Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School graduates let emotions flow during ceremony

Bill Armendariz, Deming Headlight
·3 min read
Graduate Gabriel Gonzales gives a hug to DCCCHS Dean of Students Violeta Bustamante.
Graduate Gabriel Gonzales gives a hug to DCCCHS Dean of Students Violeta Bustamante.

DEMING – Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School Class of 2022 put the school’s motto of “Si Se Puede” (“Yes You can”) to the test. The 28 students that received diplomas on Thursday of last week traversed unchartered territory by learning through a global pandemic and overcoming many personal and social obstacles to achieve their goals.

The Mimbres Valley Special Events Center was filled with family and friends and the Deming High School band made a special appearance, along with the DHS JROTC Wildcat Battalion Color guard.

Emotions ran high as selected students gave testimony on their trials and tribulations upon reaching this monumental moment. Many thanked parents, grandmas and other family members who supported them through the rough patches along their journey.

Edna Reyes
Edna Reyes

The greatest testimony came from Edna M. Reyes, the guest speaker for the DCCCHS Class of 2022. Reyes stood as a prime example of “Si Se Puede,” and how it translates into success at every step.

Reyes, a deputy district attorney for New Mexico’s Sixth Judicial District, told the graduates about her humble beginnings. Born in Mexico and brought to America for a better life, Reyes worked alongside her family in the farm fields and onion sheds as a young teen. Her struggles were real, but she never lost sight of her goals in life.

Reyes graduated from Deming High School with honors in 2008 and went on to become student body president at Western New Mexico University in Silver City where she held many student leadership positions.

In 2012, she interned for former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman in Washington DC. She told the graduates of her humble stature in the nation’s capital and how she kept her chin up and she relied on her pride in culture and her

Reyes obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees at WNMU and was inducted to the WNMU Student Hall of Fame.

She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Washburn School of Law in Topeka, KS and held an immigration law position with a Topeka firm.

While at Washburn, Reyes played an active role in several student organizations, including Vice President of the Washburn Student Bar Association, Vice President of the Hispanic American Law Student Association, an ABA Trial team member, and Voir Dire competition team member.

She prosecutes domestic violence and sex crimes for the district court.

Reyes’ message was clear to the graduates. Use this story as an example of what a person can achieve when the mind and body are in sync for success.

Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (leave a message) or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com.

DCCCHS Class of 2022

Class motto: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou

Class flower: Sunflower

Class song: “’Til You Can’t, by Cody Johnson

The graduates

• Amy Aguilar

• Michael Aguilar

• Chris Avina

• Gabriel Israel Bueno

• Josue Elias Bustamante

• Clarissa Dominguez

• Jonathan Duran

• Matthew Duran

• Daisy Estrada

• Gabriela Nichole Ford

• Skylur Gilham

• Gabriel Gonzales

• Makinzy Ray Harvey

• Aubrey Holguin

• Elena Huerta

• Noah Leck

• Adam J. Linderg

• Manuel Lozano

• Damian Madrid

• Jackeline Martinez

• Evelyn Pereda

• Kianna Ramos

• Dyamond J. Rivera

• Madison Sandoval

• Elizabeth C. Schult

• Amaya Destiny Sera

• Aniya T. Thompson

• Ember P. Walker

• Jared Trevizo

• Erwin Villalobos

This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: DCCCHS graduates let emotions flow during ceremony