VIDEO: Acosta named Hometown Hero in Leader of Tomorrow category

By Philip Haldiman
Mail | Twitter: @PhilipHaldiman

Maylee Acosta says she’s not entirely sure where her passion for service was born but it certainly came to the forefront as a young girl at Sundance Elementary School when she would ask her teachers if they needed help during recess or lunch time.

That initiative in elementary school moved toward joining an honor society and getting involved in her middle school student government.

“Since childhood, I always felt unconscious insecurity about my background and strength as a leader, so I never sought much more than a helping role in everything I did,” she said.

But in high school, she ran for student council and a former member recommended she apply to the Peoria Youth Advisory Board, which provides insight and feedback on issues to the city relating to youth, including city ordinances, long-range planning, and city-school district relations.

“I applied, scheduled an interview, and was accepted,” she said. “Through that experience I was able to break through my individual doubts as a leader and served as chair while also serving as Youth Council Liaison. I participated in City Council meetings and had the opportunity to engage with youth from all over the nation. Through the Youth Advisory Board I found my passion for city governance.”

Since then, she has found her second home in Flagstaff as a student of Northern Arizona University and worked as a resident assistant in student housing.

She has been elected President of the NAU Student Body, acts as a member of the Arizona Board of Regents Free Expression Committee and has been working on advocacy efforts, leading an office of 40 students.

One of those efforts is the undergraduate Cap and Gown Closet she started with the goal to make it “expand and flourish.”

So it comes to no surprise she is shooting for a career in civil service as a city manager.

“There is a quote that Cesar Chavez’s grandson, Andres Chavez, shared at an NAU event, ‘To give life is to live life.’ I don’t think that people have to make commitments or invest all their time and money to specific efforts or movements,” Acosta said. “However, I do think it’s important to invest in more than just oneself. Whether it’s starting your own family, volunteering, or telling a young girl to apply to the Youth Advisory Board, those interactions have impacts that reach far and wide whether or not one realizes it.”

For her efforts, Acosta has been named the Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the Leader of Tomorrow category.

The Hometown Heroes Awards are a celebration of individuals who have contributed to the city, and those who have made local achievements and distinguished contributions to the community.

Acosta will be honored at an awards luncheon next year.
In partnership with the city of Peoria, she will be interviewed by the city and aired on Channel 11.

Acosta served with Councilor Jon Edwards on the city council dais 2017-2018. Edwards said she is the epitome of a strongly principled young woman.

She is approachable by her peers, respected among her student colleagues, and leads by example, he said.

“The child of migrants, this first generation Mexican woman is wise beyond her years, and seeks a life of advocacy,” Edwards said. “I first came to know Maylee as a member of the Peoria Youth Advisory Board when she was a sophomore at Centennial High School. Nothing seemed too big for her, and she followed through on every commitment she made.”

To learn more about Acosta, click here.

Philip Haldiman
Senior News Editor | Peoria
@PhilipHaldiman

phaldiman@iniusa.org

Meet Philip
Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.

Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.

Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater. 

Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.

Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.