Los Alamos Middle School teacher Rita Sanchez receives the Spirit of the West Award. Photo by Chad Lauritzen
COMMUNITY News:
The 2020 Spirit of the West Award was presented to Los Alamos Middle School teacher Rita Sanchez during a ceremony Saturday night at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
The Champions of Youth Ambitions “Community Asset Awards” celebrated its 11th annual event, sponsored this year by the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation.
Sanchez was recognized with the Spirit of the West Award, named for former County Councilor Jim West, not just for 35 years of teaching, but thousands of hours of attending sporting events supporting her students, offering to drive them in the event of an emergency on prom nights, creating a wrestling tournament in memory of her son and more. Sanchez will retire at the end of the school year.
The award is voted on by an anonymous panel, however this year the final decision also was affirmed anonymously by the C’YA Board of Directors. Once the board selected the top winner, they were informed that the nominator was C’YA Board President Claire Swinhoe. The C’YA Board includes Debra Minyard, Karen Greenfield, Megan Pfeffer, Valerie Harris and Deb Snow.
The Asset Award Nomination For Rita Sanchez:
On Aug. 15, 2019, Rita Sanchez wrote “My last, first day of school” in a career that has spanned 35 years.
Rita has been teaching Spanish at one place – the Los Alamos Middle School for 35 years. Think about that for a moment. How many people do you know that have stayed in one place for that long?
I first met Rita 16 years ago when my son started at the middle school. She quickly became his favorite teacher. Someone that he would do anything for. Even to this day, when he is back in town, he visits her classroom, because she is that special of a person. He is not alone. There are thousands of former students who, quite simply, love her.
Rita goes above and beyond to be there for her students. Every year she posts a message on Prom Night telling kids that if they are scared, in a bad situation, need a ride home, then they should telephone her, and she will come and get them and take them home. She posts her phone number on social media so they can contact her. Rita doesn’t even live in Los Alamos, but a 45-minute drive away.
Rita’s classroom is highly decorated with photos of her former students. Her classes are fun, but there is also a lot of hard work. There are celebrations. In the “Good Old Days” there were mammoth bizcochito baking sessions, visits by wolves, dancers and mariachi bands on Cinco de Mayo. There are still the yearly visits with her classes to the Santuario de Chimayo.
Rita has a strong faith. Ten years ago, a truly awful tragedy occurred on Christmas Eve with the loss of her son. I don’t think I have ever seen a braver lady than I did at that time.
Bryan was an avid wrestler and Rita went on to establish the Bryan Sanchez Wrestling Tournament in his name. This was an annual wrestling tournament held at Los Alamos High School where students from other schools would come and compete.
Rita is passionate about all Los Alamos sports that her “kiddos” participate in. During the season, she can be found fiercely guarding “her gate” at Sullivan Field supporting the football team. She also supports the Middle School events, too. Thousands of after school hours spent cheering on her students, come rain or shine.
In a little over 100 days from now, Rita will retire from teaching and spend time on her other passions, her granddaughter and trout fishing. Did I mention that Rita is great at fishing!
Thank you for your service to Los Alamos. We are going to miss you. As you bow out of Los Alamos Middle School life, I want to leave you with this quote.
In the words of Tina Turner: “Rita, you are simply the best”.
Los Alamos Middle School teacher Rita Sanchez shares her Spirit of the West Award with her granddaughter. Photo by Chad Lauritzen
