Good Luck, GMCS SkillsUSA Competitors!
Next week, students from across Gallup-McKinley County Schools will travel to Albuquerque, NM (March 18–21) to compete in the New Mexico SkillsUSA State Conference.
Even though the conference falls during Spring Break, our students and advisors have chosen to dedicate their time to represent their schools and showcase their technical skills, leadership, and professionalism on the state stage. We are incredibly proud of their commitment and hard work.
To all of our competitors and advisors—
compete with confidence, support one another, and represent GMCS with pride. You are already champions to us!
Good luck to all of our SkillsUSA chapters representing:
Gallup HS
Miyamura HS
Tohatchi HS
Crownpoint HS
Navajo Pine HS
Opportunity Career Center
Go GMCS! Bring home the gold!

Congratulations to seniors Carlos Garcia and Joshua Hughbanks for signing to North Dakota State College of Science!!! 🏈 #GoWildcats





Come learn what makes our program unique at our Parent Information Night on April 22 or April 23 from 5:30–6:30 PM in the UNM–Gallup SSTC Building, Room 200.
At McKinley Academy, students have the opportunity to:
Earn college credits while in high school through our partnership with UNM–Gallup
Experience a rigorous early college program that prepares them for university success
Learn in a smaller, supportive academic environment
Save time and money on college by getting a head start on coursework
Join us to learn about the program, tour the campus, meet our staff, and ask questions about how McKinley Academy can help students reach their academic and career goals.
We look forward to meeting you and sharing what McKinley Academy has to offer!

We’re excited to host our first-ever Family Academic & Career Night on March 26th from 5:30–7:00 PM in Gurley Hall!
Come explore future career pathways and opportunities as several organizations share information about career fields, requirements, and ways students can start preparing now for their future. It’s a great chance for students and families to learn, ask questions, and start planning ahead.
And to make the evening even better—we’ll be serving burgers and hotdogs!
Check out the flyer for more details. We hope to see you there!

Ready to challenge yourself and take your future to the next level?
McKinley Academy offers a dynamic early college experience where motivated students can earn college credits, engage in meaningful learning, and get involved in a variety of leadership and extracurricular opportunities—all while still in high school.
If you’re looking for a supportive, academically rigorous environment that prepares you for college and beyond, McKinley Academy is the place for you.
📅 Application Deadline: July 9, 2026
✔ Final Deadline to Complete All Requirements: July 16, 2026
Take the first step toward accelerating your future—apply today!

Dress Code Reminder: Sweatpants, athletic shorts, and pajama pants are prohibited.
Gallup-McKinley County Schools is excited to host our Spring 2026 College & Career Fair for our Junior Class!
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Gallup High School Gym
Session 1: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Session 2: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Lunch will be provided
This is an incredible opportunity for colleges, universities, technical schools, military representatives, industries, and career organizations to connect with ambitious GMCS juniors who are preparing for their postsecondary journey.
Showcase your programs, scholarships, certifications, career pathways, jobs, apprenticeships, internships, and resources — and help inspire the next generation of scholars and leaders.
Last day to register: March 6, 2026
Scan the QR code on the flyer to register
For questions:
505-721-1000
mbond1@gmcs.org
adelacr1@gmcs.org
Let’s work together to elevate success through rigor, relevance, and relationships.
#GMCS #CollegeAndCareerReady #CCCR #Pathways #FutureFocused #CollegeAccess #CareerExploration #Spring2026

Join us February 18–20, 2026 at Red Rock Park for our Heritage Language and Culture Social Studies Fair!
February 18, 2026
7th & 10th Grade (All Schools)
February 19, 2026
5th Grade
(Crownpoint, Twin Lakes, Navajo, David Skeet, Catherine Miller, Stagecoach, Del Norte, Jefferson)
February 20, 2026
5th Grade
(Thoreau, Tohatchi, Ramah, Chee Dodge, Lincoln, Tobe Turpen, Indian Hills, Red Rock)
This event is open to the public, and we encourage parents and community members to stop by and see all the fun and creative projects our students have been working so hard on. Come support our students and celebrate their amazing work!

House Bill 253 is being heard 02/09 at 8:30 AM, and your voice matters.
If this bill passes it will cause a $47 million dollar shortfall for GMCS this year - but there is still time to stop this legislation from moving forward. We are asking our community to please call and email members of the House Education Committee and our local legislators and urge them to vote NO on HB 253.
Please know this: GMCS is doing everything within its power to avoid any negative consequences to our students, staff, and community. We are actively advocating, working with legislators, and fighting to protect the funding our students depend on. A few minutes of your time telling our legislators to vote NO on House Bill 253 will make a real difference. Thank you for standing with our students and schools.
We are asking our community to please call and email members of the House of Education Committee and our local legislatures and urge them to vote NO to HB 253.
We are asking our community to please call and email members of the House of Education Committee and our local legislatures and urge them to vote NO to HB 253.
Chair
G. Andrés Romero – 505-514-9574
andres.romero@nmlegis.gov
Vice Chair
Joy Garratt – 505-986-4341
joy.garratt@nmlegis.gov
Ranking Member
Brian G. Baca – 505-986-4221
brian.baca@nmlegis.gov
Members
Jack Chatfield – 505-986-4467 – jack.chatfield@nmlegis.gov
Catherine J. Cullen – 505-986-4226 – catherine.cullen@nmlegis.gov
Martha Garcia – 505-986-4464 – martha.garcia@nmlegis.gov
Anita Gonzales – 505-986-4255 – anita.gonzales@nmlegis.gov
Yanira Gurrola – 505-986-4435 – yanira.gurrola@nmlegis.gov
Raymundo Lara – 505-986-4777 – raymundo.lara@nmlegis.gov
Tanya Mirabal Moya – 505-986-4214 – Tanya.MirabalMoya@nmlegis.gov
Patricia Roybal Caballero – 505-986-4416 – pat.roybalcaballero@nmlegis.gov
E. Diane Torres-Velásquez – 505-986-4255 -diane.torresvelasquez@nmlegis.gov
Harlan Vincent – 505-986-4450 – Harlan.Vincent@nmlegis.gov
Representatives:
Michelle Paulene Abeyta - 505-986-4254 - michelle.abeyta@nmlegis.gov
Martha Garcia - 505-986-4464 - martha.garcia@nmlegis.gov
D. Wonda Johnson - 505-986-4433 - dwonda.johnson@nmlegis.gov
Patricia A. Lundstrom - 505-986-4249 - patricia.lundstrom@nmlegis.gov
Senators:
George K. Muñoz - 505-986-4371 - george.munoz@nmlegis.gov
Shannon D. Pinto - 505-986-4835 - shannon.pinto@nmlegis.gov
Please visit our website for more information on HB 253. https://www.gmcs.org/page/hb

Creativity, courage, and craftsmanship came together as 10th- and 11th-grade ELA students from Dr. Jaypee R. Lopres’s ELA & Media pathway officially authored and published a collective anthology titled:
🖊️📖 Original Voices from Gallup: A Collection of Essays, Poems and Autobiographies
This incredible book features original essays, poems, and autobiographical pieces—all ✍️ handwritten, 🎨 artist-illustrated, and ✅ carefully reviewed for authenticity, originality, plagiarism, and AI-generated content. Rooted in ELA learning standards, this project celebrates the power of student voice and the heart of the writing process 💙
🎉 What made it even sweeter? The book arrived fully published before school leadership even knew! After the big reveal, Principal Jeffrey Hartog, Assistant Principal Taylor Ramirez, and Dean Joshua Benyola proudly recognized each student-author with certificates 👏🏽📜
📦 The anthology was published by Studentreasures Publishing (Topeka, Kansas) and represents a major milestone for both our students and the Miyamura High School community.
🏆📘 As published authors, students also receive automatic entry into the National Book Challenge, with prizes including:
💰 $5,000 school grant (1st place)
💰 $1,000 (2nd place)
💰 $500 (3rd place)
🎁 $50 gift cards for 50 national finalists
📸 Pictured: Dr. Jaypee R. Lopres and Grade 10 student-authors: Art Jones, Destiny Storch, Bethany Velasco, Dylane Lee, Alana Yazzie, Khloe Johnson, Aurora Williams, Cara Yazzie, Raizhan James, Dominic White, Lanaya Lementino. 📚 Grade 11 student-authors: Twyla Monarque, Jordyn Thompson, Ameera Davis, Mya Collins, McKallise Francisco, Serenity Ponce.
✨ Original Voices from Gallup is proof that when students are trusted with their stories and supported in their craft, their voices don’t just grow—they reach far beyond the classroom 🌟🎓






The 14th Annual Striking Eagle Native American Invitational (SENAI) is sponsored by the University of New Mexico Society of Native American Graduate and Undergraduate Students (SNAGUS), College of Education and Human Sciences, and the SENAI Circle.
The Striking Eagle Native American Invitational (SENAI) includes an annual essay contest and Art/Poster contest for middle and high school students, encouraging them to write about their Native American experiences, culture, and community challenges, with winners receiving prizes like laptops, and is connected to a larger basketball tournament and education fair at the University of New Mexico (UNM). The contest promotes post-secondary education and cultural empowerment, with deadlines typically in December, preceding the tournament in late December or early January.
Website for more information:
https://coehs.unm.edu/departments-programs/teelp/senai.html

Miyamura High School will be hosting our Winter Formal, “A Night Under the Stars,” on Friday, January 31st, from 8:00–11:00 PM. We are excited to open this event to students across the district and create a fun, safe, and inclusive evening for our high school community.
Event Details:
Theme: A Night Under the Stars
Date: Friday, January 31st
Time: 8:00–11:00 PM
Location: Miyamura High School
Tickets:
$15 single
$25 couple
Additional $5 charge if purchased at the door
Concessions will be available during the dance.
Ticket Sales will begin on the 19th of January @ Miyamura High School. We will make visits to the other high schools for ticket sales; dates are pending.

Where: Drop off zone in front of MHS.
When: This Week M-F 7:30 - 8:00 AM, 3:10 - 3:30 PM
Join us for a week packed with festive outfits, holiday cheer, and merry moments as we celebrate the season together. From cozy vibes to full-on holiday sparkle, let your spirit shine and spread the joy.


We invite you to join us for an engaging afternoon highlighting the outstanding work and achievements of our students.
In the spirit of the season, the School of Business is also hosting a Toy Drive. Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to help support children in need!

