05-27-12 rdr news

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Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY

Vol. 121, No. 127 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday

INSIDE NEWS

May 27, 2012

Elks host Veterans Prayer Breakfast

SUNDAY

www.rdrnews.com

NOAH VERNAU RECORD STAFF WRITER

CAUTIOUS CAMPAIGN

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the risky business of running for president, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are largely playing it safe. For all the small daily dramas of the 2012 campaign, there’s a risk-averse dynamic playing out: Neither candidate has been making bold new policy proposals or displaying a free-wheeling personal style. So far, at least. - PAGE B7

TOP 5 WEB

For The Past 24 Hours

• GHS graduates 180 in school’s 47th • UHS holds 28th commencement • Never too young to learn about fire safety • That’s a lot of food; thanks, Roswell • Ring of fire

INSIDE SPORTS

HIKE IT & SPIKE IT

The first day of the 17th annual Hike It & Spike It Charity Flag Football Tournament wrapped up play on Saturday evening. The final day of the tournament, featuring the championships for all divisions, continues play today at 8 a.m. at the Cielo Grande Recreation Complex. The featured division, the Show Me the Money ... - PAGE B1

Mark Wilson Photo

Fires rage on

The Veterans Honor Guard displays the colors during the Veterans Prayer Breakfast at Roswell Elks Lodge No. 969, Saturday morning.

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Residents near a privately owned New Mexico ghost town were ordered Saturday to evacuate as a blaze in the Gila National Forest continued to burn erratically, as Colorado crews took to fighting a new fire along the Utah-Colorado border. Fire officials in New Mexico said Saturday that the Whitewater-Baldy Complex fire has shrunk slightly to 82,000 acres but is still 0 percent contained because of weather conditions. The evacuation of Mogollon, a privately owned ghost town, was ordered due to extreme wind around the southwestern New Mexico fire. Four helicopters and more than 500 firefighters from around the state were on hand to fight the blaze but still had to contend with “extreme conditions.” Cities, as far away as Albuquerque, remained under a health alert until this after noon due to smoke from the fire, which has spread across the state. State officials were warning residents during

HIGH ...94˚ LOW ....55˚

CLASSIFIEDS..........D1 COMICS.................C4 ENTERTAINMENT.....B9 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........B9 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WASHINGTON .........A9 WEATHER ............A10 WORLD .................B8

INDEX

“What we need to be reminded of is that our freedoms have been bought at a pretty steep price by those who have served in See PRAYER, Page A3

Mark Wilson Photo

RHS Centennial Class graduates 227 NOAH VERNAU RECORD STAFF WRITER

Roswell High School seniors concluded one journey and prepared for the next, Saturday, graduating as the school’s Cen-

tennial Class of 2012. With 38 honor graduates, the school presented 227 seniors with their diplomas at the Wool Bowl. RHS Principal Ruben Bolanos asked graduates to remember what it was

like when they entered high school as freshmen. “Look at the people next to you and look at the people around you. Four years ago, you may not have known that individual. And today, you’re

probably real good friends or the best of friends, and you will remain lifelong friends,” Bolanos said. “You guys have worked and struggled through

Morgan Jones, Maurissa Munoz graduate VCA See FIRES, Page A3

NOAH VERNAU RECORD STAFF WRITER

OBITUARIES

TODAY’S FORECAST

Bergmark, a Korean War veteran, shared how excited he became while researching Slade’s unique service record, and how much it means to him to honor all those who served.

Roswell High School seniors proceed to the football field for commencement ceremonies at the Wool Bowl, Saturday evening.

TODAY’S • Arlo Yunie • Imogene Elam • John Wesley Sanders • Elpidia Morales • Erasmus Teaney • Nathan Kimbler • Gladys Annette Norman • Ivan G. Saenz - PAGE B6

Members of the community gathered Saturday at the Roswell Elks Lodge to honor veterans and usher in Memorial Day weekend with the ninth annual Veterans Prayer Breakfast. Bob Bergmark, the Lodge’s district Americanism chairman, welcomed World War II veteran Bill Slade as the honored guest. Slade, a resident of La Villa, was bor n Sept. 6, 1915, in Paris, Texas. At 5 feet 6 inches and 115 pounds, Slade was unable join the Ar my Aviation Cadet program after he completed college because he was considered too small. Slade would not let

his passion for flight go unrealized, however, and worked in produce to pay for his flying lessons in the Civilian Pilot Training program in Oklahoma. Slade would eventually fly Spitfires for the Royal Air Force before transferring to the Army Air Corps when the United States entered war.

Mark Wilson Photo

Maurissa Munoz receives last-minute academic regalia adjustments as fellow graduate Morgan Jones looks on before Valley Christian Academy commencement ceremonies, Saturday afternoon.

Morgan Jones and Maurissa Munoz graduated from Valley Christian Academy on Saturday, completing a 12-year journey in for mal education as the Class of 2012. They began in public schools before choosing a Christian education, a decision from which both said they would benefit for the rest of their lives. “It’s the end of a road but the beginning of a new one,” Munoz said. “My school has been nothing short of wonder ful. It’s been so great. Everything

has just been amazing; there are good teachers, there’s good education, there’s nothing bad I could say about it. ... “I’ll definitely take away a stronger relationship with God, and definitely a lot more education in English. There are a lot of things, but those are the biggest ones: A closer relationship with God, friendship and studies.” Munoz said she will attend Eastern New Mexico University in Portales for two years, and then transfer to a Christian college out of state to pursue a career as a missionary. She said she hopes to set foot on every continent in the

See RHS, Page A2

world. Jones said he will look back fondly on his education at VCA. “I loved it. It really helped me a lot coming here. It’s just a really great school, and I think everybody coming here would enjoy it.” Jones said he will attend a technical college in Texas to pursue a career as a John Deere mechanic. “It’s great. I’m finally out in the world and I can work,” he said. The graduates chose teacher Tanya Kraft to be their featured speaker. She provided Munoz and Jones

Owen Alsup goes 6-for-6, thrice; takes nat’l Euclidean Division NOAH VERNAU RECORD STAFF WRITER

Fifteen area elementary students were recognized for their accomplishments in the Continental Math League, a nationwide mathematics problem-solving competition. Gifted students from each of the 12 elementary schools in the Roswell Independent School District participated in the competition, which presented students with the challenge of solving six

math problems in 30 minutes at various meets held throughout the school year. The students competed with others at their grade level or above in their own school, and against other schools across the nation. Berrendo Elementary student Owen Alsup received national recognition for the Euclidean Division grade three, going a perfect six-for-six at each of his three meets. “When they told me about (the award) I was

really surprised,” Owen said. “... When I won at the school, I was happy. And then when I won district, I was happy. But when I won the whole country, that was like crazy. I thought it was crazy! “I’ve always liked math; it’s always been my favorite subject. It’s just easier for me. I like reading, too, but math is easier than language arts and writing and all that, I think. ... I’m realSee ALSUP, Page A3

See VCA, Page A3

Noah Vernau Photo

Owen Alsup shows off his Continental Math League certificates and medal, Wednesday.


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05-27-12 rdr news by Roswell Daily Record - Issuu