My name is Amber Sixberry, I moved to Big Lake 25 years ago with my husband Danny, back when much of Big Lake was still farms. We decided that Big Lake was where we would raise our family! At that point I made a commitment to get involved with my community. I have been blessed to work with many non-profits in Big Lake and volunteer in multiple ways throughout my years here. 12 years ago I ran for school board hoping to make a difference in the school district! I am currently the Board Treasurer. It’s been interesting and I have learned so much through the process. It is a lot of work but so worth it. I believe that Big Lake has made huge strides and has so much to offer our students.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband Danny and I have been married 25 years. Shortly after getting married we made Big Lake our home. This is where we raised our 4 boys! Cody has a career in which he makes homes more accessible for people with disabilities and is now focused on raising his own boys making us very proud grandparents! Cole recently started a new career with a great company right here in Big Lake, Cade is serving Active Duty as A Corporal in the Marine Corps and Cash, just graduating last year is just focusing on getting his career started.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
25 years we have lived here now! Wow it flew by! I am on my 12th year of Big Lake School Board and 10th year on Wright Technical Center Board as the Vice Chair, a school that offers our Big Lake students opportunities for hands on learning and college credits while in high school, an amazing program.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I am a realtor and represent Realty Executives, I have been a licensed agent helping people buy and sell homes for over 20 years now. I love real estate and can’t give it up because I love helping people, but I also have a passion for working with youth! So while I continue to work in real estate I also work for the University of Minnesota in youth development.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
No not really!
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
There’s so many! I love a good movie or series especially if there some mystery involved!
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hands down it would be pizza!
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
I love to stay busy and usually do that through volunteering. In the winter you will find me cheering on the wrestlers and taking photos and in the summer you will find me working the Spudfest Concession Stand at the softball fields. If I have any more time I like working on DIY type projects at home.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Traveling more
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
Easy! I would build a community center/ field house in Big Lake because I believe there is a serious need for one. Then I would take the rest of the money and buy a huge amount of land and build a smaller house for us and a house for each one of my children on it!
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
A huge challenge was dealing with Covid. As a mom I watched my son and Big Lake students miss out on the graduation they had been working for their whole lives, not to mention a senior year of sports, prom etc. The challenge was huge! I work with youth and the change that Covid brought was so rapid. It really challenged people mentally. We are not used to confining ourselves. I switched from working in person to 100% remote. Then as a school board member had to work with the school to put in place brand new policies to try and keep school going in a completely new territory that had never been experienced before. Balancing Covid was hard in general but the work that had to go into doing the best we could for our students was a huge undertaking , looking back we have learned so much and would probably do many things differently but over all, faced with those crazy challenges, I really think the team at Big Lake came out on top! We have an amazing team that worked really hard!
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Learn to say no! I have a hard time turning anyone down when they need help and so I often stretch myself a little thin. I also get very emotionally involved in everything I do making it hard to disconnect.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
I have a few heroes! My Dad has always been my rock! But also my son Cade! I have invested myself in my community but he has out done that and is serving our country! I am very proud of him!
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
Stress is real! I always try to be the strong one for my loved ones. So much has happened in the past 4 years. I lost my father-in-law and my big brother, I sent my son off to the military, which made me so proud but broke my heart. Because of Covid we missed his graduation and boot camp graduation also, my dad recently battled lung cancer. While I always try to smile and stay positive for everyone around me there have been so many moments where I felt like I could break.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Being a mom and raising 4 amazing boys!
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
El Loros is great. I love Mexican food! I do most of my grocery shopping at Coborns because I love that they give back to our community.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
The people! We have a community full of amazing people.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Support our schools! While it’s one of the largest employers in the area the school also impacts the most youth! Statistics show that a community that invests in its schools and students live in a better overall community with less crime. Working with youth is very self rewarding because simply supporting a youth can make such a huge impact and that is something school district employees do every day! Big Lake School is the best it’s ever been. We have great leadership in our Superintendent Tim Trubenbach and his administration, our staff is unmatched, amazing and caring teachers, EA’s, custodial staff on and on. While other schools around us are cutting budgets, Big Lake has had a tight budget all along, staying strong and not making budget cuts.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
So many! The entire Spudfest Group! That group of people make each other better, they work together to give back to the community. Spudfest not only throws a fair that brings the entire community together but they make an impact. They re-invest the money make back into Big Lake helping to provide quality programming for our youth!