March 2017

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Spelling Bee 2017

CONNECTING SOUTHERN ARIZONA

March Madness

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Connecting the Pieces

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People that “Echo” Alan Aguirre

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2017 NEHS Induction of New Members

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Tumacácori O’odham Tash

Border Eco Updates CONTENT Border Eco Magazine

Our goal is to continue reporting on the great people, organizations, and services in our community. We want to change public’s perception on our border town. Border Eco is focused on the positive people, organizations, and services within our community that makes our bordertown unique. Santa Cruz County is a beautiful community with lots of history and cultural background.

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Spelling Bee 20117

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San Cayetano Elementary Hosts 2017 NEHS Induction of New Members

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RRHS Achieve Top Results

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Connecting the Pieces

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Serving Santa Cruz County

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People who “Echo”-

We are grateful for the continued support. We want to thank our customers for their support.

Our mission is to change public perception of our border town.

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Tumacácori O’odham Tash

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Happening Events-March

Alan Aguirre

“It is never too late to bring in change, that you want to see around you. Let this year be the forefront for introducing new ideas and new concepts to make the world a better and safer place for all of us.”

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Contact us for rates and channels to help promote your business in Santa Cruz County.

Our office is located on : 1071 N. Grand Ave. Ste. #122, Nogales, Arizona 85621 (520) 461-4880 Email: contact@bordereco.com

Please send us information on any upcoming events, meetings, or programs to share with our readers.

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Editor: Adriana Romero Student Intern Reporter: Jesus Atondo Student Intern Reporter: Esmeralda Neris Magazine Graphic Designer Consultant: Adriana Romero Sales Representative: Tony Montanez Information is correct at press time.

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Border Eco, LLC © 2017 copyright all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Border Eco Magazine is prohibited. Any material produced is the property of Border Eco. Any material published is not necessarily the opinion of Border Eco and will not be held responsible.

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Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee 2017 The Santa Cruz County Superintendent’s Office hosted the 2017 Spelling Bee. The event was held on Friday, February 3, 2017. The event coordinators: Marisol Chiquete-Bolaina, and Julie A. Ulrich. It was held at the Santa Cruz County Complex. The Spelling Bee began with a pledge of allegiance followed with a warm welcome by the Santa Cruz County Superintendent Alfredo I. Velasquez. The event was well attended by students, parents, teachers, and judges who enjoyed a fun filled day of surprises and prizes.

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Larry Frederick from Lincoln Elementary School was the pronouncer of the Spelling Bee. The Spelling Bee had 4 judges those included: Honorable Judge Fink, Santa Cruz County Attorney George Silva, Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr, and Jovanna Lopez a State Farm Insurance Agent. The Spelling Bee had approximately 27 students participate, including the NUSD Spelling Bee winner Julia Washer, and Vanya Gupta from SCVUSD.

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Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee 2017

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San Cayetano Elementary Hosts 2017 NEHS Induction of New Members

Last night, San Cayetano Elementary inducted 12 new members into the National Elementary Honor Society and welcomed back 11 from last year.

“Membership in the San Cayetano Elementary chapter of the National Honor Society has been earned by candidates through the effective demonstration of the four qualities that serve as standards for the Society,” said Miranda Valencia, San Cayetano NEHS Advisor. “The qualities include: scholarship, character, leadership and service.”

At the event, guests were welcomed by Mimi Renteria, San Cayetano Principal. The evening began with the presentation of Colors by the RRHS JROTC, followed by the induction ceremony led

by Valencia. Guest speaker was Dean Davis, SCVUSD Foundation Board Member.

“Congratulations to the students for working hard to achieve this triumph, and to their parents for the unconditional encouragement and support that helped them to this point,” said Superintendent David Verdugo. “And thank you to their teachers for guiding their academic development to these tremendous new heights.”

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Oscar Alvarez (Olivias, 5th, New) Johana Holman (Olivias, 5th, New) Samantha Villanes (Olivias, 5th, Returning) Nataleah Munoz (Olivias, 5th, Returning) Yael Franco (Herrera, 5th, Returning) Tiffany Lopez (Herrera, 5th, Returning) Kayla Riesgo (Herrera, 5th, Returning) Valeria Aguirre (Galasso, 5th, Returning) Gabriel Orrantia (Galasso, 5th, Returning) Zeni Bretz (Galasso, 5th, Returning) Nicole Bermudez (Galasso, 5th, New) Mia Gomez (Connick, 5th, Returning) Gabriel Ledesma (Connick, 5th, Returning) Mia Moreno (Olivias, 5th, Returning) Leah Hertherington (Connick, 5th, New) Edric Herrera (Connick, 5th, New) Carla Lopez (Herrera, 5th, New) Elizabeth Valencia (Herrera, 5th, New) Penelope J. Johnson (Crowlie, 4th, New) Yehelena Sofia Rodriguez (Roth, 4th, New) Victoria Velasco (Roth, 4th, New) Luna Yoder (Simmons, 4th, New) Mirella Diaz Vega (Simmons, 4th, New) - Not present

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RRHS Students Achieve Top Results Twenty students from Rio Rico High School (RRHS) received prestigious awards from Cambridge International Examinations to acknowledge their outstanding performance in the May 2016 Cambridge examination series, an exam given to students in over 40 countries around the world.

Two students received the highest scores in the United States, scoring above all other US students taking the exam. Receiving the highest award based on results from the Chemistry exam, is Angel Ojeda, junior. This is the second consecutive year for Ojeda. In 2015, he received “Top of the Country” for biology. Esteban Urena, sophomore, received “Top of the Country” award for biology.

Students take exams in three or four subject areas, and are awarded a grade from “A” through “G” based on their performance on each exam. The “Cambridge Scholar Award with Distinction” is awarded to students that earn an “A” on three or more of their exams.

The following RRHS students earned this award: Deigo Soto, Sophomore The “Cambridge Scholar Award with Merit,” is awarded to students that earn at least a B on three or more of their exams. For example, a student could earn an “A” on three exams and a “B” on one; or, a “B” on all four exams. The following students earned this award: Jesus Murillo, Sophomore Antonio Moreno, Sophomore Andres Cruz, Sophomore Samantha Coronado, Sophomore Lauren Clerc, Sophomore Edward Urena, Junior Jubin George, Junior Issac Martinez, Junior Luis Fierro, Junior Sebastian Valencia, Junior Carolina Soto, Junior Angel Ojeda, Junior

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The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards program celebrates the success of students taking Cambridge examinations in over 40 countries around the world.

Students will be recognized in February at an academic awards ceremony. Aimee Denovchek, Cambridge Biology teacher at RRHS, is coordinating the ceremony.

“Having achieved the highest possible awards granted by the prestigious Cambridge International program, these students are now among an elite group of students in the world,” said Denovchek.

“It is our hope that this accomplishment will unlock opportunities that would not have otherwise been available to them. We wish them every success as they move forward.”

Superintendent Verdugo agreed, adding praise for the high school’s Cambridge teachers.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our students,” said David Verdugo, SCVUSD Superintendent.

“This now places their career-andcollege readiness on the international stage. We are proud of them, and of our teachers who guided them to this pinnacle.”

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“Connecting the Pieces” The Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office sponsored and hosted a Meet and Greet Breakfast Event with the help of the CCRT (Coordinated Community Response Team) and the Adolescent Wellness Network. Approximately 75 participants attended, including school personnel and local agencies. The goal of the event was to allow local agencies to promote their services within the school community.

The event was a joint effort between the Healthy Student Grant coordinator, Teresa Sprigg, and cochairs from the CCRT Tom Mcalpin and Sonia Sánchez along with Chris Bachelier from the Adolescent Wellness Network.

Approximately 22 agencies shared their information with members of the school community from across the county. Guests were welcomed by the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent, Alfredo I. Velásquez. The event included guest speaker Jorge Ruiz, who spoke about the importance of supporting youth by inspiring hope and faith in themselves. Participants received a Community Outreach Guide which lists important information available for support of youth and families.

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“Serving Santa Cruz” UA South has been offering higher education services in Santa Cruz County since 2008.

UA South, or UA Santa Cruz as it was initially known, first started as a collaborative effort between the Outreach College of the U of A and UA South.

Commerce was the first major offered, and later, elementary education from there, services transitioned to UA South.

It offers local residents the opportunity to obtain a University of Arizona degree by partnering with the local community college.

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Students at Cochise College can transfer to UA South and complete the next two years of their degree known as the 2+2 program.

They currently provide services to approximately 40 local students.

UA South supports the local community in different ways.

They provide educational opportunities for Santa Cruz County residents.

The University of Arizona participates in different community events such as job fairs and educational events.

“We are different from other organizations because we are the only university housed here out of Nogales,” said Alan Aguirre Student Services Coordinator.

Currently, the University of Arizona has two full-time employees and one part-time student worker.

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Community members interested in more information on the educational programs offered at the UA Santa Cruz please contact Alan Aguirre Student Services Coordinator at afaguirre@email. arizona.edu, or at 520-287-8632.

People that “Echo” -Alan Aguirre This month’s people that “echo” is Alan Aguirre. Mr. Aguirre is not new to the field of education. He has been working in the field for more than 9 years. He first started working in the field of education as a teacher’s aide at Nogales High School teaching mariachi. Mr. Aguirre worked directly with mariachi students, and Mariachi Apache. After working there, he later went to work for Pinnacle Education Charter High School as a career exploration instructor for two years. He was then offered a position to work as a student services coordinator for the University of Arizona.

The University of Arizona has always made it a priority to serve Southern Arizona.

It has a strong presence in Santa Cruz County. Mr. Aguirre works directly with individuals interested in pursuing their educational goals. He is responsible for recruiting students, advising them, and helping them with their financial aid application process.

“Education has always been my passion, I have always wanted to work in higher education. I deeply enjoy work with people, and helping them meet their goals,” said Aguirre.

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Mr. Aguirre was born in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico.

He lived in Nogales, Sonora until the age of 7 before immigrating to Nogales, Arizona. He is a byproduct of the Nogales Unified School District. He is also a proud father of three: Alina, Alan Jr., and Isaac. He has been married for 8 years to Vanessa Aguirre.

“Throughout my career, the person that has been the most inspirational has been my wife. She has been with me through the good and bad times. She has always motivated me to be the best version of myself. She has truly inspired me and keeps me grounded. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her support and guidance,” said Alan Aguirre.

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Tumacácori O’odham Tash Tumacácori National Historical Park protects the ruins of a Spanish colonial mission to the native O’odham people. It is the O’odham residents of this community who formed and laid the bricks of the church, tilled the fields, and wrangled the mission livestock. Their culture and traditions live on today, focused in the lands of the Tohono O’odham nation.

On March 5, Tumacácori will hold its first ever “O’odham Tash,” or, in English, “O’odham Day,” in celebration of the legacy and heritage of these desert people.

Admission to the park is $5.00 per adult, free for federal pass holders and children under age 16.

For more information, call the visitor center at (520) 377-5060, or visit the park website at nps.gov/tuma.

Between 10:00 and 1:00 on Sunday, March 5, visitors to the mission grounds will be able to observe cultural demonstrators presenting traditional crafts and pastimes – basket weaving, painting, carving, and singing, and taste favorite traditional foods – fry bread, tepary beans, and cholla buds. There will be a workshop at 11:00 in which participants will be able to learn a favorite ball game, toca. The festivities will begin and conclude with singing and a blessing.

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Happening Events-March Museum Tour: Spanish Tubac – A Curator’s Look at the Presidio that Transformed the Santa Cruz Valley, Wednesday, March 1 and Tuesday, March 28, 11 am – Noon Join us for a guided tour where you’ll explore Spanish Tubac and take a closer look at several museum artifacts and discuss their impact on history. Allow 1 hour for the tour. $10 fee includes all day admission to tour the Presidio Park.

Tour limited to 12; reservations requested, 520-398-2252 or info@TubacPresidio.org Living History: Blacksmithing in Tubac – Wednesday, March 1, 10 am – 2 pm Blacksmithing has a long and important place in the history in Tubac, from Spanish times, to the great mining boom, to the simple hard work of making latches for the 1885 schoolhouse. Visit our blacksmith as he creates all those wonderful tools for daily life, from nails, to latches, to spoons and forks. Includes all day admission to tour the Presidio. $5 adult, $2 youth, children free.

Anniversary of “The Weekly Arizonian” – Friday, March 3, 11 am Join us for cake and a celebration of the 158th anniversary of Arizona’s first newspaper, which was printed in Tubac on March 3, 1859. The original 1858 Washington Hand Press that printed the newspaper is still in operation at the Tubac Presidio. There will be a demonstration of the hand press in operation as it prints, a commemorative edition of the first issue of the Arizonian and an informal talk about the history of the press. Includes all day admission to tour the Presidio. $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

Roy Purcell: Tubac Takes Flight: The Artist’s Experience – Saturday, March 4, 2 pm Join artist Roy Purcell as he talks about his experience creating a painting depicting a Curtiss JN-4 Jenny bi-plane and a Lockheed Sirius aircraft flown by Tubac residents Clarence “Dutch” and Joan Shankle. Joan, the first woman to earn a private pilot’s license, and the first woman to fly coast-to-coast owned and flew the Curtiss JN-4 Jenny between Massachusetts and Tubac. They bought a 400 acre farm north of Tubac and built a hangar and runway naming it Pajaritos Migradores or PM ranch. Both the Shankles won awards at the first Annual Tucson Air Show in 1933. Theirs is a fascinating and largely unknown piece of Tubac History. Call 520-398-2252 for reservations now. $10 fee includes all day admission to tour the Park.

Tubac Takes Flight Presentation: Nature Rescue, Rehab, & Release! - Sunday, March 5, 2 pm You just found a wild animal that needs help. Who can you call? What should you do and not do? Joan Cass, education director at the Tucson Wildlife Center will give us the answers and information about helping our fellow earthly creatures when they are in distress. Watch rescue demonstrations, identify mystery baby animals, and find out how you can help the wonderful wildlife that lives around us. Call (520) 398-2252 to make your reservation. $10 fee includes all day admission to tour the Park.

Hell Bent for Resurrection: A Hike through Tubac’s Many Layers, Tuesday, March 7, 10 am - Noon Join us for a new program of History Hikes to take advantage of the great outdoors and our amazingly rich cultural heritage. Join our docent for an insightful walk on the Anza Trail starting at the original Plaza de Armas from which the expedition to Alta California departed. The hike will follow along a short portion of the Rio de Tubac (as it then was!) while discussing the native peoples and later arrivals who lived in the area. Wear sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, and bring water. $10 fee includes all day admission to the Park. The 1 and 1/4 mile hike begins from the Tubac Presidio visitors center at 10 am, rain or shine. Hike limited to 15 people. Call (520) 398-2252 to reserve your place today.

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