Organ Mountain High School

*Please see the following updated advisory, which corrects the middle school game to Sierra Middle School v. White Sands. Wednesday's weather forced the cancellation of three scheduled games for Las Cruces Public Schools: Sierra Middle School v. White Sands (boys basketball) and the District 3-5A Boys Basketball Tournament between Alamogordo and Las Cruces High and Organ Mountain versus Centennial High School. The district games have been rescheduled as follows: Alamogordo v. LCHS - Thursday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. OMHS v. Centennial - Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. To accommodate the rescheduled games, start times for the District 3-5A Girls Basketball Tournament had to be adjusted. Please see attached brackets for additional information.

WEATHER PROMPTS BASKETBALL CANCELLATIONS Wednesday's weather forced the cancellation of three scheduled games for Las Cruces Public Schools: Picacho Middle School v. White Sands (boys basketball) and the District 3-5A Boys Basketball Tournament between Alamogordo and Las Cruces High and Organ Mountain versus Centennial High School. The district games have been rescheduled as follows: Alamogordo v. LCHS - Thursday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. OMHS v. Centennial - Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. To accommodate the rescheduled games, start times for the District 3-5A Girls Basketball Tournament had to be adjusted. Please see attached brackets for additional information.

Due to extremely high winds forecasted near San Augustin Pass, students who live at White Sands Missile Range will be bussed home from school early today. Post officials at WSMR have advised the installation will close today at 11, so students at White Sands School will be bussed home at that time. Students will be transported according to the following schedule: 10:00 a.m. - Arrowhead Park Early College High School 10:20 a.m. - Organ Mountain High School

This week, on Around The District, LCPS .TV takes you to the mat for some wrestling. New Mexico boys 5A - Region 2, state qualifying tournament held at Las Cruces High School. #nmaa #nmhighschoolwrestling State qualifiers listed by school: Las Cruces - 13 Centennial - 7 Mayfield - 3 Organ Mountain - 1 Photography credit: Paul Baugh Around The District: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bMmRyDKmeg

New Mexico State University's Physics Graduate Student Organization (PGSO) will host their annual Physics Fun Day on March 24, Friday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at Gardiner Hall, NMSU. This popular event, which has been taking place since 2009 obviously last couple of years has been difficult to organize because of COVID-19, is designed to introduce the public to the exciting world of physics. With hands-on demonstrations and some poster presentations, participants will get a glimpse into the cool physics demos. The experiment will be set-up outdoor and indoor of Gardiner Hall. PGSO's commitment to diversity and inclusion within STEM fields is evident through the event's aim to attract a diversified audience, including high school students, college students, and members of the NMSU community. The experiments will be presented in multiple languages, including Spanish, to ensure that everyone can participate and engage with the demonstrations. The goal of the event is not only to generate excitement for physics but to showcase the kind of work and research that takes place at NMSU's Physics department. The demonstrations will cover basic physics concepts such as conservation of energy and angular momentum, as well as more advanced topics like optics and space-time curvature. Additionally, attendees will get to see and taste ice cream made with liquid nitrogen. President of PGSO, Krishna Acharya said that Physics Fun Day is not just about fun; it's about inspiring the next generation of scientists and showcasing the importance of physics dissemination. PGSO believes that diversifying the field of physics is crucial for the advancement of science and society as a whole. Any questions, you may contact Krishna Acharya kacharya@nmsu.edu or Marisela Chavez marisech@nmsu.edu

The Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation will be hosting Trivia Night on Wednesday, February 15 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on the patio at the Game II, located at 4131 Northrise Dr. Register your teams of 3-5 participants, test your knowledge, have fun, win cash prizes, and support our Supply Mini-Grant program. Register here: https://lcpsf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=1331. The LCPS Foundation awarded $40,000 during the 21-22 School Year, supporting all of our outstanding LCPS educators in the quest for excellence in our classrooms. With the help of generous donors, the Foundation provided $100 vouchers to Alpha Teaching Tools for classroom supplies. *See the attached flyer for more information. If you have questions, contact Michael at 575-640-1923 or email: director@lcpsf.org

Happy Valentine's Day! Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know. – Robin, Winnie the Pooh

This week, on Around the District, chess teams depart from LCPS central office to head to their state competition! We wish all of our students the best of luck at state! Las Cruces Public Schools #NM #LasCruces #Chess #Activities #State #WeAreLCPS Photography credit: Sebastian Garcia, OMHS Video credit: LCPS.TV Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVC0oj7oGwY

Congratulations to all of the 4th-9th grade Las Cruces Public Schools students who were selected for and performed in the 2023 New Mexico American Choral Directors Association Youth All-State music festival! Many thanks to our teachers for preparing students and traveling with them to Farmington! Leslie Kowalski, Mesilla ES Jonathan Wheatley, CRMS Marco Jimenez, LMS Ida Holguin, MMS/OMHS Virginia Ramos, PMS Anton Tan, SMS Autumn Haeker, WSS Kylie Taylor, ZMS Christa Fredrickson, CHS Chelsea Bolas, MHS

Congratulations to our Las Cruces Public Schools students who auditioned for and were selected to perform in the 2023 New Mexico Music Educators Association Jazz All-State music festival in Portales at ENMU Buchanan Hall, January 29th! #NM #LasCruces #MayfieldHighSchool #LasCrucesHigh #OrganMountainHighSchool #WeAreLCPS Jazz 2 Joaquin Hernandez, Alto Sax - MHS Albert Perez, Trumpet - LCHS Jazz 3 Irak Rodriguez, Bari Sax - OMHS Marc Lara-Lopez, Trombone - LCHS Jesus Lopez Villa, Trombone - LCHS

Students at Organ Mountain High School are giving us a sneak peek at OMHS students preparing for the Broadway musical – Anastasia, premiering tonight! Take a look at all the action behind-the-scenes here: https://youtu.be/j8_tAKRN7Aw. The Organ Mountain High School Knights of Stage are getting ready for the premier of the new Broadway Musical, Anastasia. Be sure to catch the show on February 2nd and 3rd at 7:00p.m. and on February 4 at 1:00p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Organ Mountain High School. Click the link more information: https://5il.co/1o1ye.

The Organ Mountain High School Knights of Stage are getting ready for the premier of the new Broadway Musical, Anastasia. Check out these photos taken by OMHS student Sebastian Garcia, as he takes us behind the scenes for rehearsal. Be sure to catch the show on February 2nd and 3rd at 7:00p.m. and on February 4 at 1:00p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Organ Mountain High School. Click the link more information: https://5il.co/1o1ye

Every February, the CTE community celebrates CTE Month® to raise awareness of the role that CTE has in readying learners for college and career success. CTE Month is also a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of our CTE partners at the local, state and national level.

Celebrating Black History Month Historical Person in Focus Bessie Coleman 1892-1926 Bessie Coleman soared across the sky as the first woman of African American and Native American descent to earn her pilot’s license in the U.S. Known for performing flying tricks, Coleman’s nicknames were: “Brave Bessie,” “Queen Bess,” and “The Only Race Aviatrix in the World.” Her goal was to encourage women and African Americans to reach their dreams – and this became her legacy. Though her life and career were cut short in a tragic plane crash, her life and legacy continue to inspire people around the world. Born in Atlanta, Texas on January 26, 1892, Bessie Coleman had twelve brothers and sisters. Her mother, Susan Coleman, was an African American maid, and her father George Coleman was a sharecropper of mixed Native American and African American descent. In 1901, her father decided to move back to Oklahoma to try to escape discrimination. Coleman’s mother decided not to go with him. Instead, Coleman, her mother, and siblings stayed in Waxahachie, Texas. Coleman grew up helping her mother pick cotton and wash laundry to earn extra money. By the time she was eighteen, she saved enough money to attend the Colored Agricultural and Normal University (now Langston University) in Langston, Oklahoma. She dropped out of college after only one semester because she could no longer afford tuition. At age 23, Coleman went to live with her brothers in Chicago. She went to the Burnham School of Beauty Culture in 1915 and became a manicurist in a local barbershop. Meanwhile, her brothers served in the military during World War I and came home with stories of their time in France. Her brother John teased her because French women were allowed to learn how to fly airplanes and, in the United States, Coleman could not. Her brother's stories, along with other news of pilots in the war, inspired her to become a pilot. She applied to many flight schools across the country, but no school would take her because she was both African American and a woman. Robert Abbot, a famous African American newspaper publisher told her to move to France where she could learn how to fly. Since her application to flight schools needed to be written in French, she began taking French classes at night. Finally, Coleman was accepted at the Caudron Brothers' School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. She received her international pilot’s license on June 15, 1921 from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. She then returned to the United States. Click the link to learn more about Bessie Coleman's life: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/bessie-coleman By Kerri Lee Alexander, NWHM Fellow, 2018 | Updated December 2022 by Rebecca Ljungren, Education Programs Manager

Today, 5th graders from Monte Vista Elementary School presented a bill they helped draft with New Mexico State Sen. Bill Soules. Students presented SB 188, before the Senate Committee during their legislative session. These young lobbyists asked legislators to consider adopting the smell of green chile roasting in the fall as New Mexico's official aroma. Students answered questions from the committee and highlighted that New Mexico would be the first state with an official aroma, which would help boost tourism. The bill passed unanimously, 5-0 by the committee and moves on. What a victory! Great job, students! More about SB 188: Senate Bill 188 establishes the official state aroma of New Mexico as the smell of green chile roasting in the fall. This bill does not contain an effective date and, as a result, would go into effect June 16, 2023, (90 days after the Legislature adjourns) if signed into law. No fiscal impact.

A big congratulations are in order for OMHS Principal Jim Schapekahm! This week, Jim received the Tyson Brown Excellence Award from the Las Cruces Home Builders Association. Together with LCHBA and our students’ work at Education House, Jim has helped create meaningful experiences for students who are interested in trade skills. Congratulations, Mr. Schapekahm, for a job well done!

Please remind your seniors that the deadline to apply for any NMAA Foundation Scholarships is Feb. 1. Click the link for more information: https://www.nmact.org/foundation/scholarship-forms/

Shout out to Yeh-Nhi Wilson, our LCPS student athlete of the week from Organ Mountain High School. Yeh-Nhi plays basketball for the Knights, averaging 14 points in his last two games. He was selected to play in the Hobbs City Tournament and the Hobbs Holiday Hoopla. His coach says Yeh-Nhi is a great student athlete that never falls under pressure. Way to go, Yeh-Nhi!

Congratulations to Caitlin Turnbow, she the LCPS student athlete of the week from Organ Mountain High School. Caitlin plays basketball for the Knights. She averages 19.8 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. She was All District in 2021-2022 and she made the All-Tournament Team in Rio Rancho. Her coach says she truly cares about her teammates and when she gets to practice, she always puts in 100% effort. Great job, Caitlin!

Winter Weather Forecast Prompts Delays, Cancelations — Inclement weather in Monday night’s forecast, expected into Tuesday, has prompted administrators at Las Cruces Public Schools to call a two-hour delay for all students and staff on Tuesday, Jan. 24. According to officials, bus schedules have been adjusted to accommodate the late start. Tuesday’s delay prompted the cancelation of all morning DD preschool classes. A girls basketball game Monday night between Mayfield and Alamogordo was also canceled and rescheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 24. The ninth-grade teams will play at 4 p.m., followed by junior varsity at 5:30 p.m. and varsity at 7 p.m. All games will be held at Mayfield High School. Wrestling matches between Mayfield, Las Cruces and Organ Mountain high schools set for Tuesday, Jan. 24 at Mayfield were rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. Updates will be posted on the LCPS Athletics page, linked here. For any additional weather delays or updates, please monitor the LCPS homepage, www.lcps.net.