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Commissioners honor veterans, Bair High pipe band, UTEP dance team and local nonprofits
Summary
On May 18 the court adopted resolutions recognizing a veterans bowling tournament, Bair High’s pipe and drum corps, UTEP’s national dance title, Salvation Army officers retiring after 34 years, the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation’s 20th anniversary, and the Criminal Justice Coordination Department’s statewide award.
El Paso County Commissioner’s Court used part of its May 18 meeting to adopt several ceremonial resolutions recognizing local organizations and contributions.
Commissioner Gin presented a resolution recognizing the Freeway Lady Keglers’ 10th annual International Friendship Bowling Tournament, which included teams from New Mexico and Chihuahua and was held on Armed Forces Day; the court adopted the resolution and the Freeway Lady Keglers thanked organizers and participants (Carmen Antunes, treasurer). Specialist Niles, who is stationed at Fort Bliss, described being honored to perform the anthem at the event.
The court also recognized the Bair High School Highlanders Pipe and Drum Corps and the Bair Classic Highlander Clan alumni for preserving a program the commission noted may be unique among Texas public high schools. Alumni and instructors told commissioners they have raised more than $30,000 to rebuild the band and establish scholarships for pipers and drummers.
Commissioners commended the UTEP dance team and head coach Crystal Ortiz after the team captured the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Nationals title in May. Senior team members said the win followed an uncertain season and credited new coaching and intensive practice schedules.
The court adopted a resolution honoring Majors Florian and Louisa Estrada of the Salvation Army for decades of community service, including disaster and migrant response, and heard tributes from Irene Gutierrez and other partners who described direct assistance the couple provided during the migrant humanitarian response and the pandemic.
Carlos Ortega, president and CEO of the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation, accepted a resolution recognizing MCA's 20 years of work developing a south‑central El Paso biomedical campus, leveraging grants and building a clinical trials ecosystem the county said has produced economic impact.
Katherine Jones and leaders from the Criminal Justice Coordination Department accepted a resolution commemorating the department’s 2026 Texas Association of Pre‑Trial Services Executive Award and described their re‑entry and pre‑trial programs and outcomes in front of the court.
Ending
Each resolution was adopted by motion and carried; commissioners, honorees and community members paused for photographs following the recognitions.
