I am certain that I am among the many teachers whom Leo Jaramillo has had who would endorse his candidacy for the New Mexico State Senate from this district.
I first knew Leo when he was a fourth grade student in my class at the Sombrillo Elementary School in 1986. He was a wonderful young man then, as he is today.
Since that time, of course, he has finished high school in Española and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications and Journalism. While enrolled at the University of New Mexico he was the first member of his family to acquire the degree.
He has since applied his art as writer/producer at KRQE News 13, and he has chosen to become a classroom teacher soon thereafter. Upon acquiring a Master of Arts degree in teaching at the old College of Santa Fe, he began teaching at the Belen Middle School.
Leo is a chief of staff at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he has worked for 16 years. Leo has served as chairman of the Rio Arriba County Commission and he has collaborated with the City of Espanola, state of New Mexico and Pueblo leaders to address problems of homelessness, mental health and addiction right here in Northern New Mexico. He has focused on mentoring the youth of this area.
As a child Leo was willing to help other children and he has continued this onto his adult life. I am, again, very pleased to endorse the candidacy of Leo Jaramillo for District 5 of the New Mexico State Senate.
Marie Angela Maestas
Española