Triangle Offense By Robert Graham Texico produced two sharpshooters for ENMU Women’s Greyhound basketball: Jaylyn and Jordyn Cooper. Along with their cousin, Desiree, the Cooper twins run the triangle offense of college to perfection.
Photo by Robert Graham
Desiree was one of two students to represent ENMU at the 2015 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). She is the assistant editor for the University’s weekly publication the Monday Memo. Her weekly column the “Coop Scoop” explores popular culture topics. She also co-coordinates the University’s social media platform, serves as president of ENMU’s chapter of the American Association of University Women, and is a L-R: Jaylyn, Desiree and Jordyn Cooper pose outside the Administration building. member of the Chi Omega Theta Zeta women’s fraternity where she has held four executive board positions, including The Cooper trio will form the third generation of ENMU graduates president. Desiree earned the Department of Communication for the family. Their paternal grandmother Billie Cooper (MED Outstanding Public Relations Student of the Year two years in a row. 82, BA 81), the twins’ mother Diane Cooper (BSE 87), sister Kelly Fontanilla (BSE 02) and Desiree’s father Britt Cooper Like their cousin, the Cooper twins are leaders. The University recognized Jaylyn this past season as Women’s Basketball Academic (BSE 86) preceded Jordyn, Jaylyn and Desiree. “Our grandmother lives in Portales, and we get to spend a lot of time with her,” says the Player of the Year. Asked about leadership, Jordyn commented, Cooper trio. The twins’ mother died in 2000 from breast cancer; “the best leaders are those who simply let their actions lead the Desiree’s father serves as the head coach for Roswell High School’s way of their leadership.” The Cooper twins helped out with the varsity men’s basketball team. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Food Assistance Program food distribution to needy families. Community service is Others have perfected the triangle offense on the basketball court, important to all three of the cousins. but the Cooper trio has perfected it both on and off the court.
1 Great Idea + 20 Years = 1,000 Students By Dr. Mary Daughrity More than 1,000 students and their families have participated in the Family Math and Science Nights at James Elementary School since 1995. ENMU’s Elementary Methods students plan and create hands-on, mindson, learning stations for the evening. Family Math and Science Night promotes families learning math and science together with household materials. Instructional stations incorporate critical thinking skills with age-appropriate math and science concepts from the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. “Our 20-year efforts have seeded the state of New Mexico with educators who sponsor their own Family Math and Science Nights,” says College of Education and Technology faculty Dr. Jerry Everhart. Dr. Everhart and colleague Dr. Mary Arth 8
Green & Silver | August 2015
Daughrity supervised a dozen Elementary Methods students who managed the math and science activity stations for first and second grade students this spring. The students and their families explored four New Mexico-themed learning stations: (1) created chemistry models related to the Capulin volcano; (2) mapped spatial relationships in a replica of the Carlsbad Caverns; (3) used archeology skills with the Mystery Dig related to the Blackwater Draw near Portales; (4) predicted and created hot air balloon flights like Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta. Current Elementary Methods student Chelsea Wain explains, “Working with future educators and getting students excited about math, science, and learning was so much fun. The night takes a lot of
time and effort to plan, but the end result of seeing the students engaged in learning outside of school was so rewarding.” ENMU’s Education Club, VOICES, assisted Elementary Methods students during Family Night by registering students and families and awarding door prizes. Volunteering at Family Night serves as informal and formal training ENMU’s future students Elementary Methods student Heather Petty says, “Math and Science Night was a great experience and a joy to be a part of. Interacting with the students and their parents at the same time was new for me as a future educator. This is something I will value and remember throughout my career.” Judging from participants’ response, they will as well.
