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Teacher of the Year Awards 2017
CONNECTING SOUTHERN ARIZONA
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“Santa Cruz Provisional College”
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
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Helping Families Succeed
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People that “echo” Stella Perez
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Santa Cruz Parent Love Connection Picnic
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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Teacher of the Year Awards 2017
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Santa Cruz Provisional College
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People who “Echo”-Stella Perez
14 Santa Cruz Parent Love
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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Happening Events-September
“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.”
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Editor: Adriana Romero Student Intern Reporter: Chris Alcaraz Student Intern Reporter: Nadia Sandoval Magazine Graphic Designer Consultant: Adriana Romero Sales Representative: Tony Montanez Information is correct at press time. Check www.bordereco.com for updates.
Border Eco Magazine now offers a variety of advertisement packages. 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
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. Border Eco Magazine accepts material from advertisers, clients, readers and various sources which are not necessarily the opinion of Border Eco Magazine in print or on Border Eco websites and will not be held responsible.
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Teacher of the Year 2017 The Santa Cruz County Superintendent’s Office and the Nogales Rotary Club held their 10th Annual Teacher of the Year Awards at the Quality Hotel Americana on Friday, August 11, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. The event’s theme this year were black and white, which were displayed on the tables and ballroom decor.
The event opened with a presentation of colors by the Nogales High School R.O.T.C. Color Guard followed by the National Anthem by Ms. Maria Martinez,from the Santa Cruz County Finance Department. The welcome speech was done by Alfredo I. Velásquez, Santa Cruz County School Superintendent.
The black and white themed event not only recognizes educators in our community but also helps to raise money for scholarships. The Americana Mayan Ballroom was packed with cheerful faces with more than 200 people in attendance.
“ I would like to thank all my colleagues for their hard work and dedication to our students in helping them meet their educational goals,” said Alfredo I. Velásquez. A benediction later followed by Father Jay Luczack. A total of 21 educators were honored that day for their extraordinary work in helping children and youth from Santa Cruz County achieve their educational goals.
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Each was honored by a standing ovation from their peers, school administrators, family and friends. They were recognized with a trophy and gift basket for their creativity, and innovative methods of teaching in helping students become critical thinkers and valuable members of our society. Also in attendance were previous Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year recipients from the last 9 years. This year Jigar Mehta a Nogales High School math teacher was named the 2017 Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year. He was also awarded a trophy called the “Star Polisher” with a cash award of $1,000 dollars, a barbecue grill, a tablet, and a personalized ring presented by Robert Astengo the Nogales Rotary Club President.
Teacher of the Year 2017
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Santa Cruz Provisional College Higher education services started in Santa Cruz County in the late 1970's and 1980's with courses being taught at local high schools and community centers. The-Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District was established in 2010. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District originally held classes in the Historic County Courthouse, and moved into the Santa Cruz Center on Grand Avenue and Mariposa in April 2013. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District is a "provisional” community college meaning they do not posses an accreditation. There are two "provisional" community college districts in Arizona, and by state law they are not eligible to seek accreditation until they meet certain and legislated criteria. Thus, the college is fortunate to partner with a great organization, like Pima Community College, for credit courses to serve students within Santa Cruz County. Students will have the opportunity to transfer, complete certifications or degrees, and move on to universities if they choose. #8 Pg.
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The Santa Cruz Center was built as a hub and central location for learning and meeting throughout the community. Over the summer (within 3 months), the college has hosted over 5 summer programs for students, 20 local non-profit and community meetings, 2 graduation events, 6 Five-Week Professional Development Training Courses for a local industry, and 3 Professional Certification Trainings. “The goal of the center is to maintain that level of outreach, even as we grow student enrollment and services with Pima Community College. The Board of Governors has made a commitment to ensure the Santa Cruz Center remains a community college,” said Stella Perez Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director for the Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District (SCCPCCD). The Santa Cruz Center services are unique in Santa Cruz County as they partner with a number of educational institutions, Pima Community College, and the UofA South.
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“We offer a variety of ESL courses, professional training courses, community education courses, as well as credit courses--so students can complete their associate degree on site, transfer to the UofA South to complete their baccalaureate, and even a Masters Degree— without having to leave Santa Cruz County,” said Perez. The Santa Cruz Community College District is dedicated to improving the community by providing complete access to higher education. They offer the full mission of a community college with associate degree completion; academic transfer to the university for baccalaureate programs; workforce development training; developmental education; and continuing education and/or professional development. ..with full open-door access... unlike universities, no one can be turned away or excluded from the institution... there is a place for all and community colleges are truly democratic colleges.
Santa Cruz Provisional College
The college’s primary customers are local high school graduates, who choose to stay in Santa Cruz County-for a variety of reasons-for example, they are working, juggling school parttime or full-time, and choose to remain close to family. Many are first generation college students, and local community members who are seeking a higher education without having to commute to Tucson or Sierra Vista. Students have an opportunity to become comfortable with the demands of higher education in their first & second year. “The options for internships, online learning, and apprenticeships are also available, however if students have family obligations or needs that require them to be in Santa Cruz County— they can continue with their degree programs without interruption and complete their degree requirements— either face-to-face or online. We want to be a full service learning center and educational ‘hub’ for the community,” said Perez.
Some of the college's accomplishments include a full partnership with the UofA South so students in Santa Cruz County are able to complete their associate degree, and transfer to the UofA South to complete their baccalaureate program without having to leave Santa Cruz County. This makes it easier for students not to incur great amounts of student debt, while making it easier for them to move into the local
workforce meeting local industry needs. The college has real models of these outcomes for students in education, criminal justice, and business. Students come to the Santa Cruz Center to see the SCC Staff as they have known these students since they were in elementary school.
Another great accomplishment by the college is the number of students served, just in the past year, over 1,500 students registered for courses. Moving through this educational service transition, the college anticipates an even stronger opportunity for student enrollment, student outreach, while meeting community needs. “The future plans for the SCCPCCD are to have a positive and longstanding relationship with Pima Community College by building up enrollment and workforce programs to new heights here at the Santa Cruz Center. We then see students graduating from PCC and enrolling in baccalaureate programs at the UofA South –also right here at the Santa Cruz Center. We are planning on expanding a number of workforce development programs that have great need such as HVAC, logistics, and CDL (trucking) for our immediate transportation, produce industry, and customs related business development,” said Stella Perez.
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Helping Families Succeed Parents at one point or another understand how challenging it is to raise a child today. Raising a child is simply hard work, it requires tons of love, energy, consistency and patience. We all agree that being a parent is tough. Parenting a child with special needs brings even more challenges. Organizations like the Santa Cruz Parent Love Connection is an advocacy group and support system for families blessed with children with special needs living in Santa Cruz County.
The Santa Cruz Parent Love Connection services Santa Cruz County with parent to parent support for new and expectant parents, educational workshops, guidance on understanding an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), one on one consultation (not legal advice) information on resources for parents, monthly family playgroups, and social gatherings. On Friday, August 25th they held one of their monthly family social gatherings at Peter Piper Pizza.
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It is an opportunity to socialize and provide continued support to parents with special needs children. The purpose was to promote inclusion value and awareness for special needs children in the community. The saying “it takes a village to raise a child,� has deep meaning when it comes to helping all children succeed. We are a community, and we all benefit when we help each other. As a result, the Santa Cruz Parent Love Connections has dedicated themselves to helping families with special needs children. For more information on how to help or be a part of this organization please contact Maria Scholnick (520) 470-5833 or mariascholnick@yahoo.com.
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People that "echo" Stella Perez
This month’s people that “echo’ choice is Stella Perez. A native of Tucson, Arizona, and, a first-generation college student, Dr. Perez earned a Bachelor of Science degree, from the Eller College of Business, at the University of Arizona. She graduated sum.ma cum laude, with a Masters of Arts in Education Technology from Northern Arizona University, AZ and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas, Austin, TX. Stella Perez currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director for the Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District (SCCPCCD). In this role, she leads the District's strategic planning, accreditation, and facilities development, as well as representing the Board of Governors as liaison to legislative, state, regional, and national relations. Her responsibilities include, district growth, enrollment development, and community engagement through workforce development, partnership outreach, and bi-national relations. Prior to her role at SCCPCCD, she served as the Interim Vice Chancellor of Operations at Pima Community College leading accreditation and enrollment management strategies.
Ms. Perez held positions with non-profit higher education associations as the Senior Vice President of Communications and Advancement for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at the League for Innovation in the Community College. She came from a large Hispanic family of eight children, that emphasized education.
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Ms. Perez recalls the power her father’s words had on her and how they influenced her decision to pursue a higher education. Mija there are three things in this world that no one can take away from you. The money may come and go, but no one can take your faith, your family, or your education. “We did not have much money, and my parents worked very hard--all the time to ensure that we had what we needed. We worked all through school. These are values I have tried to share with my own children,” said Ms. Perez. Her father was a as a civil service aircraft painter in Chula Vista, CA. She was born there before her father was transferred to Davis Monthan Air Force Base, in Tucson, Arizona. Ms. Perez grew up in to Tucson, Arizona. Her mother still resides in the same home down the street where she attended elementary school and church. Ms. Perez father was raised in a border town in Texas, spoke little English, and migrated to Avondale, AZ. He was a painter most of his career, before he broke his back as a civil service aircraft painter, and became disabled. He later went to Pima Community College to complete an Associate Degree in Social Work to provide for his family. His tenacity to move forward after experiencing a life changing event inspired her to pursue a higher education. “Watching him, as a young girl, I recognized the power of higher education, access, and the ability of learning to transform a family,” said Perez. Also a number of outstanding teachers and professors played vital roles in helping to support and mentor her.
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Ms. Perez is happily married to Master Carpenter who works for Willet-Hauser restoring churches and historic building around the country. Mother of two, her son is a Sophomore at UC-Boulder, and a nine-year old daughter—she loves arts & crafts, and playing volleyball. Stella Perez would like to thank the Santa Cruz County Community for their care and support during this transition time, and especially the Santa Cruz County Superintendent’s Office. Special Thanks goes to the Pima Community College Board, Chancellor Lambert, Dr. Dolores Duran Cerda, Ted Roush, & the Desert Vista Team— for all of their great work establishing a Fall 2017 and offering financial aid. She would like to personally thank the Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District Board of Governors who have been through many changes over the past years with the college but understand the value of the college to the community and stand committed. Also, the newly hired SCC Team—Leticia Cuevas, Aleisdy Palazuelos, Christie Monreal, and Alex Alvarez—they are here day-in and day-out to take care of all the community needs and ensure students have an exceptional service experience! “We have listened to students voices and we have heard very clearly their desire and choice for a community college in the county, and I will do all I can to ensure that the Santa Cruz Center offers quality education and grows with the community over the years with students and into the future,” said Stella Perez.
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Santa Cruz Parent Love Connection Summer Community Picnic On Saturday August 19tht, parents of children with special needs living in Santa Cruz County had their Annual Summer Picnic at Teyechea park in Nogales Arizona. The purpose of this event is to celebrate special needs children to promote awareness, value and inclusion with the purpose of creating equal opportunity, so they can be active and important members of our community.
Children and their families enjoyed free hot dogs, beverages, treats, music and games! Special needs children and families truly enjoyed themselves. The Santa Cruz Parent Love Connection would like to thank Southern Arizona Network for Down syndrome / SANDS and our SCPLC parent committee for their contributions to help fund this event.
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For more information please contact Maria Scholnick (520) 470-5833 or mariascholnick@yahoo. com. We would like to thank our volunteers. A friendly reminder that you don't have to have a special needs child to join our team!
Happening Events-September Ongoing Special Exhibit: Tubac’s Pioneer Families and the CATASTROPHE of Baca Float No. 3 This ground breaking exhibit tells the story of how local homesteaders lost their lands to real estate speculators and political actions beyond their control. Included with park admission, $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free Ongoing Exhibit: Unique 1800’s Ambulance This exhibit at the Tubac Presidio is a rare original 1800’s period carriage called an ambulance. It has been restored and modified to replicate the ambulance that Phocion R. Way, an engraver from Cincinnati, Ohio, rode on from Mesilla on the Rio Grande River to Tucson in June of 1858. Many other figures in Tubac’s Territorial history arrived here on this type of vehicle because of its comfort and speed. Our ambulance was restored over thirteen months by Hanson Wheel and Wagon in Letcher, South Dakota and is the only known vehicle of its type on display anywhere in the world. Included with park admission, $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Art Exhibit: The Arizona Cavalcade of History – The Alan B. Davis Gallery is open with 16 paintings by renowned Western artist William Ahrendt, each depicting a significant event in Arizona’s colorful history. The paintings and their historical narratives were featured as a special 16-part “Cavalcade of History” series in Arizona Highways magazine from 1987 through 1990. Arizona Highways remembers this series as “among the magazine’s most remembered illustrations.” The giclée reproductions on canvas were donated to the Tubac Historical Society in memory of longtime Tubac resident and businessman Alan B. Davis. The collection is on permanent display at the Tubac Presidio’s Otero Hall. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. The Sharp Edge of Mexico: Knives and Swords of the Frontier-Tubac Presidio State Historic Park Through October 31, 2017-This is a unique and fascinating exhibit of several Spanish and Spanish-Mexican swords of the 18th and 19th centuries. Come view the beautiful and intricate iron works of these weapons that range from a 1728 Spanish sword design that is considered the apex of sword development, to a heavy forged sword machete that could be used as a weapon or to harvest grass for horse feed. Included with park admission, $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Ongoing Event: Our Children’s Garden Tubac Presidio State Historic Park Through Saturday 12/30-The children’s garden by the schoolhouse allows children of all ages to play hopscotch, marbles, and jump rope the old-fashioned way. The wonderful colors of the various flowers will attract you, along with butterflies and hummingbirds. Come be as sunny as the sunflowers and delight in some summer fun. Included with park admission, $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.
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