And it begins again...

Well here it goes again, my second attempt to begin a blog and stick with it. I figure if it serves any purpose it will be a scrapbook, documenting events that happen in my everyday life, a public diary if you will. 

"You don't choose your family, they are God's gift to you."

Desmond Tutu

Sanchez Family Reunion. 

This Summer has started off to be a great one so far. Recently the Sanchez side of my family had a GREAT family reunion in Belen, NM where we were able to connect with family that I have not seen in years and also spend time with some of my favorite cousins. We ate great food, had great conversations and overall had a wonderful time. The reunion was held at my cousin Juanita and Fabian Sr's home, which is set on a beautiful piece of land that provided a great backdrop to the whole day. 

Grandpa Sig Sanchez was honored as with 

an award as the "oldest" Sanchez, 

while my little cousin Michael was honored 

as the "youngest" Sanchez

Cousin Fabian and I enjoying some GREAT food and wine. 

L to R: Me, Fabian, Mariah and Marcus

Graduations....

Next up! My boyfriend, Max graduated with this Mechanical Engineering degree. It has been a stressful

time for him so I am so, so happy that he is DONE! He has worked extremely hard over the years

and it has all paid off!!

  Max's best friend also gradated with his doctorate in pharmacy. We are so proud of you Luis!.

Well...this is JUST the beginning! I have about five more blog topics on  deck! They consists of a deer skeleton, mountains, wedding dress and much more :) 

3rd AnnualAHF/ HSF Scholarship Dinner

3rd Annual AHF/ HSF Scholarship 

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) and Atrisco Heritage Foundation have partnered to provide scholarship awards to assist outstanding Latinos who are heirs of the Atrisco Land Grant of New Mexico.  

Heirs can be undergraduates or graduate students and live anywhere in the U.S. to be eligible for this scholarship.

This Scholarship is what the ancestors and current heirs had always hoped for and are proud to say that this is the third year this scholarship will be happening, awarding 40 heirs this year. 

Scholarship Dinner Night 2009 

Embassy Suites 

@

7:00p.m. 

Friday 

November 13, 2009

Featured Speakers: 

Dr. Estevan Rael Galvez 

Executive Director of The National Hispanic Cultural Center 

Peter Sanchez

President of Atrisco Heritage Foundation 

Justine Apodaca 

2nd time scholarship winner 

Sofia Sanchez

3rd time scholarship winner 

 

NHLI Conference

November 5-6 2009 

@

Hotel Albuquerque 

I was one of three young female heirs that were honored to be sponsored  by Atrisco Heritage Foundation to participate in leadership training by the acclaimed National Hispana Leadership Institute. It was a two day conference that covered every aspect of professional life, for example I attended workshops such as : Public Speaking, Communication skills for college students,and how to interview and get your desired position. the most valuable and my favorite workshop was ; "Breaking through the Adobe Ceiling" : Latina's in appointed and elected positions. 

This was a roundtable of people such as former Attorney General Patricia Madrid and Sec. of State Mary Hererra, they took questions and shared stories of their struggles and accomplishments of being a Latina in politics. 

Myself with Fellow heir Justine Apodaca, 

Carolyn Ortega and Anita Lucero both of 

which are program directors for the foundation. 

3rd Annual Gathering of Heirs

3rd Annual Gathering of Heirs 

September 6, 2009

"Celebracion de la Merced" 

at 

The National Hispanic Cultural Center 

11:30-2:30 p.m.

Day @ Gathering of Heirs 

Today was my third time attending Atrisco's annual Gathering of Heirs celebration, and once again it was a great time filled with food, family, fun, and history. There was music, dancing and a film produced and made by Atrisco Heritage Foundation that features the elders of our community, telling their stories of growing up in Atrisco. This debut of the film was special this year because it featured my grandpa; Sigelfredo Sanchez, he enjoyed his tome in the spot light. 

Here are a FEW photos from the day

Left: My grandpa's brother Eli Sanchez Right: My grandpa Sig
Myself with my Great Aunt and Uncle Gloria and Eli Sanchez 
My Family 

El Campo Santo Part 2

El Campo Santo Inc. is the non-profit corporation that overseas all three cemeteries 

belonging to Atrisco heirs.

"My mother was very important to me," heir Sig Sanchez explains as he kneels proudly

 next to his mothers grave.

Santa Clara overlooks the city on it's hill top location on the West Mesa.

Houses surround the cemetery, one of the results of the land being sold. 

Atrsico Heritage Foundation is currently making efforts in beautification projects 

to better maintain these sacred lands, and also providing heirs and non-heirs with low 

cost and no-cost burial and cremation services. 

El Campo Santo

"This is where your namesake is buried, this is where your roots are", 

explains Sig Sanchez during a visit to Santa Clara Cemetery with his granddaughter.

The resting place of Atrisco heirs one of the largest and 

oldest New Mexico land grants located Albuquerque's Westside.

Sofia J. Sanchez, one of the many heirs tied to Atrisco

died Mar. 26 1987, three months after grand-daughter Sofia Sanchez was born