Rio Rancho High School, home of the Rams, New Mexico State 5A Basketball Champs, has the largest graduating class in the state. Normally, their graduation ceremony would take place in The PIT, the world-famous University of New Mexico athletic arena.
But not this year.
The venue was changed suddenly, sometime in early March, to the Santa Ana Star Center, a spanking new corporate partner to the Rio Rancho casino of the same name.
Here's a situation that disproportionately affects large families. Is it an "unintended consequence" that most of the large families who will have to pare down there numbers to 6, are Hispanic? The arrogance and thoughtlessness surrounding this questionable decision are up for discussion.
7 comments:
Gary Herron, Mike and Genie Ryan and anonymous,
"Here's the thing":
We will have 6 family members coming from out of town. I'm not apologizing to ANYONE and don’t give damn what those clowns in the newspaper are saying. We are a BIG family and damn proud or it! As for me and my house we disagree with Dr. Cleveland. We request an inquiry to find out why the principal was booed with such fervor. We liked to see the graduation in Rio Rancho but only when the next school has seniors and not before.
Damn straight this is discrimination against Hispanics!
Cruz
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Anonymous,
Thanks for your opinion. Whether or not I voted or didn’t vote for a school board member is irrelevant given that the decision to move the graduation ceremony was an administrative decision made after the middle of the year. If you are really the parent of an RRHS graduate then you must have the graduation announcements that say the ceremony will be held at The Pit. Excellent planning--that means we have to stick in that little insert that may as well say “DON’T BOTHER COMING. THERE WILL BE NO ROOM FOR YOU!” By the way, does your conscientious vote for a school board member require you to agree with every position they hold?
If you are truly concerned about parental participation, shouldn’t you be applauding this effort asking the community to become involved in this important event? I’m shocked that you think there’s a restriction on a parent’s right to cry foul at any point in time they feel the need to.
You ask “where does it stop?” Well, I can’t speak for every graduate, but if you have family and friends who have planned to be there for you—to take the time out of their busy lives to mark a milestone with you, than I suppose it would stop at that number. Let’s see: 2 parents + 4 grandparents + 3 brothers and one sister-in-law—that’s 10 already and I’m only counting the immediate family. What about 2 godparents? A favorite aunt and uncle? A best friend who goes to private school? I’m not even including the stepmother or the two ugly stepsisters. I would hardly call these individuals a “posse.”
You should be embarrassed by your own condescending attitude regarding large families. Your use of the term “posse” makes me wonder if you’re a bigot. Do you have a problem with people who have lots of close friends? I wonder if you’re not projecting your own social inadequacies onto those of us who have a lot of folks who we love and include in family gatherings. By your logic Snow White would have to choose among the seven dwarves, the prince, and her fairy godmothers. Oh, wait a minute--it was Sleeping Beauty who had the three fairy godmothers. Four, if you count Maleficent. But, you get my point.
The way I see it, the day is for the graduates to celebrate with the people they love. They have worked hard and earned this celebration. If you have to ask “where does it stop?” —well, I feel sorry for you.
Eve
Doc let's PACK THE PIT!
Capacity of the Pit:
18,000 plus can fit.
A section is blocked off so now 12,000 can fit.
They had to open up that section for last year’s graduation for us because we had the largest Class, which meant more people.
The 2007 Class is even Bigger, which will mean more people.
The media and school started out saying that 690 Seniors would be graduating; NOW they are saying 770 Seniors are graduating.
That means their figures were off and there will be more people coming.
Do you realize the graduating Class WILL be even bigger as each year goes by?
The section can be opened up so 13,000, 15,000 or up to 18,000 people as needed.
IF YOU DON’T THINK THE NUMBERS ARE CORRECT, CALL THE PIT.
A local newspaper reporter (Gary Herron) is trying to say 11,000 would come BUT remember, he is basing it on what he thinks last years’ numbers were, but he his wrong. Then he suggests that 10 years old and under CANNOT attend the graduation! Can you believe that? He is WRONG on last years’ numbers because they had to open up the section that is closed off, so there were more then 11,000 people present, this means more will come this year along with anyone under the age of 10!
Rio Rancho year in and year out AVERAGES roughly 20 people per graduate. That is an average.
Whatever numbers you want to use the fact remains the same 11,000+ to 15,000+ people are being affected by this decision.
“Let me play the devil’s advocate”, (like Gary did) WHAT IS WRONG WITH RIO RANCHO “PACKING THE PIT” FOR A GRADUATION?
We should be proud we did! Isn’t it true that Sue Cleveland and company, Gary Herron and Coach Brian Smith exhorted and hoped that we would “Pack The Pit” for all of basketball games?
Didn’t Mayor Jackson show his support and come out for the game; I think that is Great that he showed his support over a GAME?
QUOTING: Mayor Kevin Jackson said the development of the city's school district has given Rio Rancho a sense of identity.
"We didn't have that when I was growing up," said Jackson, who has lived in Rio Rancho since the 1960s and plans to attend tonight's championship. "There's an elevation in pride in how well the teams have done, not just in athletics, but in academic, student government and all the student-related programs."
QUOTING: "You saw the crowd tonight," Rio Rancho coach Brian Smith said after the Rams semifinal win Thursday night at The Pit. "There are 70,000 people in Rio Rancho. This place should be packed. Where is everybody?"
I think this was Great too showing support and networking with others!
QUOTING: Sarah Stevenson, a team manager, hung flyers around the sprawling Rio Rancho campus Thursday to promote the game.
"I saw a lot of people stopping to look at them and a lot of people asked me about the game," Stevenson said.
Her mother, who works at a local elementary school, told Stevenson that e-mails about Rams basketball have been flowing into her inbox. Gary did you do these interviews? No that was an Albuquerque Tribune reporter.
Consider then we want to “PACK THE PIT” for a sporting event, AND I DO TOO, why not “PACK THE PIT” for RRPS’s BIGGEST EVENT, their High School Graduation?!
I would hope our Mayor that showed that much enthusiasm for a “game” would show more for the WRONG being imposed on the Class of 2007.
I would hope Sue Cleveland and company, along with Gary Herron and other media that showed that much enthusiasm for a “game” would show more for the WRONG being imposed on the Class of 2007 especially our Seniors our children!
Weren’t we condemned and criticized in the news, in public for our emails and networking to get this situation changed?
Mayor Jackson, Sue Cleveland and company, Gary Herron, the Ryans and other media, which is more important a “game” or a graduation? I feel they are both important.
What about the fact that several thousands are affected men, women and children?
What about the fact an injustice has been dealt them?
What is wrong with anyone striving for:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”
“GO BACK TO THE PIT – PACK THE PIT” anyone under 10 are welcome too!
Surely we have legal rights?
Each School Board member is sworn in by a judge and their oath of service maintains they must uphold the Constitution of the United States as well as the school's, isn't this a direct violation of "due process", fair process, or any equal and "good faith" standards that adhere to our Constitution and what they were founded on? I have personally heard that Dr. Cleveland is "fair" and we are absolutely counting on that in this matter.
“Everyone has already heard the arguments for and against returning the graduation ceremony to The Pit so there’s no reason to spend a lot of time rehashing what’s already been said. The only issue left to be decided is what most of the parents want to do. We believe that most of the parents want the ceremony to be held in The Pit. So our only request is that you authorize a vote so that we can see what the parents want. If most of them want to hold the ceremony at the Star Center, then we should hold it at the Star Center; if most of the parents want to return to the Pit, then that’s what we should do. If you feel you can’t authorize a vote, then the only fair decision is to return the ceremony to The Pit given that the decision was made without sufficient public input.
Further, the decision to move the ceremony to the Star Center disproportionately inconveniences larger families, many of whom happen to be Hispanic.”
Lorenzo
Some GREAT reading here.
After taking the time to really consider all of the reasons the administration decided to change our graduation. I have concluded beyond a shadow of a doubt that their reasons are self-serving. Their decisions discriminate against families and graduates and do not allow everyone to have a voice in this decision. It also places hardship, stress and is a serious distraction in people’s lives. It was completely one sided. At this time if they would allow us to vote they would lose. They will not allow us to vote at all costs. This will take legal action or enough people to complain about this decision. They are not listening and not conceding they are wrong.
Additionally, it is overtly obvious that there is a vast difference between the coverage on the news and the quality of the journalism concerning the Rio Rancho Observer, G. Herron, the Rio Rancho Journal, specifically the Ryans and the Tribune. Specifically, Herron and the Ryans editorial were both very offensive and poorly put together, with points that make no connections, other then to back the system. They never addressed the serious issues and made light of the fact a vote or fair input was not allowed; tickets are an obstacle; too bad for anyone’s extended family; and discriminated against persons concerning their age! (Herron) actually placed an age limit on the event! They degraded and shamed families for requesting relief and made their best argument to tell them to shut up, using because we told you so rhetoric, were smart your not, we know you don’t logic.
The other Journal and Tribune reporters presented the information that was given to them in a balanced manner.
NOTE: Our very own newspaper in the city of vision the Observer has NOT interviewed anyone that opposes this decision! Repeat has NOT! Which begs to ask…..WHY?
Can anyone say,
"Conflict of Interest"
Or
"Corporate Partners"
Go back to the Pit.
Randy
I am very upset over how this entire matter has been handled from top to bottom! I don’t want to curse here but I am completely ANGRY! Business is business the buck stops with Dr. Cleveland. If she can’t open her eyes and see the harm done, she needs to resign her position. Name that school after someone that deserves it. Those punk lackey writers in the newspaper are dumber and dumber THEY DO NOT TELL ME HOW TO RAISE MY CHILDREN, EVER!!! NOR DO THEY TELL ME MY 10 YEAR OLD CAN’T COME SEE THEIR BROTHER GRADUATE! I HAVE VOTED EVERYTIME A VOTE WAS NEEDED! HOW DARE THEY LUMP ME IN WITH PERSONS THEY FEEL ARE NEGLIGENT! RETIRE HERRON AND RYANS OR CHANGE YOUR OCCUPATION. HERRON HOW COME YOU OR YOUR NEWSPAPER HAS NOT INTEVIEWED A FAMILY AGAINST THIS DECISION? WHERE THE HELL IS ACTION JACKSON IN ALL THIS? OH, AND THE RANTER IN THE NEWSPAPER, YOU MAKE ME SICK HOW “AMERICAN” YOU THINK YOU ARE! SPELL THIS B-I-G-O-T, I KNOW YOU’RE ONE BECAUSE I’M WHITE LIKE YOU FOOL!
Lynn
We are praying for this decision to be resolved.
The local newspaper has already taken sides and unfairly characterizes anyone that disagrees with the decision.
Anyone that disagrees with the decision does not need to be ridiculed for thinking differently. They should not be categorized as less American. They had nothing to do with last years crowd. They don’t need lessons on raising children from people who have a column in the newspaper. Or lessons in what a cruel “woild” we live in, or “buck up.”
The newspapers should have their top reporter in the face of district office asking hard questions, like how come everyone was not allowed to voice their opinions? Is there political pressure and by whom? Why did the principal get booed? Is this discrimination? Does this in fact affect our Hispanic families?
They actually told families 10 years old and younger that they can’t celebrate. Yes they recommend that young people can’t see an event with their own eyes even though it is actually positive reinforcement. Remember our state tops the charts in suicides and dropouts. They literally called fellow “Ranchoans, whiners, greedy and to get over it.”
Funny is funny but the April Fool’s deal was “underhanded and nasty” quoting the newspaper.
Belinda
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