Diane Goebel, publicity chairwoman for the Plano Metropolitan Ballet and Plano West Choir Booster Club, was voted as the best contributor for the 2008 West Plano Neighbors Choice Awards. All winners will appear in this Saturday's print edition. 

Below is a preview of a story she wrote for the issue.

By Diane Goebel

As a 15-year Plano resident, my family and I chose Plano because of the close proximity to our work and for the city’s family-oriented community reputation and excellent public school system.

My family includes husband Scott and daughters Jennifer and Julia. Jennifer, 16, is a student at Plano West Senior High, and Julia, 13, just completed eighth grade at SchimelpfenigMiddle School.

My husband and I own Hiring Spectrum, a recruitment process outsourcing, consulting and executive search firm. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, photography and home improvement projects. One of the Goebel’s favorite destinations is Chios, Greece, the island from which my grandparents immigrated.

Jennifer and Julia are involved in many extra-curricular activities, including dance, sports, music, church and Girl Scouts, and my husband and I both enjoy volunteering to support their activities. We believe it is important to give back to the community, and we consider the time that we spend with our youth as an investment in the community’s future. I’m also a Girl Scout leader and volunteer for church youth activities. 

I got involved with Plano Metropolitan Ballet in 2000 when Jennifer became a company dancer.  I joined the PMB board of directors in 2005 and have been responsible for publicity since then. 

When the Plano West Choir Booster Club needed a volunteer to handle publicity, I felt that I could take advantage of my relationships with the local media to make an immediate effect. I enjoy this role because it combines photography, writing and forming relationships with many different people. 

My regular neighborsgo news contributions run in a number area community editions since Plano Met Ballet’s members live throughout CollinCounty.

I was so excited when neighborsgocame to Plano and could not wait to become a contributor.  When the newspaper arrives on Saturday, everyone in our house grabs for the neighborsgo first.  We love to look through it to see who we know and read about the positive things that happen in our community that may not be reported in the other papers.

We appreciate the role that neighborsgo plays to promote our city and the successes of its residents.