Mora County Notebook: Mora County has annual clean-up

Last Friday’s windstorm left lots of trash for the annual clean-up crew. Making the Mora Chamber of Commerce annual Clean-up Day a great success.

Ruth Fort/For the Optic

Virginia Trujillo receiving her bags and vest from Lillian Maestas coordinator of the Mora County Clean-up Day. More than 100 bags of trash was picked up on Saturday.

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Courtesy photo

Kaylee Rose Sanchez (left) and Ariana Doloritas Sanchez both graduated from Mora Head Start.

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Ruth Fort / For the Optic

Head Start graduate Dante Romero with his family. Father and mother Leonard and Shileen Romero and brother Elli and sister Angelica.

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People stopped at the parking lot to pick up bags and safety vests. The volunteers then picked up trash and cleaned the main highway right-of- way and some side roads.

Those who could not work on Saturday planned to pick up trash on Sunday but could not do so because of the snowstorm that passed through town.

The county had also declared that Saturday as Amnesty Day; therefore, small appliances and tires and so forth could be taken to the dump for free.

After their hard work the clean-up crews gathered at the parking lot for lunch of brisket sandwiches and drinks supplied by Lee Daniels.

It was estimated that  more than 100 bags of trash were picked up by the volunteer clean-up crews.

Head Start holds graduation

Parents grandparents, other family members and friends gathered at the Joseph M. Montoya Gym in Mora on Saturday to honor the young students from Mora Head Start.

They graduated from head start to enter kindergarten in the fall.  

The young students wore white graduation gowns and the traditional mortar boards.

The audience cheered as they marched into the gym in the processional singing the graduation song.
After the National Anthem was sung by Ariana Dolorites Sanchez, daughter of Tomás and Shauna Marie Sanchez, the graduates took their seats.

The introduction speech was given by Floyd Lovato, chairman of the Policy Council.

Each classroom presented a song for the audience.

Classroom one taught by Donna Chavez and Isla Jo Montoya Cordova sang “My Wish.”

Classroom two taught by Norma Griego and Arleen Romero sang in English and Spanish “Seven Days of the Week.”

Classroom three taught by Denise Garcia and Della Olivas sang “Que Buena Suerte.”

The students then received their diplomas and were helped to turn the tassels on their hats. The audience was then treated to a slide show depicting the activities of the year. Fifty-eight children graduated this year. Other staff members are: coordinators: Beatrice Regensberg, Pauline Espinoza and Valerie Benjamin; director: Beverly Dobbins Montoya and foster grandparents: Julia Griego, Clorinda Griego and Juanita Romero.

After a successful year the staff wishes to thank all of those who helped and especially the parents who dedicate their time in organizing and making graduation possible.  

Ruth Fort is a Mora County correspondent. She may  be reached at (575) 387-6523 or ruthfortchacon@yahoo.com.