I live in Rio Rancho but grew up in Española. My maternal grandfather, J.W. Owens, owned a grocery store and then a department store managed by my father, Dave Rarick, in operation for over 40 years (located on the vacant property across from the Y). I am contacting you as someone who might share a recurring irritation of mine—that being the reaction I get when I tell people that I was raised in Española.
Whenever I get the jokes, the eyerolls, or “Oh, I’m sorry,” I immediately say that Española was a wonderful place to grow up in, and that I received a great education there.
Española does not have to be defined by drugs and crime. This is evidenced by the amazing people who also were raised in Española: artists (some world renowned), authors, educators and others who are standouts in their fields, including subsequent generations.
Trinnie B. Espinoza, the paternal grandmother of three of my children who were born in Española, was an educator in the Española school system for 37 years.
My stepdaughter, Valerie Espinoza, has had an impressive political career, having been elected to four terms, first as Santa Fe County Clerk, then statewide office in the Public Regulation Commission.
My son Chip Espinoza is known internationally as an expert on millennials, having written three books on the subject of bringing the different age cohorts together in the workplace. He also authored a book on business to be published in 2022.
My daughter Cholene Espinoza M.D. attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, was the second woman to fly the U-2 reconnaissance plane, was a commercial airline pilot, is board certified in OB/GYN and Surgical Critical Care, and is a major in an Army Reserve Medical Unit.
They can all be Googled so you will know I am not just a proud mother (although I am). All three of them have a love for New Mexico, and Rio Arriba County specifically.
One of the tenets of Dale Carnegie is to give people a good reputation to live up to. When we tell people that they are capable of accomplishing great things, they are more likely to do that. There are probably enough success stories coming out of Española and the surrounding area to help change the current opinion about Rio Arriba County.
Sharolyn Johnson
Rio Rancho