Compiled by Denise Ortega

MARCH 20, 1973

WATER SYSTEM UPGRADES. Work is underway on the city’s water system. Workmen began laying new lines in some areas and replacing old lines in others. Nearly six miles of pipe will be used in the project, which is expected to be finished by mid-June. Timberline Construction Company of Albuquerque is using mostly “local” help, it was announced by Raymond Dennis, consulting engineer of the project. Dennis said the project will also include 32 new fire hydrants in areas where there were none and replacement of 10 others to give better fire protection to firms and residents of those areas. This 12-inch line will be “looped” and will hook into the new million-gallon storage tank as part of the project.

MARCH 22, 1973

THE COMMUNITY CENTER COOKBOOK is complete. Co-editors Elsa Borchers and Sally Simon worked diligently for four months to make the cookbook a reality, according to Center officials. The cookbook contains 108 recipes divided into 14 categories, including a section of Mexican and Spanish recipes. Most of the recipes were donated by Socorrites. A few recipes, the Center notes, come from out-of-state friends. The criteria for recipes sent in were that they be well-tested and appreciated by family and friends. A total of over 60 persons contributed materials, time and recipes. The cookbook will go on sale March 24 at Stop and Shop Supermarket.

MARCH 18, 1998

AMY VALLES won a gold medal for her acrobatic performance of “Blueberry Pie” at the recent Dance Troupe competition. Amy’s quick-step routine combined props and character dance with gymnastics and tumbling on a wooden stage floor without mats.  In addition, the routine won the Highest Score Award for Preschool/Primary/Junior level soloist, including best choreography. Amy’s routine was different from the rest of the performances, with lots of smiles and tumbling. Valles had to achieve better than 248 out of 300 points to win the gold.

MARCH 21, 1998

PAROCHIAL SCHOOL CLOSES. San Miguel parochial school will close its doors permanently on June 30, following the end of the 1997-98 academic year. The announcement was made public Thursday, less than 24 hours after a meeting between San Miguel pastor Domingo Gumpal, the school advisory board and the superintendent for schools with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. San Miguel School teachers and staff were given the news shortly after classes began Thursday and letters were sent home with parents that afternoon. A financial burden of $150,000 and declining enrollment were the reasons for recommending the closure. The $150,000 includes an IRS debt and $70,000 borrowed from the Archdiocese, which must be repaid.

MARCH 21, 2013

Marco Ybarra

MICHAEL J. ARMIJO II, an eighth-grader from Sarracino Middle School, is Socorro County’s 2013 Spelling Bee champion. Armijo was among the best 35 spellers from throughout the county who gathered at the Socorro District Courthouse to compete for a spot in the New Mexico Spelling Bee. After battling for 19 rounds, Armijo correctly spelled “synonym” to become Socorro’s representative in the state competition, which only takes the first-place finisher from each county. Jorrell Mirabel, of Magdalena, and Andrew Silva, a Sarracino eighth grader, rounded out the top three.

GYMNASTICS CHAMPION. Nine-year-old Marco Ybarra earned several state gymnastic championship titles at the meet in Albuquerque. He competed in the USA Gymnastics Jr. Olympics New Mexico Boys State Championship meet in Albuquerque. He competed in the Level 6, division for 9-10-year-olds. Ybarra won the state championship title in all six events: pommel horse, rings, high bar, floor, vault and parallel bars. He also won the all-around state champion title for the fourth time in a row. This win qualifies him to compete in the Region 9 Championship meet. Ybarra started gymnastics at the age of 3 and started competing at the age of 5. He has won over 150 medals. Ybarra trains four days a week, three hours a day.

Chieftain Staff Report