Amaya honored for work at Boulder Estates
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MARSHALL -- Monica Amaya said her job isn't just about planning activities at Boulder Estates in Marshall. It's about the relationships she builds with all the residents there.
"I like the meaningful connections I get with each and every resident," Amaya said. "I feel like they have a lot to teach me."
Last week, Amaya received a positive surprise when she was honored for her work with senior citizens by the Minnesota Statewide Activity Professionals (MNSWAP) organization. She received the 2026 Activity Professional Award of Excellence.
"I feel blessed," Amaya said.
On Monday, Boulder Estates residents and staff held their own celebration for Amaya as well. Residents shared kind words, and even held up cut-outs of Amaya's face.
"They had this big card and they wrote beautiful letters," Amaya said. "There were lots of hugs."
MNSWAP is an organization that provides support and educational opportunities for activity professionals around the state. As part of MNSWAP's annual state conference, the organization presents awards for activity professionals, volunteers and administrators.
Amaya said she has served on the MNSWAP state board and was a past president, so she knew about the nomination process for the annual awards. But it was still a surprise to be named as the Award of Excellence winner.
"It was so unreal," Amaya said. In 11 years of attending the MNSWAP fall convention, she said, "I was always inspired by the people who got those awards."
Amaya's family had driven to St. Cloud to be at the award presentation, which added to how special the experience was.
On Oct. 9, MNSWAP also announced on social media that Amaya was the Award of Excellence winner. A post on MNSWAP'S Facebook page said Amaya's impact on the profession went beyond planning activities at Boulder Estates.
"She creates meaningful connections, inspires others, and helps make life more joyful, purposeful, and fulfilling for the people she serves," the announcement stated.
Amaya said her own grandmother, who lived with her family when Amaya was a child, was an influence on her wanting to work with senior citizens. She started her career at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall, where she was a certified nursing assistant and trained medication aide, a health support specialist and activity director. She has worked at Boulder Estates, where she is currently director of tenant services, for more than five years.
Building connections with the residents at Boulder Estates has been the best part of her job, Amaya said.
In addition to having strong relationships with residents, Amaya said she's had lots of support from co-workers and from her family. She said her own children have grown up spending time at Boulder Estates and getting to know senior citizens.
Amaya said this week that her faith was a big part of what fuels her passion for her work.
"I really give all the glory to God, who gave me the passion," she said. "God has really opened up doors" along her path, she said.