Circle of Friends An Upward Bound Reunion

By Rachel Forrester

A Native American legend says that at the end of the evening, friends would gather around a bonfire to share memories of times spent together and speak of the good qualities of each other. As the embers faded, their friendship was said to be sealed anew, bringing them closer together.

This summer a circle of friends was formed again, as former students and employees of ENMU’s Upward Bound program reunited on campus to reminisce and honor retired Upward Bound director JoAnn Gibson (MED 65).

Standing (from L-R): Diego Gutierrez (BBA 01), Rosa Montelongo (BA 98), JC Darrow, Carla Visser, Sue Duffman Zacarias, Lynda Fish Havery, Reta Neal (MBA 81), Dr. Mary Ayala (Faculty), Dr. Kathleen Wagner (MED 92, BSE 89), Rick Rodriguez (BA 91), Leticia Perez (BA 97), Vorada Silivongxay (BS 92), Tanna Rodriguez (BS 92), Clay Rowland, Doris Anaya (MA 07, BBA 90). Sitting (from L-R): David Briseño (MED 89, BS 82), Wayne Anderson (MED 85, BS 83), JoAnn Gibson (MED 65), Vern Witten (faculty), Alan Dodd (MA 88), Marlene Anderson (MED 93, BS 85).

The passion and appreciation Gibson’s former students expressed when speaking to and about her was undeniable. During the event, Sue Duffman Zacarias (Attended) presented a Lifetime Achievement award to Gibson with a heartfelt message: “some people take the path less traveled, but you helped us create our own.”

“When you work with the students, you find such purpose and such joy in their achievements, especially if they pursue their opportunities,” said Gibson, who worked with the reunion’s attendees from the 1980s through the 90s.

Upward Bound is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to serve first-generation college attendees from low-income families to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and graduate from college. Leticia Perez (BA 97), who helped organize the gathering of friends, spoke to the Portales News Tribune about how the program affected her as a student.

“It opened doors to experiences that I probably would have struggled with on my own,” said Perez. “To go down memory lane has been exciting,” she added.

Throughout the years, Upward Bound has been supported by ENMU staff such as Vern Witten (Faculty) and Leonard Leary (BA 67). The program is still in full swing with 78 active participants from Curry and Roosevelt counties.

Rick Rodriguez (BA 91) was an Upward Bound student from 1984-86. After graduation, he worked with Gibson as a summer counselor for the program.

“I’m a product of the Upward Bound experience and a beneficiary,” said Rodriguez. “I was also blessed to be able to come back as an employee for the program. Just being able to talk to kids about that and say, ‘this isn’t a come in for the summer and hang out. This is a life changer so don’t pass on this.’ Upward Bound changes lives.”

Rodriguez asked the reunion attendees to do one thing in return for the support they received: give back.

“To see all of you here and hear about your successes, the only thing I’ll ask you to do as you go through the rest of your life is to remember and give back. Give back to whatever it is that will benefit kids and pay it forward because you just don’t know the life that you’ll impact.”

Standing (from L-R): Diego Gutierrez (BBA 01), Rosa Montelongo (BA 98), JC Darrow, Carla Visser, Sue Duffman Zacarias, Lynda Fish Havery, Reta Neal (MBA 81), Dr. Mary Ayala (Faculty), Dr. Kathleen Wagner (MED 92, BSE 89), Rick Rodriguez (BA 91), Leticia Perez (BA 97), Vorada Silivongxay (BS 92), Tanna Rodriguez (BS 92), Clay Rowland, Doris Anaya (MA 07, BBA 90). Sitting (from L-R): David Briseño (MED 89, BS 82), Wayne Anderson (MED 85, BS 83), JoAnn Gibson (MED 65), Vern Witten (faculty), Alan Dodd (MA 88), Marlene Anderson (MED 93, BS 85).