We’ve highlighted responses from some of the brightest and most talented artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in the community below.

Tiffany Burbidge

My Father Lavorn or better known as “Sparky” Sparks has always been my hero. Since I was a little girl watching him restore antique cars in our garage I thought he could do anything. He was able to fix whatever broke, figure out how to do fun things affordably since we had such a large family. See the world and has always been a romantic with my mom being an example of love throughout the years. Read more>>

Julius Buzzard

My grandmother is my hero. She was the first teacher of my heart, my hands, and my spirit. She carried within her the wisdom of the earth and the resilience of our ancestors, and she poured that love and knowledge into me. Growing up, my grandmother nurtured my connection to the land in ways that were subtle yet profound. She would tell stories of her own childhood, of planting gardens that fed not just her family but the whole community. She showed me that soil is not just dirt—it is history, it is memory, and it is hope. It is alive, holding the dreams of those who came before us and the promise of those yet to come. Read more>>

Nancy Benz

My greatest influence and one of my heroes is my great-aunt Dorothy. Though she passed away more than a decade ago, the lessons she taught me as a child still shape my life today. She inspired my love for learning, encouraged my curiosity, and, most importantly, loved me for who I am. While she dreamed I’d follow in her footsteps as a university professor, I believe she would be proud of my career as a historian. In my own way, I’m still teaching—just in a different capacity. Read more>>

Jason Phillips

My father. He always did what he thought was right despite what others thought and followed the beat of his own drum while doing what was necessary to raise us. We had alot of hard time financially growing up but as kids we never really knew about it because he did whatever it took to keep the roof over our head and never needing anything. He used to have a saying he would tell me ” don’t blame the dynamite if you can’t light the fuse and dont blame the shoes if you cant dance” and as cliche as they sound that’s always stuck and meant so much to me through out my life. Always reminding me to take responsibility for everything in my life. I’m not sure how well he communicated with my sister but he always took time to speak with me and to teach me how to be a man in this world. Most kids growing up wanted to be a cop or a fire fighter but all I ever wanted to be was to be a father Like him. I miss him everyday. Read more>>

Krystin Noack

My hero is my Grandmother, Jennie. There are many life lessons she has taught me through out our time together. As most grandparents often do for their grandchildren. One I can pin point specifically, is the drive for what I believe is right or worthy of my time. My grandmother was born in the 1920’s. she lived through WW2 and the great depression. She came from a family of barbers and hair stylists, “beauticians” is how she would always refer to them. She grew up in a time of much misfortune for most of her adolescent life and had many things to over come as a young girl. Read more>>