08/31/2026
Have the Courage to Persist.
Years ago, Yuma Stories shared my journey—from coming to the United States from Mexico, learning English, overcoming a life-changing accident, and continuing my education despite the obstacles.
That journey shaped who I am today.
It taught me that education creates opportunity, every student matters, and persistence can change a life.
Today, I carry those lessons with me as I run for the Gadsden Elementary School District #32 Governing Board.
I’m ready to serve with purpose, listen to our community, and be a voice for our students, families, and educators. ❤️
My story is where I started. Service is where I’m going.
Maria Guzman: Have the Courage to Persist
Maria Guzman is from Las Ranas, Michoacán, Mexico. Her dad worked in the United States with a green card to support Maria, her Mom, and five siblings. Maria and her family moved to Paredones, Baja, California, in 1994. When she was in La Prepa (HS) in Mexico, her entire family got green cards and moved to the United States. Maria embraced the change and focused on opportunities.
Although she was excited about her new life in San Luis, AZ, Maria struggled to acquire the English language and adapt to high school dynamics. Although Maria did not know how college worked, she gathered her courage to go to the AWC office in San Luis and investigate. Maria wanted to finish college because she wanted to be empowered to have a voice in her community, make her parents proud, and encourage her siblings to get a college degree.
When Maria moved from English as Second Language classes to regular English courses at AWC, she experienced a terrible accident that put her in a coma for fifteen days and two months in the rehabilitation hospital. Thanks to her family and friends' faith and Maria's strength, determination, and self-efficacy, she took steps to redefine her purpose in life. Maria relearned how to walk and speak. When Maria had the accident, she asked herself what God wanted her to learn from the accident. Through her reflections after this misfortune, Maria confirmed that her purpose is to help others have a better life and empower them through education and leadership opportunities. College became more difficult after the accident because her learning style and speed changed. Maria recalled being in the rehabilitation hospital with her economics book on her lap when the doctor entered and asked what she was doing. She said: “I need to make sure I do my homework to pass my semester classes”. Maria completed her associate’s degree and transferred to NAU to obtain her bachelor's degree.
Maria's philosophy is to help and empower others to reach their potential. Maria believes and knows that education is the key to success and that everyone should have the opportunity to go to college. Education allows individuals to transform themselves and become their best selves. Maria recalls she was doubtful about her capacity to succeed in her master's degree because one of the classes required a fifteen-page final paper. She decided to join the program because fifteen pages should not be too hard to write; but to her surprise, when she was enrolled in the Capstone class, the university increased the paper's length from fifteen to fifty pages. Maria was terrified because she thought “How in the world would I write 50 pages?”, but she did and earned her master's degree.
Maria is passionate about empowering others to get involved with learning, community service, and leadership development.
Since Maria has been in college, she has been active in student clubs and community organizations. Maria established the AWC Somerton & San Luis Rotaract Club in 2010 with students she had recruited. Although there are some semesters that only a few students stay in the club, Maria continues being the advisor because she knows that every student counts, and she wants to create every opportunity she can. Through the years, students have inspired Maria to innovate her work strategies and persist on doing her best in what she does.
