Cynthia Matus Morriss was recognized for her dedication to local students and her 36 years serving on the Patagonia School Board at a ceremony held at the AZ Senate building on May 14.
In addition to her work for the Patagonia Schools, Matus Morriss has been active in several regional and national associations that supported education. She chaired the National Hispanic Caucus of School Board Members, served as president of the AZ School Boards Assn., and was the chairman of the Pacific Region for the National School Boards Assn. She was also active in local service organizations, including Young Audiences, Kiwanis and United Way.
She became involved with education through her work for the Santa Cruz County Young Audiences program. “It was important to me to continue my work with the arts and education,” she said.
“Working on school boards was chosen for me,” she said. “I did not look for this. There was a vacancy on the School Board, and I was told, ‘Oh, Cindy, it’s only one meeting a month.’ But once I was there, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the training, relationship building, all for the good of the schools.”
In addition to presenting Matus Morriss the proclamation in a private meeting in the Senate chambers, Gabaldon also read the proclamation to the full Senate on May 28. “It was an extreme honor for me and my family, Matus Morriss said. “I am very grateful to Sen. Gabaldon for her recognition.”