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Murder charge dropped against Artesia teenager

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ARTESIA — A charge of murder stemming from a shooting incident that occurred in May has been dropped against an Artesia teen.

Cmdr. Pete Quinones of the Artesia Police Department (APD) reported that the second-degree murder charge against the 14-yearold male minor had been dropped by the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

“The juvenile that was originally arrested for murder had charges dropped/ dismissed after evidence was discovered that he was defending himself at the residence,” Quinones said.

The shooting took place around 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, in the 700 block of West Champ Clark Avenue. Law enforcement responded to find 32-yearold Isaac Granado shot. He was transported to Artesia General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Eddy County Sheriff’s Office deputies subsequently followed a vehicle from the scene to Memorial Drive in front of AGH, where a traffic stop was initiated. Three occupants of the vehicle were detained for questioning, and the APD Criminal Investigation Division determined one of the occupants to be the teenager involved in the shooting.

A charge of unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor remains in place.

Eddy County Fair prepping for 79th event

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Eddy County Fair prepping for 79th event

ARTESIA — Preparations are currently underway for the 79th Annual Eddy County Fair, set to run July 23-27.

Entry forms for participation in Open Class exhibits, Lead Class, 4-H indoor exhibits and the Cake Contest are due by Sunday, June 30. Entry forms for the Junior Livestock Show and Queen Contest are due by Friday, July 12. Forms can be found online at www.eddycountyfair.com.

Open Horse Show entries will be accepted the day of the show, which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at the covered arena.

Interested vendors are asked to email vendors@eddycountyfair.com. This year’s fair will see the return of a carnival, which will run from 5 p.m. – midnight July 23-25, 4 p.m. midnight July 26, and 10 a.m. – midnight July 27.

The fair has also announced its 2024 concert lineup:

• Sanctus Real: 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 24 • Easton Corbin: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 25 • Jon Wolfe: 9 p.m. Friday, July 26 Other special events will include:

• Eddy County Fair Parade: Tuesday, July 23 The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and will run east on Main Street from Bulldog Bowl to Second Street. To enter, request a form by emailing jessica@artesiachamber. com.

• Flower Show: Wednesday, July 24 This year’s theme is “Through the Decades.” Create and set-up for design entries will be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or until supplies run out. Horticulture entries will be accepted from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday and 8-10 a.m. Thursday.

• Wool Lead Show: Friday, July 26 Forms must be submitted by June 30; to request a form or for more information, email leadclass@eddycountyfair.com.

• Pecan Contest Auction:
Friday, July 26

Open to all Eddy County residents. Pecan product must be made by the exhibitor and include a complete recipe. Entries will be accepted from …

… noon – 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, at the Community Building kitchen. Best overall entry receives a cash prize of $500. Remaining portions will be auctioned beginning at 6 p.m. in the Livestock Barn Show Ring, with all proceeds benefiting the FFA and 4-H programs.

• Bullriding: Friday, July 26 The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Artesia Horse Council Arena, with gates opening at 5 p.m. Admission is $15 per person. Those interested in entering are asked to text or call Kay-Lee Jo Bryant at 218-349-1861.

• Fire and Ice Competition:
Saturday,
July 27

The competition includes a Traditional Chili Cook-Off and Anything Goes Chili Contest, plus a Homemade Ice Cream Contest for children and a new Salsa Competition. For more information, contact AJ at 575706-9580 or Misti at 575-706-4547.

• Cornhole Tournament:
Saturday,

July 27

Cost is $20 per person. Check in at 10 a.m. in the covered arena; tournament begins at 10:15 a.m. Switch format with six games guaranteed. For more information, text Bradley Davis at 575-703-0469.

• Jack Rauch Anvil Toss: Saturday, July 27 The event will run from 10 a.m. noon in the covered arena. Registration will be held prior to the start.

Daniel Cortez

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Daniel Cortez

A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Daniel Cortez of Artesia.

Cortez, 96, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Interment will follow the services at Woodbine Cemetery. Afterward, everyone is invited to join the family for a meal in the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Hall to celebrate Daniel’s life and legacy.

A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Daniel was born July 21, 1927, in Presidio, Texas, the beloved son of Mauro Pina and Maria Heredia (Ornelas) Cortez.

He was married to the love of his life, Maria Granado Cortez, for 50 years until her passing. The youngest of 13, he was preceded in death by his siblings Agapito Cortez, Estefania Cortez, Mercedes Garcia, Cruz Marquez, Paula Cortez, Andres Cortez, Eduardo Cortez, Francisca Saiz, Juan Cortez, Mauro Cortez, Refugio Cervantez and Crespin Lara.

Daniel proudly served his country as a U.S. Army World War II veteran, serving in Korea and Okinawa, Japan. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He was honored to be chosen as part of the South Plains Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

He pursued his education late in life, earning a GED. Daniel worked tirelessly as an oilfield worker for Kersey & Company in Artesia, then served as a civil engineer for the Bureau of Land Management until his retirement.

Daniel’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, and spending time with his family playing cards and board games.

Survivors include children RoseMary Cardenas and spouse Luis of Lubbock, Texas, Sylvia Cortez Lopez of Artesia, Danny Cortez of Lubbock, Bobby Cortez and spouse Olga of Artesia, and Freddy Cortez and spouse George of Phoenix, Ariz. His legacy continues through his nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Daniel’s life was a testament to dedication, love and resilience. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals. com.

Gary Ryan

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Gary Ryan

Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, June 21, at Woodbine Cemetery for Jean Gary Ryan.

Ryan, 85, devoted father and cherished friend, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 11, 2024, surrounded by his children.

Honorary pallbearers are Dewayne Barnett, Marvin Thompson, George Denton and Israel Torres.

Gary was born March 1, 1939, in Ringling, Okla., to Ozeil and Lois Ryan.

He was a man of unwavering integrity and boundless kindness. Throughout his life, he touched the hearts of all who knew him with his gentle spirit and compassionate nature.

Gary moved to Artesia with his family at the age of 13 and graduated from Artesia High School in 1956. After high school, he joined his dad in the construction business. He spent 40-plus years as a contractor and business owner of Ryan Construction before retiring at the age of 75.

Gary was a pillar of strength for his family, offering guidance, support and endless love. His dedication to his loved ones knew no limits, and he leaves behind a legacy of warmth and generosity that will be remembered for generations to come.

Gary enjoyed fishing and camping. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life, whether it was tending to his tomato garden, going to the coffee shop, spending time with his family, or sharing stories around the dinner table.

Above all else, Gary will be remembered for his unwavering love and devotion to his family. He was a devoted father to Lee Goddard, Michelle Baer, Teresa Ryan and Paul and Shannon Ryan. He was a devoted PawPaw to grandchildren Cory, Justin, Kristen, Lane, Logan, Lance, Layton, Lacie, Brittany and Kaitlin and 13 great-grandchildren. His love knew no bounds, and his children and grandchildren were his world.

Gary will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Although he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. May we find comfort in the memories we shared with Gary, and may his kindness and generosity continue to inspire us all.

Survivors include his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and sister Cheryl.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ozeil and Charlene Ryan, and James and Lois Bryant; brother Keith Ryan; sister Janice Ryan; and granddaughter Tiffany Goddard.

Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals. com.

Henrietta De La Rosa

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Henrietta De La Rosa

Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, June 21, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Henrietta De La Rosa.

De La Rosa, 77, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2024, at her home, surrounded by family.

Interment will follow the services at Woodbine Cemetery, with a reception afterward at the Moose Lodge. Pallbearers will be Johnny De La Rosa, Rickey De La Rosa Jr., Jeremy De La Rosa, Manuelito De La Rosa, Ryan De La Rosa, Chris Aguilar, Isaac De La Rosa and Rene De La Rosa. Honorary pallbearers are all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Our Lady of Grace.

Henrietta was born March 7, 1947, in Artesia to Enrique and Dominga Ortega.

She met her husband of 57 wonderful years in high school when they crossed paths. Some would call it love at first sight because once Manuel laid eyes on her, he knew he was going to create the best life with her. They were inseparable; where you saw one, the other was following right beside. The two had spent every single day of their 57 years together, happily and filled with many beautiful memories.

Henrietta was a feisty spirit, loving mother and grandmother, a devoted wife, and a member of Our Lady of Grace. Henrietta enjoyed life and never was still. You could catch her watching her grandkids’ sporting events, dancing, being with family and her grandchildren, camping, listening to oldies, and shopping.

Oh, did she enjoy her jewelry and watching football. She was an Artesia Bulldog fan and a die-hard 49ers fan. She was strong and outspoken yet still compassionate, funny and loving.

She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her doting husband, Manuel De La Rosa; loving children Rickey and wife Julie, Nick and wife Mary Jane, Brenda, Manuel Jr. and wife Rachel, Eric and partner Adrian, Jeremy and wife Samantha, and Rene; 27 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; brother Lewis Ortega; sisters Flora Ortega, Alice Ortega, Frances Lara and Margarita Ortega; six godchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Stephanie; an infant son; a great-granddaughter; three brothers; and two sisters.

Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals. com.

Still time to organize a Great American Clean-Up

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By ELIZABETH WEBB For the Daily Press

Artesians are encouraged to help spruce up the city this summer as part of a nationwide program.

The Great American Clean-Up is an annual community improvement program organized by Keep America Beautiful, a nonprofit organization that has more than 700 state and community-based affiliate organizations and more than 1,000 partner organizations.

The program began as a litter clean-up initiative aimed at enhancing the environment by removing litter from parks, streetscapes and public spaces.

The Artesia arm of the program began earlier this spring and will continue until June 22.

According to Linda Stevens, executive director of Artesia Clean & Beautiful, anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in a cleanup at any time. The city will even provide individuals and groups with clean-up supplies, Stevens said. All she asks for, she said, is communication.

“One person could get a group together, like with their family, their friends, coworkers, a church group, or a civic group,” she said. “Just contact me for supplies, such as trash bags, vests, grabbers, as well as the locations in Artesia that need attention.”

Stevens added that local businesses coming together to aid with the clean-up effort would make a big difference.

“Many large corporations are often strongly requested by their CEOs to give back via community service hours. This shows that they are willing to support the community that supports them,” she said. “The same goes for small businesses. It benefits the community, and it puts you on the same level.”

Since its inception in 1988, the Great American Clean-Up has involved over 500,000 volunteers in 15,000 community events nationwide through local affiliates and partner organizations. Together, they contribute to creating cleaner, safer and healthier environments where people can live, work and play.

A clean city makes a difference, Stevens said. It looks better to residents and visitors, increases town pride, and improves the quality of life.

“Anyone can do a cleanup at any time, just let me know,” she said. “I’ll keep track of how many volunteers are involved, how many hours are spent, and how many bags are picked up. Together, we can keep Artesia beautiful.”

If you would like to participate or would like more information, contact Stevens by calling 575-748-3192.

Artesia Celebrates 100 Years of Oil and Gas

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Artesia Celebrates 100 Years of Oil and Gas

Little tricks up my sleeve and in the pantry, too

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Little tricks up my sleeve and in the pantry, too
By Franki Ingram

I’ve found the art of cooking to be much like the art of life itself: There are a lot of ups and downs, and you have to be tough to hang in there.

Let’s face it: One of the most daunting tasks of adult life is deciding what to eat three times a day, every single day, forever. Add in a few kids, grandkids, a spouse, or a live-in relative of any sort and there you are, up to your elbows in dinner ideas that no one wants and cereal that went stale because no one ever closes the box.

Don’t get me wrong. I love to cook. I even find a simple pleasure in the weekly meal planning and shopping. It’s a nice service to provide for the family, you know? But things get complicated and tiresome sometimes. Art imitating life, as I mentioned earlier.

It’s during these times that I find everyone should know about a few simple tricks in the kitchen. For instance, did you know you can scramble a perfect egg right in the microwave? All you need is a coffee mug and a bit of butter. Crack the egg into the cup, whisk it briskly with a fork, and drop just a smidge of butter into it. Now nuke it for 30 seconds and take a look at it. If it’s still runny, give it 10 more seconds.

The resulting little circle of egg will pop right out of the cup and onto your breakfast plate. You can break it up if you want the appearance of fluffy eggs, or you can put it right onto a hot English muffin. Salt and pepper it after it’s cooked. If you do it before, your egg will take on a greyish tint. No one wants to eat a grey egg.

Best of all, now you don’t have a skillet to wash. I find this awfully helpful on mornings when I am short on ambition as well as time. I taught all the kids to cook eggs this way, and they thought it was so much fun that, for a good long while, they would make themselves eggs every morning.

Another little trick I learned along the way is soda pop cake. Let’s say you need a cake, fast. An emergency birthday or forgotten holiday or just a late-night craving. I won’t judge you; cake is good and sometimes you just need a cake. If you happen to have a boxed cake mix on hand, and if you happen to have a can of soda pop (we call them all Cokes down here, no matter what brand or flavor) you can whip up a delicious, moist cake in no time.

That’s literally all you need — just the soda pop and the cake mix. Dump the one into the other and mix, pour into a pan, and bake. Now, naturally, some flavors go together better than others. I wouldn’t go putting a Major Melon Mountain Dew into a chocolate cake mix. But cream soda goes wonderfully with a white cake mix, Dr. Pepper pairs well with devil’s food, strawberry can go with strawberry, and so on.

I’ve heard that orange soda with angel food tastes just like a Creamsicle, but I haven’t gotten around to trying it yet. Let me know if you do, so I can plan according to how good this combo is.

Another little trick that comes in handy if you’re making a lot of sandwiches for lunchboxes or picnics or camping is to put your mayonnaise (or mustard, if you’re one of those people) in between the lettuce and the meat rather than on the bread itself. This will keep your sandwiches from getting soggy, and I personally think they taste better this way for some reason. I think it’s because the flavors and textures just mesh better than when made the traditional way.

If you’ve got a few little tricks up your sleeve like these, along with a few little shortcuts like minced garlic in a jar to save yourself some dicing time, you’ll find that you can whip up yet another meal without too much trouble. If all else fails, there’s nothing wrong with pizza (again).

After all, there are things to do and places to go and babies to snuggle and adventures to be found. We can’t be chained to the stove all the time or we’d miss it. Keep the tricks up your sleeve and the spaghetti flowing, I say. You’re doing a great job.


(EDITOR’S NOTE: Franki Ingram is a hometown Artesia girl who likes unicorns, classic rock and coffee. She has four kids ranging in age from 22-9 and dabbles in meal planning and budgeting.)

Artesia Public Schools Honor Roll

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ARTESIA HIGH SCHOOL Senior Highest Honors

Bryce Bain, Kymber Beltran, Dedrik Bishop, Francisco Caleyo, Mikenzi Carlo, Nathan Delgado, Malachi Doom, Addysen Folmar, Kambri Fraze, Braden Fuentes, Camden Fuentes, Margaret Greenwood, Matthew Hafliger, Abigail Hauschild, Allyson Hughes, Gage Jimenez, Kaitlyn Juarez-Bustamante, Josephine Luevano, Kara Martinez, Madison Martinez, Nevaeh Morales, McKenna Morrison, Joshua Parker, Lauryn Parker, Madison Pittman, Maria Ramirez-Rivero, Aryana Ramirez, Journey Roberson, Syntia Rodriguez-Perez, Raegen Rodriguez, Mia Sanchez, Paola Sedeno-Gonzalez, Angelo Silvas, Sebastian Tena, Angellina Velasquez, Jarren Wadkins, Kaden Zuniga Honor Roll

Alycia Aguilar, Perseis Aguilar, Mia Aragon, Hanna Aristiga-Flores, Jesse Armendariz, Alexandra Balencia, Idali Barrera, Jack Barrera, Kimberly Barrera, Jolene Bollema, Sarah Bondley, Colin Boulden, Abriana Cardona, Jailyn Carrasco, Claudia Castillo, Victor Chavarria, Ariana Chavez, Jeremiah Chavez, Lauren Combs, Angelika Contillo, Madison Cook, Madeline Davidson, Elizabeth De La Riva, Emeline Duncan, Arturo Fernandez, Dylan Fisher, Garret Fisher, Jordis Gabaldon, Gracie Garner, Erardo Gonzalez Jr., Arely Gonzalez, Alexa Govea-Peralta, Lillian Heady, Abbigail Heisler, Edwin Hermosillo, Jacoby Jimenez, Necel Jimenez, Aden Juarez, Tatum Kincaid, Zoey Kiser, Celina Lewis, Briana Leyva, Kaylah Madrid, Taylon Martinez, Julianna Miller, Karma Miller, Teagan Miller, Aaliyah Montoya, Shali Moziejko, Ashley Najera, Kailyn Owens, Jacob Parrish, Ethan Quinones, Alexa Ramirez, Ciara Ramirez, Mateo Ramirez, Anthony Reyes, Andrew Rodriguez, Matthew Saiz, Nevaeh Snow, Ryan Thomas, Troy Tomsic, Carson Troost, Haley Tucker, Lillie Vazquez, Bailey Virden, Lorin Wagner, Zowe Warren, Liliana Webb

Junior Highest Honors

Brett Adams-Kaiser, Gabino Barrera, Kaden Beauregard, Korbyn Beauregard, Antonio Calderon, Sadie Chavez, Santiago Esquibel, Emilie Fuksa, Ella Gallegos, Brianna Guzman, Logan Hammer, Hattie Harrison, Isabel Irvin, Jameson Johnson, Lexie Laing, Sarah Lowther, Piper Miller, Korinne Morrison, Yvelle Munoz, Anna Netherlin, Jackson Parker, Adrianna Salinas, Izabella Salinas, Peyton Stone, Luis Torres, Adalyn Troost, Jacob Vandevender, Irene Vasquez, Ashley Westall, Marie-Clara Wittmar, Tessa Yates Honor Roll

Devin Aguirre, Othoniel Alvidrez, Aaron Arredondo, Zane Baize, Sydalei Beck, Chance Boans, Stephen Butts, Izac Cazares, Karissa Chavez-Valdez, Melanie Contreras, Kaedance Cordova, Hagan Crockett, Crecencio Cuellar III, Rilynn Erbacher, Andrew Estrada, Mireya Fabela, Jorge Gonzalez- Santana, Brogen Goodrich, Ann Greenwood, Porter Hardman, Axel Hartley, Carmen Harvey, Addison Hollinger, Daeven Hutson, Ethan Johnson, Xavier Lee, Fernando Lira, Diego Lopez, Morgan Love, Mariah Mariscal, Erin Martin, Haley May, Brody McDonald, Darius Mendoza, Jerius Mireles, Kurizma Molina, Neveah Montano, Andrea Montes, Starley Moralez, Hagen Murph, Caleb Murray, Hector Nunez Jr., Rafael Orozco, Jaiden Orquiz, Anisa Ramirez, Kenzlee Ray, Kierra Richardson, Lilyan Riley, Jenessa Rodriguez, Kinsley Rodriguez, James Romine, Gael Ruiz-Balderrama, Jiselle Ruiz, Lucas Sly, Esmeralda Sorrells, Brookelyn Thacker, Gabriela Vaquera, Devyn Velasquez, Jaden Waldrip, Zakaree Wells-Devlin Sophomore Highest Honors

Jazmin Acosta, Sage Akerman, Marely Borunda- Mendoza, Isabela Calmon-Santos, Michelle Dickson, Leo Garcia, Priscilla Granados, Hayli Greenwood, Halle Harris, Adrienne Harvey, Alexander Hendricks, Jackson Hollinger, Cael Houghtaling, Emily Huskey, Brooklynne Ivans, Kashlyn Juarez-Bustamante, Clay Kincaid, Michelle Loya, Maddisun Mancha, Marisa Martin, Kirklyn Miller, Kylie Miranda, Leslie Molina- Bibiano, Paola Olivas, Grace Parker, Sarah Plotner, Javier Rodriguez, Zachary Sedillos, Kristian Sengseng, Sorrel Sheffield, Emily Soto, Cutter Summers, Morgan Waldrip, Jenna Whitmire, Steven Williams Honor Roll

Christopher Aguilar, Malik Arispe, Angely Barrera, Charles Campbell, Josiah Carrillo, Vivianna Chavez, Summer Costilla, Justin Crawford, Karla Damian, Josiah Deason, Eli DeHoyos, Nabil Delgado-Ruiz, Nykol Duncan, Trent Egeland, Sophia Estrada, Jett Fuentes, Christan Galindo, Mayra Garcia, Emilia Garcia-Villegas, Cali Gilcrease-Martinez, Samantha Govea-Peralta, Alison Green, ZaLeigh Greer, Brettyn Haisten, Kamryn Hardwick, Kiersten Hatfield, Marcous Henry, Griffin Huizenga, Celestino Lopez, Charlize Madrid, Anna Martinez, Araceli Martinez, Jorge Martinez, Brent McIntire, Joel Ochoa, Marcos Ornelas- Ceniceros, Doralexi Padilla, Felicity Padilla, Evaleen Perales, Zacharey Rodriguez, Isabella Salazar, Joel Salinas, Taylor Salter, Desiray Savoie, Toby Sell, Mattie Smith, Aracelli Torrez, Jackelyn Tovar, Carlos Vazquez-Rodriguez, Liliana Velasquez, Edel Villa, Preslee Walker, Derrick Warren, Sawyer Whitehead

PARK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freshman Highest Honors

Mylz Aguirre, Enrique Barrera, Kyle Bean, Kenia Bustillos, Denisse Chavez-Gutierrez, Miley Chavez, Chase Collins, Jace Deans, Jonah Doporto, Raysean Fitts, Avery Frederick, Brooklyn Fuentes, Alexandra Galvez-Anabia, MyKaila Garcia, Colt Griffith, Sophia Hammer, Mia Harcrow, Landon Hendricks, Karli Horner, Renee Irvin, Abigail Jowers, Zachary Kirker, Miles Love, Maegen Martinez, Paul Miller, Jema Molina, Elizabeth Morgan, Demrie Morrison, Emeriee Nunez, Madaline Nunley, Destin Pacheco, Johanna Padilla, Maleyna Pando, Adriana Porras, Tatiana Ramirez, Mia Sanchez, Jason Segura, Sterlin Sheffield, Luke Thacker, Hayden Treadway, Bailey Trujillo, Layton Whitmire, Anikah Wisen, Macy Yates Honor Roll

Remijio Alcocer, Adan Alva, Ayerim Alvidrez, Gabriel Arroyo, Lucas Atkins, Brandon Baeza, Leksi Bell, Dianna Bishop, America Casillas, Seth Castleberry, Kiley Colby, Charlotte Combs, Lacy Cravens, Tyler Davidson, Nyia Davila, Corbyn Dominguez, Mia Duran, Jayvien Garcia, Maddox Hall, Ryker Hays, Valeria Hernandez, Jayden Leyva, Aryanna Lira, Matthew Livingston, Jade Marquez, Fatima Mendoza, Xavier Mendoza, Janae Molina, Aedyn Moralez, Maggie Morris, Samuel Nielson, Cristian Pando, Rylan Pedroza, Kadyn Quiroz, Chris Raglin-Borunda, Jaythan Raglin-Borunda, Jeffery Richardson, Chaz Rogers, Arielle Roybal, Jasleen Ruiz, Sofia Sanchez, Ethan Shannon, Adalyn Shull, Aubree Terry, Keawe Tupou, Jennifer Vanek, Tyler Westall Eighth Grade Highest Honors

Alejandro Bahena, Adaleine Bratcher, Chloe Caley, Caleb Clemmons, Patrick Corbell, Juliane Cortese, Ayden Dean, Baylee Denison, Alexis Devenport, Mary Doom, J’Lee England, Morgan Fisher, Renee Flores, Aolani Garcia, Bryana Gomez, Jade Hammond, Manola Hernandez, J’syn Huerta, Isabella Jones, Ayden Kenyon, Gracen Kuykendall, Lucas Luna, Breckyn Miller, Makayla Monk, Janayah Montoya, Emma Morrisett, Lane Morrisett, Hayden Moser, Harper Murray, Kacy Neel, Kaleb Neel, Emilee Nunley, Brinley Plaster, Siera Rosales, Tristan See, Celina Sosa, Kadance Tran, Edwin Villarreal, Nicole Zheng Honor Roll

Gianna Agnew, Chrisyla Aguilar, Aries Aguirre, Nathan Baine, Kaylee Berdoza, Silas Bush, Yaritiza Bustillos, Santos Calderon, Kaden Corbell, Palyn Cornil, Marlyn Corza, Bradley Duncan, Swayzee Folmar, Alyssa Fuentes, Hudson Gibb, Elliot Gonzales, Phoebe Green, Sayuri Guerrero, Sarah Hamilton, Kaidence Hnulik, Collin Howard, Khloee Levario, Aspen Livingston, Aarin Lopez, Kazlyn Lopez, Derek Lopez-Crosby, Katrin Marquez, Rebecca McKenzie, Natalie Medrano, Kaden Morrisett, Caiya Olivas, Aaron Ortega, Xadrian Puentes, Stella Rand, Taylan Rosa, Noah Sell, Caylee Shockey, Jacob Smith, Jaedon Smith, Nancy Smith, Morgan Townsend, Damian Trevizo, Peyton Troost, Vallery Uribe, Zailee Valverde, Lilyan Vandevender, Donovan Wisen, Cooper Wood

ZIA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Seventh Grade Highest Honors Hunter Akerman, Analisa Alvarado, Joshua Archie Jr., Aymar Baeza, Garrett Baldwin, Daleigh Bean, Taylor Beltran, Kenzlee Cabezuela, Mireya Cano, Rodrigo Cazares, Jake Clyde, Katie Dowell, Bradley El, Meagan Evans, James Felker, Angel Gamon, Luisa Gutierrez, Kolton Hamilton, Briggen Harris, Alexa Hernandez, Lillia Hutchings, Leila Irvin, Kaydence Klontz, Elenora Larsen, A’dyn Levario, Katherine Lewis, Dylan Madrid, Ramon Maldonado, Kristen Martin, Kathryn Miller, Evelynne Mills, Quinley Murray, Gram Ortiz, Kaydence Pacheco, Annabelle Peterson, Bailey Purcell, Miya Rodriguez, David Rosales, Ayden Salas, Layla Shipman, Sophia Stock, Jaelynn Stroud, Jocelynn Stroud, Brylan Taylor, Ilias Walters, Tynlee Whitmire, Syriana Williams Honor Roll

London Acosta, Xavier Amaya, Mike Anderson, Zayden Archuleta, Cambrie Aton, Joaquin Avila, Brielle Cabrera, Maisy Combs, Klanclie Conklin, Daniel Cortez, Anissa Cristan, Jonah Deason, Carly DeHoyos, Manuel Fierro, Kawika Garcia, Arius Garrett, Kambry Grantham, Kai Greathouse, Kaelob Haynes, Katalina Henry, Chance Hocker, Deni Jensch, Daisy Jimenez, Jesse Johnson, Azael Luna, Jenna Marbach, Myah Martinez, Molly Mathews, Cage McCulley, Nathanael Medrano, Kaden Mendoza, Kylie Mendoza, Bryan Molina, James Morgan, Brayan Muniz, Kacey Nez, Braxton Norman, Sophia Ocon, Daven Osburn, Audrina Perez, Darey Pinon, Kaydence Reyes, Andrew Riley, Kylie Rodriguez, Logan Rodriguez, Derrick Ruiz, Malyah Sanchez, Colton Sandmann, Zayden Sedillos, Greyson Smith, Ella Thomas, Drake Thurman, Jazlene Tovar, Garyn Usherwood, Demitrius Vasquez, Solana Villa, Grayden Washichek, Viki Williams Sixth Grade Highest Honors

Bella Aguirre, Amado Alvarez, Kaleb Barquero, Brodie Becker, Alexus Beltran, Maria Cabezuela- Jaime, Adisynn Carmichael, Malii Castillo, Justin Chavez-Gutierrez, Mason Conn, Cameron Crawford, Clayton Crawford, Kyleigh Davis, Madelynn Flores-Sanchez, Cason Frederick, Madilyn Goodloe, Miriam Hutchings, Jackson Jowers, Jaylee Joy, Caleb Juarez, Kenzie Klontz, Jazmyn Longoria, Nicole Lukacinsky, Urijah Luna, Jaxen Malone, Ashlyn McIntire, Thomas Miller, Haleigh Morris, Analyicia Olguin, Daniella Orquiz, Zaelynn Portio, Oswaldo Rivera-Gonzalez, Kaitlyn Rose, Kendall Rubio, Tristan Shannon, Conner Summers, Jaxon Thacker, Bryce Walton Honor Roll

Noah Acosta, Millie Barley, Makenzie Bearden, Alexa Borunda-Mendoza, Solana Catano, Anevay Chavez, Bailey Chavez, Rachel Cooper, Brendalynn Ellis, Lorelei Faulkner, Meah Fernandez, Cohen Gibb, Zoe Gomez, Karrine Gonzales, Evelyn Gonzalez-Marquez, Valeria Gutierrez-Estrada, Bryson Hays, Malakye Hinojos, Brylee Howard, Katelynn Martin, Hailey Martinez, Aaron Nichols, Sophia Ortiz, Arian Pacheco, Maci Peck, Reagan Pitts, Annalysa Rodriguez, Natalie Rojas-Avina, Yaresli Salamanca, Levi Sell, Trenton Southerland, Kennadi Stack, Jathen Valenzuela

What’s next for Spaceport America?

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What’s next for Spaceport America?
By Sherry Robinson

It was glamour and glitz again as Virgin Galactic sent its last space tourists into the heavens this month. Now the company will fade away for two years to build the next generation ship – not here but in Mesa, Arizona.

What’s next for Spaceport America? Maybe it’s time to go back to Plan A. In case you’re wondering, Virgin Galactic was Plan B.

“Spaceport America began as New Mexico’s dream to integrate and promote its space industry to grow the state’s economy,” wrote space economist Thomas Matula in The Space Review. “Instead, it got lost in this detour into suborbital space tourism.”

Matula has history in New Mexico’s spaceport. Beginning with his MBA and PhD in business administration from NMSU, Matula became an expert on spaceports. He’s a professor of business administration at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, As a Ph.D. candidate he worked on the initial feasibility study for a spaceport. “That study envisioned a very different spaceport from the one operating today,” he wrote. “Instead of a facility built around an anchor client, Virgin Galactic, whose business is based on the transport of tourists into suborbital space, back in 1991 (the proposed spaceport) was supposed to be the flagship of New Mexico’s space industry.”

It all started in 1930 with Dr. Robert Goddard’s research near Roswell. That led to White Sands Missile Range, where the army during World War II tested German V-2 rockets. To support those tests, NMSU created the Physical Science Laboratory in 1946. “PSL’s ground-breaking research has shaped the nation’s space and rocket programs for more than three quarters of a century,” Matula wrote.

In this period Los Alamos National Laboratory spun off Sandia National Laboratories and the Air Force Research Laboratory, which soon expanded their work to include rockets and space technology. With New Mexico’s research universities – UNM, New Mexico Tech and NMSU – New Mexico had “substantial capability for space research and development.”

Matula wonders how the founders’ vision pivoted to space tourists.

I know because I was covering it. (My first story about the proposed spaceport was in 1995.) As the idea was taking off, Gov. Bill Richardson, his economic development people and Branson found each other. The charismatic Branson had grand plans. State officials followed a shiny object. Besides, space tourism was easier to explain (and sell) to legislators than space research and development. And the state had money that year.

Branson didn’t deceive anybody, but his flights took far longer than anyone expected, which “put another kink in the economic development New Mexico once planned for the spaceport, a dream of revenue that would rescue this depressed pocket of the Chihuahua Desert,” Matula wrote. And now Sir Richard has waved goodbye for two more years.

Spaceport America has four other tenants, but they “bear little evidence of any strategic integration with New Mexico’s space industry,” Matula wrote. Maybe so, but they have invested substantially in their facilities here, they’ve notched successes, and together they could be the foundation of the spaceport’s next chapter.

Spaceport spokesman Charlie Hurley said “Spaceport America takes a proactive approach to identifying and communicating with aerospace and space companies” and the conversations are “frequent and ongoing in nature.”

This month a consultant is expected to deliver a master plan to the New Mexico Spaceport Authority that examines growth opportunities for the state’s aerospace industry and identifies strengths and challenges for the facility.

“I am not holding my breath that it will be any better than studies in the past,” wrote Matula. He sees a return to the original vision as the best way forward.

If the consultants are thorough they will look at the industry history here and not be distracted by shiny objects.


(EDITOR’S NOTE: Sherry Robinson is a syndicated columnist whose work is distributed by New Mexico News Services.)

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