
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Laurie Mellas, 277-5915
Dec. 8, 2006
South Valley Teens Remembered At UNM
Concert today, tree planting set for Dec. 12
A group of University of New Mexico freshmen will celebrate the lives and accomplishments of Rio Grande High School students Nayeli Villanueva and Amanda Valencia in a tree-planting ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m., on the lawn west of the College of Education.
Villanueva and Valencia were 2006 graduates of Rio Grande High School. Best friends, both were outstanding scholars and citizens planning to build promising careers. A tragic car accident claimed their lives on Aug. 19, 2006, the weekend before their classes started at UNM.
Friends, teachers and family members of Villanueva and Valencia will speak at the tree-planting event. Two flowering crab apple trees provided by University College will be planted as an enduring memorial to the two women.
“Both the Rio Grande High School and University of New Mexico communities were hit hard by this tragedy, and the freshmen students in the ‘Making a Difference’ class wanted to do something to ease the sense of loss,” reported Glenda Balas, Ph.D., course instructor. Balas is an assistant professor in the Communication and Journalism Department.
The “Making a Difference” class is a service-learning course in the University College Freshman Learning Communities Program. After several planning meetings, the class decided to host a memorial concert and tree-planting ceremony.
The concert is Friday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., in the SUB, ballroom A. Four popular bands from the Albuquerque area will perform. Admission is free and donations will be accepted for a scholarship to be awarded to a Rio Grande High School senior planning to attend UNM in fall 2007.
“The loss of these two lives has touched us all. We’re hoping the community will come out and join us in remembering these two exceptional young women and their impact in our community,” said Jordan Jarvis, a member of the “Making a Difference” leadership team responsible for planning the event.
For additional information, contact Glenda Balas, 350-9040; gbalas@unm.edu.
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