Our People: She likes 'Learning to Fly' by Pink Floyd

Dianna Sprague was born and raised in Friona, Texas. Her parents are Salud and Angie Tirado of Friona. Dianna is the oldest of their four daughters Marie, Stefanie and Katricia. She graduated from Friona High School in 2001 and received her B.S. in Communication from Eastern New Mexico University in 2012.

After graduating, she started working for the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico as a grant writer and is now the executive director of the organization. She spends her days overseeing the operations, programs and development of the organization as well as running a forklift every now and then.

She is married to Walter Sprague who is the terminal manager for BNSF Railway in Clovis. She is step-parent to Jack who is a freshman at Amarillo High School and an amateur comedian and trumpet player.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Every day I get to work with people who are so passionate about making their community a better place. From board members, donors, volunteers, advocates and local leaders, my days are filled with positivity from getting to work alongside these folks. The work is quite challenging, but equally as fulfilling and humbling.

Who would play you if someone made a movie about your life?

Mindy Kaling. She is so funny and I enjoy her TV shows and books.

What do you collect?

Pens. Not really fancy pens either, just a pen with a good flow and color. I'm partial to Pilot G-2s and Le Pen. One time I left my pen on (the late) Patricia Bazar's desk at the United Way office. She mailed it to back to me with a note explaining "I'm just as crazy about my pens as you are. Thought you might want this back!"

What's an accomplishment you're proud of? Collaboratively, being recognized by United Way with an award for innovation last year. Erinn Burch cited the Food Bank's Produce to People and Feeding Families programs for the award. It was not easy for myself and the Food Bank's team to move out of our comfort zone and do something different to serve our community. When we started, it felt risky and daunting, but the programs have done well and the recognition solidified that for us.

What is your theme song? "Learning to Fly" by Pink Floyd. It gives me all kinds of feels to this day.

Favorite quote?

I was 24 years old when I started back at ENMU and by then all of my friends had already graduated and there I was starting all over again. I felt so out of place and disappointed in myself. Dr. (Patti) Dobson was my first instructor there and on my first day back she introduced herself and told us about receiving her degrees later in life. She laughingly called herself "the poster child for what NOT to do in life." It really put me at ease and made me feel so much better. I always recall that moment because I think we've all identified with that feeling in life when things don't go the way you planned. The lesson there is that it doesn't matter how old you are or where you're at in life, you should never stop pursuing your goals.

What are you reading?

I started listening to "The Outsider" by Stephen King on Audible while I was driving to Lubbock. It was so good that I downloaded the book too and burned through it over a weekend. I like chick-lit, and thrillers from authors like Gillian Flynn and Karin Slaughter.

Who do you look up to?

Without a doubt, my parents. They are the most generous, hard-working, supportive and kindest people that I know. I feel like those adjectives can't even begin to describe how good they are to not just their own children, but everyone around them. They are so selfless and they always put everyone else's needs ahead of their own. They spent countless weekends coming to visit me in Clovis on the weekend to help me out with yardwork, housework and bringing home-cooked meals so I could focus on work and school. They're the embodiment of parenting done right.

What's the best gift you've ever given? Received?

My husband is the best gift giver, hands down. He loves to give the gift of travel. He randomly sends me emails for trips he's booked for us as a surprise. We want to visit every MLB stadium and we're getting there.

What's a tale you love to tell?

I was once an innocent by-stander when a very kind and well-meaning gentleman told a lady, who was wearing a gingham print blouse, that she looked very "table cloth-y" that day. My jaw hit the floor.

I've been asked quite a few times to confirm that this is a true story, and it is indeed true!