The Rehoboth parking lot overflowed with cars and trucks, and the Sports & Fitness Center was jammed to the roof for the graduation ceremony May 23.

Forty-two students, including 17 members of the National Honor Society, filed into the auditorium to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by a five-piece combo. Principal Chris VanSlooten welcomed all the visitors with the help of Shannon Begay. Mikias Ippel, McKenzie Dunson and Nolan Johnny read the Class Bible verses and Superintendent Carol Bremer-Bennett addressed the graduates minutes later.

Bobbi Padilla and Amanda Martin were recognized as the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of this year’s class and a...

Quilts of Valor, a national foundation, mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Here in Gallup, there are several groups who strive to satisfy that mission.

With long hours of designing, cutting and sewing, these dedicated women create magnificent quilts that are nothing short of art. But the outer beauty of the project is only the tip of its importance.

The Gallup McKinley County Quilters have been making quilts together since 1985.

They first met in a house in Allison and have moved several times until finally acquiring a room at the Larry Brian Mitchell Recreation Center, compliments of the City of Gallup...

Jane Ashley retired as a Major in the US Army after about 30 years of service. Ashley was introduced to the group at the recreation center by an art teacher.

She visited with the quilters and noticed that one of them jotted down her name. About a month later, she was home alone when the ladies came to present her with a quilt of her own. She said the experience was “very emotional.”

“Every stitch, every thought is genuine love,” she said.

Ashley explained that when “you’re in uniform people thank you” and when she served her country, like many veterans, she viewed it as her job, her career. But how others see her career, such as with the gift of a quilt, tugged at her...