Wildcat Spotlight
District March Newsletter
Student Awarded Prestigious National Honor Society Scholarship
The National Honor Society (NHS) announced that Yazmin Garcia, a high school senior at Deming High School and member of NHS, has been selected as an NHS Scholarship semifinalist.
Since 1946, more than $25 million in scholarships have been awarded to outstanding NHS senior members to support college access and student success. The scholarship program is supported by the parent organization of NHS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
In the 100+ years since NHS was founded in 1921, members have been making a difference in their schools and communities, and the NHS Scholarship is NASSP’s way of recognizing the most exceptional of these student leaders. Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated work to support the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
“The NHS faculty council and I are extremely proud of Yazmin for this tremendous accomplishment” said Anita Odell, Deming Chapter Advisor.
At Deming High School, Garcia has assisted in Coats for Kids fundraising events, the My Little School Fall Festival, and the Bataan Elementary Book Fair. She is currently producing a documentary called “Hasta que el Sol Brille” in Media Club and submitting it in Film Prize NM. Additionally, she is the host of her own Podcast “Entre Rosas y Espinas”. This Fall, she will be attending New Mexico State University.
For more information about the NHS, visit www.nationalhonorsociety.org.
Songbird Art Contest
Congratulations to Anna Karen Granillo of RST who won 1st place in the Songbird Art Contest for the 4th-6th grade age group in the state of New Mexico. For the second year in a row she has won a state-wide art contest and we are so proud of her efforts and continued growth.
Red Mountain Middle School Band Shines in District Competition
Our very own Red Mountain Middle School Band went to district competition on Feb. 27th in Las Cruces. After all their hard work and preparations with their instructor Johnnie Lang, they met with success and returned home in celebration for their achievement at the competition.
The judges for the competitions were Anthony Baca from Albuquerque, Nick Flood from El Paso, Rebecca Rodriquez from El Paso, and Sam Nesbit from Rio Rancho.
The band students’ stage ratings were 1, 1, 1+, and 1 for Sight reading. Total scores were 94-94-95 out of 100 on stage, 96 out of 100 in sight reading. Some of the comments from judges were:
Technical Accuracy: “Bravo!”
Quality of Sound: “Bravo!”
Musicality: “Bravo!”
“Very impressive for a small ensemble. Congrats.”
“Great Focus to Detail.”
“Excellent fundamental.”
“Thank your Teacher.”
We are so proud of champions from RMMS and look forward to seeing what they will do in the future for our band.
4th graders at Bell Elementary School dive into their PBL project, 'Our Community, Our Stories,' exploring the significance of preserving the past and uncovering Deming's history. With insights from Deming Headlight experts and a visit to Marshall Memorial Library, they're on an exciting journey of discovery and community connection!
Cat in the Hat visiting Chaparral Elementery for Read Across America Week.
Columbus Elementary had a successful Scholastic Book Fair!
Home to school extension activity. Students measuring volume and making real life connections. Students created their animals at home. At school they measured each prism, calculated the volume of each prism, and the total overall volume.
Project Based Learning “Waste to Wealth”
Students are learning how to reduce environmental impact by launching a composting program.
Memorial Elementary now has its own lending library. Brought to us by Adeline, Azucena, and Johana, students can check out books to read at home. Also, any books that a student has already read can be donated for others to enjoy.
Proud of this group of students that represented Memorial at the district Spelling Bee. A special thank you to Mrs. Flores for her work in this.
RST's Secret Kindness Special Mission
Each grade level had to complete a secret mission for Random Acts of Kindness week. Pics are from the recipients of the challenge. DPS central office staff, Senior Center, Mimbres Memorial Nursing Home, and Deming Police Department.
Valentine's Day fun at RST.
Isabella Hinojosa shows off her prize for being DIS' top seller for our Band and Choir Nothing Bundt Cakes Fundraiser. She sold 129 bundlet cakes.
February 15th was SRO Appreciation Day. DIS staff and students recognized SRO Quezada for all he does for our school.
Great things are happening at DIS. Students in Ms. Lucas' Science class are learning about plate tectonics through Gallery Walks.
DIS is proud of our Spanish Spelling Bee Team's accomplishments. Congratulations to 6th grader, Evelyn Favila (far right), for placing 2nd overall.
RMMS Student Wins District Spelling Bee
On Feb. 8, Red Mountain Middle School students attended the District Spelling Bee in the hopes to spell their way to the top. Competing against other top winners ranging from to 8th grade, it was our school’s very own Diego Quintana, 7th grade, who placed 1st at our District Spelling Bee with the word “excursion”. He will go on to represent the school district at the Regional Spelling Bee in El Paso on Mar. 22nd.
Other students who represented RMMS were Ezra Baeza (8th), Almarae Schultz (8th), and Ali Westenhofer (7th). We are so proud of our Wildcats!
Early College Open House
Attention Red Mountain Middle School 8th Grade Parents/Guardians
Early College High School would like to invite you to attend our Open House on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. This meeting is for parents and students who want to learn about the high school experience at Early College High School for Fall 2024. We will have current parents and students present to give tours of our campus and answer questions. We will meet in the Early College High School Cafeteria at 720 W. Buckeye St.
Some of the benefits of Early College High School are:
· Small class size-20 per classroom
· Academic focus and help from teachers
· Start college classes early
· Graduation rate
· Work based internships
· Possible to get Associate Degree from WNMU
· Leadership Opportunities through Student Council, National Honor Society, and Peer Tutoring
Come see what the Early College High School Experience is all about. For more information please contact Early College High School administration at (575) 543-1643.
9th Annual Limericks of Love Competition
Recently, InformationNation! Transformtion! Deming High School Library & Media Services sponsored the 9th Annual Limericks of Love Competition. Over 100 Limericks were submitted.
DHS WILDCATS are poetic in expression and creative in thought!
CONGRATULATIONS to ALL PARICIPANTS!!
Limericks were judged on form, theme, originality, substance, and punctuality.
Listed below are the winners:
Honorable Mention: Christian Valdez
Honorable Mention: Ivette Gonzalez
3rd Place: Frederic Fox
2nd Place: Carlos Amaya
1st Place: Brianna Valdez
SUPER CONGRATULATIONS!!!
5 other students showed an incredible flair for poetic expression but did not accomplish strict adherence to this competition’s requirements. They, too, are recognized:
Max Allison
Royce Sutton
Isabell Chamberland
Maliyah Edwards
Abdiel Perez
Boys Basketball Service Project
With guidance from the Project Linus coordinator, Suzi Stoltzfus, the boys basketball team prepared over 50 blankets to be donated to local children in need. Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children 0-18 in the United States who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Locally, Project Linus has donated hundreds of blankets to Deming and Luna County children through the schools, fire department, women's shelter, and law enforcement offices.
The Early College High School Experience: Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2024
Early College High School will be accepting 60 ninth-grade students for the 2024-2025 school year. The Early College High School was created by Deming Public Schools to provide a challenging academic program in a smaller setting. Students complete their core high school required credits during the first two years and then take college classes for the remaining two years. The goal is to graduate with a head start on college and an Associate degree.
The application process is open to any student who exhibits a sincere interest in academics and is willing to work hard to meet the demanding expectations. Free DPS busing and meals are provided as part of the school. Early college students can still enjoy the high school related activities and social experiences such as school sponsored dances, clubs, extra-curricular programs, sports, and so much more.
Early College High School is graduating its third cohort of students but has already seen great student achievement being ranked in the top ten percent of all New Mexico schools with a “School of Excellence” designation.
Applications to The Early College High School will need to be submitted by Monday, April 15, 2024. Applications can be found at http://echs.demingps.org or by contacting the school at (575) 543-1643. A parent informational meeting will be held at the school, 720 W Buckeye St on Wednesday, March 20, at 5:30 pm. This meeting is for parents and students who want more information about enrolling in The Early College High School for the Fall 2024 school year.
“Please come join us at the meeting and learn more about how The Early College High School Experience can help you prepare for your future!” expressed Bryan Simpson, Principal, Early College High School.
The Facts About Vapes Are Scary
Below are resources to talk to your child about vaping.
FDA’s Vaping Prevention and Education Resource Center provides free resources for teachers, parents and students about the dangers associated with vaping and nicotine addiction. Visit the resource center: https://digitalmedia.hhs.gov/tobacco/educator_hub?utm_source=CTPPartnerSocial&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ctp-terl
Local Scholarships
The deadline to apply is March 19, 2024. Applications can be obtained from your school counselor or Yvonne Perales at Deming High School. Below are the lists of applications.
Distinguished Young Women of New Mexico (DYW of New Mexico) is an organization that showcases young ladies and inspires them to develop their full, individual potential and affords them an opportunity to earn college scholarships and provides a Life Skills program to prepare them for their life after high school. It strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future!
We are currently recruiting high school girls from the graduating Class of 2025 and beyond. Please feel free to share this information with young women in their JUNIOR year of high school. They can visit us at http://nm.distinguishedyw.org to apply to our free program. Deadline for applications from the Class of 2025 is July 31, 2024. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Dora Jasso, DYW of New Mexico State Chair at (575) 644-4514 or email her at newmexico@distinguishedyw.org.
Your CFSNM offers scholarships that support students from all walks and stages of life in pursuing various avenues of their educational and professional journeys. In 2023, we are honored to have awarded roughly $148,000 in scholarships!
Applicants must be pursuing any avenue of higher education and/or professional certifications. This includes undergraduate, post-grad, vocational and more! Applicants must be actively enrolled as a student. Applicants in high school must be a graduating senior.
With a wide range of categories, your CFSNM offers scholarships for everyone including, but not limited to:
- Healthcare
- Volunteerism
- CTE, Trade, Vocational
- LGBTQIA+
- Students with disabilities
- In-state and out-of-state
- All degree paths for undergraduate to post-grad
- Students returning to school
- African American, Indigenous, Hispanic (BiPOC)
Deadline to apply: March 17, 2024
Applications for 2024 Summer Internships with the State of New Mexico will open soon!
The New Mexico State Personnel Office Summer Internship Program offers high school, college and graduate students valuable work experience and the opportunity to be mentored by industry professionals and to develop work-related skills. Becoming an intern is a great way to engage in career exploration, career planning, and to build professional connections and references.
Summer internship positions will be offered through a variety of state agencies, professions and locations including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and more. Summer 2024 internship opportunities will be posted in early 2024.
REACH NM
Reach NM is a service of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). It allows young people to connect directly with CYFD workers for resources, find help, and report potential abuse or neglect. The service is free to any New Mexican with a text-message enabled cell phone. You never know when you might need help.
· Text 505-591-9444 if you need immediate support.
· Save the number if you need it in the future.
· Pass it on to a friend in case they need to help for themselves or someone they know.
You can learn more about this Path To Wellness tool at https://cyfd.org/reach-nm