Two Socorro county residents received Leadership Development Program Awards from the New Mexico School Boards Association at their annual convention in Albuquerque on Friday, Dec. 4.

Pauline Jaramillo, vice president of the Socorro Consolidated Schools Board, and Barbara Gordon, of the Magdalena Schools Board were the recipients. The pair were presented with certificates and lapel pins for achieving an "Exemplary" level of training by attending 20-plus hours of school board member training in the 2008-2009 program year.

Gordon, who worked for Magdalena Schools for 25 years and was elected to the board in March, was also honored with a Leadership Achievement Award for attending 24-plus cumulative hours of training in her first year.

"It was kind of a surprise, because I know that it's mandated by law that each school board member accrue at least five hours of training every year," she said. "I just think it's so important to continue learning. After being on the education side for so many years, now the shoe is on the other foot. The policies we make affect the students and staff. The more informed decisions we make, the better it is for the students and community."

Jaramillo, who accumulated the points in her first seven months of service by attending five conferences in three states said, "I'm excited that I've earned all these points, actually, because I'm learning the policies and procedures that will make me more effective in serving my community."

Also among those recognized were Catron County residents Debra Porter and Sharma Hutchinson from the Reserve School Board; and Gary Roberts from the Quemado School Board. Roberts received the Leadership Achievement Award for his 24-plus cumulative hours of training. Porter and Hutchinson both received the Outstanding Leadership Award for attending 36-plus cumulative hours of training.

Contact Suzanne Barteau