News
AAUW “Girls Can!” Event Inspires 5th Graders at Luna
On Tuesday, April 22, Luna Community College proudly hosted for the fourth time the annual “Girls Can!” event in partnership with the Las Vegas branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Montañas del Norte Area Health Education Center under the direction of Raymond Sanchez provided grant support. This inspiring program invites fifth-grade girls from across the region to spend a day on campus, engaging in hands-on activities and exploring career paths they may not have considered — particularly in fields where women remain underrepresented.
This year, 130 students, along with their teachers and staff, attended from Mike Mateo Sena, Sierra Vista, Union, Mora/Holman, Pecos, Anton Chico, Santa Rosa, and Springer elementary schools. The event offered these young learners a unique opportunity to experience a college setting and begin to imagine themselves as future college students.
Workshops throughout the day were led by dedicated Luna faculty and staff, whose creativity and mentorship brought the experience to life. These included Rachael Lucero (DNA), Briana Montaño Baca (AI), Germaine Sandoval, Clarice Bonney and students (cosmetology), Gene Martinez (welding), Lisa Bentson, Devon Chisholm, Kraig Bellows, & Jessica Garcia Montoya (flight simulation), Crystal Western Ford (community needs), Amber Elliott & Valerie Montoya (nursing), and Denise Fox with help from Raylynn Griffith (dental assisting). Their energy and enthusiasm made a lasting impression on the students.
The success of the event was made possible by the many staff who supported logistics and coordination, including Mary Frances Bibb, April Sandoval, Matt Griego, Francisco Melendez, and others who helped throughout the day.
In addition to Luna’s team, we are grateful to our community partners who offered unique sessions — Lucy Finch (art), Renee Hernandez (flowers, wildlife, and the environment), Carol Litherland (sign language), Cheri Burch (measurements), and Carolyn Hartwell (insects) — broadening the students’ perspectives on careers and interests. The event was organized by AAUW members Mary Shaw, Mary Byers, Carla Romero, Phyllis Ludi, and Karyl Lyne; many community members volunteered as group guides as did several AAUW members.
Although schools from Wagon Mound, Vaughn, Valley, and Rio Gallinas were unable to attend this year, we look forward to including them in future events and continuing to strengthen our regional partnerships.
“Girls Can!” remains a powerful example of Luna’s and AAUW’s commitment to educational access and opportunity for girls and young women throughout Northern New Mexico. We are deeply thankful to the Las Vegas community members who helped create another inspiring day of exploration, learning, and possibility.
Carol Linder, President
Luna Community College