Project aims to bring students into civic process

CLOVIS — Patriotism is in the news again. This time, it’s at the heart of a project aimed at involving Clovis students in the civic process.

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle said he came up with the idea a couple of months ago.

“The United States Pledge and New Mexico Salute is something that brings us together,” Pyle wrote in a message to The News. “This is an opportunity to involve our future leaders in the County Commission meetings and assist them on their public speaking skills.”

When commissioners meet on Tuesday, the Pledge of Allegiance and the pledge to the New Mexico state flag will be led by Xochilt Garcia, Reid Adams and Cooper Knauer, all fifth-grade students at Zia Elementary School.

Zia Principal Shalei Bennett said the students were selected as October students of the month based on their adherence to that month’s character trait, which happened to be citizenship, a fitting qualifier for participation in county meetings.

She told The News that the students will lead the pledges before heading back to school for instruction.

“I think it’s just a really good move to get kids out to see what the process is in our community with being responsible citizens to making sure things are going well in your community with commissioners, representatives. And then it moves on up to the state level. But I think it’s a good local focus for them,” Bennett said.

Joe Strickland, deputy superintendent of instruction for Clovis schools, said the participation in the pledges will rotate between schools each month.

“I just thought it was a great chance for our kids to see what happens at a County Commission meeting and be a part of that process. I thought it was really cool,” Strickland said.

Strickland said it will be up to each principal to decide which students will participate in the project, though “more than likely” it will continue to be students of the month.

Commissioner Robert Thornton said he thought the project was a great idea and will show the students that the pledges are also a part of other community activities, not just something you say in school.

Commissioner Seth Martin said he thinks the project will give the students a good look at how decisions are made on a local level, as well as increase pride in their community.

“I think it is a long time coming to re-instill pride in our country and this is a good step in order to bring that across to our youth,” Martin said.