A graphic of an orange stripe on a chalkboard background with chalk stars and a Bulldog paw reads: "Students and Staff of the Month".

SEPTEMBER 🍂

ARTESIA HIGH SCHOOL

Students of the Month

A teen boy in a black shirt and black shorts gives two thumbs up while posting for a photo.

Name: Gabriel Ordonez
Class: Senior
Parents'/Guardians' Names: Lucio
Siblings' Names: Julian
Elementary School: Yeso

What clubs/activities are you involved in?
A proud graduate of Artesia High School 2026

What do you like best about living in Artesia?
It's small and quiet.

When you graduate from high school, what do you plan to do?
Start my own business and exceed my peers

If you could give one piece of advice to younger students, what would it be?
Taking action and failing horribly is and will always be better than not doing anything

When you grow up, what do you hope to be?
I hope to be an influential entrepreneur.

If you could thank anyone in your life, who would you thank and why?
My dad cause he would be the most influential

A teen girl in a navy long-sleeved shirt and glasses holds an orange sign reading: "Student of the Month: Aubree Terry".

Name: Aubree Terry
Class: Junior
Parents'/Guardians' Names: Danielle Cabezuela, Duncan Karr (father), Mark Cabezuela (stepfather)
Grandparents' Names: Lynn and Lori Terry, Adela and Cirildo Cabezuela, Armand Karr
Siblings' Names: Kenzlee Cabezuela, 14; Maddox Cabezuela, 8; Zaidyn Karr, 10; Daysha Letcher, 16; Ashton Letcher, 20
Elementary School: Yeso

What clubs/activities are you involved in?
Artesia Leos Club, Student Council, softball, cheer manager

What is your favorite class and why?
Medical terminology; I feel great knowing this class will apply to my career later.

What do you like best about living in Artesia?
I enjoy participating in all of the high school traditions I looked forward to as a kid.

When you graduate from high school, what do you plan to do?
I plan to attend nursing school.

If you could give one piece of advice to younger students, what would it be?
It's okay to change what you want to do when you grow up. You don't have to stick with something you don't like.

When you grow up, what do you hope to be?
I would like to be a pediatric nurse.

If you could thank anyone in your life, who would you thank and why?
I would thank Mrs. Mason. Mrs. Mason has continually instilled confidence into myself through volunteer work and leadership events.

A teen girl in a lace shirt and denim vest poses for a photo in an outdoor setting.

Name: Morgan Fisher
Class: Sophomore
Parents'/Guardians' Names: Matthew and Charly Fisher
Grandparents' Names: Judy Fisher, Kenny Fisher, Patricia Smith
Siblings' Names: Carsyn Fisher
Elementary School: Yucca

What clubs/activities are you involved in?
4-H, FFA, Artesia Aquatic Club, and AHS swim

What is your favorite class and why?
Mrs. Burnett's chemistry 1; I love learning new things every day in her class!

What do you like best about living in Artesia?
Being near friends and family

When you graduate from high school, what do you plan to do?
Go to college!

If you could give one piece of advice to younger students, what would it be?
It won't happen overnight; but if you quit, it won't happen at all.

When you grow up, what do you hope to be?
A physical or occupational therapist

If you could thank anyone in your life, who would you thank and why?
God and my family because without my faith and God's help I couldn't do half the things I've done

Staff Member of the Month

A man in an orange-and-black football jersey stands next to a woman holding a small boy.

Name: Jesse Wright
Spouse's Name: Tori Wright
Children's Names: Landry Wright
Where did you go to school?: Seckman High School, Southwest Baptist University (AS), East Central University (BA), Eastern New Mexico University (M.Ed.)
What do you do at AHS?: I teach AP World History, World History, and U.S. Government; I am the Secondary Social Studies Department Chair; I coach eighth-grade football and JV softball; I run the Peer 2 Peer Tutoring program; and I co-sponsor AHS Crochet Club
How many years have you been at AHS?: This is my ninth year at AHS, 10 years in teaching overall.

What is your favorite thing about Artesia High School?
I love how this community surrounds and supports its school system. I've never seen a group of kids and teachers so well-loved by the people in their town, and I have been so grateful for how Artesia has loved my family in particular over the last nine years.

What is one thing that you would like all of the students at Artesia High School to know/learn?
Just enjoy the journey! Don't be so focused on the destination that you forget to enjoy the little moments and relationships that make this chapter of your life special.

PARK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Students of the Month

A teen boy in a black t-shirt and white shorts holds a sign reading "Student of the Month", surrounded by classmates and a female teacher.

Kai Greathouse, freshman

A teen girl in a black t-shirt and jeans holds a sign reading "Student of the Month", surrounded by classmates and a female teacher.

Jennifer Martinez, eighth grade

Staff Member of the Month

A male teacher wearing a grey shirt and black pants holds a sign reading "Teacher of the Month", surrounded by students.

Kenneth Robinson, social studies teacher

ZIA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Students and Staff Member of the Month

A female teacher and two female students pose for a photo holding certificates.

From left, Alyssa Garcia, social studies teacher; KeLeigh Greer, seventh-grader; McKinley Goff, sixth-grader