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2008, 2009, 2010 FAMILIES
CALL YVETTE 994-9648, email Nanee_angel@yahoo.com
Contact us at cmj2nc@aol.com
2008, 2009, 2010 FAMILIES
CALL YVETTE 994-9648, email Nanee_angel@yahoo.com
1,318 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 601 – 800 of 1318 Newer› Newest»Deep down in Rio Rancho no were not near Queens
Way back up in the hills among the evergreens
There stood a little house made of block and wood
Where lived a county boy named Johnny B Good
Who also learned to read n write so well
And he could play the guitar just like ringin a bell
Go, go, go johnny go go
go johnny go go
go johnny go go
go johnny go go
johnny be good
Then one day in 07 when his graduation came
Ol’ Doc Cleveland moved it nah it wasn’t the same
Oh they put down “little Johnny” cause he wouldn’t sit
Cause all he ask Ol’ Doc was to let him return to The Pit
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Or sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh an engineer could see him sitting in the shade
Strummin' to the rhythm that the drivers made
People passing by they'd stop and say
Oh my but that little county boy can play
Go, go, go johnny go go
go johnny go go
go johnny go go
go johnny go go
johnny be good
His mother told him some day you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Many people coming from miles around
And hear you play your music till the sun goes down
Maybe someday your name gonna be in light
Sayin' Jonny be good tonight
Go, go, go johnny go go
go johnny go go
go johnny go go
go johnny go go
johnny be good
Then one day in 07 when his graduation came
Ol’ Doc Cleveland moved it nah it wasn’t the same
Oh they put down “little Johnny” cause he wouldn’t sit
Cause all he ask Ol’ Doc was to let him return to The Pit
Go, go, go johnny go go
go johnny go go
go johnny go go
go johnny go go
johnny be good
little Johnny said...
There are a number of people, both here and in the press, who keep dragging "little Johnny," a graduating senior, along with his family, into this mess. After enduring the callous, condescending remarks, and lack of common courtesy, Little Johnny woke up this morning and got his blog on!
?
YOU MADE A DECISION AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN
WITHOUT GIVING PROPER NOTICE,
WITHOUT ALLOWING DISCUSSION,
WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT DISSENTING OPINIONS!
NO MATTER WHICH AMERICAN FLAG YOU WAIVE ALL OF THIS IS ALLOWED IN OUR COUNTRY!
THANK YOU MELISSA
Cheryl
FAMILIES, DON’T GIVE UP! They CAN BREAK THE SO CALLED CONTRACT! DON’T BELIEVE IT WHEN THEY TELL YOU THEY CAN’T! THEY CAN! THE PIT IS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON MAY 19TH! YIPPIEEE!!
Louise
Go back to The Pit!
Editor:
I didn't appreciate Gary Herron's remarks on The Observer article (March 25 column) about the high school graduation being relocated.
"Come on, parents of graduating seniors of 2007. Get used to the idea that the ceremony is going to be held at the Santa Ana Star." The idea is being shoved down our throats, even by The Observer's editor.
The school board shouldn't have changed the location two months prior to graduation and after we all had ordered our graduation invitations. All our graduation invitations state the graduation is being held at University Arena, "The Pit."
Is the school board going to reimburse us for all the invitations we couldn't use? The simple solution to this mess the school board created is just hold the graduation at The Pit like we were told in the first place and let the graduates of next year hold theirs Santa Ana Star Center.
Now the school board wants to televise the graduation one Cable One Network.
A lot of parents, including myself, have Dish Network, which will not broadcast the graduation. I have never heard people being limited access to a high school graduation. Only in Rio Rancho, the "City of Vision."
Tony
Editor:
As a member of the graduating class of 2007, I am deeply saddened by the lack of responses from all the parents of my fellow classmates at Rio Rancho High School concerning the issue of our graduation.
The celebration of my graduation will be completely ruined if not all my family members that I want to attend may attend. This problem is not only a problem for those of us graduating this year, but everyone who will be graduating from Rio Rancho High until the new high school is finished and holding its own graduations.
There are some out there who say we are being greedy, but how is it greedy to want close family members within sight of me on one of the biggest days of my life? I am saying goodbye to childhood completely and walking off stage from it. I know I will be nervous that day to walk on stage, but to know that all my family is in the stands cheering me on will make it all better. If my family is not permitted to come into the actual venue and are told to watch it on television in my living room; what is the incentive for them to spend the $300-$500 dollars per person to fly out here? Is it that they get to spend the great day of my graduation with my television until I arrive home?
I plan to have a party with everyone, but that is not my main event. We can celebrate it at anytime if you think the way some people are talking. Back when my brother graduated in 2004, I was excited to tell my family that they would come back to that same spot in three years to celebrate with me. Now I get to tell them to enjoy the television or I'll tape the ceremony and mail it to them. Taping the ceremony in general will be cheaper for me too. I just won't go.
Also, what was the point of some of us ordering 25-100 invitations? Shouldn't we start calling them notices? Since we can't use them as invitations it would better describe them. If we do not make our graduation a large ceremony and make it an "intimate" celebration, I do not see the point of going.
Why don't I hold an "intimate" celebration at my house and pick up the diploma the next day? We are the tenth graduation class (sic, ninth such class; the first was in 1999) of Rio Rancho, and should be treated as fairly as past classes have. Since I was in ninth grade I have heard that they wanted the class of 2007 to graduate at our arena in Rio Rancho. If the city has been planning on us graduating there since then, why did they not built it big enough? They knew how big of a class we are.
I want to go to the Pit again this year, and if they had built the Santa Ana Star Center big enough I would be proud to go there too. I am a proud member of the class of 2007, and I hope the rest of my school and their parents can help me in fighting this issue.
On the day of graduation you will all notice who I am, the one toward the back of the class loudly booing as VonAncken, and Sue Cleveland step on stage.
Lee Ann
"Why would they (whoever they are) change the plans without the students/parents' opinion? It is all about the seniors, or else they wouldn't be holding a graduation ceremony and to only be able to invite six people to graduation? What if there's families with more than six people? Wow, how nice of you guys to not allow someone's entire family to attend. Good job. No wonder nobody likes Rio Rancho; it's ran by a bunch of idiots. The school doesn't even let students know what's going on, seems like they have no idea what they are doing. Everybody is angry, because of the fact that they changed it after everybody out of state has made plans, and now a majority of them won't even be able to attend. It's just ridiculous. Why did I pay 100 and somewhat dollars for invitations for graduation when I can't even send them out, because you can't use them to get in the graduation?"
We like that other families in Rio Rancho feel the same way about the graduation.
Our family is asking those in charge to have the graduation at the location we were always told it would be, THE PIT.
We and our freinds support the petition.
Pass this along to everyone you know.
Jil
"Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'."
I agree with everything that has been said. It is so very unfair to the graduates to ruin the plans of so many family members and loved ones who have planned to attend the graduation at the PIT. Stop the madness and return this important event to the PIT.
“IT IS SO VERY UNFAIR TO THE GRADUATES TO RUIN THE PLANS OF SO MANY FAMILY MEMBERS AND LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PLANNED TO ATTEND THE GRADUATION AT THE PIT.”
Liz
YOU MADE A DECISION AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN
WITHOUT GIVING PROPER NOTICE,
WITHOUT ALLOWING DISCUSSION,
WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT DISSENTING OPINIONS!
THANK YOU MELISSA
Archer
GREAT COMMENTS HERE TO GO BACK TO THE PIT
Pete
I'm praying for this situation to be resolved so we can all enjoy the graduation at the PIT. God Bless you.
JoAnn
If you believe in PRAYER, PRAY FOR GOD'S WILL IN THIS MATTER
Praying for the PIT, too.
Kim
Back to THE PIT NOW!!
We agree with going Back to THE PIT NOW!
Praying for the PIT, too.
Juan
BACK TO THE PIT!
Roy
I want everyone to know that we appreciate all your responses regarding our fight to go back to The Pit
I want everyone to know that we are continuing to fight this matter SO PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP because it is going to take ALL OF US to make this happen
The Pit is still available and because we know this, we are going to keep on fighting to have our graduation their
It is very important for the Seniors when you get back to school to get that Petition signed by everyone in school who will sign it and make sure and get their numbers so we can call their parents as well
We are all going to need everyone’s support at the school board meeting
I am working on getting to talk to the mayor and the governor to see if they can help so please do not give up
If anyone read the Rio Rancho Observer look in the opinion page their is a parent and senior who have a article in there but they also have 2 email addresses to email your opinions,
theobserver@rrobserver.com & news@rrobserver.com
Use both email addresses, please everyone send them an email as well since they have not done a story for us
I also got News 13 to agree to do a story again once spring break is over
I will send out that info again when I know for sure when
But for some weird reason when I called Channel 4 news they said they were aware of this situation but have been advised not to do any stories on this issue!
What’s up with that?
Someone seems to have some influence here but not sure who or why but I think that they are getting the picture that we are not going to go away
Please keep the pressure on and let all your friends and family to join in to help us
PASS THIS ON
Yvette 994-9648
What's up with KOB?
They should cover this story in Rio Rancho!
Benjamin Class of 2008
Please read the comments here, they will inform you about what is going on with the graduation. What is sad for me is Sue Cleveland is caught up in this situation. They don’t have a foot to stand on. We’ve all been taught right from wrong. This decision is wrong!
Sue Cleveland you need to get a handle on this or it’s going to get ugly.
You cannot discriminate against a person for having a large family or for having many contacts. You cannot discriminate against anyone concerning their age and this decision is doing both!
Sue Cleveland there are numerous Hispanic families here with large families.
Renn
Viva La Raza!
Take a very good look at this decision ladies and gentlemen. No matter what nationality you are we have to keep letting them know it is dead wrong. Just ask “little Johnny” he knows check it out: http://littlejohnnyinriorancho.blogspot.com/
Jorge
DR. CLEVELAND GO BACK
FAMILIES, DON’T GIVE UP!
They CAN BREAK THE SO CALLED CONTRACT!
DON’T BELIEVE IT WHEN THEY TELL YOU THEY CAN’T!
THEY CAN!
THE PIT IS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON MAY 19TH!
YIPPIEEE!!
Paula
FACT:
All of the persons affected by this decision were not allowed to provide input.
No poll, data, investigation or analysis was utilized formally or informally involving all affected.
School personnel both willfully and knowingly did not utilize any method or tool regarding all of the persons affected by this decision.
I am very upset over how this entire matter has been handled from top to bottom! I don’t want to curse here but I am completely ANGRY! Business is business the buck stops with Dr. Cleveland. If she can’t open her eyes and see the harm done, she needs to resign her position. Name that school after someone that deserves it. Those punk lackey writers in the newspaper are dumber and dumber THEY DO NOT TELL ME HOW TO RAISE MY CHILDREN, EVER!!! NOR DO THEY TELL ME MY 10 YEAR OLD CAN’T COME SEE THEIR BROTHER GRADUATE! I HAVE VOTED EVERYTIME A VOTE WAS NEEDED! HOW DARE THEY LUMP ME IN WITH PERSONS THEY FEEL ARE NEGLIGENT! RETIRE HERRON AND RYANS OR CHANGE YOUR OCCUPATION. HERRON HOW COME YOU OR YOUR NEWSPAPER HAS NOT INTEVIEWED A FAMILY AGAINST THIS DECISION? WHERE THE HELL IS ACTION JACKSON IN ALL THIS? OH, AND THE RANTER IN THE NEWSPAPER, YOU MAKE ME SICK HOW “AMERICAN” YOU THINK YOU ARE! SPELL THIS B-I-G-O-T, I KNOW YOU’RE ONE BECAUSE I’M WHITE LIKE YOU FOOL!
Lynn
Back to The Pit
Cris
The decision is discrimatory
change it back
Gwen
Change it back please
Tye
I don't write very well, but all you have to do is read the comments here and they say better then I could.
This is a wrong decision send the grads back to The Pit
Anita
Ok, here is what I would like to say. Dr. Cleveland only you can get this contract undone and get us all back to the Pit. I truly hope God comes into your heart so you can see how bad this really is.
Ryan
2007 - Largest Graduating Class in the entire state and in our school’s history.
GO RAMS GO BACK TO THE PIT
Carl's Aunt Jenny
THE PIT IS # 13!!!
Hey Doc, Sports Illustrated said:
SI's Top 20 Venues of the 20th Century
1 Yankee Stadium
2 Augusta National
3 Michie Stadium
4 Cameron Indoor Stadium
5 Bislett Stadium
6 Wrigley Field
7 Roland Garros
8 Lambeau Field
9 Fenway Park
10 Saratoga Race Course
11 Pebble Beach
12 Wembley Stadium
13 THE PIT
14 Boston Marathon Course
15 Camden Yards
16 Lamade Stadium
17 Daytona International Speedway
18 Notre Dame Stadium
19 St. Andrews
20 Rose Bowl
Others mentioned in no particular order, BUT TAKE A LOOK AT THESE OTHER NAMES!:
Boston Garden
Taylor Field
Yost Ice Arena
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Memorial Stadium
The Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Palestra
Husky Stadium
The Montreal Forum
Michigan Stadium
Madison Square Garden.
Patterson Field
The Maracana Stadium
Lord's cricket ground
The San Siro
Wimbledon
Monte Carlo
LSU Tiger Stadium
Beaver Stadium
Allen Fieldhouse
Jordan-Hare Stadium
The Forum
Mile High Stadium
Tiger Stadium
___________
Grapevine0691 he said she said...
The University Arena
"The Arena"
"The PIT"
Sports Illustrated's Top-20 Sports Venues of the Century:
In June, 1999, Sports Illustrated listed its top-20 sporting venues of the century and The Pit checked in at No. 13.
“Sports Illustrated in 1999 named The Pit one of the Top 20 sporting venues of the 20th century — a list that includes Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field, Pebble Beach and Daytona International.
Yeah, that’s big-time company. That’s like being compared to Babe Ruth, Joe Louis, Man O’ War, the Roman Empire, George Washington, Marlon Brando, Katharine Hepburn.
When you make an elite list like that maybe something special had to happen in The Pit above and beyond Lobos basketball.
And it did.”
There is beaucoup (bookoo) history and memories regarding "The PIT"! It is now 41 years young! I remember as a kid walking past from a distance as they prepared to build it. Gigantic hills were formed as they removed dirt.
“Famous hole has hosted superstars, special events… It’s probably the most famous hole in the ground since the Grand Canyon. It’s almost aged as well, too. Just look at some of the characters who have brought their acts to The Pit over the past 40 years: Michael Jordan, Mick Jagger, the Eagles, Jimmy Valvano, Dennis Rodman, Jethro Tull, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Steve Nash, Elton John, James Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, Led Zeppelin, Christian Laettner, Luciano Pavarotti, George Strait, Patrick Ewing, John Wooden, Bobby Knight, Rick Pitino.” Stevie Wonder, Magic Johnson, Santana, Larry Nance, John Thompson, Bill Cosby and that’s the short list!
The name "The Arena" or "The PIT" were always popular titles when talking about the great concerts that took place there.
"The PIT" known for incredible Basketball, at the Professional, Collegiate and High School level. My Brother helped Coach a State Championship there!
And of course UNM and High School Graduations all at "The PIT"!
If you were fortunate to have had your graduation there either from High School or UNM or both there is a fondness about the place and you have to love the name, "The PIT"! Perhaps it was the event, but there is an undeniable "energy" there. Sure its a hole in the ground but if will always remain a location of celebration, accomplishment, music, history, success, defeat, incredible wins and gut wrenching losses, woulda, coulda, shoulda, lore, myth, legend, fact, fiction, blood, sweat and tears and forever simply, "The PIT".
I am sure there has been some very good stories written and told about the various events that have taken place there (see blow). Santana played there in the early 70's, the concert was ranked in the top 4 among all concerts that summer throughout the southwest.
Endless sports stories, concerts and graduations, I remember a graduation when the entire graduating class of Eldorado High School as well as families in the audience gave the principal a standing ovation this was in 2001 or 2002, that was impressive?
Last year they estimated over 11 million people have come to the Lobo games, that does not include ALL of the Graduations, concerts, etc.!
“Bill Cosby took on the Lobos 31 years ago and came out on top”
"What a terrific atmosphere for college basketball. Great building...great history...18,000 screaming fans. It's big time hoops, baby!" - Dick Vitale ESPN
“The Pit got its nickname because it is literally a pit dug out of Albuquerque’s Southeast Mesa. The roof was built first, then dirt was excavated to create a large hole. The arena floor is 37 feet below ground level. In 1966-67, season tickets for Lobos men’s basketball were $20 for bench seats and $30 for chairbacks. A single-game ticket was $2.50.
The opening season in The Pit featured 15 home games. The highest ranked Lobos team to play in The Pit was the Lobos men of 1966-67 who achieved a No. 3 ranking in January 1967.”
“One of college basketball's most famous and recognizable buildings, University Arena is the home of New Mexico men's and women's basketball.
The Pit is built in a 37-foot hole on Albuquerque's southeast mesa. First the roof was constructed, then the hole was dug and the Arena built. That all happened in 1966. The unique Behlen roof (338 by 300 feet) was set up by contractors and then 55,000 cubic yards of earth were removed. About 28,000 yards of concrete were poured in the initial construction, which allowed a seating capacity of 14,831. The cost - an incredibly economical $1.4 million.
Arena expansion was undertaken when it became apparent that fan interest was too great even for the original structure. The expansion in 1975 cost near $2.2 million and involved the extension of a cantilevered deck above the existing facility. There are six rows in the deck, with a seating capacity of 2,300. Reserved standing-room-only spots increase The Pit's capacity to 18,018.
The 2006-07 season will be the 41st year that University Arena has served as home for Lobo hoops. The first game was played Dec. 1, 1966, with New Mexico defeating Abilene Christian, 62-53. A total of 704 games have been played overall. The Lobos have come away the victor in 569 of those, good for a stunning .808 winning percentage.
What is even more impressive about UNM's home court is that over 11 million fans have flocked into this sunken edifice to see their beloved Lobos play basketball. The exact figure stands at 11,023,733. The Lobos have averaged an astounding 15,659 fans the past 40 years, an amazing 97% of capacity.
The Lobos have finished second in the nation in attendance five times, third on four occasions, and fourth six times.
2005-06 Attendance Numbers
The University of New Mexico is one of very few schools to have both its men's and women's basketball programs rank in the top-25 in attendance during the 2005-06 season. The Lobo women were fourth while the men finished No. 21. The UNM men and women have both finished in the top-25 in each of the past eight seasons.
The rankings:
Although the men's average of 13,387 is its lowest in 25 years, UNM has still finished in the top-25 for 40 consecutive years, or every season the Lobos have played in The Pit. No other school in the country can make that claim.
UNM hosted the NCAA Championship in 1983, won by North Carolina State over Houston, the 1968, '78, '92 and 2000 West Regional, the 1985 and 1996 West Region First and Second Rounds, and 1988 McDonald's High School All-American basketball game. The NCAA Men's First and Second Rounds were here in 2002 followed by the Women's First and Second Rounds and the Midwest Regional in 2003. UNM hosted the women's first and second rounds again in 2004, followed by the men's Albuquerque Regional in 2005 and the West Regional for the women's tournament in 2006. The Pit will again host NCAA women's tournament action in 2008 and 2009.
The UNM women's basketball team is also enjoying the home court advantage The Pit offers. Over the past nine seasons under current head coach Don Flanagan, The Pit has become one of the rowdiest places in all of women's college basketball. The women have compiled a home record of 159-32 (.832) over the last 11 years. The women's team has also been in the top-10, nationally, in average attendance in each of the last eight seasons. In 2006, the women's team averaged 10,355 fans per game, fourth in the NCAA, and posted a 16-2 record. On nine different occasions, the women's squad has sold out The Pit. Five times they have filled it to the 18,018 regular season capacity. Four times they sold out NCAA tournament games when the capacity was over 16,000. Each of these nine games has come since the 1999 season.”
Rio Rancho, “Go BIG or stay HOME”! “The PIT” is the Biggest venue in the state!
Ironically, I already wrote my Brother is the Uncle of this years Graduate from Rio Rancho, who helped Coach a State Championship at "The PIT", he also graduated at "The PIT" and lives in Albuquerque but will not be able to attend this Graduation because we won't have enough tickets and this is my Brother's favorite Nephew!
I have read a lot of diplomatic emails, I've read several comments back and forth when this all started here in March with good news coverage by KOAT and then very one-sided editors from the newspapers writing without the entire facts.
Read all of those emails sent to you and then please "PASS IT ON!
RIO RANCHO BASKETBALL TEAM YOU JUST ROCKED “THE PIT”,
YOU JUST WON YOUR FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP;
MR. DUNCAN ENCOURAGED YOU AND ALL STUDENTS
TO “SHOW THEM WE OWN ‘THE PIT’!!
….AND YOU DID!!
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?
“WE’RE GOING TO DISNEY LAN….WAIT….NO…..
WE WANT TO GO BACK TO “THE PIT” FOR OUR GRADUATION, WE OWN IT NOW!!
DID YOU SEE HOW MANY FANS WE HAD THERE?! IT WAS GREAT-GO RAMS!!!
http://epaper.abqjournal.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VEUvMjAwNi8xMS8wOSNBcjAzMDAw&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom
http://epaper.abqjournal.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=QVRMLzE5OTkvMTEvMTIjQXIwMzUwMA==&Mode=Html&Locale=english-skin-custom
http://epaper.abqjournal.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VEUvMjAwNi8xMS8wOSNBcjAzMjAx&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom
http://www.abqtrib.com/search/?q=%22the+pit+at+40%22&search_submit.x=0&search_submit.y=0
_________
In Great Company said...
Sports Illustrated's Top-20 Sports Venues of the Century:
In June, 1999, Sports Illustrated listed its top-20 sporting venues of the century and The Pit checked in at No. 13.
“Sports Illustrated in 1999 named The Pit one of the Top 20 sporting venues of the 20th century — a list that includes Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field, Pebble Beach and Daytona International.
Yeah, that’s big-time company. That’s like being compared to Babe Ruth, Joe Louis, Man O’ War, the Roman Empire, George Washington, Marlon Brando, Katharine Hepburn.
When you make an elite list like that maybe something special had to happen in The Pit above and beyond Lobos basketball.
And it did.”
That is incredible information about THE PIT
being named right along with the greatest venues in THE WORLD!
Why don’t we all GO BACK TO THE PIT!!
Consider a Wedding….
you rent a location that can hold EVERYONE you invited!
We have all been various sized Weddings right?
We have THE World Famous PIT, right?
Then why are we downsizing?
Because the principal was booed?
District office needs to examine why the principal was booed
by the graduating Seniors 2006
and why Mr. Tripp was never booed?
THERE IS A REASON HE WAS BOOED
AND YOU ARE ALL LOOKING THE OTHER WAY!
I’m not condoning the booing
But you do not understand why it happened!
Don’t downsize, correct the problem.
GO BACK NOW!
Becky
YES......
That is incredible information about THE PIT
being named right along with the greatest venues in THE WORLD!
THAT IS REALLY GREAT!
Why don’t we all GO BACK TO THE PIT!!
Yes consider a Wedding….
you rent a location that can hold EVERYONE you invited!
(Just like we already invited people to come to the graduation!)
We have all been to various sized Weddings right?
Small, Medium and Large!
We have THE World Famous PIT, right?
What would posses you to downsize at this late date?
Because the principal was booed?
The District office needs to examine why the principal was booed
by the graduating Seniors of 2006
and why our past principal, Mr. Tripp was never booed?
THERE IS A REASON WHY this principal WAS BOOED
AND YOU ARE ALL LOOKING THE OTHER WAY!
I’m also not condoning the booing...
But you do not understand why it happened!
Don’t downsize the location, correct the problem.
Don't discriminate against those of us with a large family or have young children!
GO BACK NOW!
Stephanie
The proud parents of a graduating senior are asking you to return our daughter’s graduation to The Pit. The comments here explain it all. Something is very wrong with this last minute change no matter what the reasoning is.
Alphonso
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS SUCK!!
WE NEED TO GET AN ATTORNEY ON THIS. I DID NOT PAY $200 FOR A BUNCH OF MESSED UP ANNOUNCEMENTS!
I DON'T NEED THEM ALL NOW. PLEASE DON'T LET THEM GETAWAY WITH THIS.
Sal
We need to have our graduation at the Pit.
I have an American flag hanging from my house and have had one there for over 15 years. I’ve voted on every issue regarding everything that required one. For me to tell you I am more an American then you are is an indication someone does not get it. For me to put you down just because you don’t see it my way is ignorance. I don’t judge people for the color of their skin, or if they have a flag in their yard, or if they don’t know what district they live in, or how old they are, or how many people they want to invite to a graduation or anything for that matter. Everyone should be able to present their point of view on any subject, period. I’m all for having the graduation in Rio Rancho, further, only after we have polled everyone affected, the seniors and their families. The current administration has it ass backwards and all you critics putting down people for speaking their minds are nothing but a bunch of …….. well I better not write that. Do the right thing Dr. Sue Cleveland.
Ernest
Great Petition and put this decision to a vote.
I want everyone to know that we appreciate all your responses regarding our fight to go back to The Pit
I want everyone to know that we are continuing to fight this matter SO PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP because it is going to take ALL OF US to make this happen
The Pit is still available and because we know this, we are going to keep on fighting to have our graduation their
It is very important for the Seniors when you get back to school to get that Petition signed by everyone in school who will sign it and make sure and get their numbers so we can call their parents as well
We are all going to need everyone’s support at the school board meeting
I am working on getting to talk to the mayor and the governor to see if they can help so please do not give up
If anyone read the Rio Rancho Observer look in the opinion page their is a parent and senior who have a article in there but they also have 2 email addresses to email your opinions,
theobserver@rrobserver.com & news@rrobserver.com
Use both email addresses, please everyone send them an email as well since they have not done a story for us
I also got News 13 to agree to do a story again once spring break is over
I will send out that info again when I know for sure when
But for some weird reason when I called Channel 4 news they said they were aware of this situation but have been advised not to do any stories on this issue!
What’s up with that?
Someone seems to have some influence here but not sure who or why but I think that they are getting the picture that we are not going to go away
Please keep the pressure on and let all your friends and family to join in to help us
PASS THIS ON
Yvette 994-9648
There are a number of people, both here and in the press, who keep dragging "little Johnny," a graduating senior, along with his family, into this mess. After enduring the callous, condescending remarks, and lack of common courtesy, Little Johnny woke up this morning and got his blog on!
http://littlejohnnyinriorancho.blogspot.com/
I want a vote to go back to the UNM Pit.
Marc
ATTN: RRPS we do not agree with how you handled the graduation change. GO BACK TO THE PIT
Carla
Gary Herron’s opinions regarding families against the graduation changing are biased, rude, and of no real substance. His discrimination of anyone under the age of 10 is ludicrous and illogical. His remarks slap, he is the one that is "underhanded and nasty, at best" just look at the title of his storyline. I bet he sends in his own “rant”!
Beatrice
Mike and Genie Ryan have no common sense in their article, they talk about how parents need to educate their kids and what they should learn, these graduates have obviously learned or else they wouldn’t be graduating? Common sense, when we want your advice we’ll ask for it. We don’t need two “slack jawed yokes” telling us how to raise our children make that three-Gary Herron. Anytime I disagree with Sue Cleveland and her “posse” I will for sure speak up. None of you will tell what I can say or how I should think. Since when do you have the corner on freedom of speech?
Dr. Cleveland needs to let families decide.
Marge
Dr. Cleveland we want this graduation at THE PIT, thank you.
2007 Seniors are getting ripped off, the principal deserved to get booed last year!
This is the “little apple” damn it! Richard Vonacken better grow some tough skin. How’s come Tripp was never booed?
“Wake little Susie wake up”
Sorry Dr. Cleveland. We just can’t agree with changing this year’s graduation without allowing everyone to have input in this decision. We support the idea to have a graduation here; we don’t support harming thousands of people. We don’t support verbally degrading them in the newspaper. We don’t support discriminating against thousands of persons wanting to see a graduation.
Isabel
Dr. Cleveland, superintendent:
Our family will have at least 12 persons in attendance. We are NOT going to short change another family from seeing their son or daughter graduate. Your decision is bad. We have six family members flying in from across the country. These plans were made well before we heard about this decision in the news. We never received any letter from the school. We want you to return the graduation to The Pit.
Darrel
Fred concurs:
Whatever the merits of moving the Rio Rancho High School graduation ceremony to the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, the decision should have been made before rather than after families had begun planning. Extended family members have already made travel plans and requested vacation times in anticipation of attending the ceremony for which they may not now get tickets. It is apparent there was not enough public deliberation about this issue. A decision affecting the entire school population should have been discussed publicly so that all voices were heard prior to the decision, particularly since the number of seats available to family and friends of the graduates has been reduced by more than two thirds. Please join us in moving the graduation ceremony back to The Pit. Sign the Petition and pass this information to everyone you know.
Sue Cleveland, don’t forget where you came from! This is not the Sue Cleveland I know! Sue, look at the facts and break your contract.
Dwight
DR. CLEVELAND YOUR DECISION IS DISCRIMINATION!
“Now Is the Time for All Good People to Come to the Aid of their 2007 Seniors”
Dr. Cleveland, “those that fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them”
Terry
IT WAS THE CHOSEN FEW WHO YELLED THE LOUDEST, NOT EVERYONE WAS ALLOWED TO VOTE OR GIVE ANY INPUT! PRINCIPAL’S EGO WAS HURT BECAUSE HE WAS BOOED LAST YEAR, NO WONDER! THE DECISION TO CHANGE VENUES JUST HAPPENED EVEN THOUGH PLANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE! THE DISTRICT IS NOW USING THE EXCUSE THEY ALREADY SIGNED THE CONTRACT! ABOUT 10,000 PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE THERE CAN’T GO! ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE “THE PIT” ON THEM, THAT IS TERRIBLE! WE LIVE IN AMERICA, WE HAVE RIGHTS! WE CANNOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS! FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN!
Kevin
The school board never voted on the decision to move the location of graduation. They are aware of it but refuse to overrule this mistake. The majority of parents and students do not want this. They won’t allow a vote because then it will change their plans.
Wallace
The decision being imposed on everyone is terrible planning!
Who was allowed to vote?
Who was allowed to decide?
Input should have been requested from everyone not just from those that voiced their concerns!
How is that considered fair?
All Graduates and Parents should have been advised about this change in August 2006 not this late, not this late in March 2007.
You said “many” made the decision there are “many” more that want this at “The Pit”.
Everyone did not give input!
How could this have been overlooked?
Let us vote now!
Patty
Dr. Cleveland we humbly ask for the over 10,000 people that would like to be at the graduation but can't due to limited seating, PLEASE come back to your senses! For goodness sake they are naming a school after you, show some basic human compassion and fairness here!
Ron
Graduation Cancelled The Observer
By TOM TREWEEK/OBSERVER STAFF REPORTER
What started recently as a simple decision has now grown into Rio Rancho Public Schools' most controversial move ever, topping even Science Policy 401 and sex education.
Two factions have developed in the debate over the location for this year's RRPS graduation ceremony. One group of parents was thrilled that it would be held at the Santa Ana Star Center, while the other wanted to use The Pit in Albuquerque, which allowed more people to attend.
Now, neither group is happy.
RRPS Superintendent Dr. Sue Cleveland has announced a press conference for later today in which she will officially cancel the graduation ceremony.
"No matter what we did, we couldn't make anyone happy," she said. "So we're going to make everyone unhappy."
By canceling graduation, Cleveland is following through with a promise to the conflicting sides: "If you two can't get along, I'm going to pull over right now."
School officials briefly considered holding graduation ceremonies at Laté Da, a drive through coffee shop on NM 528, but later decided against the idea fearing it was too large.
The school's seniors will still earn their degrees, but there will be no ceremony to commemorate that feat. Diplomas will be mailed.
Said one student, "I'm happy with Cleveland's decision. After all, the goal of graduation is to please the parents, not to honor the students for all of their hard work."
WHAT?????
"To Gary Herron ... Shame on you. These wonderful kids in Rio Rancho deserve our respect. They have worked hard to get to this point in their life and you write that it is our 'greed' to want to see these kids graduate. Fine, give away your other tickets for all the other parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family/friends who are very proud of our kids. This is not abuse but pride in our child. How dare you say that the school board deserves our respect? What was it that the principal of the high school said, they are trying to create a positive experience for everyone and this is for the community? No it's not, it's for the families of the graduates. They are the ones who deserve our respect for guiding their children to this point in time. If the school board actually thought about trying to 'make a large number of people happy' they should have left well enough alone and had this celebration of accomplishment at The Pit, where there wouldn't be an issue of how many people can attend. You should be ashamed of your own selfishness. This isn't a community event that needs to be in Rio Rancho or at the Star Center, it is a celebration for everyone. Look at how many kids will graduate, 600 and something. This is not just for the families, or the community, this is for all of the state to see how well Rio Rancho has excelled."
Did you hear this?
WHAT?????
Graduation Cancelled
The Observer By TOM TREWEEK/OBSERVER STAFF REPORTER
What started recently as a simple decision has now grown into Rio Rancho Public Schools' most controversial move ever, topping even Science Policy 401 and sex education.
Two factions have developed in the debate over the location for this year's RRPS graduation ceremony. One group of parents was thrilled that it would be held at the Santa Ana Star Center, while the other wanted to use The Pit in Albuquerque, which allowed more people to attend.
Now, neither group is happy.
RRPS Superintendent Dr. Sue Cleveland has announced a press conference for later today in which she will officially cancel the graduation ceremony.
"No matter what we did, we couldn't make anyone happy," she said. "So we're going to make everyone unhappy."
By canceling graduation, Cleveland is following through with a promise to the conflicting sides: "If you two can't get along, I'm going to pull over right now."
School officials briefly considered holding graduation ceremonies at Laté Da, a drive through coffee shop on NM 528, but later decided against the idea fearing it was too large.
The school's seniors will still earn their degrees, but there will be no ceremony to commemorate that feat. Diplomas will be mailed.
Said one student, "I'm happy with Cleveland's decision. After all, the goal of graduation is to please the parents, not to honor the students for all of their hard work."
Oh, hey, that's a good one! It's a hoax, folks. Now that I look at it, they were intentionally over the top in suggesting that graduation be held at Late Da - it wouldn't hold a roll of stamps. Pretty sure the call you make should be to The Observer editor, not Sue Cleveland - she didn't say it, and they make it clear in the editor's note: "We hope you recognize that none of the accounts nor quoted statements were true."
How does the Observer know that you want them to do a story? Have you called them, or are you just expecting them to respond to your calls to the TV stations? No need to send a reporter, they are allowing you the space to tell your own story in letters and comments.
this was a BAD joke, for sure The RR Observer is consistent.
Molly
Yvette,
Seriously - the next time you pick up the phone to call KOAT, call The Observer. I suspect they aren't covering it because you haven't called them, yet you call the TV station in Albuquerque? Newspaper reporters operate the same way the TV stations do: they get news because someone makes the effort to share news.
I'm trying to figure out what the ABQ TV stations expect to gain from covering this - could it be that they have financial interest in holding graduation at the Pit? Are they corporate partners there? Seems odd to suggest one media source has financial interest without wondering about the others who appear so eager to cover it? What's in it for them - it can't be ratings. Can anyone tell me anything about this?
i'll see ya' all at 1
Retired,
Did you do any more research on this?
retired reporter said...
Tell me more: I'm paraphrasing, but I remember "Rants" in the Observer newspaper from parents with words to this effect, i.e., "what were they thinking" in building a Center not large enough to accommodate graduates. I suspect that the Administration may be thinking they were doing the "right" thing. I need to do a bit more research on the archived specifics, my retention isn't what it once was.
Oops, I am an April Fool,
Sorry, the graduation is not cancelled!
Ummmm...maybe I should have read it better before reading/posting portions of the article, I shoulda’ read the whole thing.
I got the joke it was a BAD joke
892-8080
Betta
little Johnny said...
There are a number of people, both here and in the press, who keep dragging "little Johnny," a graduating senior, along with his family, into this mess. After enduring the callous, condescending remarks, and lack of common courtesy, Little Johnny woke up the other morning and got his blog on!
http://littlejohnnyinriorancho.blogspot.com/
Dear retired reporter:
Um...real newspapers actually go out and find the news. The news doesn't have to come looking for a reporter. And, hasn't the Observer already received letters and emails concerning this story? KOAT has done three newscasts on it. Is the paper waiting for someone to say pretty please?
It's interesting, and quite revealing, that the Observer's first front page news article about the Rio Rancho High School graduation ceremony being hijacked by the school administration, is not serious coverage, but a lame joke. That's exactly how they see this situation: as a joke.
Yvette Aragon may have to drive over to the Observer's offices and stand outside holding something shiny to get their attention.
That's exactly what they've done! RRPS has HIJACKED the graduation and they're holding it hostage at the Santa Ana Star Center!
Curse you, Vonacken!
Little Johnny,
You are misinformed, it doesn't work this way at all. True, reporters "go out" to get news, but they are quite often called or tipped as to when and where news happens - news antennae aren't standard issue in "J" school, we should be so lucky.
KOAT has done the stories because they have been called. Or do you actually think their news van was driving up 528 and their superior news antennae picked up the graduation buzz signal? "Quick! Make a U-turn, there's a strong signal coming from the southeast corner of this-a-way and that-a-way." April Fools! Not likely. They were called, otherwise they wouldn't have bothered.
You may disagree with the method, but his story is being covered without a reporter: they are allowing significant space to the letters and statements from both sides of this issue. Truth is, they aren't required to do anything at all.
Yikes, that's "this" story. Guess I still need a copy editor :-)
To Retired,
I was asked to leave a comment here.This info is here in the comments of this blog I just copied them you can go back thru the comments and find them.Here are two different reporters going after a story.
Additionally, KOAT called me at the beginning of this entire matter just so you know.
John
KOAT wants you to call said...
Please call or email:
Rio Rancho Blog
KOAT is interested in updating our story on your fight to have the
graduation ceremonies moved back to the Pit.
Please write back with contact information or give me a call.
Thanks,
Cary J. Schwanitz
505-884-6324
cschwanitz@hearst.com
March 22, 2007 9:17 AM
Albuquerque Tribune said...
Please email and call Stephanie:
HI, this is Stephanie from the Albuquerque Tribune. I'd like to speak to someone about this. My number is 823-3609.
Thanks,
Stephanie Garcia Krenrich
sgarciakrenrich@abqtrib.com
Retired,
Did you do any more research on this?
retired reporter said...
Tell me more: I'm paraphrasing, but I remember "Rants" in the Observer newspaper from parents with words to this effect, i.e., "what were they thinking" in building a Center not large enough to accommodate graduates. I suspect that the Administration may be thinking they were doing the "right" thing. I need to do a bit more research on the archived specifics, my retention isn't what it once was.
Anyone that would like to give them a story for the ages please
encourage everyone you know to
call The Observer said...
892-8080
Betta
Tell me more retired,
I wasn't successful in locating the info on the Observer website, but I was successful in my request to review the printed archives for this period last year. That said, I haven't had an opportunity to visit the Observer offices as yet due to some unexpected travel recently. When I am available to do so, I'll update and share.
Hi, Back to The Pit people.
I just finished reading the front page of today’s Observer newspaper. Wheeww! My blood pressure just went through the roof! I called my friend to tell her and found out it was all an April Fool’s Joke! OUCH, I am still boiling angry! My friend let me know how upset her family was after reading the front page and told me about this web site. I have been reading a lot of the comments here and I am even more disgusted! I now I decided to add one too! Oh my, I am so glad I found you.
I admit I WAS one of those that did not mind the graduation was at the Star Center. Thanks to the little April Fool’s gag I am mad as hell and did not realize how many people are getting hurt over this! Count us in! Dr. Cleveland, change the graduation. Observer news staff, I hate you!!!
Danielle
Go to:
http://littlejohnnyinriorancho.blogspot.com/
I am very saddened that discrimination is very much a large part of this entire decision.
Spanish speakers, whiners, being rowdy covered all at one time? Yes and the good editor, Mr. Herron or anyone else did not bother to clarify this language’s origin or history in this part of the country?
Whaaaat?
The shameless face of bigotry rears its ugly head:
From the Observer
"I agree with the guy on the Ford advertisements speaking in Spanish, and some of the furniture stores do the same. I won't buy from any of them, either. If you want to speak Spanish, move back to Mexico. Also, I have never seen so many whiners about where they're going to have the graduation. If they hadn't acted so rude and out of order last year, maybe they would have listened to them. Also, Ned Cantwell's (columns) are very good."
This is just straight-up prejudice. FYI, amigo, Spanish was spoken in New Mexico long before English. I notice Mr. Herron didn't add his two cents to this rant.
little Johnny got his blog on! said...
little Johnny said...
There are a number of people, both here and in the press, who keep dragging "little Johnny," a graduating senior, along with his family, into this mess. After enduring the callous, condescending remarks, and lack of common courtesy, Little Johnny woke up the other morning and got his blog on!
http://littlejohnnyinriorancho.blogspot.com/
Call Yvette 994-9648
We have started a Hard Copy paper PETITION and if you would like to sign it, please call me and I will meet you to get it signed.
My number again is 994-9648.
Any other ideas?
Let me know, because we need to let them know that WE ARE NOT JUST "MAKING NOISE"
WE all know this is a very important issue to our graduates and to all of us involved.
We need to continue to show our support.
Hello everyone,
Reminder:
I spoke to THE PIT, yes!
They still have May 19TH open! They will not schedule anything on that day.
Cost for THE PIT = $7,800.00
Cost for the Center = $6,200.00
A seat at the Center costs more then a seat at THE PIT.
How about that!
M
Great comment
“What we have here is failure to communicate”
This has been said over and over again. I think because we are short on time we need to put this to a fair vote. No hanky panky. The school board is not going to back us, if they were they already would have. They are all stalling just by the fact they have not allowed a vote by anyone formally. They know their decision would lose in a fair vote. This has power play written all over it. Everyone is pointing fingers but they are not budging. Even the Rio Rancho media is supporting the bad decision and criticizing any little comment that is made.
Keep passing the word along The Pit is still available. All that nonsense with TV feed is garbage and it confirms they messed up. The Rio Rancho media is NOW trying to say that The Pit is only going to hold 11,000, they are still over 60% short! 60% percent is still a lot of people that can’t be there and want to be there. I also think The Pit would hold more then 11,000 people the media has their figures wrong. Also, they said there are 4 ways to get to the Star Center, please draw me a map. You have to drive through Rio Rancho to get to a 2 lane road, and when you get there it is 1 way in and 1 way out. I know, I go to the hockey games.
Abe
I can't see how we'll get anything changed if we can't get our information straight. Gary Herron wrote the column, but he is not the editor. If you're going to point the finger of blame, be sure that your information is correct, otherwise this blog has no credibility.
Power play? Only in hockey. Whether or not you agree with the decision, they are doing the job they are paid to do. They don’t require our opinions or votes to make this decision, and if they were the least bit interested, they would have asked for input BEFORE they made the decision. They didn’t. Get it?
To I'm still mad . . .
Oh, boy, I got sucked into that one, too. I read something another website earlier today, though, that talked about things to watch for in the media on April Fool's. One of them was "Is it over the top?" When I got to the part about holding graduation at Late Da, I was boiling over, too, thinking, "WHAT?!!". Then I noticed that the date was just above the article, and it reads "April Fool's, 2007", and I thought, "Oh my God! This is COMPLETELY over the top!" I started laughing, and I'm still laughing. They got us. It tells me that they do understand how serious it is, and, hey - it made the front page! If there is no such thing as bad publicity, it will work to call attention to it.
How is the media coverage helping? TV, newspaper, they’re all the same, and the administration isn’t going to budge now that the media is involved – they can’t, they’ll look too silly. Too public, and too controversial, they won’t touch it. I say get the signatures and hope for the best.
Abe,
I think there are three ways in: two off Unser and one off Idalia. True, when you get there, traffic is condensed to one road, but they usually open two lanes going in. I don't know how they count four, though.
I can't find anything anywhere that says we can vote on where graduation is held. Can somebody help me understand how we're going to get anyone to allow us to vote?
Get with it,
Thanks, I worded wrong, It is corrected now:
WHAAAAT? said...
Go to:
http://littlejohnnyinriorancho.blogspot.com/
I am very saddened that discrimination is very much a large part of this entire decision.
Spanish speakers, whiners, being rowdy covered all at one time? Yes and the neither the good editor, nor Mr. Herron or anyone else did not bother to clarify this language’s origin or history in this part of the country?
Whaaaat?
The shameless face of bigotry rears its ugly head:
From the Observer
"I agree with the guy on the Ford advertisements speaking in Spanish, and some of the furniture stores do the same. I won't buy from any of them, either. If you want to speak Spanish, move back to Mexico. Also, I have never seen so many whiners about where they're going to have the graduation. If they hadn't acted so rude and out of order last year, maybe they would have listened to them. Also, Ned Cantwell's (columns) are very good."
This is just straight-up prejudice. FYI, amigo, Spanish was spoken in New Mexico long before English. I notice Mr. Herron didn't add his two cents to this rant.
little Johnny got his blog on! said...
little Johnny said...
There are a number of people, both here and in the press, who keep dragging "little Johnny," a graduating senior, along with his family, into this mess. After enduring the callous, condescending remarks, and lack of common courtesy, Little Johnny woke up the other morning and got his blog on!
http://littlejohnnyinriorancho.blogspot.com/
Yes, Call Yvette 994-9648
We have started a Hard Copy paper PETITION and if you would like to sign it, please call me and I will meet you to get it signed.
My number again is 994-9648.
Any other ideas please let me know?
Let me know, because we need to let them know that WE ARE NOT JUST "MAKING NOISE"
WE all know this is a very important issue to our graduates and to all of us involved.
We need to continue to show our support.
True:
"if they were the least bit interested, they would have asked for input BEFORE they made the decision"
We might be able to save some time and energy if we could figure out where to find the language in the Constitution, the City Charter, the Administration policy or any documentation that says we're entitled to vote. Anybody?
Well, lets make sure we tell everyone we know to sign Yvette's petition. Because she has the hard copy.
PASS IT ON
This years seniors should not be blamed for last years problems.
Telling people to go back to Mexico and I am a whiner because I think the decision is wrong?
1 way in or 4 ways in, whatever, that place for sure is going to be a mess going and leaving.
Well, we all have our opinions.
I'm being peaceful and encourage everyone to do the same.
A petition signed by parents and families who are not homeowners and/or tax payers may not have much weight, just a thought.
Laté Da!
NO THE PIT
For the sake of our children!
"little Johnny's” new words:
You cannot discriminate against a person for having a large family or for having a large amount of contacts. You cannot discriminate against anyone concerning their age and this decision is doing both!
Sally
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said...
"little Johnny's” new words:
“ . . . That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and HAPPINESS . . . it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. . .”
Lloyd
ORIGINAL BLOG:
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said...
WHAT DID WE DO WRONG?
I’m going to start this comment here and encourage anyone that would like our graduation to return to THE PIT to add on to this comment if you would like:
I started out this comment with a question. If nobody had raised concerns then we would have never been made to feel like “the bad guy”, like we did something wrong, because I see the stress this is causing my parents and my friends and many others. Something is very wrong here if people in the news media are going to make you feel bad. Anonymous people putting down my fellow graduates calling them “little Johnny” and making fun of his “large family”, telling him his parents and all of us were “hypocrites” for questioning the decision and boasting how American they are and we aren’t! Who could be so important in this great big world to design such a “caste system” type of thinking?
I can tell you this Dr. Cleveland they have motivated me TO TRY EVEN HARDER NOW! We know The Pit is still open for business and the Star Center can break your contract. Just like this person so rudely stated what words “little Johnny” would learn I have learned a few myself, “WE HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG”!
Class of 2007
YES, For the sake of our children!
YES, For the sake of our children!
My daughter Linnea Martinez a Senior at Rio Rancho High started the firstsigned petition and had over 900 signatures to move graduation back to the UNM Pit. She was told to stop and that she could be expelled from school for petitioning and her petitions were taken away. She has backed off from her petition (as I cautioned her) and now she cannot voice her opinion.
Sincerely Frustrated
Nova Shah (novashah@cableone.net) and
Linnea Martinez (monkeybiz2007@hotmail.com)
Today the seniors did a wonderful thing by putting those flyers out all over the school and by writing on the sidewalks how did they respond to this by cleaning it up I want to encourage you to continue putting the flyers out everyday and continue with the petition and to remind everyone that the school board meeting is April 9 at 5:00 pm anyone that can attend please go have family members friends anyone who wants to support the move to THE PIT go please call me if you know for sure that you are going to attend so we can all get together before that date my number again is 994-9648 or email me at nanee_angel@yahoo.com
THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday April 9 at 5:00 pm
ANYONE THAT CAN ATTEND PLEASE GO
HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS-FRIENDS-ANYONE
WHO WANTS TO SUPPORT THE MOVE TO THE PIT
PLEASE GO
CALL ME IF YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ATTEND
SO WE CAN ALL GET TOGETHER BEFORE THAT DATE
MY NUMBER AGAIN IS 994-9648
OR EMAIL ME AT nanee_angel@yahoo.com
Yvette
Late Da! Rhymes with Koom ba ya!
"little Johnny's” new words:
For the sake of the children
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said…
"little Johnny's” new words:
You cannot discriminate against a person for having a large family or for having a large amount of contacts. You cannot discriminate against anyone concerning their age and this decision is doing both!
Sally
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said...
"little Johnny's” new words:
“ . . . That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and HAPPINESS . . . it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. . .”
Lloyd
ORIGINAL BLOG:
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said...
WHAT DID WE DO WRONG?
I’m going to start this comment here and encourage anyone that would like our graduation to return to THE PIT to add on to this comment if you would like:
I started out this comment with a question. If nobody had raised concerns then we would have never been made to feel like “the bad guy”, like we did something wrong, because I see the stress this is causing my parents and my friends and many others. Something is very wrong here if people in the news media are going to make you feel bad. Anonymous people putting down my fellow graduates calling them “little Johnny” and making fun of his “large family”, telling him his parents and all of us were “hypocrites” for questioning the decision and boasting how American they are and we aren’t! Who could be so important in this great big world to design such a “caste system” type of thinking?
I can tell you this Dr. Cleveland they have motivated me TO TRY EVEN HARDER NOW! We know The Pit is still open for business and the Star Center can break your contract. Just like this person so rudely stated what words “little Johnny” would learn I have learned a few myself, “WE HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG”!
Class of 2007
Class of 2007
(& 2008, 2009, 2010)
HOW MANY GUESTS
ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND YOUR GRADUATION?
IS IT LESS THAN 8?
IS IT MORE THAN 8?
If you said MORE than 8, then you need to sign the petition to move YOUR Graduation ceremony back to THE PIT!
Mon 4/2 - Thu 4/5 keep an eye out for people passing
around the petition at the high school
THE PIT has twice the capacity of the Arena. If all of the previous graduations are an indicator, the Arena will not be large enough until Rio Rancho HS and Dr. Cleveland HS have separate graduations. (not for at least another 4 years!)
PARENTS (and residents of Rio Rancho)-
If you would like to sign the petition, please contact
Yvette @ 994-9648. She will make arrangements with you to sign the petition.
PLEASE HELP in this effort by attending the School board meeting April 9 at 5pm. We need as many people as possible to come support this petition.
THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday April 9 at 5:00 pm
ANYONE THAT CAN ATTEND PLEASE GO
HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS-FRIENDS-ANYONE
WHO WANTS TO SUPPORT THE MOVE TO THE PIT
PLEASE GO
CALL ME IF YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ATTEND
SO WE CAN ALL GET TOGETHER BEFORE THAT DATE
MY NUMBER AGAIN IS 994-9648
OR EMAIL ME AT nanee_angel@yahoo.com
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG?
"little Johnny's” new words:
"unintended consequence"
Jose
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said….
"little Johnny's” new words:
For the sake of the children
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said…
"little Johnny's” new words:
You cannot discriminate against a person for having a large family or for having a large amount of contacts. You cannot discriminate against anyone concerning their age and this decision is doing both!
Sally
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said...
"little Johnny's” new words:
“ . . . That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and HAPPINESS . . . it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. . .”
Lloyd
ORIGINAL BLOG:
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said...
WHAT DID WE DO WRONG?
I’m going to start this comment here and encourage anyone that would like our graduation to return to THE PIT to add on to this comment if you would like:
I started out this comment with a question. If nobody had raised concerns then we would have never been made to feel like “the bad guy”, like we did something wrong, because I see the stress this is causing my parents and my friends and many others. Something is very wrong here if people in the news media are going to make you feel bad. Anonymous people putting down my fellow graduates calling them “little Johnny” and making fun of his “large family”, telling him his parents and all of us were “hypocrites” for questioning the decision and boasting how American they are and we aren’t! Who could be so important in this great big world to design such a “caste system” type of thinking?
I can tell you this Dr. Cleveland they have motivated me TO TRY EVEN HARDER NOW! We know The Pit is still open for business and the Star Center can break your contract. Just like this person so rudely stated what words “little Johnny” would learn I have learned a few myself, “WE HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG”!
Class of 2007
Our Graduate has three (3) generations of over 50 relatives, including his parents and two (2) Brothers that Graduated at “The Pit”.
All of those generations no longer live in NM, but we are tight group.
We participate in Family Reunions and the turnout is huge.
Someone already noted not to penalize large families and this is true.
We need a lot more then six (6) tickets, sorry.
We adhere to the philosophy go forth and multiply, we did and we do.
Now we have an “owned by the casino/center hockey rink” venue to look forward to that is just too small.
We are talking in circles here and I have read and heard enough evidence to confirm the school’s decision is totally wrong and unfair.
Sorry, this inappropriate decision and how it is being forced upon everyone is way, way out of line.
Quoting others here, “we have rights”, “this is America”, hell someone submitted the Declaration of Independence for goodness sake!?
But, they are right!
Because there was no input from everyone, no vote and no Democracy, more like hypocrisy and dictatorship!
There are some classic rebuttals here I have really enjoyed reading them, they all sing the same song when all is said and done.
In support of GO BACK TO THE PIT.
You are the “hypocrite” and so are those you feel you have to protect.
Go "little Johnny", you GO!!
My Graduation 2007
Class Ring - $400 (In Albuquerque)
Announcements/Cap & Gown - $200 (In Albuquerque)
Invitations - $150 (In Albuquerque)
Graduation pictures - $400 (In Albuquerque)
8 family members flying in - $3,600
Graduation party - $2,000
Having my entire family who encouraged me for the last 13 years celebrate with me at
THE PIT.....
PRICELESS!!!
"little Johnny's” new words:
“…Our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal”
Rachel
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said….
"little Johnny's” new words:
"unintended consequence"
Jose
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said….
"little Johnny's” new words:
For the sake of the children
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said…
"little Johnny's” new words:
You cannot discriminate against a person for having a large family or for having a large amount of contacts. You cannot discriminate against anyone concerning their age and this decision is doing both!
Sally
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said...
"little Johnny's” new words:
“ . . . That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and HAPPINESS . . . it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. . .”
Lloyd
ORIGINAL BLOG:
DR. Cleveland, WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? said...
WHAT DID WE DO WRONG?
I’m going to start this comment here and encourage anyone that would like our graduation to return to THE PIT to add on to this comment if you would like:
I started out this comment with a question. If nobody had raised concerns then we would have never been made to feel like “the bad guy”, like we did something wrong, because I see the stress this is causing my parents and my friends and many others. Something is very wrong here if people in the news media are going to make you feel bad. Anonymous people putting down my fellow graduates calling them “little Johnny” and making fun of his “large family”, telling him his parents and all of us were “hypocrites” for questioning the decision and boasting how American they are and we aren’t! Who could be so important in this great big world to design such a “caste system” type of thinking?
I can tell you this Dr. Cleveland they have motivated me TO TRY EVEN HARDER NOW! We know The Pit is still open for business and the Star Center can break your contract. Just like this person so rudely stated what words “little Johnny” would learn I have learned a few myself, “WE HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG”!
Class of 2007
Copy and paste this info below into your browser
You will reach another web log blog titled – “What's Wrong With This Picture?”
Scroll down to the 4TH post titled - Diane Velasco (J-school Piece revised)
Then read about Mr. Mike Ryan, Mike and Genie Ryan are the ones that put us down with their story titled – “Graduation Gripes? Get Over It” here they told us how to raise our children and all about (their) priorities and could not understand why we were still “griping”. Mike, someone already said, “those that fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them”. I’d like to hear your side of story before I prejudge you unlike how you and the Mrs. prejudged us in your story:
http://mgbralley-whatswrongwiththispicture.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_mgb
ralley-whatswrongwiththispicture_archive.html
Diane Velasco - A local journalist, as enthused about the use of new technology as she was dismayed by the newsprint world….,
“The (Albuquerque) Journal is the Jurassic Park of journalism,” said Diane Velasco.
“The choice was clear: leave or fossilize," she said. “Journalism has lost its soul.”
She explained that the Journal was using late 1980s computers that could do few things that current technology allows. She resigned on July 4, 2005, in a patriotic act and political gesture reminiscing on the revolutionary press of the mid 1770’s.
Velasco graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1996 with a journalism degree.
She went to work for Publisher Mike Ryan at the Rio Rancho Observer.
As managing editor, and using her business education, she turned a 3 percent loss into a 17 percent profit after only two months on the job.
She did a series of investigative reports on the Rio Rancho School District and exposed 19 fire code violations in the newly built high school, funded by Intel.
She also reported that a high school teacher had raped six students and one teacher.
Velasco infuriated school officials to the point they insisted that any question she had must be forwarded in writing.
Her publisher (Ryan) thought it was OK for school officials to make such a request. (!?)
She then became involved in a First Amendment battle with the assistance of Bob Johnson of the Federation for Open Government and Attorney Bill Dixon.
On three occasions, (Mike) Ryan turned over Velasco’s interview notes to citizens and to “the fat cat millionaires, Don Chalmers and others,” Velasco said.
That she said destroyed the trust that reporters have to develop with sources, especially when the issues are about the sources’ bosses.
Velasco wanted to create a business with a social mission. The Citizen Media Group is more than just an online newspaper; it is also a foundation dedicated to improving the understanding of journalism.
For all that Velasco finds wrong with newspapers, she has tightened traditional thinking about journalistic practices.
Under The Citizen’s policies, “We will use confidential sources whenever necessary to bring important information to the public, and will protect our right to do so to the fullest extent of Constitutional law,” She said.
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
Darlene
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
Lori
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
Dennis
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
Josephine
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
Cristina
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
Deb
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
FLORENCE
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
Michelle
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
Kay
Copy and paste this info below into your browser
You will reach another web log blog titled – “What's Wrong With This Picture?”
Scroll down to the 4TH post titled - Diane Velasco (J-school Piece revised)
Then read about Mr. Mike Ryan, Mike and Genie Ryan are the ones that put us down with their story titled – “Graduation Gripes? Get Over It” here they told us how to raise our children and all about (their) priorities and could not understand why we were still “griping”. Mike, someone already said, “those that fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them”. I’d like to hear your side of story before I prejudge you unlike how you and the Mrs. prejudged us in your story:
http://mgbralley-whatswrongwiththispicture.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_mgb
ralley-whatswrongwiththispicture_archive.html
Diane Velasco - A local journalist, as enthused about the use of new technology as she was dismayed by the newsprint world….,
“The (Albuquerque) Journal is the Jurassic Park of journalism,” said Diane Velasco.
“The choice was clear: leave or fossilize," she said. “Journalism has lost its soul.”
She explained that the Journal was using late 1980s computers that could do few things that current technology allows. She resigned on July 4, 2005, in a patriotic act and political gesture reminiscing on the revolutionary press of the mid 1770’s.
Velasco graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1996 with a journalism degree.
She went to work for Publisher Mike Ryan at the Rio Rancho Observer.
As managing editor, and using her business education, she turned a 3 percent loss into a 17 percent profit after only two months on the job.
She did a series of investigative reports on the Rio Rancho School District and exposed 19 fire code violations in the newly built high school, funded by Intel.
She also reported that a high school teacher had raped six students and one teacher.
Velasco infuriated school officials to the point they insisted that any question she had must be forwarded in writing.
Her publisher (Ryan) thought it was OK for school officials to make such a request. (!?)
She then became involved in a First Amendment battle with the assistance of Bob Johnson of the Federation for Open Government and Attorney Bill Dixon.
On three occasions, (Mike) Ryan turned over Velasco’s interview notes to citizens and to “the fat cat millionaires, Don Chalmers and others,” Velasco said.
That she said destroyed the trust that reporters have to develop with sources, especially when the issues are about the sources’ bosses.
Velasco wanted to create a business with a social mission. The Citizen Media Group is more than just an online newspaper; it is also a foundation dedicated to improving the understanding of journalism.
For all that Velasco finds wrong with newspapers, she has tightened traditional thinking about journalistic practices.
Under The Citizen’s policies, “We will use confidential sources whenever necessary to bring important information to the public, and will protect our right to do so to the fullest extent of Constitutional law,” She said.
Attn: The Observer,
Your joke was
"underhanded and nasty, at best"
BACK TO THE PIT
Senior 2007
REMEMBER THIS DECISION WILL AFFECT ALL GRADUATING SENIORS, THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES OVER THE NEXT 4 YEARS OR UNTIL THE NEW SCHOOL IS OPEN!
ATTENTION: SENIORS, PARENTS, GUARDIANS, FAMILIES, RELATIVES, STUDENTS AND CONCERNED PERSONS
GREAT NEWS!!
THE PIT IS STILL AVAILABLE ON MAY 19TH
AND THEY WILL NOT BE BOOKING THAT TIME AND DATE FOR ANYONE
IT IS STILL OPEN!!!
We are a group of families that would like to have the Class of 2007 Graduation returned to "THE PIT."
At minimum, let’s put this matter to a fair vote.
We are respectfully asking Dr. Sue Cleveland to make the decision to return to "THE PIT."
RRPS has broken contracts before and can break this contract now and go "BACK TO THE PIT."
We need all persons that want the Graduation to be returned to "THE PIT" to let your voice be heard.
In an unprecedented administrative decision, input was NOT allowed, requested or regarded by everyone affected. Only certain voices were heard.
This last minute decision has affected all of the graduating Seniors for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 along with their families and loved ones.
Due to this last minute decision over 10,000 people will not be able to attend the 2007 graduation.
We have heard all the reasons and explanations given by the administration and strongly feel they do not outweigh the fact that a fair process did not occur in the first place concerning this matter.
Please go online now. We have every right to be heard. "It’s not over till it’s over."
BACK TO THE PIT
FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF RIO RANCHO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES DISCUSSION GROUP
Please visit the web log, copy and paste this into your browser
http://rioranchogradsunite.blogspot.com/
You can also email: cmj2nc@aol.com if you have any problems posting comments on the blog, thank you.
"REMEMBER THIS DECISION WILL AFFECT ALL GRADUATING SENIORS, THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES OVER THE NEXT 4 YEARS OR UNTIL THE NEW SCHOOL IS OPEN!"
YES, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 WILL ALL BE AFFECTED!
THAT IS EASILY OVER 40,000 PEOPLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND BUT WON'T BE ALLOWED!
BECAUSE EVERY YEAR WILL BE BIGGER THEN THE PREVIOUS YEAR!
Make sure you PASS this on!
Call Yvette 994-9648
Go to the School Board meeting
Monday April 9th at 5 PM
Ivan
I AM GOING TO THE COURT HOUSE ON 4/4 TO FILE A CIVAL SUIT AGINST THE SCHOOL AND THE BOARD. I HAVE BEEN STRESSED OUT ENOUGH ABOUT ALL THAT IS GOING ON AND THE LOSS OF MONEY TIME AND EFFORT I HAVE PUT INTO MY CHILD. IT IS NOT ONLY MYSELF THAT IS STRESSED OUT BUT MY ENTIRE FAMILY IS ALSO HAVING A HARD TIME WE TRYING TO DECIDE WHO GETS TO GO I ONLY HAVE 1 TICKET TO GIVE OUT AND THAT IS TRULY UNFAIR. WE DONT NEED A LAWYER OR ATTORNYS FOR THIS BUT IT WOULD BE NICE. BUT TO FILE A CIVIL SUIT JUST GO TO THE COURT HOUSE
IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE BEEN TREATED UNFAIR ABOUT THE SO CALLED VOTE IN MOVING TO THE SANTA ANA CENTER I ENCOURAGE YOU TO FILE A CIVIL SUITE ALSO
Count me in on the civil suit! I’m sick and tired, literally sick over the newspaper’s attitude towards everyone that is questioning this discriminatory decision. Dr. Cleveland is hiding, the board is pointing the finger at the administration, the board president is rude, they did not let everyone provide input, no vote was allowed, 06 was rowdy and 07 gets the punishment, and like the other comment every class from here on out gets punished, plans were already made but Dr. Cleveland does not care! If VonAcken, VonDuncan, VonHerron, whatever the right name is, I don’t know, were booed by the seniors last year, they need to check out why?
Esther G.
Count me in on the civil suit! I’m sick and tired, literally sick over the newspaper’s attitude towards everyone that is questioning this discriminatory decision. Dr. Cleveland is hiding, the board is pointing the finger at the administration, the board president is rude, they did not let everyone provide input, no vote was allowed, 06 was rowdy and 07 gets the punishment, and like the other comment every class from here on out gets punished, plans were already made but Dr. Cleveland does not care! If VonAcken, VonDuncan, VonHerron, whatever the right name is, I don’t know, were booed by the seniors last year, they need to check out why?
Mo
I’ve read different people questioning facts and credibility watch out what you write or say etc be nice or don’t be nice don’t do this don’t do that its over and so on and so forth well sports fans “they” have painted us into a corner they are not going to change they are not going to be fair they are not going to let anyone vote get your attorney or file a civil suit
Stan the Man
Mario
THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday April 9 at 5:00 pm
ANYONE THAT CAN ATTEND PLEASE GO
HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS-FRIENDS-ANYONE
WHO WANTS TO SUPPORT THE MOVE TO THE PIT
PLEASE GO
CALL ME IF YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ATTEND
SO WE CAN ALL GET TOGETHER BEFORE THAT DATE
MY NUMBER AGAIN IS 994-9648
OR EMAIL ME AT nanee_angel@yahoo.com
Ellen
We will have 6 family members coming from out of town. I'm not apologizing to ANYONE and don’t give damn what those clowns in the newspaper are saying. We are a BIG family and damn proud or it! As for me and my house we disagree with Dr. Cleveland. We request an inquiry to find out why the principal was booed with such fervor. We liked to see the graduation in Rio Rancho but only when the next school has seniors and not before.
Cruz
We all agree and want to go back to The Pit.
What really bothers and concerns me is the open blatant disregard they have for everyone.
Dr. Sue Cleveland is being misled.
What is that actual breakdown culturally of this graduating class, 35 to 40% percent Hispanic?
How is it that they have no concern with all the stress and adversity they have caused to so many, to thousands?
Has the school staff had diversity and sensitivity training?
We cannot give up.
Their decision is discrimination!
It is very obvious politics, power and money are very much involved.
VonAcken was booed, after what I’ve seen it is not hard to see why.
Rose
GOD grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
COURAGE to change the things I can;
and WISDOM to know the difference.
THE PIT IS RANKED # 13 IN THE WORLD!!!
Hey Dr. Cleveland, Sports Illustrated said:
SI's Top 20 Venues of the 20th Century
1 Yankee Stadium
2 Augusta National
3 Michie Stadium
4 Cameron Indoor Stadium
5 Bislett Stadium
6 Wrigley Field
7 Roland Garros
8 Lambeau Field
9 Fenway Park
10 Saratoga Race Course
11 Pebble Beach
12 Wembley Stadium
13 THE PIT
14 Boston Marathon Course
15 Camden Yards
16 Lamade Stadium
17 Daytona International Speedway
18 Notre Dame Stadium
19 St. Andrews
20 Rose Bowl
Others mentioned in no particular order,
BUT TAKE A LOOK AT THESE OTHER NAMES!:
Boston Garden
Taylor Field
Yost Ice Arena
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Memorial Stadium
The Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Palestra
Husky Stadium
The Montreal Forum
Michigan Stadium
Madison Square Garden
Patterson Field
The Maracana Stadium
Lord's cricket ground
The San Siro
Wimbledon
Monte Carlo
LSU Tiger Stadium
Beaver Stadium
Allen Fieldhouse
Jordan-Hare Stadium
The Forum
Mile High Stadium
Tiger Stadium
Our family agrees with the Petition,
Enrique
In support of the Petition to return the graduation.
Joel
This decision is affecting over 40,000 that can’t attend over the next four years.
10,000 can’t go to the graduation this year.
Take it back.
Donnie
Go back to the Pit.
Lizzie
Foul -Dr. Cleveland!
Aaron
Hello NO we won’t go!!!
Kelly
Dr. Cleveland,
Read the comments and change this back.
Veronica
Dr. Cleveland,
For the sake of our children!
Kathleen
To RRPS,
This has discrimination written all over it.
Teddy
Why is this so important?
The decision - not only affects this years graduates, families and loved ones, it also will affect all graduates, families and loved ones for 2008, 2009 and 2010 and until the new school has graduating seniors!
Consider the numbers of people affected!
Carla
Let's GO
Tish
For the sake of our children!
Marcus
For the sake of our children!
Eloy
For the sake of our children!
Jordan
Dr. Cleveland,
For the sake of our children!
Dr. Cleveland,
For the sake of our children!
Dr. Cleveland,
For the sake of our children!
Lisa
Dr. Cleveland,
For the sake of our children!
Mary
My Graduation 2007
Class Ring - $400 (In Albuquerque)
Announcements/Cap & Gown - $200 (In Albuquerque)
Invitations - $150 (In Albuquerque)
Graduation pictures - $400 (In Albuquerque)
8 family members flying in - $3,600
Graduation party - $2,000
Having my entire family who encouraged me for the last 13 years celebrate with me at
THE PIT.....
PRICELESS!!!
~ We are not enemies,
But friends.
We must not be enemies.
Though passion may have strained
It must not break our bonds of affection.
The mystic chords of memory . . .
. . . Will yet swell
When again touched,
As surely they will be,
By the better Angels of our Nature ~
back to the pit
Call Yvette 994-9648
THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday April 9 at 5:00 pm
ANYONE THAT CAN ATTEND PLEASE GO
HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS-FRIENDS-ANYONE
WHO WANTS TO SUPPORT THE MOVE TO THE PIT
PLEASE GO
CALL ME IF YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ATTEND
SO WE CAN ALL GET TOGETHER BEFORE THAT DATE
MY NUMBER AGAIN IS 994-9648
OR EMAIL ME AT nanee_angel@yahoo.com
Thanks to all the students and parents who have been working so hard to fight this injustice! Special Thanks to Yvette! Graduation is a huge accomplishment and what better way to share such a special moment than to have your friends and family THERE with you. It's been done that way for generations and the Pit has provided that special opportunity for our graduates all these years. The school board somehow missed that very important point when making their decision. They should have done their homework BEFORE a decision like this was made. They need to back up and ask every graduate what they want, and if the majority want it at the Pit, they need to fix their mistake and move it back. They still have plenty of time. It needs to be resolved the right way, right away!
Gidget Anaya
Hello Ema Dreher (Dr. Clevelands's secretary),
We have been writing you since 3/14.
Please be respectfully advised this is easily our 7th request to Dr. Cleveland, we asked back on 3/14 to speak to Dr. Cleveland and for these questions to be answered. We already know what anyone below her is going to say, so we have already tried that avenue that was suggested. We consider this a stall tactic at this time. We don't need to hear from your other staff or anyone at the High School. We don't need the "lock-step" comment that is being given to other families and the media. We already know how disrespectful, the school board president has been to others. We want Dr. Cleveland please, thank you. We are very aware of other persons that have asked to speak with her on other matters, so we know that we can request to speak to her. We will be respectful but we are becoming agitated with being handed off to some one else, we want Dr. Cleveland, thank you.
Hello Ema Dreher (Dr. Clevelands's secretary),
Questions, please answer them individually, also, please note that there are multiple questions within the same number so don't miss those questions, thank you.
TIME SENSITIVE:
34. How soon can we speak directly to Dr. Cleveland on this matter, we would like to know her next available appointment, we are asking for an appointment, may I have more then one time frame as I will have to take time off for this?
1. Can a person(s) bring this matter to the board's attention again at the next or another board meeting and if not why not?
2. What is the process to ask for a special School Board meeting and if not why not?
3. As parents, what are our legal rights regarding the way this matter was handled?
4. How do we get a copy of our rights?
5. Can we speak to the school's attorney and if so whom would we contact?
6. It is our understanding this matter/decision was never tabled, voted on or decided by the School Board, who then by name(s) made this decision?
7. Per your response the School Board has not ruled or voted on the public comment on 3/12?
8. Regarding the contract, was there a contract with "The Pit"? "The Pit": Is in the senior agenda book, it was stated by Mr. VonAncken at senior meetings, it is on RRPS Website, it will STILL be on the announcements from Jostens? Prior to March 07 RRPS had a written or verbal contract with "The Pit", otherwise none of this would be accurate?
9. Dr. Cleveland or Mr. VonAncken is quoted as stating "many" persons wanted this changed from "The Pit" how many is "many"?
10. Does Dr. Cleveland and the board all realize that there are "many" more that want this at "The Pit"? That is a fact.
11. Dr. Cleveland in the media is quoted as saying that she wants the money spent in Rio Rancho, is she aware that Jostens in not in Rio Rancho and neither is Kim Jews? And a lot more then $8,000 is being spent there with Jostens and Kim Jews. Does she realize with all the accessories, pictures etc. that easily $500,000 give or take a few, will be spent in Albuquerque, just do the math per the cost involved? To say students don't have to go to these businesses is true, but fact is "many" went to them, we did.
12. Exactly how much money was quote "saved", because "The Pit" was $7,000 and the Star location is $6,300. Is Dr. Cleveland aware that each seat at the Star location costs more the each seat at "The Pit"? Is she aware we are paying more for less?
13. How many students are graduating, we have been told 770?
14. How many seats will be available we have been told 4,500?
15. Mr. VonAncken stated that he will have 1,000 extra tickets is that true?
16. Does that mean the location is being expanded to 5,500? We have been told that the max will be 4,500, then no one will have an extra 1,000 tickets?
17. Is Dr. Cleveland aware "The Pit" will hold 15,000 for this graduation and that is about how many came last year? They had to allow people to sit in the closed section so many people came.
18. Does Dr. Cleveland realize that this new location will only hold 4,500 persons and that 6 times 750 is 4,500, that would me over 10,000+ persons that would have normally come to this graduation, the proof is the previous year's numbers as well as the numbers that turned out for the APS graduations, so these figures/estimates are not manufactured? And does she know all this means tickets will be scarce? Does she realize no matter even when we all call Mr. VonAncken for tickets he will have a very limited amount or no tickets at all?
19. Does Dr. Cleveland realize that the process to pass out any extra tickets is unfair, regardless of what other districts have done I have had first hand experience with some of the other district's method, it is unfair? Does she realize even now, the persons with the biggest network of friends will be able to secure tickets at a better advantage then the persons that do not have a large network of friends? Seniors are supposed to secure their own tickets from other seniors, this what was told to Rod Green of KOAT, does she realize the stress, time and energy that is being spent on this? Shouldn't seniors be concentrating on other matters? Does she realize along with her staff that there are other discounted variables that come into play here, mostly leading to an unfair process? Persons with the right connections will have a better chance, "not what you know, its who you know", that happens every year in other districts? "The squeaky wheel gets the grease". Simply, in theory sounds ok, but the process is never fair.
18. Does Dr. Cleveland realize some persons are offering to sell their tickets as this has created a "scalping" situation?
19. For arguments sake, lets say 50 percent are not being allowed to come, Dr. Cleveland can't see how serious that is? That discounts a whole bunch of people that would have come?
20. So whether it is 50% or 75% not being allowed to celebrate and actually see the graduation, does Dr. Cleveland in her ability to be fair, see how much stress this is placing on families? Is she aware our state is among the highest in the country for dropouts and suicides!?
21. Is this the largest Rio Rancho graduating class ever?
22. Does Dr. Cleveland see how extremely unfair this late notice is to everyone involved especially because plans were already made, money spent?
23. Does Dr. Cleveland realize the Jostens announcements will still have "The Pit" on it and this will be tacky?
24. Does Dr. Cleveland realize that parents will have to put their own insert in the announcement in order to un-confuse the recipient? That is true there will be two inserts now, one from Jostens and one from the parents. If the parents choose not to add their own insert it will be that much more confusing.
25. Does Dr. Cleveland realize that this will now cause us to cancel that order and re-order with someone else, does she realize that this is time consuming and has interrupted lives, it has ours?
26. Who is paying for Jostens' insert? We heard Jostens is "eating" the cost? We were told by Mr. Duncan that he was paying for it "out of his own pocket"? Which story is the truth?
27. What about the real crux of this matter in which last years graduation got rowdy, does Dr. Cleveland understand this year’s class is being penalized?
28. The administration advised the media that "all of the concerns were taken into consideration", does Dr. Cleveland realize that the not ALL the concerns were considered before the decision was made and that if we really consider everything, I mean everything, this entire process was very unfair?
29. Does Dr. Cleveland realize not all parents know about this change yet? Fact, we never received a letter we happened to catch it on the news? This is far from over. Contract or no contract this is not over.
30. Why can't we have a vote with all parents, guardians and seniors now? We can do it now and put this all to rest, why not, is there too much politics involved regarding this?
31. Why didn't we have a vote and input from EVERYONE in the first place? Certain persons complained as you stated and the matter was set in stone without everyone's input, yes? Does she not see how unfair that is?
32. If you are going to hold onto the contract explanation that won't hold water, they know they are going to get your business down the road anyway? If not, what will be the cost if you break your contract with them? Hasn't the district broken other contracts for other matters before? Go back to "The Pit", could you charge $1.00 or .75 cents a body, look how much you would save? Not only would you payoff "The Pit" and security, you would have enough for next year too?
33. Each School Board member is sworn in by a judge and their oath of service maintains they must uphold the Constitution of the United States as well as the school's, isn't this a direct violation of "due process", fair process, or any equal and "good faith" standards that adhere to our Constitution and what they were founded on? I have personally heard that Dr. Cleveland is "fair" and we are absolutely counting on that in this matter.
34. How soon can we speak directly to Dr. Cleveland on this matter, we would like to know her next available appointment, we are asking for an appointment, may I have more then one time frame as I will have to take time off for this?
Thank you again
How many times have our seniors heard this in their lifetime,
"Do your homework"?
"They should have done their homework BEFORE a decision like this was made. They need to back up and ask every graduate what they want, and if the majority want it at the Pit, they need to fix their mistake and move it back. They still have plenty of time. It needs to be resolved the right way, right away!"
Ruben
Gidget Anaya,
What is your email address?
My husband, son and I would like to add our signatures to the petition. My nephew is graduating and I would be really disappointed if we couldn't be there to see it in person, not on TV.
Carmela Rael
cbrael@msn.com
Patrick Rael
prrael@msn.com
Jered Cervantes
jered2011@msn.com
RRPS,
Your decision is discrimination! To the Pit!
Zeke
gidget_anaya@netzero.net
WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS STILL GOING VERY STRONG AND DONT WANT YOU TO THINK THIS IS OVER IT SEEMS SOME OF YOU ARE GETTING DISCOURAGED AND THINK THAT THIS IS A DONE DEAL BUT IT IS NOT PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SIGN THE PETITION GOING AROUND SCHOOL AND IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO IT AT SCHOOL CALL ME AND I WILL MEET YOU SOME WHERE ELSE TO DO IT AGAIN REMEMBER THEY WANT YOU TO THINK IT IS DOING NO GOOD TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT BUT WE STILL HAVE A CHANCE AND REMEMBER THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IS ON MONDAY AND WE NEED ALL THE SUPPORT WE CAN GET IT IS AT 5 PM ON MONDAY THE 9 TH AT THE RIO RANCHO DISTRICT OFFICE IF YOU NEED DIRECTIONS CALL ME MY NUMBER AGAIN IS 994-9648 OR EMAIL ME A nanee_angel@yahoo.com WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HELP US THIS WEEKEND FOR MORE INFO CALL ONCE AGAIN WE WANT THE PIT!
Why the resistance to moving graduation to the Pit to accommodate the students / parents wishes? The people paying into the school system have spoken, just like the people paying in to any $$$ reaped by the school board have spoken. Listen to your constituents!
Great comment!
Reminds me:
"Is you is or is you ain't my 'constituents'!"
Marie
Back to the Pit
No to to the Star Center
Regarding bad press about anyone speaking out against this decision:
Hate speech is a controversial term for speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a person or group of people based on their race, gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, language ability, moral or political views, socioeconomic class, occupation or appearance (such as height, weight, and hair color). The term covers written as well as oral communication and some forms of behaviors in a public setting. It is also sometimes called antilocution and is the first point on Allport's scale which measures prejudice in a society.
I'm very sorry about the problems from last year's graduation but this just proves you have something VERY WRONG going on at the high school. I’m NOT surprised that the administration was booed last year after you consider this decision you imposed.
Investigate why the principal was booed but don’t punish our Seniors for last year’s problem.
Rita
The “Victims of political posturing” would like to return to THE PIT!
We want the graduation at the Pit!
Frank,
How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?
Jeff
Jeff,
I'm not really sure, I heard 26 that signed were Attorney's.
Frank
True,
26 were Attorney's
Sue
We want the graduation at the Pit!
Truly amazing the impact 26 signatures have had on the world!
Jim
"The Fifty Six Men who Signed
the Declaration of Independence
Have you ever wondered what happened to the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the fixity six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-six were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well death would be the cost if captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education.
They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!
Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes this year while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid".
Merle
With the 26 of you continually giving it your very best over and over again, I won’t be surprised that you've become part of something positive here in Rio Rancho, the city of vision, for the next 4 graduating classes.
We applaud your efforts and encourage RRPS to return to The PIT.
DR. CLEVELAND,
THIS IS THE LARGEST GRADUATING CLASS IN RIO RANCHO HISTORY AND THE LARGEST CLASS IN THE STATE.
TO PLACE THE LARGEST CLASS IN A SMALLER VENUE IS NOT A WELL THOUGHT OUT PLAN AT THIS LATE NOTICE NO MATTER WHAT THE LOGIC.
IT CLEARLY DISCRIMINATES AGAINST PEOPLE WITH "LARGE FAMILIES" AND PROHIBITS ANYONE ELSE THEY KNOW FROM BEING ABLE TO COME.
MY DAY REALLY GOES BY, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY.
FOR ANYONE OUT OF THEIR BUSY SCHEDULE TO WANT TO GO TO A "HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION" REALLY WANTS TO GO.
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT 06.
LETS NOT BE PREJUDICE HERE.
IF SOMEONE WANTS TO GO THEN THAT IS UP TO THEM.
HIGHER EXTRA GUARDS.
CHANGE THIS BACK.
THANK YOU,
Jeremy
I'm not going to any gambling dens and neither is anyone else in my family. As far as I'm concerned, they can mail my son's diploma to him.
Boycott the casino graduation!!!!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!
i'll see ya' all at 1
Fo'
Fo'
Fo'
Won't take no sh_ _t,
let's go back to The Pit!
Call Yvette 994-9648
THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday April 9 at 5:00 pm
ANYONE THAT CAN ATTEND PLEASE GO
HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS-FRIENDS-ANYONE
WHO WANTS TO SUPPORT THE MOVE TO THE PIT
PLEASE GO
CALL ME IF YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ATTEND
SO WE CAN ALL GET TOGETHER BEFORE THAT DATE
MY NUMBER AGAIN IS 994-9648
OR EMAIL ME AT nanee_angel@yahoo.com
Dr. C;eveland,
I wonder how this will affect my graduation?
Marsha
Editor:
For weeks I had been telling friends about the then-upcoming Rio Rancho Pork & Brew, and how much I was looking forward to all that yummy BBQ.
So, even though parking was reported to be limited this year at the Star Center, off I drove to get my fill. Once on Paseo del Volcan, however, I saw 40 or so cars, backed up in both directions, waiting to turn onto the two-lane access road.
Sadly, I drove on past, returning home with my taste buds, not my tail, between my legs.
While poor access to the event center has been discussed at length, I still have trouble understanding how we could spend (more than) $40 million to build the place without having adequate access roads completed at the same time. Now that the Star Center has been open all these months, shouldn't those planning shortfalls have been corrected by now? How can we expect the center to be a success if we limit attendance due to access frustrations?
The city manager responsible for overseeing the planning process should be fired. Oh, wait. He already was.
We are
The “Victims of political posturing”
Roland
Our family agrees with the petition
Mack
As learned in my English class:
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All to district office
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!
Rode the six hundred.
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and why:
Into district office
Rode the six hundred.
The Observer to right of them,
The Ryan’s to left of them,
VonAncken in front of them
Into the jaws
Into the mouth of RRPS
Rode the six hundred.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
ALT
For Immediate Release
April 5, 2007
RIO RANCHO, NM - Rio Rancho Mayor Kevin M. Jackson will hold his first town
hall meeting on Thursday, April 12, 2007 from 7:00PM to 8:00PM in the
Governing Body Chambers located in Rio Rancho City Hall.
Mayor Jackson will provide updates regarding the recently concluded New
Mexico State Legislative Session and information about the City's new
Central Business District. Mayor Jackson will also address questions that
are submitted by the audience.
"I encourage residents to attend this town hall meeting. Two-way
communication between citizens and government is critical. I believe this
town hall meeting will provide a unique opportunity to hear from residents
regarding issues relevant to our City as well as providing valuable updates
to the community," said Mayor Jackson.
The town hall meeting will be open to the public. For more information
residents may call 505-896-8727 or via e-mail at
feedbackform@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
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