Our People: Community servant about local support

Sandy Vigil was born in Apple Valley, California. She and her family moved to New Mexico in 1992. Vigil graduated from Artesia High School in 2007.

She comes from a family of community servants. Her mother owned a café in downtown Artesia. Vigil was always involved with community events with her mother and gained a love for service work. Her sister works at the Chamber in Artesia.

Vigil studied hotel, restaurant and tourism management at New Mexico State University. She graduated college in 2011. That year was a very busy time for her. She graduated on a Saturday, gave birth the following Monday and started working three weeks later.

She moved to Portales to work at the Portales Chamber and MainStreet for two years before leaving and returning again in 2015. She married Zach Vigil in 2013, who owns and operates his own trim and tree removing service. The couple have two children.

Vigil is the Executive Director at Portales MainStreet Program.

What do you like about your job?

I love the interaction I have with the local businesses. I get to socialize and get paid for it, which is a huge plus. Also, to get to see the community come together to accomplish a goal is great.

What don't you like about your job?

It gets frustrating when people don't understand certain things about community support. For example, how shopping local helps the community. The local businesses are the ones who go to church and tithe and are the ones who sponsor our athletes and other programs. Shopping local helps those same businesses give back to the community.

What do you do when you're not working?

I stay at home. My family and I like to travel a lot, especially in New Mexico. We have a bucket list. Rock City State Park is one we'd like to visit.

What's your favorite TV show, past and present?

"Grey's Anatomy" is my past and present favorite. "Will & Grace" was one I loved to watch in the past but I'm a big fan of the new writing.

What's your favorite taste?

Potatoes. Mashed are the best.

What's your favorite smell?

I like the fall flavors of apples and caramel.

How would you describe yourself in one word?

Quirky.

If you could master one instrument, what would it be?

The violin because its very versatile. You can rock and roll with it or do a ballad with it. I love that.

When you were a kid, what did you think you'd be doing as an adult?

For a while I thought I'd be a vet. In high school I thought move to a big city and leave the small town life but now I live in Elida.

What do you envision your life being like in 10 years?

Ideally, I would just like to stay at home and never have to come to town. That would be fun. I'd probably get bored but I'd surely find something to do with my time.

- Compiled by The News Correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield