JOSEPHINE GUTIERREZ

Josephine Gutierrez was born and raised in Hondo, New Mexico, where she dedicated her education to the Hondo Valley Public Schools, graduating in 2004. She actively participated in sports, the fiesta, 4-H, and the National Honor Society. She also competed in rodeos at the Lincoln County Rodeo Club and the Chavez County Rodeo Club, where she was champion in all events from 1996-2001. Where she then went on to compete in the NBHA and other associations, winning the youth 2D champion in 2002 and the youth state champion in 2003, Reserve open state champion in 2003. Josephine bought and trained a horse by the name of Firewater 5 aka "shotgun", sold to NFR qualifier Sydni Blanchard, where he took her on to win the National College Finals in 2010, and a spot at the National Finals Rodeo. They also broke numerous records and still hold the record in Calgary! Josephine went to train his full brother Firewater George aka Magic, who won numerous pro rodeos, with national finals qualifier Jane Melby and her daughter Cayla Melby Small.

Josephine Gutierrez is currently running for a seat on the Hondo Valley Public School Board. She is running because she believes that safety and education come first before anything else. Setting goals and achieving those goals, and a time frame, is something she likes to emphasize, even surpassing those goals, and getting things done. She believes that community involvement and opinions are important when making important decisions for the school. As a candidate, she wants the staff and community to become more involved and not to be afraid to voice their opinions. She believes in keeping old traditions as well as bringing in new traditions and providing more educational opportunities for the children.

She also believes in bringing in new sports and activities for the children to participate in, so that they can gain knowledge, skills, and experience new opportunities. Transparency and communication are very important when it comes to the community, as well as hiring good-quality, educated teachers. She wants the community to regain its trust and know that their kids will be in good hands and will always feel welcome!

" Putting Students and Community First"