SENATE MEMORIAL 53

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Eric G. Griego

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 25, 2011 AS "ALBUQUERQUE HIGH SCHOOL DAY" IN THE NEW MEXICO SENATE.

     WHEREAS, the establishment of Albuquerque high school can be traced back to 1879, when the Colorado college of Colorado Springs established what was then called the Albuquerque academy on the east side of the old plaza; and

     WHEREAS, by 1881, twenty-seven students were enrolled, and by 1882, it was necessary to move the high school to a new, larger location; and

     WHEREAS, during both World War I and World War II, not only did students at Albuquerque high school raise significant funds in support of the troops and war efforts, but students in the aeronautics class built an airplane, which they donated to the military in 1942; and

     WHEREAS, Albuquerque high school was the largest school in the state until 1955; and

     WHEREAS, during its history, Albuquerque high school has graduated many notable individuals, including Rodolfo Anaya, Ed Black, Al "Hurricane" Sanchez, Bobby Santiago, professional football player Billy Jenkins, United States congressman E.S. Johnny Walker, entertainer Vivian Vance, professional basketball player Kenny Thomas, many New Mexico state legislators and former Lieutenant Governor Roberto Mondragon; and

     WHEREAS, The Record, the official Albuquerque high school student newspaper, is the oldest student publication in the state, covering important school, regional and national events on a monthly basis; and

     WHEREAS, currently, Albuquerque high school is a modern, full-service school with a wide variety of academic and extracurricular programs that foster parent involvement and a safe, drug-free environment and that include dual-credit courses with the university of New Mexico, the Dial-a-Teacher program, tutoring, evening high school, a poetry club and much more; and

     WHEREAS, Albuquerque high school is a public high school with nearly two thousand students and more than one hundred teachers; and

     WHEREAS, the mission of Albuquerque high school is to promote literacy and accelerate learning, and its vision is to achieve success for career, college and community for students fortunate enough to attend the school; and

     WHEREAS, fellow Bulldogs will be celebrating the proud history and bright future of Albuquerque high school and marking its academic and athletic traditions in the capitol rotunda on February 25, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Friday, February 25, 2011, be recognized as "Albuquerque High School Day" in the New Mexico senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the principal of Albuquerque high school.

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