Dancing our hearts out

Since Phillips County Family Education Services began 30 years ago, the heart of the organization has been to provide a service that motivates and prepares family members of all ages to acquire the skills needed to achieve their educational goals and to become contributing members of a multicultural community.

That mission was evident Wednesday, Aug. 3, at the 30th anniversary celebration for PCFES. Executive director Linda Jelden educated the crowd with a history of PCFES, and the Holyoke JR/SR High School auditorium stage was filled with brightly colored dresses during Mexican folkloric dance presentations featuring ages preschool through adult. Attendees from a variety of cultural backgrounds were able to celebrate together with special treats during the program’s intermission.

Husband and wife dance instructors Ivan Olivas Castillo and Alma Nydia Nuñez Montes from Chihuahua, Mexico, gave Paquime dance lessons for a few weeks prior to the recital during a visit to Holyoke to see family. Nuñez Montes is the daughter of Albino Nuñez and Guadalupe Montes, and she lived in Holyoke from 1994-2000 during her elementary and junior high years.

For the couple, dance is not a sport nor a trade. It is an art. It’s not to impress but to express. The dance recital became a lesson of its own for the crowd because each dance featured a different Mexican state and each came with its own cultural nuances. Cecilia Marquez, who helped coordinate the program, explained each dance to the audience.

Dances included La Perla Tamaulipeca from the state of Tamaulipas, Sones de Ixtapa from Chiapas, Arrinconamela from Guerrero, El Costeño from Sinaloa, El Relampago from Michoacan, El Zultan from Nuevo Leon, Serenata Jarocha from Vera Cruz, Arreando Vacas from Baja California Norte, El Polvorete and Las Alazanas/La Negra from Jalisco, and Coronelas/Adelitas and Aguas De Rio Noava/Santa Rita/Luz y Sombras from Chihuahua.

Olivas Castillo and Nuñez Montes mesmerized the audience with several dances in addition to performances that featured local participants.

The preschool to kindergarten group included Ariana Aguirre Guerdado, Mateo Barrios, Dulce Calzadillas Dominguez, Ramon Calzadillas Dominguez, Jazlyn Dominguez, Marqus Flores, Hanna McCormick, Raquel Ramos Rodriguez, Cora Rhodes, Delani Varela and Daniela Sanchez Zuniga.

First and second graders included Anaeli Barraza, Joaquin Flores, Valentina Gonzalez, Kenya Hernandez, Emily Jimenez, Maya Lamas, Nataly Ramirez, Lylianna Varela and Isa Velasquez.

Group members for third through sixth grade were Gizem Barraza, Leonel Calixto Covarrubias, Vivian Calixto Covarrubias, Olivia Conde, Yaretzi Flores, Kaylee Juarez Trejo, Rene Peña, Gael Ramirez, Lili Vasquez, Lucy Vasquez and Michell Trejo.

Junior high and high school performers were Alma Alejandre, Fatima Castillo, Vianey Jimenez, Andrea Marquez, Michell Trejo and Vanessa Zapata.

Participants in the adult group included Lidia Magana, Brenda Juarez, Cecilia Marquez, Lali Marquez and Marisol Tuetle.

Bamford, Nickell, Ortner launch education services in 1992

In the early 1990s, a group of people felt there was a need for adult education services in Phillips County, and three founders — Alice C. Bamford, Debbie Nickell and Dorothy Ortner — helped start an organization and shaped a mission that still continues today.

In 1992, a program called Literacy for the ’90s was formed, and English as a second language and GED classes were originally taught in the basement of the Heginbotham Library.

The three founders were instrumental in formally changing the name to PCFES in 1997, and that same year the organization obtained nonprofit status.

“This changed the trajectory of the group,” said Jelden, noting that it could start seeking funds as a nonprofit. “It was a way to expand and just fly.”

Since first starting in Heginbotham Library, PCFES has had three other homes — one in Haxtun and the other two at Inklings Bookstore and Phillips County Event Center, which is its current home.

Programs throughout the years have included ESL instruction, GED preparation, citizenship preparation, early childhood/family literacy, summer English immersion camp, after-school homework help, job club, conversation class, basic computer class, Spanish conversation, summer busy bags and affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

“I’m inspired by adults and families who have reached out to us to learn a language or job skills,” said Jelden, noting that some make it a priority to attend even after working 10-hour days.

Executive directors from the last 30 years include LouAnn Lundgren, Lori Stieb, Heather Meakins (1999-2000), Kindra Plumb (2000-10), Laura Beth Schroetlin (2010), Trisha Herman (2010-17), Allie Balog (2018-19) and Jelden (2019-22).

Jelden pointed out that Plumb was a prolific grant writer and the attendance numbers just skyrocketed while PCFES was under her leadership. She was also instrumental in working with the county commissioners to make sure that a PCFES location was included in the building plans for Phillips County Event Center.

Thirty-two people have served on the board for PCFES since 1992, and there have been more than 65 teachers, assistants and volunteers who have served more than 2,000 students — a number that will only continue to grow!

Jelden acknowledged teachers Toby From and the late Shirley Krogmeier for their dedication to PCFES classes.

For more information on the mission of PCFES, visit www.pcfamilyed.com.