My name is Sheryl Gump. Sheryl spelled with an "S", by the way, is the proper spelling for my name, in my opinion. I have been a single parent of 5 children for 11 years now. I am a returning student and because of finacial reasons, it has taken me some time to finish my degree. But, I am done after this summer. I work for the Department of Economic Security/Division of Developmental Disabilities. This job has been very helpful in my Special education classes because I deal with special children and adults on a daily basis. I love my job but would like to have a different type of contact with these children. I have a very distant relationship with them right now. I would like to work more one on one with them.

I was born in Cresent City California, that may explain why I love the pines so dearly but hate the rain. Anyone who knows northern California knows about the huge redwoods and the constant rain. My parents brought my brother and me to Flagstaff in 1968 and in 1970 we moved to Camp Verde. I have been in the Verde Valley for 32 years. I like it hear but would love to eventually move to the mountains in Colorado. I don't have a lot of time for hobbies, but I have to say my greatest love is writing fiction and poetry. I would eventually like to have one of my books published. I am a published poet but not a published fiction writer.

I feel my greatest accomplishment, thus far, is raising my children by myself. I would, someday, like to be an inspiration to others, men and women, who are struggling with the same things as I have.

I have one great quote of my own that I would like to leave everyone with, and that is, "When wanting to change someone, begin with yourself and others will follow."