Features

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.

Kylie Angelique Tafoya, 8, likes to perform in front of large audiences.

That’s according to Sara Harris, the mistress of ceremonies at the recent sold-out 16th annual Fiesta de la Hispanidad.

“The bigger the audience the better,” Harris said.

The young San Juan girl took the New Mexico Hispano Music Association’s Child Artist of the Year Award.

As Kylie took the stage during the Hispanidad event, she stepped up to the microphone but she couldn’t quite make it. She took a little jump, and her fingers slipped off.

As the Lady Dons ended their unforgettable season in the University of New Mexico’s “Pit,” appreciation for coach Jose “Magic” Medina and the team’s achievement’s was only beginning.

As star players Vanessa Lucero and Miranda Martinez walked off the court, they were invited to try out for the Nike Elite Travel Team. Of the more than 130 young women who tried out, both Lady Dons made the squad.

Staff Sgt. Martin David Gallegos is a graduate of Robertson High School, but visited both East and West schools last week to unfurl three U.S. flags flown over war-torn Iraq. 

The flags were flown by his National Guard unit in a Iraq. With each flag, Gallegos also presented a plaque describing its history. 

Gallegos is serving with the 515th Regiment out of Belen. The soldiers are stationed at Camp Bucca, a forward operating base about 200 miles south of Baghdad.

Leah Lucero says no teenager should miss their prom night for lack of a dress or tuxedo.

“No one should have to sit at home on prom night, so I thought if we asked for donations of prom attire, whether it’s dresses, suits, or accessories, we could organize a prom closet. It’s also a good way to get the community involved in one of the biggest school functions of the year,” Lucero said.

Lucero said she originally brought up the idea at Key Club, where she is  president. But members already had another project in mind.

Courtney Ferguson was crowned the new Miss Las Vegas 2010, and Erin Scott won the title Miss San Miguel County in the annual pageant -- a prelude to the Miss New Mexico and Miss America stages.

“I feel amazing, I didn’t think I did well in the interview, but I guess I did better than I thought. It’s just so exciting and a real eye opener -- I’ve never done anything like this, so it was definitely an experience of a lifetime,” Ferguson said.