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Artesia BPA shines at Leadership Conference

Michael Smith
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By: Zachary Sedillos
Photo by: Jennifer Humble

The Artesia High School chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA) had a remarkable showing at the 2025 State Leadership Conference, with 24 students qualifying for the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL, this May. Artesia’s BPA members demonstrated their skills in business, finance, technology, and leadership.

Newly Elected State Officers

Artesia is proud to have two students representing the state as New Mexico BPA officers for the 2025-2026 term:

Nabil Flores – Vice President of Community Relations

Zachary Sedillos – Vice President of Correspondence

Scholarships and Awards

Wanda Harriman $1,000 Scholarship – Korinne Morrison

BPA CARES Recipient – Artesia BPA Chapter and Zach Sedillos

Torch Award Recipients:

Nykol Duncan

Alex Vasquez

Brent McIntire

Zachary Sedillos

Emily Soto

Nabil Flores

Korinne Morrison

Anna Netherlin

2025 BPA State Champions

Several students took home first-place honors in their events, securing a spot at the National Leadership Conference:

Brissia Ruiz – Prepared Speech & Graphic Design Promotion ($500 ENMU Scholarship Recipient)

Korinne Morrison – Database Applications

Anna Netherlin – Advanced Spreadsheet Applications

Morgan Love – Economic Research Individual

Makayla Ashdown – Ethics & Professionalism

Zachary Sedillos – Integrated Office Applications

Administrative Support Team –

Anna Netherlin, Jazmin Acosta, Halle Harris, and Charles Moreau

Financial Analyst Team – Brent McIntire & Nykol Duncan

Brent McIntire – Payroll Accounting

Jazmin Acosta – Administrative Support Concepts

Taylor Salter – Parliamentary Procedure Concepts

Second Place Winners

Brianna Guzman – Advanced Word Processing

Charles Moreau – Basic Office Systems

Eden Barrera – Database Applications

Emily Soto – Integrated Office Applications

Administrative Support Team – Nabil Flores, Zachary Sedillos, Emily Soto, and Aubrey Chavarria

Makayla Ashdown – Interview Skills

Karli Horner – Fundamental Accounting

Alex Vasquez – Payroll Accounting

Third Place Winners

Small Business Management Team –

Eden Barrera, Marcos Ornelas, and Johanna Padilla

Halle Harris – Integrated Office Applications

MyKaila Garcia – Fundamental Desktop Publishing

Kiley Colby – Digital Media Production

Halle Harris – Administrative Support Concepts

Brent McIntire – Financial Math and Analysis Concepts

Additional State Placements

Fourth Place – Joshua Baine (Business Law & Ethics)

Fifth Place – Sophie Elsing (Basic Office Systems)

National Conference Qualification & Recognition

All state champions, along with those in second and third place (excluding ‘Concepts’ events), have secured their spots at nationals. Additionally, Artesia BPA earned the Silver Level Chapter of Distinction Award for their commitment to excellence and community involvement.

Artesia awaits results from Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications Competition, where four students will be competing this week, due to technical difficulties during the state competition.

With outstanding performances across multiple categories, Artesia BPA continues to make a name for itself at both the state and national levels. Students will now set their sights on the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, in May, where they will compete against top BPA members from across the country. We would also like to thank Mrs. Humble and Mrs. Janway for always supporting us in BPA, our success is because of your help!

Congratulations to all Artesia BPA members for their hard work and success!

I Heart Cookies Truck visits Artesia

Michael Smith
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I Heart Cookies Truck visits Artesia

Photo by: Latisha Romine

On Tuesday, the I Heart Cookies Truck made a stop at Fenn’s Market parking lot. The truck is traveling across the country distributing their cookies. The theme was dinosaurs, which local kids loved.

Artesia Swim team is thriving at the state and is now looking to win a state title

Michael Smith
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Artesia Swim team is thriving at the state and is now looking to win a state title

By J.T. Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

There are no instant fixes in life. Everyone wants microwave results, but cooking a gourmet meal takes time. The same might be said of building a championship swimming team.

For Artesia High School swim coach Andrea Ciro and her program, seven years of patience and hard work seem close to producing a long-awaited feast.

Artesia’s Bulldogs, boys and girls, finished seventh overall in the New Mexico Activities Association Swim and Dive meet last weekend at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium – and Ciro sees better results ahead.

“I knew I wanted to build a championship team out of our program when I took the position,” said Ciro, who succeeded the team’s founding coach, Shelley Ebarb, in 2018 “I knew it was going to be difficult, and there were times it was hard to be patient. But I kept reminding myself that it would eventually take shape.”

It is not a coincidence that both teams finished in the top 10 among swim teams in New Mexico after competing against more prominent schools. The girls had eight swimmers and the boys fielded a team of seven to compete against the best swim teams in the state.

Ebarb, who evolved an AAU swim team called the “Water Dogs” into the Artesia swim team in 1994, credits Ciro with the program’s upward trajectory.

“ I kept the Water Dogs and swim team alive until I could find the right person,” Ebarb said. “Andrea was the right person. She had the experience and expertise I did not have in swimming.”

Ebarb didn’t attend the state meet but said, “If I were in town, I would have supported the team and her.”

Ciro graduated from Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas, where she was a girls’ swimming and diving team member. She was an NCAA champion swimmer for the University of Texas Longhorns and a finalist at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Trials. She set numerous Texas age group records and Gulf swimming records.

Championship foundation set

Ciro’s foundation for the Bulldogs since taking over has been one of gradual and steady success. When Ciro first brought the team to the state championships in 2018, it finished 32nd.

Ciro said creating a team with a championship mindset was time-consuming, but eventually a few swimmers were willing to buy into the hard work and grueling practices. They began to reap the benefits and then, one by one, more swimmers followed. Finally, a winning mindset emerged.

“I am so proud to be a part of their lives, and every day I learn something from my athletes,” Ciro said. “Helping them grow into thoughtful, giving, confident and motivated young people who have learned to work together and dream together is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.”

Mother coach’s sons

The coach’s pride extends to her own family.

“I love coaching my two boys (Alec and Aidan) and sharing my love of the sport with them,” Ciro said. “It isn’t always easy to coach your children, but it has been worth it to see how the sport of swimming has shaped them and given them a chance to make lifelong friends. As their coach, I see them grow and learn valuable life skills to benefit them for the rest of their lives.”

Next year’s expectations

The Bulldogs will lose four seniors this spring – Ann Greenwood, Addisyn Hartman, Andree Bautista and Evelyn Yeager – but Ciro is looking for even more success.

“I expect we will be stronger than ever next year, ready to pick up where we left off,” she said. “We will keep aiming to have our first Bulldog swimming state champions and hope to grow our team in numbers to continue to move toward a top three overall placing at state. With a diving program and an addition of another 5-10 swimmers, we could reach our goals. We will have several new swimmers coming up and would love to see more people join swimming and be part of this amazing team.”

J.T. Keith can be reached at jtkeith@elritomedia.com.

Pictured below:

From Left: Eli DeHoyos, Aidan Ciro, Andree Bautista, Layton Whitmire placed second in the boys 200-freestyle relay along with breaking the school record.

Photo provided by AHS Swimming 

Members of the girls 200-freestyle relay team From Left: front-Johanna Padilla, Sarah Plotner; From Left: back-Addisyn Hartman, Ann Greenwood. Provided by AHS Swimming

Portales upsets Artesia

Michael Smith
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Portales upsets Artesia

Photo by J.T. Keith Daily Press

Artesia’s Corbyn Dominguez (right) attempts a close first half basket against Portales in the opening round of the District 4-4A postseason tournament on Feb. 25, 2025 at Artesia High School. The Rams won 58-57.

Isabel Irvin Photo Gallery

Michael Smith
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Isabel Irvin Photo Gallery

Photos by J.T. Keith Artesia Daily Press

A look at the Artesia senior’s final matches at the state wrestling tournament in Rio Rancho.

Baby Bonds are a Crucial Investment in New Mexico’s Health

Michael Smith
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Baby Bonds are a Crucial Investment in New Mexico’s Health

By: Dr. Samuel Swift

As an assistant professor teaching public health, I begin every class by asking my students what they believe is the biggest public health problem in New Mexico. Semester after semester, the most common answer I get is “poverty.” Our students know intuitively what over a century of epidemiological research has shown, which is that wealth creates health. New Mexicans who have more educational and economic opportunities live longer lives, are more able to avoid preventable diseases, and contribute more to our community. Unfortunately, many of our young adults know hardship from lived experience. In 2022 the New Mexico Higher Education Department conducted a survey to study the basic needs of our two- and four-year college students statewide, and found that within NM, the majority (58%) of NM college students are unable to afford or access healthy food due to financial insecurity, with this number being substantially higher at two-year and tribal colleges. How can we expect young adults to gain an education and begin their lives, when their financial situation is such that they cannot afford food to eat?

By setting aside money that young New Mexicans can access when pursuing an education, buying a home, or starting a business, the NM Baby Bonds (SB 397) makes a lasting investment at a crucial time in life. Given the well-established epidemiological relationship between wealth and health, this investment may prevent a lifetime of disease and suffering for the next generation of New Mexicans.

New Mexico is consistently among the states suffering many of worst health outcomes in the US. Like New Mexico, states with poor health outcomes are almost always the same states suffering the most severe poverty. For decades, New Mexico has ranked high on lists of troubling economic and public health statistics, often leading in causes of premature death. In 2023, New Mexico was in the top five states for diabetes and firearm death rates, and in the top 10 states for drug overdose deaths. Worst of all, in 2023 New Mexico remained the national leader in alcohol related death. The human cost of the lives we lose prematurely to these causes is incalculable. While these diseases have different pathophysiology, and strike at different times in life, a commonality is that all of these diseases are strongly associated with poverty and a lack of economic opportunity. This relationship is not new science, nor is it scientifically controversial. There is an enormous body of research that shows that persons who have access to financial opportunity and higher education early in life use fewer drugs, drink less alcohol, commit fewer crimes, eat healthier, exercise more, and live longer. Intuitively, we do not need scientific data to understand this relationship. These troubling statistics are often made up of our friends, family members, classmates, and neighbors. However, it does not have to be this way—a more prosperous, healthier New Mexico is possible.

I applaud our leaders for championing the critical policy that is the NM Baby Bonds (SB 397). I believe this policy is a sound investment in the health and well-being of all New Mexicans for generations to come. I was raised and educated in New Mexico, and I am now raising a child of my own here. I support this policy because I know that New Mexico can be a prosperous, healthy place. Given the challenges we face, we have no other choice but to fight for a better future for the next generation.

What I have written here is exclusively my own professional opinion, and does not represent the position of my employer, colleagues, or any affiliated scientific organization.

Dr. Samuel Swift, MPH, PhD is an epidemiologist with experience in applied epidemiology, academic research, peer-reviewed research, and community work. Dr. Swift works as an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico College of Population Health.

Climate Change debate heats up  

Michael Smith
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Climate Change debate heats up  

El Rito Media News Services
 

 

The temperature in the Senate grew hot at times Tuesday over a bill designed to make communities across New Mexico more resilient to the effects of a warming planet.

Senate Bill 48, which would create a community benefit fund to pay for projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, passed the Senate on a party-line 23-15 vote after Republicans introduced a series of amendments the Democrat-controlled chamber rejected one by one.

“This bill is about giving New Mexico a fighting chance at a cleaner, safer and more prosperous future,” the sponsor, Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said in her closing remarks after a three-hour debate.

“It’s a bit dismaying to think that people don’t want to fund our communities that are asking for help mitigating wildfires, repairing after floods and wildfires,” Stewart added. “It’s just embarrassing to me that so many would say no to deliver funds to our communities.”

Republicans, however, argued they were trying to provide guardrails with some of their proposed amendments to protect New Mexico taxpayers from income disruptions, particularly when a revenue bonanza from the oil and gas industry starts to decline.

The first amendment proposed would have delayed SB 48 from going into effect until the share of the state’s revenue from oil and gas, which currently accounts for about half, drops below 35%.

“It would be counterproductive to target this industry while it literally is paying our bills,” said Sen. Steve Lanier, R-Aztec. “I want to make sure that we are not killing the goose that lays the golden egg.”

After Lanier’s amendment failed, Sen. Jim Townsend, R-Artesia, introduced what he called the “flip of the previous amendment,” which would repeal the proposed law if oil and gas revenues dropped below 35%.

“Not many people [currently serving in the Legislature] was in the Legislature the last time oil broke,” said Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview. “It would probably have been better if more of them were in the chamber at that point in time. I can remember it. I can remember all the school districts hollering at me that they swept all their surpluses.”

Stewart deemed the Republican amendments unfriendly, and all of them failed. At one point, a large number of Democrats left the chamber while Republicans were discussing one of the amendments and only rushed back on the floor when it was time to vote.

Other Republican amendments included requiring electric vehicle charging stations in the state Capitol parking garage and requiring the governor, lieutenant governor and employees and contractors of the New Mexico Environment Department to use electric vehicles. The latter, sponsored by Woods, was eventually withdrawn.

Some Democrats have said privately Republicans are simply trying to run the clock in the second half of the 60-day session to prevent some of their bills from passing.

The proposed community benefit fund, hailed by a statewide coalition of environmental, social justice and conservation advocates from 34 organizations and businesses across New Mexico, would be administered by the state Department of Finance.

The original bill appropriated $340 million from the general fund for myriad projects, including some that would reduce greenhouse gas related to the construction or renovation of a public building or increase electric grid capacity.

Stewart said the state’s proposed budget includes a slightly smaller appropriation, but the “primary amount remains.”

“We have communities statewide that are asking for resources to invest, adapt and innovate in the face of the changing climate,” she said.

The win for Stewart came a day after she suffered a blow in the Senate Finance Committee on another climate bill. Her Senate Bill 4, which aimed to put New Mexico on a path toward net-zero emissions, was tabled by the committee Monday on a 6-5 vote. 

Dubbed the “Clear Horizons Act,” it would have required the state to meet a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a 75% reduction by 2040 and a 100% reduction by 2050.

“The cost of inaction on climate is devastating,” Stewart said in a statement after the vote.

Supporters of SB 48 said in a news release Tuesday it “has the potential to grow local jobs while improving infrastructure, expanding clean energy and increasing resilience to extreme weather events.”

Projects that stand to benefit from the proposed fund in Northern New Mexico include the Mora County Complex Community Center, which Senate Democrats said would provide a hub for disaster response and community services in a county heavily impacted by recent wildfires, and the Kit Carson Electric Microgrid Development, which would ensure energy reliability for rural communities.

Artesia senior shocked in Finals of State wrestling tournament

Michael Smith
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Artesia senior shocked in Finals of State wrestling tournament

By J.T. Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

For the second year in a row, Artesia senior Isabel Irvin wrestled for the state championship in the 100-pound weight class. Irvin had an outstanding senior campaign and aspired to win a state title before continuing her wrestling career in college.

She almost achieved her goal. Irvin (37-5) was on the verge of winning her first state title when Volcano Vista freshman Esperanza Gallegos pinned her at 2:34 in the second round Saturday at the New Mexico Activities Association wrestling championships at the Rio Rancho Event Center.

Irvin was in control of the match with a 6-4 lead when Gallegos (28-5) took her down and seemed to have her pinned before Irvin lifted her body and shoulders off the mat, apparently escaping the hold. But the referee, parallel with Irvin’s shoulder, called it a pin and the match was over, leaving Irvin, her coach and Artesia fans disappointed and frustrated.

Some fans, believing the match should have continued, looked stunned, asking, “What happened?”

Artesia’s coaches asked the referees to clarify what had happened. By then, Gallegos was running around the mat, celebrating her championship.

“Unfortunately, the match did not go how we wanted it to,” Artesia coach Andy Olive said. “The call, some might perceive as challenging, but being a referee is tough. It is their judgment, and we approach this with the utmost sportsmanship and will learn from it.”

Olive said Irvin’s accomplishments in the wrestling program after joining the team as a sophomore with no wrestling experience were unprecedented. Olive is thankful Irvin had the opportunity to wrestle for Artesia.

“We are very proud of Izzy,” Olive said. “With all her hard work and dedication throughout these years, her journey is not over. She will go on to wrestle in college. I know this will light a fire in her.”

Olive brought five boys to wrestle at the state meet. Two wrestlers (Rylee Kelley and Alejandro Ontiveros) had no experience in the state tournament before this year. Edel Villa (20-15) made it to the quarterfinals before losing.

Hagan Crockett (16-9) had to forfeit in the first round because of an injury. Kelley (24-14) lost in the third consolation round. Ontiveros (23-14) lost in the consolation third round. And Ethan Shannon (19-16) lost in the consolation second round.

Olive will lose three senior boys – Kelley, Crockett and Mason Peterson; and three senior girls – Irvin, Esmeralda Sorrells and Peyton Stone.

“We want to continue to develop our wrestlers,” Olive said. “So, when they graduate, we can keep bringing them up.”

J.T. Keith can be reached at jtkeith@elritomedia.com.

 

Roland Starr

Katherine Smith
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Roland Starr

Roland (Cactus) Starr peacefully went home on February 17, 2025, surrounded by his children.

He was born to Winston Starr and Virginia (Davis) Starr on July 25, 1938, in Okemah, Oklahoma.

He married Sharon B. Starr (Tipps) on November 8, 1957. Together they had three children, Wendy (Woody) Wright, Jimmy Starr and Kelly (Jacquiline) Starr, seven grandchildren, Michele Padilla, Yvonne Wright, Kayla (Bryan) Williams, Tiffany Baker, Dustin Starr, Rocky Starr, Samantha (Guy) Sullenger. 16 great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter.

Roland was an extremely hard working man whose main goal in life was to take care of his family. He worked as a residential construction supervisor for Quality Drywall / D&G Walls and Coatings in Phoenix, Arizona before returning to Artesia, where he worked as a project manager for FLETC facilities contractors Ramcor, Pyramid, and Omni. He retired in 2015 to enjoy more time with family, going fishing and hunting.

Roland was loyal to his family, friends and employers. He was raised in a family of faith and he was a strong believer in Jesus Christ. He anxiously looked forward to going home to his Savior, his wife, his son and family who awaited his arrival.

Survivors include his brother, Samuel R. Starr of San Jose, California.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his son, Jimmy, his brother, Austin Starr and sister, Odessa Tucker.

A funeral service will be held at Terpening & Son Chapel on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 10:00 am with a burial to immediately follow at Woodbine Cemetery.

Sherrie Followill

Katherine Smith
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Sherrie Followill

Sherrie Dungan-Followill, of May, Texas, passed away on February 8, 2025, at the age of 75. She was born on November 24, 1949, to George Clifford Dungan and Charlene Rose Dungan.

Sherrie is survived by her loving children, Mark Glenn Followill (spouse Amber) and Amy Rose Followill. She also leaves behind one cherished grandchild Laken Followill. Sherrie’s brother and sister-in-law, Neal Dungan (spouse Carla), aunt Joyce Connor, and her nieces and nephews, Allison Dungan, Barry Dungan, Lindsay Dungan Davenport (spouse Jordan). She preceded in death by both her loving parents, and brother Donald Brent Dungan.

Sherrie attended Artesia High School in Artesia, Mexico, graduating in 1967 where she was part of the band. She continued her education at McMurry College in Abilene, Texas and continued to study at Methodist Hospital School of Medical Technology in Lubbock, TX. Where she graduated as a Registered Med Tech is MT(ASCP). Sherrie did blood testing, crossmatching, and drew blood at besides.She was known as the lady vampire. Sherrie was rewarded by trying to save people’s lives and help them get well. Sherrie worked at Artesia General Hospital in Artesia, New Mexico for many years. Sherrie made good friends with many employees. Sherrie went on to work at Brownwood Medical Center under her boss Kay Shaw before retiring in 2014.

Sherrie belonged to First United Methodist Church in Artesia, NM were she loved the Lord with all her soul. She would study the Bible faithfully and kept up with the church on Facebook and newsletter. She was sure to make Amy Rose go with her to her class reunions. She played the piano at Fishermen’s Chapel and Amy Rose was the song leader. Later on, Amy got mother into going to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church near the community she lived in. Sherrie fit right in with everyone including the preacher. She would tell him how it was and he would visit her.

Sherrie was known for her love of shopping, arts and crafts, traveling, would be seen riding around the community feeding the deer or animals. She loved her community and never meet a stranger. Sherrie will be remembered for her kind heart and gentle spirit. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Celebration of Life for our mother will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 8, 2025 located at
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
201 FM 2273
May, TX 76857
Celebration will be on YouTube for ones who are unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Methodist Church of Artesia, Pleasant Grove in May, TX, or Brownwood Funeral Home of Brownwood, TX.

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