Alicia Utz
/Alicia Utz
Four States Living Tribute To Women
photo by JOHN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY
Alicia Utz’s smile can light up a room. Upon meeting her for the first time, it is immediately noticeable that she is pleasant, kind, and good-natured. However, when describing herself, she admits that she is a very determined person and that her mother even called her a “difficult child.” She is very passionate about the people and ideas that she holds close to her heart and admits that she has a little craziness mixed in to “keep things from getting too serious.”
Alicia and Todd celebrated their 20-year wedding anniversary on July 1, 2020, at Kennedy Manor Bed & Breakfast in Jefferson, Texas, the venue where they were married. She is holding the original photo of their wedding party.
Alicia Utz currently works for Hospice of Texarkana as an administrative assistant. She has a variety of responsibilities there which include helping plan and implement Hospice’s annual fundraiser, Jeans & Bling, performing a wide variety of office jobs, as well as walking the Hospice comfort dog, Maggie Grace. Alicia is proud of herself for having the courage and ability to re-invent herself to obtain a variety of professions. “Moving frequently with the Army presented the flexibility of many career paths. I am a certified elementary teacher who has taught grades K–5,” she explains. “I was a licensed Realtor® in Virginia where I assisted military families relocate into/out of the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area. Being a Realtor® also empowered me to learn to use social media platforms to promote my real estate business through digital marketing. I was also very fortunate to work with the official Army Wounded Warrior program, assisting seriously ill and injured service members to transition to non-military life.”
Alicia and her husband, Todd, are the parents of two adult children, Danielle and Radley. They also have two grandsons, Camren (11) and Carson (9). Finishing her bachelor’s degree in 3-1/2 years while her children were in pre-school and elementary school is a feat in which Alicia is very proud.
When seeking volunteer opportunities, Alicia typically chooses an agency/group that she passionate about. She recalls helping with her children’s school and extracurricular activities as her first volunteer positions. She has also spent a great deal of time volunteering with Army Family programs. “I am a prior military spouse of 12 years and enjoyed helping new spouses get accustomed to the military lifestyle,” she adds. “In addition to working with military spouses, I was a certified Red Cross volunteer and a regular volunteer for the USO. I most recently volunteered with Hospice of Texarkana helping out in their offices prior to accepting a paid position there.”
Alicia’s mother had the most influence on her as a child. Although she struggled with parenting, she did teach Alicia to become self-sufficient at an early age. “I think this is why I have been able to make difficult situations in my life a success,” she knowledges. “As for the biggest influencer in my life now, I would say my husband is my biggest cheerleader. From the moment we married, he has encouraged and supported me to pursue whatever I wanted to take on.”
On days when Alicia is not working at Hospice, one can find her behind the computer, learning about her newest adventure: investing in the stock market. She also enjoys scouring antique stores/flea markets to add to her many collections of treasures and dabbles in poetry, usually writing something for a loved one or friend.
“It is what it is.”
-J.E. Lawrence in the Nebraska State Journal
The way Carole Boswell sees her
When I think of my friend and neighbor, Alicia Utz, I think of a ray of sunshine, and I get a big smile on my face. Alicia is a lot of fun. She loves to laugh and to help others. She is very creative and is a great entertainer. She has a flair for color, decorating, and making her yard beautiful. Alicia and her husband, Todd, are also thoughtful and sweet neighbors. They have helped my husband and me with everything from changing a light bulb to bringing us homemade goodies.
Alicia is very family-oriented and loves being with her family and planning enjoyable things to do with family and friends, down to every detail of the event. Where does she get the energy? Alicia has a bright light within her, and I’m so glad to know her and get to bask in her light. It is my pleasure to nominate my dear friend, Alicia Utz, as a Four States Living Magazine Tribute to Women 2021 honoree!
FUN FACTS
What is something unique about you that most people would not know?
“When I was a senior in high school, I let my best friend, Dana, convince me to sell Avon so we could win a FREE trip to Hawaii. Sure enough, our district sold the most Avon in the United States, and Dana and I ended up having the best Senior Trip ever: an all-expense paid trip to Hawaii with a week of being treated like royalty. It was the first time I had ever flown or ridden in a limo!”
If you could have dinner with one person, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
“I would love to have dinner with my Grandma Hohweiler. I was very young when she died but have heard my family talk of her coming to America from Germany back in the early 1900s. Her mother and father sent her to America with her aunt and uncle to escape the war. I would love to hear her recount that experience, as well as how she handled an ‘arranged’ marriage to my grandfather who was twice her age.”
What music do you listen to in your vehicle?
“I like all types of music, but mostly listen to ’70s and ’80s rock. It is funny; sometimes I can’t remember what I did yesterday, but I can remember lyrics to songs from the ’70s like it was yesterday. Music has a way of reaching your core and giving you great memories associated with a song’s lyrics.”
What did you imagine yourself being when you were growing up?
“I dreamed of being a stewardess, aka flight attendant, or race car driver. While neither one of those career paths worked out for me, my husband will tell you I still have a heavy foot on the gas pedal.”
What is the last gift you gave someone?
“I gave my secret pal at Hospice of Texarkana an Easter gift.”
What is your favorite meal that you order regularly at a local establishment?
“Ranchero Chihuahua – imagine fajita meat consisting of a mix of shrimp, beef, chicken and bacon, grilled with onions and green peppers, served over a cheesy bed of rice. Thank you, Loca Luna!”
If there was a movie produced about your life, which actress would portray you?
“I would like Melissa McCarthy to play my life story. I love how she has a wide variety of acting experience, but most importantly, she has the ability to make people laugh. I feel she can relate to my character, in that she too has pursued an additional career path when she launched her own clothing line.”