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Trio of recognitions at GMCS Board meeting

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The Gallup McKinley County Schools Board of Education recognized a number of students and staff members during their recent regular meeting June 10.

The first group recognized consisted of teachers and staff members who received New Mexico School Board Association Student Achievement Awards.

GMCS Superintendent Mike Hyatt said that these awards are given to school employees who meet certain criteria and are recommended for the award by the school board.

“The board takes time and effort to think of those teachers and staff who benefit education on behalf of the students,” he said.

Twenty one teachers and staff members from GMCS were called to come up to the front of the room, though not all of them were present to accept a plaque.

Teachers and staff who are retiring this year were recognized next. Hyatt thanked each of them for their years of support and effort with the district, but told them they would have to wait for their recognition plaques to come in the mail because while they had been ordered, the school had not received them in time for the meeting.

The last two people recognized were student athletes who excelled this past season.

The first was DeShaun Garcia, a junior from Thoreau High School, who placed first in Boys Discus Throw Class 3A with a score of 135.

Garcia was also on the Thoreau basketball team, which made it to the NMAA State Basketball Championships for the first time since 2003.

The second student acknowledged was Galvin Curley, a junior from Navajo Pine, who was the state track and field champion in the 3,200 meter run and state runner-up in the 1,600 meter run.

Thoreau basketball coach Andrew Gordon was present at the meeting along with most of the Thoreau team to be acknowledged, as well.

“This team is a real good group of young men,” Gordon said. “They’re all good scholars.”

DeJong DeGroat, track and field coach for Thoreau, was also present to give his congratulations to Garcia.

“I’ve been blessed to work with [Thoreau] kids since sixth grade,” he said. “Every time we succeed, it’s good [for all of us].”

By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent

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