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Hobbs board honors state champions; approves SkillsUSA trip to Atlanta
Summary
Hobbs Municipal Schools recognized student state champions in powerlifting and girls basketball and honored SkillsUSA winners; the board approved the SkillsUSA team’s request to travel to nationals in Atlanta and confirmed the team’s extensive medal haul from the state conference.
The Hobbs Municipal Schools board opened its April meeting by recognizing student athletic and career‑technical achievements, honoring state powerlifting record‑setters and the Lady Eagles’ 5A state basketball title.
Liliana Cortez and Jesus Ortiz were singled out for state records and championship finishes. Cortez was recognized for a 345‑pound squat, a 185‑pound bench press (tying the overall record) and a 400‑pound deadlift for a 930‑pound combined total; the board congratulated her as a state and class record holder. Jesus Ortiz was celebrated as a back‑to‑back state champion after new class and overall records in his weight class were recorded.
Superintendent James Strickland and board members also recognized the Hobbs High Lady Eagles for a 29–2 season, an undefeated district slate and the program’s fifth 5A state championship following a 66–53 victory over Rio Rancho. State legislative proclamations recognizing the team were announced as forthcoming from Santa Fe.
The board then turned to SkillsUSA: district staff said Hobbs High’s SkillsUSA chapter won 51 medals at the New Mexico State Leadership and Skills Conference and was named a model chapter among about 3,000 nationwide. School staff read lists of gold‑medal winners across career pathways and identified two students who will serve as state officers next year. A SkillsUSA adviser asked for board approval to travel to the national conference in Atlanta (departure around May 30, return June 7); advisers said the trip is funded from the program’s budget and that the district would cover any budget overages. The board voted to approve the travel request.
“Those students represent the best that this state has to offer,” a state legislator told the board as proclamations were described.
What happens next: the district will publish travel and chaperone details for the SkillsUSA delegation and confirm any district support for unforeseen costs.
