Community News

Silver City, NM — The Hearth, a growing community gathering space located at 1915 N. Swan Street, is inviting local residents, organizations, and leaders to take an active role in its future through the launch of a new Community Stewardship Initiative.

Born in 2023 during a moment of transition, The Hearth emerged from a question posed by community members and Presbytery leadership as First Presbyterian Church faced closure: What does this space want to become now?

Rather than allowing the building to sit empty, a group of local leaders reimagined it as a place where the spirit of gathering, care, and connection could continue—while expanding to serve a broader and more diverse community.

Sandra Varela will graduate in May from WNMU with her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Family Support.SILVER CITY, NM — For Deming resident Sandra Varela, graduating during the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Spring Commencement in May marks the finish line of a journey involving immense sacrifice and an iron will to keep hope alive. Accepting her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Family Support, Varela will do so beside her deepest sources of courage: her daughter, Valerie Varela, and her son, Julio Varela, sharing the moment as a family forged by resilience.

Varela's journey was forged through life's grueling trials. Her story as a WNMU Mustang is one of persistent strength, beginning in the shadow of a challenging marriage and an exceptionally difficult divorce process. Throughout those years, Varela dedicated herself to her children's well-being, often setting her own aspirations aside to put her children first as she navigated the complexities of single parenthood.

Photos Courtesy of Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center are below.

The Inaugural Outreach Program of Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center has been a positive 2026 learning experience for elementary school children in Animas, NM. Requested of the Art Museum by the Animas School District, this Outreach Program was developed and taught by Claude Smith III, a SWRMA Board Member, WNMU Professor Emeritus, and well known Silver City potter. Smith traveled each week to Animas bringing materials, historic examples, and tools.

Smith talked with and demonstrated for the children how to work with clay, guided them through processes, and engaged and encouraged them in creating their own designs, while also teaching about the history of pots and the ancient Mimbreño and more recent Native Americans who make pottery. Smith also provided contemporary ceramic examples and brought a potter's wheel to demonstrate another way to create with clay.

WNMU student Nayeli Mancilla will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and an Associate degree in Graphic DesignSILVER CITY, NM — For Western New Mexico University (WNMU) senior Nayeli Mancilla, the path to Commencement was a profound journey. More than just reaching a finish line, hers was a marathon of grit, growth, and a passionate bond with the natural world—each step echoing the resilience she forged along the way. 

Mancilla is a fine arts major who will receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and an Associate degree in Graphic Design in May. When she walks across the WNMU commencement stage, Mancilla concludes a transformative five-year journey that began with athletic aspirations abruptly derailed. 

"I actually came here to play volleyball," Mancilla recalls. "And on my third day in Silver City, I tore my ACL—on the very first day of preseason practice." 

What at first felt like a devastating setback turned out to be the space Mancilla needed to reconsider her path. Initially pursuing education, she began to engage deeply with Silver City's artistic community and the surrounding wilderness, which inspired her to redirect her studies.

She immersed herself in the fine arts program, finding key mentors in professors Matt Drisell (painting), Ed Brandt (graphic design), and Jim Pendergast (photography). 

Mancilla credits the small class sizes at WNMU for fostering invaluable, one-on-one mentorship—especially in the visual arts. "They get to know you," Mancilla said. "When you conceptualize, they understand where you're coming from and help you find your vision." 

Jo Lynn Guerrero receives her master's degree in counseling from WNMU in May and plans to continue her work with and support of students at Deming High SchoolSILVER CITY, NM — When hybrid (online and in person) Deming student Jo Lynn Guerrero crosses the stage at the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Spring Commencement this May, her walk will mark a profound evolution in her lifelong commitment to service. Guerrero's journey, spanning two decades of community dedication, serves as a powerful testament to the idea that success is rarely a straight line but rather a series of purposeful, courageous steps toward one's true calling.

Guerrero's professional life began in 2004, immediately following her high school graduation. She stepped directly into the high-stakes environment of emergency services, serving as a 911 dispatcher. For ten years, she was the steady, calm voice on the other end of the line during the community's most critical moments. This foundational decade in public safety instilled in her a unique ability to remain composed under pressure and gave her a front-row seat to the challenges facing local families. While this role provided a vital service, Guerrero eventually felt a pull toward a different form of advocacy—one that focused on long-term guidance and the proactive development of the next generation rather than immediate crisis response.

Guerrero attended WNMU as an undergraduate in 2015 and successfully earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice. During this period of academic growth, she transitioned into the educational sphere, accepting a position as an IT technician at her local high school in Deming. Although her official duties were technical, Guerreros' natural inclination toward mentorship and student support quickly became evident to those around her.

ANIMAS – New Mexico's Judiciary on Tuesday honored a high school mock trial team from Hidalgo County for winning this year's state championship.

Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Jarod Hofacket presented certificates of recognition to Animas High School mock trial team members and advisors at the school in southwestern New Mexico.

"It was a pleasure to celebrate this remarkable team in person," said Chief Judge Hofacket. "The reason for their success became clear — they are bright, confident and hardworking. I look forward to their bright futures, and hope many of them choose a legal profession. We would all benefit from their company."

Western New Mexico University (WNMU) announces open registration for the Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 semesters. Current and prospective students are encouraged to register early to secure their preferred course schedules and ensure a seamless start to the upcoming academic year.

Summer Session: 

Classes Begin (Session A and B): Monday, Jun 1

Classes Begin Session C: Wednesday, July 1

First Generation graduate Shoni Hendren will receive a double Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Mathematics from WNMU in May.SILVER CITY, NM — When Shoni Hendren crosses the graduation stage at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) this May, she won't just receive a diploma; she will carry her family's dreams with her. Hendren, a WNMU online student living in Belen, New Mexico, will graduate with a double Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Mathematics, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree. 

For Hendren, the path to May 2026 was fueled by a drive to prove that dedication brings transformation. This milestone means more than words can express because it is bigger than a degree; it shows what's possible for her family and her community. She wanted her children to see that commitment makes any goal attainable, no matter the obstacles. 

Hendren's path was anything but traditional. While at WNMU, she has been a 'quadruple threat,' successfully managing the roles of a full-time student, as well as a mother, a track coach, and an active community member. The discipline required to balance academic rigor with parenting and coaching now guides her leadership philosophy.