Gallup-McKinley students, staff honored for bilingual seals, board-nominated awards and esports finish

Gallup-McKinley County Schools recognized students and staff for bilingual diploma seals, School Board Association excellence nominations and the district’s esports runner-up team during the meeting.

Ophelia Sanchez, the district’s bilingual program director, presented Spanish bilingual seals to 11th-grade students named in the meeting and announced senior Charles Haswood as a Navajo Nation bilingual-proficiency honoree. Sanchez said these seals are an honor for students who met bilingual proficiency requirements. “Good job and congratulations to each and every one of you,” she said.

The board also noted nominations submitted to the New Mexico School Boards Association for excellence in student achievement. Staff named Trevor Claw from Twin Lakes Elementary and Dina Larson (Rhema High School) among nominees; additional nominees mentioned were Stephanie Sposi, Nadine Delgarito and Melissa Bond. Zia Mahagate was selected to represent the district at the state association; Principal Tammy Summers accepted that award on Mahagate’s behalf.

Lawrence Sinner, the district’s director of athletics, introduced the district’s esports runner-up team from Miyamura High School and explained the activity’s role. “For the last 5 years, the NMAA has sponsored eSports as an activity, and it's a legitimate competition,” Sinner said, describing how esports fosters teamwork, critical thinking and digital literacy and noting potential college scholarships. He identified the Miyamura players as Logan Calabaza, Jacob Morgan, Sterling Ramon and Rocky Ruiz and named Mark Buendia and Dorothy Mercado as coaches.

Board President Mortensen thanked staff for recognizing students and said those commendations represent what the district values.