Perfect day spent outdoors

Annamaria Short was raised in Portales by her adoptive parents, Lee and Laura Baros. She was born in Albuquerque.

Her father Lee is a retired letter carrier and her mother Laura plans to retire this May after 33 years of owning and operating a day care in Portales.

Annamaria graduated from Broad Horizons, an alternative school, then went to college at ENMU. She earned a bachelors degree in sociology.

Her first professional job was as an ENMU secretary for Upward Bound, then went on to do talent search at Trio Professional. She also worked at Texas Tech's Upward Bound for one year. Short has been the director at ENMU Alumni Affairs since August 2017.

She enjoys camping, fishing and spending time with her family.

What's your idea of a perfect day?

A quiet day at the lake with nice weather or at a cabin in the mountains.

What's your favorite song at the moment?

"Blue" by Keith Urban

What's so great about your favorite sport?

I love basketball. I got to go watch a game in Tucson (Arizona) that aired on ESPN. It was a pretty cool experience. A group of alumni from Tucson met there to cheer on the Greyhounds.

What's your favorite taste?

Pie.

What's your favorite smell?

The rain.

Who's invited to your fantasy dinner party and why?

Joyce Meyer (Ministries). I enjoy her boldness and honesty.

Tell us a story about your childhood.

When I was in the sixth grade I punched a boy in the nose for calling me chicken legs. I think it's kind of a funny story. He works at ENMU today.

Tell us about your parents.

My parents, Lee and Laura, are two of the hardest working people I know. They raised me since birth. My dad worked as a letter carrier through the freezing cold, hot sun, unhappy people and dogs that would attack. He never called in nor complained. Mom has watched kids since as far as I can remember. She and dad had two jobs at times — a night job cleaning offices after work. Mom always expected me to do good in school even though I pushed back a lot. Growing up, they were perceived to have a lot of money but they don't. Still, they've helped a lot of people including myself. They don't hesitate to help where it's needed.

Tell us about your favorite place to travel.

I've never been but I'd like to go to Hawaii one day. My aunt Lucyann, who recently passed from cancer, loved it there. She described the views as breathtaking.

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

I will be just starting my new life as an empty nester. My youngest will be 18 by then and I'm am sure I will be helping him enroll in college or start a business. I will only be 44 years old so I hope to pursue some of my dreams perhaps and work on a doctorate degree. I was not a good student in high school and I struggled in college. But I graduated. I always say if I can get a college degree anyone can. You just to have to go for it and not let anyone stop you.

— Compiled by Eastern New Mexico News correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield