Contact: Todd Burns, 277-5813

November 26, 2002 LAS VEGAS NATIVE PURSUES BIG APPLE DREAM Her name means "little Ade," but Adelita Paiz has big dreams of big cities. Paiz, a University of New Mexico student, is from the small town of Las Vegas and plans to live in New York City. "I would never change where I grew up. The morals and friends are great but I want to live in a big city," said Paiz. Her chance to live in a larger city came in April 1998. A month before graduating from West Las Vegas High School, Paiz tried out for a spot as a Lobo cheerleader and made it. The summer before her freshman year at UNM, Paiz began practice with the cheerleading squad. She admits her transition to Albuquerque was easier because she was involved in a sport. "I was scared but I cheered," she said, "I didn't know anyone but I met people quick." Paiz learned the ropes quickly, as Albuquerque was not a foreign place. Her family often traveled to the city for necessities unavailable in Las Vegas. "We always made mini-vacations to Albuquerque for prom dresses and school clothes," Paiz said. Albuquerque was her first step in reaching those Broadway lights. UNM and the surrounding city was far enough from home to get a taste of urban life but only an hour and a half away if she got homesick. Just a short drive north on I-25 and Paiz could visit with her parents and family. Her parents and family are her best friends and she credits her parents with her success. Her mother, Paula, and father, José, supported Paiz in everything she has done from being a cheerleader to her big city dreams. "I am blessed with the two best parents. They support everything I do. If I wanted to move right now they would support me. I know I can always call home if I'm in trouble, " said Paiz. The high family morals are one thing Paiz said was great about where she was raised. Being raised in Las Vegas, Paiz said there is a special bond between herself and hometown friends she runs into at UNM. Although she has many special friends Paiz likes to meet new people. New people, many activities, that's what attracts Paiz to larger cities. "I've always wanted to live in New York. I love the activity. I love the subway, too. It is amazing how it works. And there's the fashion, big city life and diversity," said Paiz. This past summer, Paiz learned about big city life first hand. She visited her grandparents in Boston and made trips to New York City. It was everything she thought it would be, excitement, diversity and thousands of people. Boston brought her one step closer to reaching her dream. The fear of being lost was not a concern. "This is my philosophy on getting lost - 'One can never find new lands without losing sight of shore,'" said Paiz. Paiz's goal is to roam past the sight of her hometown. She recently changed her major from sports medicine to sports administration and hopes to attend graduate school in Brooklyn, N.Y. Paiz maintains a love of athletics and hopes to work at an East Coast, Division I university in sports psychology or sports administration. "Some people love animals, others love computers. I love athletics," said Paiz. After three years on the all-girl cheerleading squad, Paiz stays physically fit. Five times a week, Paiz goes to Defined Fitness to work out. She also enjoys attending athletic events with her family and friends. She has a preference for watching baseball, her favorite sport. Her ideals and small town values her parents taught are qualities Paiz would never trade for big city life. She often studies in Starbucks to remind her of New York City, but Paiz confesses that little Las Vegas has one thing she could not find in the big city, "Good New Mexican food." ###

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981