What a wonderful evening on September 16, 2026, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Mora High School Gymnasium and honoring the history, memories, and people who have made this facility such an important part of our community. On behalf of our Board of Education, very special thank you to all who made this event possible.
To the Class of 1976 panelists: Shirley Vigil, Mark Cassidy, and Elmer Aragon, for taking us down memory lane and sharing their oral histories of Mora High School and community life during 1975–76, including their recollections of the construction, opening, and dedication of the gym.
Thank you to Reyes Perea Duran and Jordyn Pacheco, Mora High School sophomores and members of the MHS Chapter of Business Professionals of America, under the leadership of sponsor Jessica Lucero, for their informative biographical presentation on Senator Joseph Montoya, the namesake of our gym. Senator Montoya played an instrumental role in securing federal financial assistance for construction of the facility.
Our appreciation also goes to MHS History and Spanish Teacher, Rosa Pacheco-Romero, who co-led the discussion and interpretation of the remarkable Aarón Piña Mora mural, helping us better understand and appreciate this important piece of cultural history.
Thank you to Rachel Rogers and our Food Services staff for providing the cookies and lemonade, and to Kendrick Martinez for donating supplies and ice. We are grateful to Audrey Vigil-Archuleta, Executive Administrative Assistant, and Vanessa Martinez, HR/Athletics Coordinator, for their tremendous assistance in planning, organizing, and coordinating the celebration.
Thank you also to Principals Angelo Archuleta and Martina Tapia for their ideas and leadership, and to Ms. Tracy Gonzales and Ms. Faith Rivera for helping collect community surveys. A special thank you to Randy Bucholz, IT Director, for his assistance with the audio/visual equipment and community input survey.
Thanks to Coach Arthur Romero, for sharing some of his memories, as well. And heartfelt appreciation to our Custodial Staff: Nick Branch, Charlene Mares, Melvin Salas, and Sally Valdez, for preparing the facility for this celebration and, every day, for helping care for and maintain this important community space.
Thank you as well to MHS Student Council, Sponsor Mrs. Melinda Leyba, and all students and staff who decorated with balloons and streamers helping to make the evening festive and welcoming. Thanks to MHS Cheerleaders from the Class of 1976: Fran Martinez and Debbie Martinez for leading the School Song.
As you can see, this was a collective effort, please forgive me if I have inadvertently omitted anyone who assisted. Most of all, thank you to the students, parents, families, alumni, community members, and stakeholders who attended, participated, shared memories, and provided valuable input. Your engagement is meaningful as we move forward with the planning and assessment phase of our partnership with the State of New Mexico concerning the District’s Facility Master Plan.
The conversation does not end with the celebration. We invite everyone to share their perspective about the future of the Mora High School Gymnasium by completing this short survey: Community Input Survey: Future of the Mora High School Gymnasium https://forms.gle/FNoBtuGASZV1HfkC8
Thank you, Mora, for helping us celebrate our past while continuing to envision the future of our schools and our community.