Santa Fe Future 2005 Awards from the Future
Education
Tecolote Program, St. John's College, Steve Van Luchene, Director
The first award under Education goes to a program providing a daring and profound
approach to education, outreaching to teachers and training them in the "tutor" approach
to learning. This program gives teachers the tools necessary to paint a more accurate
sense of what learning is and can be, that learning is more than just answering test
questions correctly, that learning should continue throughout one's entire life and be an
important part of every single day, using books that ask the hardest questions but often
leave it up to us to find the answers, and to ask even better questions of ourselves and of
each other. We would like to recognize the Tecolote Program at St. John's College and
its Director, Steve Van Luchene with an "Award from the FUTURE".
Pat Rivera, Santa Fe High School Business Educator
The next award in Education goes to an individual who plays a unique role in public
education by exposing students to the world of entrepreneurship and opportunities that
abound in this arena. She is an advocate of multi-culturalism and has tremendous respect
for diversity both in the classroom and in our community. She is an advocate for all
children as demonstrated by her prestigious national "Golden Apple Award." For her
commitment to providing leadership and excellence in teaching, we are recognizing Mrs.
Pat Rivera with an "Award from the Future" for her for thinking outside the box when it
comes to education.
Legal & Police
Chief Beverly Lennen. Santa Fe Police Department
The organization has built bridges between cultures, has foster working relationships between the city and county governments, and has a philosophy that looks at what is best for the community at large. The leader of this organization has a comprehensive understanding of all the elements of the community, allowing her a leadership vision unparalleled among our interviewees. Her consultation for future planning and development is invaluable for the safety and well-being of Santa Feans.
Community Service Award
Warehouse 21, Ana Maria Gallegos y Reinhardt
One of the important issues in Community Services is the development of youth. Without preparing the next
generation for dealing with the issues of today, we would not be planning responsibly for the future. The organization receiving this Award From The Future creates a safe and creative environment where individuals have a true sense of belonging, a sense of community. The organization respects individuality, which allows for experiences that make a difference. In this organization's interaction space, youth realize that they are accountable for their own artistic experiences, and thus their practices lead to their own success.
Community Housing Trust, Sharon Welsh
A second award in Community Services goes to an organization who has been instrumental in creating housing opportunities for Santa Feans. As a result of their efforts, Santa Fe has been able to maintain a socio-economic and culturally diverse community. Not only has this organization created opportunities for many of our citizens, they have been leaders in community building through designing aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sensitive housing communities that we can all be proud of. Through their creative leadership, innovative designs, and financial savvy, we are proud to give another Community Service "Award from the FUTURE" to Sharon Welsh and the Santa Fe Community Housing Trust.
Multicultural Community
Northern New Mexico ENLACE, Ron Martinez
One of the most attractive characteristics of the City Different is the rich diversity that exists in regards to race, ethnicity, spirituality, culture, traditions, and world views... One of the important issues that came about in this topic is that everyone we interviewed seemed to see the importance of preserving Santa Fe's uniqueness of culture and traditions. Diversity should be viewed as an asset vs. a problem or issue to be "dealt with". Under the topic of multiculturalism, there is no question that a chasm exists in the achievement of minority students vs. non-minority students and that same chasm seems to also relate to economic disparities. We must, as a community work to close the achievement gap that exists in our schools.
The program receiving this Award From The Future reaches out to Latino youth and provides programs and services to prepare these students for college and for their future. It is comprised as a state-wide collaborative with school districts and Hispanic Serving Institutions of Higher Education.
This organization is funded by the W.K. Kellogg foundation with the hopes that it will be institutionalized in order to create systemic change that will benefit all underrepresented students. This group has a 98% retention rate of students in their program. They are creating stronger leaders by virtue or their work because they give them opportunities to see their role in community and to become involved through service learning. They help students find their voice and exercise it for the betterment of their communities.
Santa Fe FUTURE 2005's Award From The Future in Multicultural Community Services goes to the strong vision of Northern New Mexico ENLACE and to it's visionary, passionate, and inspirational leader, Ron Martinez.