Desaree Jimenez, left, with students Ally Booton and Derek Rodriguez who were two of eight state winners of the 4-H Portfolio competition. Courtesy photo
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos
“Movement is Magic and Motion is the Potion” is what I came up with when asked to help name a statewide program on engaging people to exercise. Part of the reason was due to Strong Senior, Strong Bones work with Desaree Jimenez, Los Alamos’ former County Program Director of Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4-H Agent for the Los Alamos Cooperative Extension Service.
Jimenez retired last month and there’s nothing I hate more than when a valued member of the community disappears without the fanfare they deserve. Her legacy spanned about 37 years. A few breaks in that time of service were due to spectacular opportunities including a political appointment in Washington, D.C. working at USDA. She retired in 2016, then came back to work in Los Alamos CES for more than seven years.
Once such program that leaves some very large shoes to fill in the Los Alamos County Fair. Claire Swinhoe is a local volunteer that witnessed the hard work and dedication firsthand, year after year.
“Desaree spent many, many long hours taking in entries, arranging them into categories, finding judges, marshalling volunteers and many other tasks that are involved in putting on a successful show,” Swinhoe said. “Not just here in Los Alamos, but also as part of the 4H Club in Rio Arriba County. It is exhausting. Desaree was the first one in every day and the last one out.”
While her heart is always with the 4-H Youth Program, the reason may not be what you think. Jimenez loved watching these kids grow into adulthood.
“You see these kiddos come into the program when they’re pretty young. Watching them develop those leadership skills and the confidence and skills that go with it has been one of the things I enjoy most,” she said. “Our 4-H families have been great, and the parents have helped to support us in so many ways, which is what keeps the whole program going.”
The Strong Senior Strong Bones program later became the Extension Get Fit program.
“Working with our older adult program has been extremely inspirational to me, as I felt surrounded by so much experience and knowledge,” Jimenez said. “I so appreciated those folks for attending this program and to make it a group that we all wanted to be around and hopefully brought mental and physical health for all that participated.”
Jimenez loved collaborating and did it well. She makes collaborators feel like they are helping her even when she rolls out the whole program and incurs the expenses. Great staff and volunteers always surrounded her to accomplish those goals.
“I have enjoyed my co-workers in Los Alamos, Angela Prada and Audrey Collins,” Jimenez said. “They put up with me and were always ready to assist and roll with all the changes that typically come with this job.”
Jimenez also loved working with the Rio Arriba County CES agents and their fair board members. She found them a pleasure to work with and always willing to help. She has lived in both communities, and has cherished friends and co-workers in both counties, and around the state.
When asked about a memory, she recalled something that revolves around nutrition and fitness. It was a life-changing project that was more of a movement than just a program.
Jimenez, along with two other agents created the Just Be It Healthy and Fit nutrition and fitness program and curriculum. The team piloted the program in Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties in several public schools and other counties in the state. The project was very successful winning several national awards, including top place for family wellness programs with the National Family and Consumer Sciences Association.
“We reached thousands of youth over several years and presented the program across the United States,” she said. “We created and sold the curriculum, created DVD’s, family newsletters, and received a $500,000 grant from the USDA to develop this program.”
While her background is in nutrition, she also started the Pie Competition part of the County Fair. She worked to teach food preservation classes and sometimes the student then becomes the teacher. Claire Swinhoe, one of two Los Alamos Master Preserver’s, often taught preserving and canning classes with Jimenez. The two provided a wealth of knowledge and experience and worked tirelessly to make sure that everyone in the courses had fun and came away with a good understanding of the processes and safe methods needed to preserve food.
“Desaree will be sorely missed,” Swinhoe said. “I worked on the recruitment panel seven years ago that hired her and was stunned at her vast and impressive resume. The things that she has done are amazing. Los Alamos was lucky to have her, and I wish her all the best in her retirement. I will really miss her.”
As Jimenez retires, she said she feels happy and satisfied to have spent her professional life doing something worthwhile. She leaves hoping that she contributed to a positive community spirit and health, and we can assure her that her goals were accomplished by far.