Spirit Spotlight: Senior Airman Tamara Wilson

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MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Senior Airman Tamara L. Wilson is a Wichita, Kan., native who has been in the Air Force Reserve for two years.

Air Force job: Public Health Technician

Civilian job: Career Counselor at Wichita Technical Institute

Education: Studying school counseling at Wichita State University

What I'm reading: They Cage the Animals at Night by Jennings Burch (a true story about an abandoned child's survival)

Favorite way to relax: Hot cocoa in front of a fire or take a walk on a nice summer's night

Favorite movie: Cool Hand Luke

Favorite sport/team: Football/Eagles

Most influential person in my life: My grandmother. She worked hard to pave the way for her children and grandchildren through limited resources. She made sure that no matter what the circumstances that she instilled morals and values in each of her children and grandchildren. She made sure they understood there is not much you can't do if you just put your mind to it. You can't go wrong with an education, she says. She also learned to drive and balance a check book at 62 years old.

Easiest way to annoy me: Not assisting someone when you see they are in need of assistance. Like opening a door.

What I'm listening to: Retro 80's hits

If won $1 million I would: Build an independent-living apartment complex for abused, neglected and abandoned teenagers that are runaways on the street due to the challenges of home. So many teens today are falling through the cracks for lack of family or social resources available to them. This center (would) give them other means of support and escape where they can learn independent living skills. The home will be another way for organizations to refer teens that have just gotten out of the foster care system and are relocating back to the area.

I would also build a shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned animals. I would like to have a shelter established that would take in adoptable animals without the end result being euthanasia. I would find free, adoptable homes or foster homes and make sure that my fees are low enough for families to afford. Animals would be trained in different fields to assist elderly and disabled individuals. This program would also work to get an ASPCA, which is an organization that fights animal cruelty and has an animal precinct in the area.