Profiles of Success: Celeste Sanchez

SAN BENITO — Growing up as a child in San Benito, Mayor Celeste Sanchez remembers San Benito how it used to be.

San Benito was different then.

There was a busy downtown, full of booming businesses, a stark difference from today.

When she was first elected, Sanchez vowed to make San Benito a city of choice.

As the first woman mayor in town, Sanchez is poised to do what other leaders have not.

For that, Sanchez looks to the hardwork and dedication her parents instilled in her at a young age.

“My parents and grandparents always showed me that dedication, preparation and hard work were the key to success,” Sanchez said. “My father also taught me the value of respect toward all people and the value of public service.”

Under her leadership, several projects have been initiated in an effort to bring San Benito into the future.

San Benito will soon be home to a new museum. It will house the San Benito History Museum, the Freddie Fender Museum and the Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame and Museum.

Earlier this year, San Benito City commissioners approved a design proposal from architect Steve Tillotson from Munoz and Company, an engineering firm from San Antonio.

The designs feature a guitar-shaped entrance that fronts Heywood Street.

The museum will be located at the corner of East Heywood Street and North Crockett Street.

Sanchez’s leadership also initiated the Citizens Academy. The academy provides a look into the internal operations, values, and philosophy of San Benito’s municipal government.

There, students learn how city departments operate and about the challenges the community faces as they prepare for growth and development.

Sanchez who sees the class as one of her major accomplishments as mayor encourages every citizen to partake in this class.

“Getting our citizens involved and informed in our city government through the citizens’ academy is a great accomplishment,” she said.

“Our citizen participants now have knowledge of how our city operates and what is important. They are now actively engaged in civic responsibility.”

Sanchez has a clear vision. It’s to bring back San Benito to its glory days.

“I have been committed to public service all my life. I am inspired to do more,” she said.

It will be hard work and she is willing to do it. In fact she has already started.

“Every day I read a scripture and yes, my daily inspiration comes from Jesus Christ who is always present with me,” Sanchez said. “My other inspiration comes from my sons and from the positive people I interact with daily. Their dreams, hopes and wishes inspire me to take action.”