What 21 Arizonans from Alice Cooper to Olivia Fierro are wishing for in 2024

Becky Bartkowski, Bahar Anooshahr, Endia Fontanez, Bill Goodykoontz, Tiffany Acosta, Ed Masley, Dina Kaur, Javier Arce, Nadia Cantú, Meredith G. White and Michael Salerno, Arizona Republic
Updated ·10 min read
Alice Cooper, Olivia Fierro, Barbra Seville, Shaunté Glover, Douglas Miles Jr., Teek Hall, Vanessa Ramírez, Jorge Picos and Sydney Sprague shared their wishes for 2024.
Alice Cooper, Olivia Fierro, Barbra Seville, Shaunté Glover, Douglas Miles Jr., Teek Hall, Vanessa Ramírez, Jorge Picos and Sydney Sprague shared their wishes for 2024.

Here comes the new year. Whether you greet it with a Pinecone Drop, cozied up at home watching Andy and Anderson, aglow at an EDM extravaganza or something and somewhere in between, it's time to say goodbye to 2023's good, bad and ugly. See ya later. Good riddance.

Whatever sentiment you're left with at the close of these 12 months, it's time to look ahead, beyond the clock striking midnight and toward all the promise 2024 brings.

What are you wishing for?

We asked 21 Arizonans exactly that. From our neighborhood-friendly shock rocker Alice Cooper and Phoenix's top taco king Jorge Picos to gin master Kim Haasarud of Garden Bar and drag queen Barbra Seville, here's a look at hopes and dreams for 2024 from across our community.

Alice Cooper, rock icon

Alice Cooper sings with Sixwire during Christmas Pudding, the annual benefit for his Solid Rock Teen Centers at the Celebrity Theatre.
Alice Cooper sings with Sixwire during Christmas Pudding, the annual benefit for his Solid Rock Teen Centers at the Celebrity Theatre.

"My biggest wish for 2024 is for more Solid Rock Teen Centers to open!

"In the new year, Arizona needs more common sense, less extremism and no Crocs with socks."

Aseret Arroyo, co-owner of Chilte

Aseret Arroyo co-owns the acclaimed Phoenix restaurant Chilte with her husband Lawrence "LT" Smith.
Aseret Arroyo co-owns the acclaimed Phoenix restaurant Chilte with her husband Lawrence "LT" Smith.

"For 2024, there’s the personal wish, which is for health for my family. On the professional side, there’s the wish for continued business. As you know, restaurants are very hard. (We’d like to) continue to grow and grow our team.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more support for small restaurants coming in. I do feel like Arizona, among other states, is a very big restaurant group-driven state, so I believe Arizona needs some more rallying behind bringing in small mom-and-pop restaurants, rather than big corporations taking over restaurant spaces."

Douglas Miles Jr., pro skateboarder, filmmaker and entrepreneur

Douglas Miles Jr. performs a jump on his skateboard at the new San Carlos skate park on April 1, 2022. Miles was one of the primary consultants for the park.
Douglas Miles Jr. performs a jump on his skateboard at the new San Carlos skate park on April 1, 2022. Miles was one of the primary consultants for the park.

"My biggest wish for 2024 is first continued health for my family and to finish White Mountain Apache Skatepark by the end of this year!

"In the new year, Arizona needs more skateboarding, art, innovation, creativity and business."

Barbra Seville, drag queen

Barbra Seville, one of Phoenix’s best-known drag queens, called out Kari Lake as a hypocrite during the 2022 election; he said the two were friends before Lake targeted drag performances in her unsuccessful run for governor.
Barbra Seville, one of Phoenix’s best-known drag queens, called out Kari Lake as a hypocrite during the 2022 election; he said the two were friends before Lake targeted drag performances in her unsuccessful run for governor.

"My biggest wish for the New Year is that more people fight for their dreams. Be brave and unapologetic about making your dreams come true.

"In the New Year, Arizona needs more average patience. Take a breath, boo."

Teek Hall, rapper

Rapper Teek Hall poses for a portrait in Mesa on Dec. 15, 2023.
Rapper Teek Hall poses for a portrait in Mesa on Dec. 15, 2023.

"My biggest wish for 2024 is to be successful, but not just me. I want to see all my friends continue to win and grow and be successful in the new year. Bigger and better opportunities all around!

"In the new year, Arizona needs more rain! Lol. Since I can't control the weather, I would say we need more local hip-hop nights at venues. During COVID times, a lot of places had to close or get replaced with more club-night-friendly options but we need our hip-hop. It's what birthed me and keeps me grounded."

Theodore 'Teddy' Kareta, postdoctoral researcher at Lowell Observatory

"My biggest wish for 2024 is good weather for the total solar eclipse in April — otherwise, I'll have taken a road trip to Texas for nothing.

"In 2024, Arizona needs to more strongly support its public universities to continue to grow its already excellent reputation in space science."

Vanessa Ramírez, dancer and founder of Ballet Folklorico Quetazalli

"Lately we have seen so much violence — fighting, war, so many ugly things. My biggest wish would be that as a community, each one of us would do their part and start cultivating a more positive environment within our homes and communities.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more community cultural events because it is important to be able to learn from other cultures in order to break down barriers that we have (in our society). I think it all starts with education, but if it's something fun, free and family-friendly, I think more people would likely participate."

Al McCoy, former voice of the Phoenix Suns

Al McCoy retired in 2023 as the voice of the Phoenix Suns, a job he held for 51 years.
Al McCoy retired in 2023 as the voice of the Phoenix Suns, a job he held for 51 years.

"My biggest wish for the New Year is peace, health and happiness throughout the world.

"In the New Year, Arizona needs more continued strong leadership in our great state, and oh yes, give me just a winner from any of our sports teams. Yes, any team. Just give us a winner!"

Dwayne Allen of Big Marble Organics

Dwayne Allen is the founder of Big Marble Organics.
Dwayne Allen is the founder of Big Marble Organics.

"My biggest wish for 2024 is I'd love to see stronger support for local in hospitality. We are fortunate to be surrounded by a wealth of talent in Arizona, particularly with food. From fantastic acclaimed restaurants to top-notch bars, our food scene has blossomed tremendously in recent years. However, often overlooked are the farmers, artisans, and creatives producing everything from meats, growing our vegetables, and baking the bread served at our best food and drink outlets. I'm wishing for restaurant and bar operators to make a solid commitment to incorporate more homegrown items and ingredients on their menus. Supporting local in this way is a win-win for all of Arizona.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more commitments from everyone to buy locally. Local First Arizona, our state's premier small business advocacy organization, reports that for every $100 we spend at locally owned businesses, $68 will stay in our community. When we spend that same $100 at a national chain, only $43 stays in our community. The value is clear: Buying local is the mantra for 2024."

Johnny Lozoya, photographer aka 'Chicano Paparazzi'

Johnny Lozoya, a Phoenix-based photographer well known as “Chicano Paparazzi," was the first Chicano to organize events for Lowrider magazine in Arizona. His profession as a photographer of politicians has led him to become a vocal member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).
Johnny Lozoya, a Phoenix-based photographer well known as “Chicano Paparazzi," was the first Chicano to organize events for Lowrider magazine in Arizona. His profession as a photographer of politicians has led him to become a vocal member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

"My biggest wish for 2024 is that everyone, everyone would receive human rights, dignity and civil rights. We live in a troubled time today, and it's important that, in my opinion, we share those things with everyone here in America.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more leadership within the community that represents us. We also need to participate as active citizens in the (civic) process. It's easy to say, well, it's easy to talk about other people — that they should do this, they should do that. But we also have to be active participants."

Colleen Jennings Roggensack of ASU Gammage

"My wish for 2024 is meaningful live performances for everyone.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more Profound support for art and culture."

Jorge Picos, owner of Estero Beach Tacos

Jorge Picos is the owner of Estero Beach Tacos, a small food trailer known for fish and shrimp tacos that was named Top Taco 2023.
Jorge Picos is the owner of Estero Beach Tacos, a small food trailer known for fish and shrimp tacos that was named Top Taco 2023.

"For 2024, I wish to continue to grow my business and hopefully get to the point where we’re a brick-and-mortar. Those are the same goals I’ve had. And I’m starting to work more big events.

"In the new year, Arizona needs to support its teachers. Arizona needs to invest in our youth. Arizona needs to invest in our future. Let’s invest in our youth. Let’s invest in our programs. Let’s invest in our education system. Let’s invest in public schools."

Shaunté Glover, artist

"My biggest wish for 2024 is to, yes, understand that goal setting is important but more so acknowledge the overall journey. More often than not the journey isn’t a straight line and we deserve to honor the peaks at least as much as we identify with the valleys.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more shaded areas, housing that is actually affordable, and people who know what Arizona needs more of."

Chad Makovsky, Phoenix director of aviation

"My biggest wish for 2024 is that we break 50 million passengers, we pick up a couple of new international air routes, and we pick up a couple of additional domestic routes too. We have a very mature domestic network, but I think there's still plenty of opportunities for us to continue to grow and come up with a couple more nonstop destinations, particularly to the east of the Mississippi River.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more focus on the effects of climate change. 2023 marked the hottest summer ever in Phoenix with a record 31-day streak of 110-degree or warmer temperatures, and the scorching 2023 heat breaks the previous record that was set only three short years ago. The Aviation industry is seeing real impacts associated with climate change, and heat in particular. Sky Harbor is not immune from these impacts, and as the front door for millions who travel to our state, we are taking our role seriously.  Go to skyharbor.com/sustainability to learn more about the practical steps we are taking to support our community and ensure we continue to position ourselves to serve future generations."

Davina Griego, DJ

"My biggest wish for 2024 is — other than a comet hitting Earth to put us all out of our misery, reparations for Black people, land back, defunding the police, liberation for all those oppressed including animals in captivity — for Taco Bell to bring back vegan nacho cheese sauce.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more community parks that aren't arbitrarily patrolled, more housing and shelter for the houseless with voucher programs that actually make sense and work and regulations on groundwater in rural areas."

Sydney Sprague, musician

Arizona-born musician Sydney Sprague is pictured performing at the 2022 Zona Music Festival in downtown Phoenix.
Arizona-born musician Sydney Sprague is pictured performing at the 2022 Zona Music Festival in downtown Phoenix.

"My biggest wish for 2024 is that I get to keep touring and making music with my best friends.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more Sebastien Deramat (my guitarist who lives in Seattle that I’m trying to convince to move to Phoenix) and more Tex-Mex."

Martín 'Fray' Reyes Armenta, author and Cachanilla Boxing Club owner

"My biggest wish for 2024 is that all athletes, especially boxers, have more assurances and security when they step into the ring and put their lives at risk. Sport changes lives and it is essential that we take better care of athletes.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more public spaces to practice sports, and not only parks but spaces where specialized people, trainers, can guide them and inform them about the benefits of practicing sports. This is the way children and youth can stay away from drugs and gangs."

Evelia Davis of Latha and The Diaspora Collective

Evelia Davis is the owner of The Diaspora Collective and Latha in downtown Phoenix.
Evelia Davis is the owner of The Diaspora Collective and Latha in downtown Phoenix.

"My biggest wish for 2024 is to travel to a place I’ve never been to. I have a deep passion for traveling; every journey provides a chance to gain knowledge and immerse myself in a new cultural experience. Through my travels, I've realized the interconnectedness among people.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more love. When love is shared and reciprocated, it has a transformative impact. Embracing love for God, oneself and others inspires us to extend care to those around us, pursue personal growth, make constructive decisions, and advocate for higher standards."

Stephanie Martínez, founder of soccer club Sun Warriors AZ FC

Stephanie Martínez is the founder of the Sun Warriors AZ FC, a soccer club that combines love of the sport with advocacy work. She believes that by offering young people the opportunity to get involved in their community, they can become better athletes and future leaders.
Stephanie Martínez is the founder of the Sun Warriors AZ FC, a soccer club that combines love of the sport with advocacy work. She believes that by offering young people the opportunity to get involved in their community, they can become better athletes and future leaders.

"My biggest wish for 2024 is health for my family. I know that it is something that we wish for all the time, but after these past years where people we love have gone through difficult things due to their health, that is my greatest wish — health for my children, my husband, my parents and my family.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more fields to play soccer. There is so much grass, so many places, so many fields, so many opportunities, but there are no lights. We are seeing children with depression, with obesity, with illnesses … and there are programs that can help with that — recreational programs, other opportunities for them to be active — but there is no support from the community or the state. It's not a lot of money to put up lights. There is a lot of attention on 'real estate,' on investments. The attention is elsewhere and we are denying this."

Kim Haasarud, owner of Garden Bar

Kim Haasarud is the driving force behind downtown Phoenix's Garden Bar, an acclaimed coctkail destination that specializes in gin.
Kim Haasarud is the driving force behind downtown Phoenix's Garden Bar, an acclaimed coctkail destination that specializes in gin.

"My biggest wish for 2024 is staying in business! Being able to keep it going and growing it in the way that brings our downtown neighbors and community together.

"In the new year, Arizona needs more people in congressional seats that speak to real policies and programs that reflect the needs of its residents and business owners, not just speak fear-based rhetoric."

Olivia Fierro, former co-anchor of 'Good Morning Arizona'

"My biggest wish for the new year is to learn to embrace change. With that, break my habit of spending energy on anticipating — or worrying — about what comes next. (I have a card that says, 'It's just change, you're okay.' I need to peek at it regularly!)

"In the New Year, Arizona needs to find a way to navigate an election year rationally and respectfully. Can we all agree on a common goal of not becoming a national punchline, again?!"

Where to ring in 2024: Celebrate New Year's Eve at these restaurants and bars in Phoenix and Scottsdale

Reach the editor at rbartkowsk@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Alice Cooper, Olivia Fierro, Barbra Seville share 2024 new year wishes