AN EDUCATOR, A UNION MEMBER, AND A
TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT
ABOUT ME
Family
My family has lived in Adams County for over 50 years. When my sister and I were growing up, my father was a teacher and my mother worked on a factory line. They not only had full time jobs but also had part time jobs cleaning office buildings in the evenings and weekends. My sister and I would be right beside my parents doing different jobs to help. My sister and I were very lucky to have our grandmother live with us and lucky to have our extended family around a lot of the time.
My parents also got involved in the Adams County Democratic Party. My sister and I were walking literature right along with our parents. We learned what Get Out The Vote (GOTV) means, why precinct caucuses were important, and the fun of the county and state assembly. So many times, our house became campaign headquarters for many candidates.
Through all of this, my sister and I learned how to work hard. We also learned how to be good people, have strong work ethics, and to help others.
Now, I am lucky to have my amazing, strong mother, Annabelle, my sister Nadine, my brother-in-law Sam, my nephews Brandon, Jared (his wife Brianne), my niece Amanda (her husband Jorge), and two beautiful great nieces Hazel and Natalia with a third one, Amelia, on the way.
Education/Career
I attended Adams 12 Five Star Schools and graduated from Northglenn High School. I was involved in the marching band and won state in 1988. I attended Metropolitan State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. I also earned two Master’s of Art degrees one in Educational Counseling and one in Teaching and Learning. My parents helped me as best as they could but I mainly worked along with student loans to put myself through school.
My first career was working for the Division of Youth Corrections at the Adams Youth Service Center in Brighton. I worked there for eight years. I left after earning my first Master’s degree and began working for Adams 12 Five Star Schools in 2001. Going back to the school district where I went to school has been a great adventure. I had wonderful adults outside my family that helped shaped my life and I wanted to help students the same way. I have coached volleyball, sponsored class leaderships, taken students to Washington, D.C., and mentored students.
Volunteer
While I was working, I have volunteered in many different capacities. I volunteered for the youth group at Immaculate Heart of Mary for over twenty years. I helped chaperone conferences locally, within the US, and at World Youth Days around the world. I helped with lock in conferences, confirmation classes, weekly youth group meetings, rummage sales, summer games, etc. My time with the youth gave me the opportunity to not only be a mentor to these teenagers but to also learn from them. I was part of the Funeral Fund, Eucharistic Minister, and the Food Bank.
I also volunteered with the Adams County Democratic Party. I brought back the Adams County Young Democrats and had a solid group of young Dems participating with the party. I was also part of the Adams County Jane Jeffersons. I helped many candidates and elected officials with phone calls, walking precincts, writing post cards, and stuffing envelopes. I was the Adams County coordinator for Ken Salazar when he ran for US Senate.
Union Member
I have been an AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) member, and am currently a DTEA (District Twelve Education Association), CEA (Colorado Education Association), and NEA (National Education Association) member. I am a union leader, union organizer, and union supporter.
Who Is Valerie
I am a True Public Servant!! My career and volunteer work show that my true calling is to work for the people. As a county commissioner, I will continue to work for the people. The issues I will work on are Mental Health Services, Affordable Housing, Responsible Growth, Protecting Water and Air, and Fair Living Wage.
A vote for Valerie Vigil will be a vote for the people of Adams County.