Editorial: Thanks to the many making news thats good in New Mexico – Albuquerque Journal

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Call it karma, the golden rule or paying it forward. In the midst of a pandemic and economic downturn, with racial tensions high, at a time when it would be so easy to turn inward, New Mexicans are looking around to see what they can do to make their corner of the world a better place to live.

And being rewarded in return.

The eighth graders at Santa Fe Waldorf School will still be going on a rafting trip after donating the $2,800 they raised to the Navajo Nation. Samantha DAnna decided to pick up some trash during a recent visit to Jemez Springs and became the villages honored guest. And a group of strangers came together this month to rescue an injured dog from the Sandias and have become local heroes.

As the news brings us brutality and wrongs that must be righted, it is essential for our communities and our sanity that we remember there are many, many good people doing good things who deserve not only recognition but our thanks.

The students at Santa Fe Waldorf sold pizza and burritos for two years to raise enough money for a class rafting trip on the San Juan River scheduled in May. Then came the coronavirus and the cancellation notice. Flush with nearly three grand, the 18 students decided to use the cash for essential supplies enough nonperishable food, toilet paper, disinfectants, thermometers, medicine, baby formula and diapers to fill a large rental van for the Navajo Nation. Teacher Daisy Barnard said it was the first time in months they had something to get excited about.

Eleventh grader Indie Russell, who went on the delivery trip, says she feels privileged to attend a private school with plenty of opportunities. She said she wanted to make things better for others, and the students did. But the story only gets brighter. A man then contacted their school and offered to pay for the trip when health restrictions are lifted. Anchors aweigh, kids!

Los Alamos professional photographer Samantha DAnna was on a trip to Jemez Springs in late May when she noticed a large amount of trash and decided to do something about it. The trash had been left by others in Jemez Springs and parts of the Santa Fe National Forest, and DAnnas appreciation of the areas beauty compelled her to clean it up.

So the appreciative Village of Jemez Springs made June 11 Samantha DAnna Day, even though she doesnt live there. A celebration outside the Village Plaza included Mayor Roger Sweet and village staff presenting DAnna with a proclamation certificate and a $100 gift card. Imagine what New Mexico would look like if everyone had that pick-it-up attitude.

Earlier this month, retired engineer Cynthia Klaila was heading back after hiking five miles on La Luz Trail when she heard desperate wails from a dog in a ravine. Klaila could have hiked on, but she knew the dogs survival depended on her, so she took the steep climb down. The poochs owner, who spoke no English, soon returned with water. The two crafted a makeshift gurney to hoist the dog up the ravine, but none of their contraptions worked. Klaila went back up to the trail to flag down help, and along came 45-year-old Albuquerque attorney Jason Bousliman. Bousliman and Klaila went down the ravine, and with the dogs owner attempted to heave 80- to 100-pound Maya up the rocky wall. But their combined efforts were futile. So Bousliman clutched the dog and managed to clamber up the rocky ravine and start down the trail, where he was met by Velita and Cody Turner, on vacation from Fort Worth, Texas. Once the team reached La Luz trailhead, other hikers came forward to offer aid and share contact info.

These bright spots show simple acts of kindness and decency that make real differences in peoples lives. Just ask Mayas owner, anyone enjoying the pristine Jemez, or any joyfully screaming eighth graders you see rafting down the San Juan River.

OPINION

tuesday, june 16, 2020 A8

editorials

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.

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Editorial: Thanks to the many making news thats good in New Mexico - Albuquerque Journal