For half a century Queen Creek resident Jerry Baca has been an instrumental part of helping to guide young people to be the best version of themselves --- both on and off the field of play.
“This year, 2020, will be Mr. Baca’s 50th year as an official for football, basketball and softball,” said Marivel Pesqueira, Mr. Baca’s daughter, who beams of her father’s life dedicated to helping others.
“He began officiating in Silver City, New Mexico in 1970 and then moved to Mesa in 1984. At that time, he applied and was accepted as an AIA [Arizona Interscholastic Association] official.”
Mr. Baca is the November 2020 Hometown Hero bestowed in the volunteer category. His dedication to helping others does not stop at his day job, however.
“He has been a member and volunteer for the Pan de Vida organization and is a parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church,” Ms. Pesqueira points out. “He is also a resident of Queen Creek when he moved there in October 2005 and has seen it grow immensely in size and spirit.”
Founded by Queen Creek resident Mary Gloria, Pan De Vida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on intergenerational social services in and around the Town of Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and the greater East Valley area.
“Jerry has been a donor of Pan de Vida for a few years, so I know that he is generous, caring and committed to helping those in need. He is also hardworking, friendly, patient and, judging from our conversations, I can tell that he is a great teacher.
“Jerry has worked with the youth for the last 15 years, and as a result, has learned of the challenges, disappointments, and heartbreaks of the youth. Knowing Jerry, he is a man that looks to heal the pain of the youth he encounters,” said Mrs. Gloria.
Furthermore, Mr. Baca offers his experience in the classroom as a substitute teacher, Ms. Pesqueira explained. She submitted this surprise nomination about her father on behalf of his significant other, Clara Polanco.
“He has been a substitute teacher in the Queen Creek Unified School District for 15 years, since he has lived in the area,” she said. “He has seen so many of his students grow up around him while substituting and he is beloved by all of the students who he has impacted.”
A true passion for Mr. Baca? The softball field.
“He was awarded the opportunity to be an official for the PAC10 Women’s Softball Association for 13 years,” Ms. Pesqueira said of one of Mr. Baca’s most proud accomplishments.
“He is a great example of integrity, honesty, and a great mentor for young children in the classroom and on the field. He advocates for education and the students in the Queen Creek community who have had the benefit of Mr. Baca’s guidance wherever and whenever he has been involved.”
The Queen Creek Independent, along with East Valley Institute of Technology, Sterling Services, and the Queen Creek Olive Mill salute Mr. Baca as this month’s Queen Creek Hometown Heroes Awards recipient.
Nominations sought
Submissions will continuously be sought from the Queen Creek community in multiple categories. All nominations to aznews@newszap.com will be reviewed, and monthly winners will be selected based on their community contributions.
Nominations should include name, email address and phone number along with the category of nomination, some details about the person being nominated and what accomplishments they have done.
I am an enterprise community newspaperman constantly trying to improve the craft of purposeful reporting in turn empowering the readership of our various publications and website.
I follow every lead and strive to provide a balanced approach to both traditional and emerging reporting styles and mediums.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here