Features

Judy Cordova-Romero had big dreams when she first came to Highlands University, and many of her dreams to make campus life better for students came true during her tenure.

As Highlands University vice president for student affairs, Cordova-Romero was an advocate for the new residence hall that students enjoy today. She pushed for a new student center that had its groundbreaking ceremony Monday. And her dreams of refurbishing the Felix Martinez building into a one-stop shop for students’ needs came true during a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week.

Gary Gamertsfelder went to Kansas City’s recent national SkillsUSA competition and loved every minute of it. While he may be the first local to crack the top 10 in the national competition, he has had a lot of mentors along the way.

Instructor Anthony Baca remembers the inception of the automotive repair program at Luna Community College. He’s seen five state champions and four national championships during his tenure.

Baca said Gamertsfelder is so good at what he does he motivates fellow students in the entire Luna auto shop.

Most of us would struggle recalling close to 90 years of memories, but Arturo and Marie Montoya do it with ease.

Arthur George Montoya, born in Las Vegas in 1919, and his wife, Marie Gonzales, born in Clayton in 1921, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary Sept. 15. These two have offered, and continue to offer, a wealth of information concerning life in early 20th century agrarian northern New Mexico and beyond, gleaned from their full lives.

Robert Mishler is not a johnny-come-lately in Las Vegas’ historic preservation efforts. He’s been involved for decades.

Recently, the state Historic Preservation Division gave Mishler, a retired Highlands University anthropology professor, a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to the cause of historic preservation for the last 35 years.

When he and his wife, Ann, moved to Las Vegas in the late 1960s, much of the Plaza and Bridge Street areas was boarded up. Most of the town’s business and social activity was on Douglas Avenue.

Leroy Lucero, or “Pato,” as he is known to many, is seated at his Yamaha electric keyboard, making music, practicing for an upcoming collaboration with his compadre, Joe Franco’s group, “Dulce.” Sweet!

A multi-talented, lifetime musician, Lucero has followed many paths, but always, accompanied by music.

Born in Las Vegas, Nov. 10, 1946, Pato, 63, is the son of the late Ben Lucero and Carmen Garduño Lucero. Leroy’s siblings are Lonnie and Jeanette.

Las Vegans Floyd and Theresa Chavez are a husband and wife with a big thing in common: They’re both educators.

And they have a passion for their jobs, others say.

“We live, eat and breathe education,” Theresa said.

Floyd said much of what they talk about involves education.

“It’s not the only thing in our lives. We do have other interests that we share, but education has always been a common thread between the two of us,” he said.

Through the years, the Memorial Middle School greenhouse has been a center of activity for students’ agricultural and science projects.

It’s also a place for aspiring teachers to get hands-on experience in their craft.

Tom Dormody, a visiting professor of agriculture from New Mexico State University, and a number of his graduate and undergraduate students are learning ways to teach science using agriculture and natural resource applications.

West Las Vegas Middle School teacher and coach Brian Gurule has been watching his kids succeed for 13 years. He says that’s what makes him happy.

“I want to see them succeed and teach them that there is more to this world. I want them to experience the knowledge and insights one gets from travel. Many of our students have never traveled outside of New Mexico,” Gurule said.

Not one of the 15 volunteers bolted from the barber chair as an appreciative crowd laughed, jeered and cheered them on to shaved-head heaven. 

Psi Chi International Honor Society President Renee Shimek said the Highlands University psychology club holds a Spring Festival fundraiser every year.