Escalante Middle/High School, located in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, serves students from grades 7 through 12. As of the 2023-2024 academic year, the school has an enrollment of approximately 165 students, with a student-teacher ratio of about 13:1.
A new year-long conservation fellowship invites Escalante juniors and seniors to map invasive plants, learn from local wisdom keepers, and build a field guide for the Chama Valley.
On the afternoon of October 7, Escalante's juniors and seniors gathered in the cafeteria under the "Home of the Lobos" banner for something different from a typical school assembly. Javier Vigil, founder and president of the Northern N.M. Recreation & Outdoor Conservation (ROC) Foundation, came with an invitation: spend the year outside, doing real conservation work on the land they call home.
Vigil presented on behalf of three partners: the Northern N.M. ROC Foundation, the Forest Stewards Guild, and the Chama Peak Land Alliance. Together they are launching the Forest Guild Conservationists of Escalante High, a year-long capstone built around invasive species, local plant knowledge, field science, and conservation careers.
That was the question at the heart of the presentation. As the program puts it, "this is not a worksheet project." Fellows will get outside, collect real data, and learn from the people who know this land best.
Their core task is to find, photograph, identify, and map invasive plant species across the valley. Along the way they will learn how those plants affect forests, water, wildlife, acequias, farms, and communities. The Forest Stewards Guild notes that plant communities are essential to forest health and change rapidly, so student data can help inform how local forests are managed.
The forests of the Chama Valley protect the waters this region depends on. Youth leadership is central to forest stewardship. — Forest Stewards Guild
The fellowship follows the seasons. Students will hike, observe, sample, and document; use GPS and digital tools to track invasive species; and build plant profiles covering identification, habitat, impacts, and management.
Field trips are planned every other month on Fridays, with travel expenses covered. Fieldwork will be led by the Northern N.M. ROC Foundation, Cody Dems of the Forest Stewards Guild, Emily Wolf, and Sage Faulkner of the Chama Peak Land Alliance. Students will also help shape the field-trip plans and choose the Fridays that work best.
Science is only one way of knowing a landscape. The fellowship also makes room for the words, memories, and practices that connect Northern New Mexico families to the land.
The program is clear on one point: respect comes first. Some knowledge belongs to families or communities and does not belong in a public field guide.
Each cohort will add to the Chama Valley Youth Field Guide, a print and digital guide updated year after year. Fellows will identify native and invasive species by common and scientific names, document them with photos and sketches, map study areas from Abiquiú to the Chama Valley, and explain why each matters. Over time, students create a living record of the land.
Fellows who complete the program earn a $500 Conservation Fellowship Award for leadership, stewardship, professionalism, field participation, and a finished capstone portfolio. They will also finish with:
The skills go straight onto a résumé or scholarship application: GPS and GIS mapping, field data collection, plant identification, environmental monitoring, public speaking, teamwork, and professional networking. Students will also meet professionals in forestry, wildland fire, wildlife biology, environmental science, watershed and acequia stewardship, and agriculture.
"When we spend time caring for the land, the land gives something back to us." — from the fellowship presentation
Vigil will return to Escalante next week to meet students who want to join, with the first cohort set to begin in November. He is also offering a $500 stipend to one Escalante teacher who supports the effort.
The program's closing message to students sums up the invitation: protect the land, learn the science, honor local knowledge, and build your future. Our voice. Our land. Our future.
Interested students and teachers can contact Javier Vigil at the Northern N.M. ROC Foundation: info@nnmroc.org · www.nnmroc.org
Partners: Northern N.M. Recreation & Outdoor Conservation Foundation · Forest Stewards Guild · Chama Peak Land Alliance. Presenters: Javier Vigil (President, Northern N.M. ROC Foundation), Sage Faulkner (CEO, Chama Peak Land Alliance), and Cody Dems (Southwest Program Manager).
MORA, NM — The Escalante Middle School girls' volleyball team celebrated an exciting victory on October 16, 2026, at Mora High School, where they became champions of the Middle School Volleyball Tournament.
The tournament brought together five schools: Escalante, Mora, Mesa Vista, Questa, and Peñasco. Escalante showed determination and teamwork throughout the competition, finishing with an impressive 5–0 tournament record. The team's success added to an outstanding season, with the A team finishing 10–1 overall.
Under the guidance of coaches Ms. Angelica and Ms. Edwinia Rivas, the team demonstrated remarkable growth, confidence, and determination. According to Ms. Angelica, their success came from making adjustments on defense, believing in themselves and their teammates, and taking advantage of momentum during games.
One of the most memorable parts of the season was watching the eighth-grade players step up, both on the court and as leaders of the team.
Ms. Angelica described the players as a great group of smart, hardworking young ladies whose dedication and teamwork helped make the season a success.
Congratulations to the Escalante Middle School volleyball team, Coach Angelica, and Coach Edwina Rivas on an outstanding championship season!
Escalante High School students Mateo, Rebecca, and Jamison recently volunteered with the Chama Peak Land Alliance, giving their time to help members of the local community.
As part of the volunteer effort, the students helped load firewood for elderly community members. Their work provided some much-needed helping hands while giving the students an opportunity to serve and connect with people in their community.
For the students, the experience was also personally meaningful. Jamison said he felt good knowing that he was able to help people. Rebecca and Mateo shared a similar feeling, saying it felt good to have the opportunity to give back to their community.
The Chama Peak Land Alliance thanked the students for their participation and shared how much local seniors appreciate having young people come out to help.
Through their volunteer work, Mateo, Rebecca, and Jamison showed how Escalante students can make a difference beyond the classroom. Their willingness to give their time and lend a hand is a great example of students supporting the community they call home.
Photo credits: Chama Peak Land Alliance
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Hello! I am excited to join the district as a Middle School and High School ELA teacher. Originally from Manila, Philippines, my path to education was inspired by my own high school English teacher, as well as my family’s deep roots in the profession—a proud tradition spanning my grandmother, two aunts, and three cousins. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy staying active by playing volleyball and pickleball, getting lost in a good book, or enjoying Chinese cuisine. A fun fact about me that might surprise you is that I can actually make my ears move! At home, I am a passionate advocate for animal welfare and care for nine rescued stray cats (#AdoptDontShop). If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would love to explore Europe.
If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be simple, and I live by the best advice I have ever received: "Pray, hope, and don't worry." words by my favorite saint, St. Padre Pio. When it comes to working with students, what I enjoy most is building genuine rapport and fostering deep engagement—there is nothing quite like watching students collaborate so seamlessly that it feels as though I am not even needed in the room. This school year, I am most excited to immerse myself in the New Mexico education system, connect with the Escalante and Chama communities, and experience the rich local culture, traditions, and food. Above all, I look forward to partnering with our families to help every single student excel, lead, and reach their fullest potential.
The 2026–2027 school year began with excitement and tradition as the senior class welcomed their final first day of high school with a Senior Sunrise at Escalante Field. Accompanied by their class sponsors, Valerie Martinez and Richard Amora, along with guidance counselor Ms. Anna Atencio, students gathered at 5:30 a.m. to watch the sunrise together. They enjoyed breakfast burritos and doughnuts while sharing laughs, conversations, and memories, making it a morning they will always remember.
After the sunrise celebration, students headed home before returning to campus for the official first day of school. Around 8:00 a.m., many students arrived with their parents, some walking to school together to mark this special milestone—their last first day of school. Adding a fun touch to the morning, several seniors carried colorful kindergarten-style backpacks, bringing back memories of where their school journey began.
Before classes started, students signed their names on the glass doors and windows at the front of the campus, leaving messages and memories that celebrated the beginning of an unforgettable senior year. It was a wonderful start to the 2026–2027 school year, filled with tradition, friendship, and excitement for the journey ahead.
Escalante Mid High School is excited to welcome Ms. Dawn Salazar as our new principal for the 2026–2027 school year.
Although she is new to this role at Escalante, Ms. Salazar is no stranger to the district. She previously served as principal of Tierra Amarilla Elementary and brings many years of experience in education. Throughout her career, she has also worked as a literacy coach with CREC 5 and as an educational diagnostician for Dulce Schools.
Outside of school, Ms. Salazar enjoys spending time with her family, especially relaxing at the lake. She has two daughters—one who is an eighth grader here at Escalante and another who is a senior in college studying occupational therapy.
When asked about her vision for the coming year, Ms. Salazar summed it up in three words:
Reset, Rebuild, and Rise.
Above all, she is committed to keeping students at the center of every decision and creating a positive learning environment where they can succeed.
Please join us in giving Ms. Dawn Salazar a warm Escalante welcome!
Mr. Javier Vigil of Northern NM Recreation and Outdoor Conservation Foundation in partnership with the Chama Peak Land Alliance with the renowned filmmaker Renea Roberts, had a presentation and film viewing of “Thinking Like Water" to our 7th Grade students during Mr. Jesus Maes's History class. This is an educational program focused on the importance of water, acequia traditions, conservation, and our connection to the land and community.
This presentation provided students with valuable insight into local culture, environmental stewardship, and the role water plays in our daily lives. Thank you to everyone for this meaningful learning opportunity for our students!
Our recent Career Day was a great success, with a strong turnout and enthusiastic participation from students and guests. The event gave students valuable insight into the many opportunities available after graduation.
A special highlight was the return of former students, who shared their experiences and offered real-world advice about different career paths. Their stories helped inspire and guide our current students.
From college and trade programs to various careers, students explored a wide range of options and gained helpful resources to support their future plans. Events like Career Day remind us that our students have many paths to success and we are proud to help prepare them for what comes next.