New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped - Yearbook (Alamogordo, NM)

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Desert Visions The eagle slowly circles the bar- ren desert below. He pauses for a moment, then the slow circles start again. A long stallion walks out onto a rocky ridge. He is as black as a cloudy desert night. I grow restless, move and the movement catches the stallion’s attention. He stands motionless for a second, then whirls and leaps away. I glance up and see the eagle circling higher into the sky. I look around me and once again the desert is empty. And in the west there are the fading shades of sunset. I awaken to the sound of the roaring cars and wail- ing sirens. And instead of the rocks and sand of the desert around me there are four walls of a room and I realize it was just a dream. Duran DuBoise New Mexico, Land of Enchantment During the winter our black bear sleeps soundly in his cave. While a blanket of snow covers the ground outside. Away in the mountains the pins of the pinon trees capture the golden sun’s rays. In the desert our state plant makes a permanent home. A bird called the roadrunner roams the deserts with no destination in mind. The sunsets are a fantastic part of New Mexico. It adds life to the turquiose sky. Our flag stands out among the rest with its beautiful colors of red and yellow floating like an eagle. New Mexico: A Land of Many Pleasures Dry hot deserts, prickly cactus and yucca plants, Spanish and In- dian cultures, that’s what I see in New Mexico. The canyon ruins, are a perfect sight to see by many travelers and vacationers touring through the land of pleasure. Indian adobe pueblos made of rock, standing high and beautiful overlook a colorful and attractive mesa. Navajo Indian hogans made of thin wooden logs look so elegant, standing near a large cornfield with sheep grazing in the far-off meadows. The New Mexico Indians’ way of life is still following the old ways they had lived for, for generations. New Mexican food, so spicy, colorful and hot. Many people in New Mexico cook and eat posole on occasions like New Year’s Day. Those are some of the wonder- ful things I can see in New Mex- ico. I am proud to be a New Mexican. Elaine Sandoval Oleatha Davis 8

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T he spirit created by the “Day of Celebration” did not end on that day. After playing host to hundreds of guests and talking about NMSVH, staff and students seemed “up” for the challenges that were ahead. Throughout the year people were making interesting discoveries, many of which resulted in per- sonal successes. Opposite, up- per left: Frankie McMurdie found art projects a genuine source of Joy. Frankie and his classmates (Hazel Hahn’s primary class) were challenged by a variety of creative projects. Opposi te, upper right: Joe Lopez learned many new cane skills under the watchful eye of Jan Caron. Opposite, lower left: Corey Patricio and Virginia Parr, his foster grandparent, adopted a cat that wondered on to the cam- pus in the fall. Each morning Cor- ey and Virginia met the cat and provided a grand breakfast. Op- posite, middle right: Visiting ar- tist Ken Keppeler taught George Ferry how to play the accordian. George proved to be an eager and willing student. Opposite, lower right: Jimmy Braddock was very methodical when he applied syrup to a pancake he made during “Pancake Day” in the library. Upper: Conrad Davis also en- joyed making pancakes. This popular activity was sponsored by Wanda West and Alicia McAninch in the NMSVH library. Lower left: Bob Disher took time before school each day to make sure the American and New Mexico flags were flying at full mast. Lower right: Wanda Heffron exhibits the joy one experiences after com- pleting a run in skiing competi- tion. She and several other students participated at the Winter Special Olympics in Ruidoso in January. 7

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4 The Break of the Morning Dew The break of the morning dew I look out my window and see the tall trees and the bridge that goes over the irrigation ditch that leads to my house. 1 get up and get dressed. When I get my cup of cof- fee 1 head towards the door. Out- side 1 put my coffee down and stretch, smelling the pine and oak trees. I’m getting a real good feeling about everything. As I’m standing there, my dog comes walking around the corner of my house. He comes up and sits down by my side. I say, “What a beautiful morning.” Albert Ortiz Mountains The sweet scent of orange blossoms fills the silky blue sky. Fluffy, milky, white clouds dance in mid-afternoon. The scorching golden sun col- lides against the purple mountain- tops. The odors of pine needles float in the wild meadow. The splashing fast waters whisper in cool mid air. Rushing down a wild curvy path, deep waterfalls drop down. Icy white crystals glisten in the amber shadows from the glare of the sun. Wild flowers dance along the river side, peering into the clear spring water. They leave reflec- tions of glassy stones against boulders pushing their way up towards the mysterious heavens above. The blossoms stand out like a picture in a frame upon a dark hillside. Jolene Ortiz Southwest Sunrise Standing outside watching as the sun peeks over the mountains reminding us that it’s time to start out the day. Pretty orange yellow colors, stare at you. Standing there wishing the moment will never end. But nothing as pretty as a southwest sunrise could ever stay. As the clouds turn carnation pink and the sky baby blue, the beautiful moment has come to an end. Brenda Platero 9