Marking its 15th year in the Valley, US Airways Center celebrated with a contest during the month of May, aimed at rewarding fans for memories created at the venue throughout the years. Out of more than 650 entries, fifteen winners were chosen including one grand prize winner, Rhonda Marie St. Louis of Mesa.

As the grand prize winner, St. Louis will receive two lower level season tickets to catch the Phoenix Suns in action during the 2007-08 season and two lower level tickets to 15 events of her choice over the next 12 months.   In addition, fourteen runner-up winners were chosen and will receive two tickets to an event of their choice held at US Airways Center during the year.

Winning essay
US Airways Center is creating memories worth more than the price of admission. This is how the Center has touched my life and the young man I have mentored for more than 15 years. 

In 1992, my life crossed the path of an adorable toddler in my community, named Jamar.  I was, at the time, a student at ASU studying to be a teacher and became friends with Jamar’s mother, a single woman with four small children, surviving on public assistance and living in Section 8 Housing.

Since I knew Jamar would never have the opportunity to attend a quality pre-school, I began to volunteer several hours daily to organize what we called “Sidewalk School” - a make-shift pre-school on a blanket on the sidewalk. I read to him and we would do other fun activities as well.  A few times each year, I would purchase tickets to events at US Airways Center such as Disney on Ice, Barney Live, and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to offer him some enjoyable times…even when his home life wasn’t so pleasant. 

In 2003, I purchased tickets to take Jamar to a Phoenix Suns home game, where Jamar was selected to be a ball boy.  On the way there, I joked with him about how he used to call Phoenix Suns player Charles Barkley…“Charles Broccoli” when he was 4.  Once we arrived, he checked in and was presented with both a Phoenix Suns hat and t-shirt.  He was then whisked away so he could be personally introduced on court, in front of the huge crowd prior to the game. He was so excited and also got to meet Shawn Marion and get his picture taken with him on center court.  Jamar doesn’t own many personal belongings, but he still has that photo hung up in his room today!

During the game at US Airways Center, Jamar watched the game courtside among the sports photographers and camera crews.  His three friends and I were settled in to our comfortable seats amazed by the dance routines of the Suns Dancers, the booming music, the antics of The Gorilla, and the exciting game between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.  During half time, we met Jamar at one of the numerous aromatic food areas and listened to his story about how one of the television crew members briefly allowed him look through the television camera to view the game.

It is now 2007, and that young man is an honor roll student in high school.  He has had his share of challenges growing up, for example changing schools over 20 times since first grade because of moving.  On the other hand, because of US Airways Center, he has special memories of attending events and performances…memories worth more than any price of admission.

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