MUHS Student
Volunteer of the Month. Josh is a member of the Verde Baptist Church
Youth Group and participates in the 24/7 Bible Studies group. He is
the United Blood Drive Coordinator for
Mingus
Union
High School and the
Verde
Valley
Medical
Center. United
Blood Services recognized Josh as the MUHS senior class state
champion for blood donations. Josh was a member of Verde Valley
Voices and is active in Key Club and Interact Club.
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Questions
for Spotlight on City Volunteer
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Family
information:
Parents are James P. Arthur, M.D. and Judith Arthur; older brothers
are Jacob and Jaymeson Arthur; grandparents are Alvin and Mary Jane
Henneman. All of them have been very supportive of me and my goals.
My father grew up in Cornville and is a Mingus alumni class of '78.
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What are
your views about volunteerism?
I believe that volunteering is an absolute necessity in one's
community. Working together to improve a community makes people
proud. It gives a feeling of ownership, and builds character. I am
constantly striving to be the best I can be, and I find great
pleasure in working for the betterment of others.
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Volunteer
activities? I
am the Mingus Union High School Blood Drive Coordinator, as well as
the Verde Valley Medical Center Blood Drive Coordinator. Along with
the Future Business Leaders of America, I helped fundraise for the
March of Dimes, have been a mathematics tutor, and this summer will
be a junior counselor at the
American Legion's
Boys
State.
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What do
you enjoy about serving on the
Cottonwood Youth Advisory
Commission; what were your accomplishments as a group and for
yourself?
CYAC is a group of teens brought together to create safe
alternative proactive events for the youth of
Cottonwood. It has been a great
pleasure to serve as the vice president of the commission this
year. I have learned so much as an individual and as a leader. I
have gained skills and friendships that will last forever. A fall
and spring concert, wrapping gifts for the Light Heart Foundation,
and helping at the Chili Cook-off are just a few of our
accomplishments this year.
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What
event from your childhood or young adulthood created your desire to
volunteer to serve your community?
I cannot say that there was one single event that inspired me to
volunteer. It was more like a combination of watching my
parents helping people and trying to fill voids. They have always
been involved in community projects, schools, clubs, special causes,
and just helping someone if they needed it, and they always included
us.
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Education
and career plans: In
the fall of 2007 I will attend
Xavier
University in
Cincinnati,
Ohio. I plan to
study political science and French. After I graduate, my dream is to
attend Georgetown
University in
Washington DC. There I plan
to attend law school and specialize in international diplomacy. I
aspire to work internationally, improving relations, governments,
and the overall quality of life.
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How may
the adults in
Cottonwood better help youth in the
area? Get
involved! There are so many talented people throughout the
Verde
Valley that could
help create innovative programs and activities. Don't think you have
to have a lot of "free time" to volunteer. It is surprising what a
few hours a week can accomplish. Just find your niche and go with
it. Ask some of the kids in town what they would like to see
happening. Interact and communicate with the youth. Get
involved, not only with special events but with daily
activities. Almost every volunteer I have had the pleasure of
working with felt they got more out of volunteering than what they
put into it. Encourage and believe in
Cottonwood's youth, and yourself.
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What can
youth do to better our community? Get
involved! I think it would be great for the youth to go around town
and get rid of all the yard sale and campaign signs that clutter our
city, or have an organized list of individuals that are in need of
volunteers to assist in yard clean ups or minor projects. They need
to be involved in projects that all ages could benefit from like
designing a park. This may sound like a huge undertaking, but don't
underestimate Cottonwood’s
youth. Given direction and leadership, monies could be raised,
donations gathered, and volunteers found that want to dig in.
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What do
we need to keep our young people living in the Cottonwood area, or
what do we need to do so they will return after getting their
education?
Opportunities, diversity, camaraderie, and excitement are the first
things that come to mind. Activities for the youth are crucial and I
am very excited for Cottonwood's new
recreation center to be completed. I feel new industry, great
educational systems, and health care are vital components for
retaining and attracting people to
Cottonwood. Well planned growth for
a community is vital.
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What is
your wish for
Cottonwood in 10 years?
I would like to see
the city of
Cottonwood grow into a
well developed community that meets the needs of the people and then
some. I wish to see
Cottonwood nationally recognized for
having a Blue Ribbon school, and for having a reputation for
outstanding community service. And, if it is possible, I wish that
in ten years we are a stronger, more caring and friendlier community
than we are today—a place where a lot of people want to come and
stay.
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Do you
have a favorite saying or quote? I
have many, but when it comes to volunteering, I think of this
saying: "One person with passion is greater than 99 who have only
an interest."
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What are
your hobbies and enjoyment besides volunteerism and serving your
community? I
love to play the piano, sing, play tennis and dance.
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If you
could encourage every single community member to do just one thing,
what would that be? Get
involved.
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Please
share anything important to you that these questions may have
missed: I want
to thank all of those who have taught, encouraged, and supported me
and all of my aspirations, especially my family and God. Without
them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
