Letter to the Editor

A DaVinci Academy parent writes a letter of endorsement for Oscar Mata: “That kind of mentor, one who encourages students to succeed and helps them in any way he can, someone with the integrity to show up and get involved, is the sort of person who will find ways for the community of Ogden to succeed as well.”

Letters/Opinion

Community—it takes commitment, integrity and involvement to create a successful community, and Oscar Mata embodies all of those qualities. As Mayor of Ogden, he would be uniquely qualified to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with a thriving city. 

I first met Mr. Mata at DaVinci Academy where my children attended school, and he was a teacher as well as a Student Council Advisor and soccer coach. He stood out for his commitment to the student activities and events, coordinating the student council to help out with the Ogden Parade of Lights float, and showing up in the cold to both decorate and ride along with us the night of the parade. His commitment to be there for his students was obvious, from coaching soccer to attending senior class presentations to support the students, and that sort of integrity, when you can count on someone to keep their word and be there when they make a commitment, was always something we could depend on with Mr. Mata.

He was involved in many aspects of  our school from clubs to teaching and coaching. As PTSO Vice President, I could always rely on his support to help our school with events and activities. He is also involved in his community and local politics and uses his life experience to encourage the students to get involved in their communities.

As an educator, he has a unique perspective on the challenges facing families, and as a citizen involved in politics, he has the knowledge of how to work through government to get things done. 

On a personal note, our daughter is an aspiring artist, and after she graduated, Mr. Mata commissioned her work on multiple occasions. It is one thing for her parents to believe in her, but having the encouragement and support of someone she views as a trusted mentor has given her confidence in her own abilities that she wouldn’t have otherwise had, and it has led her to expand her love of painting into an online business. That kind of mentor, one who encourages students to succeed and helps them in any way he can, someone with the integrity to show up and get involved, is the sort of person who will find ways for the community of Ogden to succeed as well. 

—Holly King