Rehoboth parents trying to raise $2 million
for new gym

Supporters at Rehoboth High School are trying to raise $2 million to replace the school's gymnasium, which they say is too small for their needs. (Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent)

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff Writer

REHOBOTH — It's that little term that many parents of school-age children dread "fund-raiser."

Parents know the drill: hawking raffle tickets, pushing chocolate bars, peddling candles, calendars and gift wrapping, rolling enchiladas, baking for bake sales, sponsoring spaghetti dinners, and serving up the ever popular benefit Navajo taco dinners. The list goes on and on, but it's all about supporting kids, supporting schools, and supporting the worthy causes that involve kids and schools.

But how would you like to be faced with the challenge of trying to raise $2 million dollars for your child's school?

A group of local parents and alumni are faced with that daunting challenge and they actually volunteered for the job.

It's a parent group associated with Rehoboth Christian School, and they are working to help the school raise $2 million dollars to build a new gymnasium.

John Largo is one of the parent volunteers. Originally from Kayenta, Ariz., Largo is used to watching basketball games in the 5,000 seat gymnasium at Monument Valley High School. "We fill it up for basketball games," he said. "When we came to Rehoboth, I was kind of shocked."

"These guys need a new gym," was Largo's first thought when he saw the gym his daughter Jessica an athlete who loves basketball would be using.

Largo was not alone. His concerns echoed the concerns of many other parents: students in physical education classes and student athletes on other school teams routinely have to vie for practice time and space in the small facility. And with the recent success of the Rehoboth basketball teams, huge crowds of fans have been turned away because of the lack of seating space.

Rehoboth's current gym, named after Keith Kuipers, a longtime basketball coach who lead the boy's basketball team to state championship glory in the mid1970s, was built in 1961 and only seats about 600 people.

Sharlene Begay-Platero, the parent committee chair and a Rehoboth graduate, explained that with the school moving up from a 1A to a 2A classification, the basketball teams are now facing larger schools with greater numbers of fans. Rehoboth needs a facility, she said, that can accommodate the crowds.

Other committee members include Edmund Yazzie, alumnus and committee vice-chair; John Largo, parent and treasurer; Audrey Carlisle, a parent; Nicole Hawthorne, alumna; and Bernadette Tsosie, alumna. Two Rehoboth employees also serve on the committee: Lorretta Smith, the school admissions director and a former Rehoboth parent; and Carol Bremer-Bennett, the middle school principal, director of alumni relations, and a parent.

The group's first fund raiser was a Native American comedy and music show that was held in Rehoboth's gym during the recent Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial.

"We made a slight profit," said Begay-Platero of the event, "so that gave us seed money." She said the parent group hopes to have more local fund raising events over the coming year. However, she added, group members realize by depending on small fund raisers, it will "take forever" to raise the needed $2 million.

Largo is impatient with that idea. With Jessica heading to high school next year, Largo is looking to grant money and charitable donations to make up the bulk of the needed funds. "Hopefully, before she's a senior," said Largo of his daughter, "she'll be playing in a brand new facility."

An anonymous donor made a huge boost to that goal with a $125,000 contribution. And Begay-Platero declined to place any limits on how much the parent group could realistically expect to raise.

Begay-Platero is looking for more parents and alumni to help with the fund raising effort. Financial donations, either a one time gift or monthly contributions, are welcome, she said, and the group would welcome others willing to help with fund raiser projects or grant writing.

Financial contributions can be sent to Rehoboth Christian School Gym Fund, P.O. Box 41, Rehoboth, N.M. 87322. Questions should be directed to Lorretta Smith at (505) 863-4412, ext. 192.