Los Lunas

Student employees of the Youth Conservation Corps made a big difference this summer by working every day to keep Los Lunas looking beautiful.

June 4 was the start of the beautification summer youth program “Keep Los Lunas Clean And Beautiful” sponsored by the Village of Los Lunas. Twenty students (ages 14-18) were employed to work throughout the summer for a total of 77 hours each.

Students worked generally from 8 a.m. to noon, some from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a few adjusting their schedules for family vacations or other reasons.

The students cleaned various areas in the Village of Los Lunas, as some Los Lunas residents may have noticed during the dry, hot summer days. These students were provided with tools, trash bags, safety vests, glasses, water bottles, sunscreen lotion, hats, visors and gloves.

Cleaned were both sides of NM 6 to the freeway ramp, NM 314 north to Griegos Road, NM 314 south to Morris Road, Trujillo Street, Don Pasqual, Juan Perea Rd., Los Lentes South, Los Lentes North (to Trujillo), Trujillo Street, Main Street area, Morris Road, NM 6, Eastside to Albertson’s, Juan Perea Road south to Morris, part of Griegos and part of Vallejos Road.

A total of 948 bags of trash were collected in a period of four weeks. Some of the students continued making up their hours because they were on vacation or absent for some other important reason.

Students also cut and bagged weeds around the Village of Los Lunas. Others assisted in painting and cleaning the parks in the village and others assisted at the transfer station as well as the solid waste plant.

The program, which ended on July 12 and was coordinated by Marie Marquez and Josie Navarette from the Village of Los Lunas, turned out to have a very productive year.

On June 28, a cookout was held at Daniel Fernandez Park, honoring students for their hard work. Two students, Michael Apodaca and Jonathan Barela, were awarded TVs for their outstanding work and performance.

“We were fortunate enough to have two Youth Conservation Corp students helping with the supervision of these students. They were Nadine Jaramillo and Joshua Chavez. Thanks for your help. We couldn’t have done it without you,” Navarette said.

“We enjoyed working with these students and hope we can have them back for our Trek for Trash.”

Ten other names were drawn randomly and awarded $20 gift certificates. Every student re-ceived a certificate of recognition. Students turned in an essay on what they got out of the program.

“They were quite interesting to read,” Marquez said. “For some, it was their first job, and, for others, they learned how to work together as a team. Others enjoyed working in the different departments, others enjoyed earning their own money and being able to help out their parents. Others mentioned that they will think twice before opening up their car windows and shoving trash out the window. Others just had fun.”

Marquez praises the kids for all of their hard work this summer. “Have a wonderful summer, kids. Pat yourselves on the back for a job well done. You deserve it.”

Program sponsors sent thanks to the mayor, village council and village administrators for all their support in making this program a success. They thanked Finance Planner Peter Fernandez and Building Inspector Adolph Lopez for helping with the cookout. And they thanked all those departments that took time from their busy schedules to lend a helping hand, by supervising students in their departments or in other areas.

On behalf of the Village of Los Lunas and the summer youth group, Marquez asks all residents to help keep the village free of litter and debris. “We should be proud of our village and think twice before tossing trash out the window. Let’s take pride and keep our village clean and beautiful.”

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Jennifer Harmon