Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari school board last week delayed naming its soon-to-be-completed baseball and softball fields, though they seemed to favor calling the complex Rattler and Lady Rattler Memorial Park instead of naming it after one or two recently deceased student-athletes.
Board President Heather Gonzales during the board’s August meeting suggested naming the ballfields complex after Jayden Gloms, a freshman baseball, basketball and football player who died in a vehicle accident in January. She had asked the item be placed on the board’s September meeting agenda.
Shortly after Gonzales’ initial suggestion, freshman football player Javion Martinez died last month. Like Jayden, Javion’s funeral was held in Rattler Gymnasium.
Gonzales said last week “I was coming from my mama head” with her initial idea as one who herself had lost a child and a classmate and didn’t mean to “step on any toes” with her suggestion.
Board member Jerry Lopez, who recommended tabling the item, said renaming the ballparks was “a difficult topic” and “this ain’t the time to discuss it” until after construction at the complex was finished.
He said Tucumcari had lost three students in the past year, and they should focus on helping the grieving families. He said renaming the ballfields can be discussed “at a later time.”
Lopez also observed that renaming the ballparks after one or two people could be seen as favoritism.
Tucumcari High School principal Nicole Bright-Lesly said nine students have died in her 29 years with the district.
Superintendent Aaron McKinney said trying to find the names of all TPS students who have died over the years might be “an impossible search.”
Board member Matthew Pacheco suggested a name such as Rattler and Lady Rattler Memorial Park “to honor the Rattlers we’ve lost,” along with a wall or plaque at the grounds to honor specific people.
McKinney suggested a memorial on the sidewalk of the ballparks complex, noting the ball diamonds “probably will be there forever” compared to any district building.
Bright-Lesly said the freshman class has suggested a memorial bench painted in the school colors or purple and gold.
During board member comments, JD Knapp said he agreed with delaying the naming of the complex.
Gonzales suggested holding off on any sort of action on naming the complex until after the board and school officials receive feedback from the student body.
She suggested possibly adding an item about it to the agenda of the board’s November meeting.