Center of Focus
- Carrie Zimmerman
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Center of Focus
January 11, 2026
Focus on the Fabulous
It’s a brand-new year and my first Center of Focus for 2026! We’ve officially launched into the second semester, and it has been an exciting start.
We kicked off the New Year by extending the holiday cheer with a second round of celebrations. The Grinch made a special visit, delivering gifts to all of our students thanks to the generous donations from Toys for Tots. A huge thank-you to our Staff Daycare and PICS Director, Lucia Miranda, for coordinating this effort and making it such a special experience for our students.
Our Family, School, and Community Partnership team jumped in to help spread the holiday spirit into the New Year. We also received a donation of delicious treats from our partners in the Migrant Education Program, so students enjoyed a gift from the Grinch along with some yummy cookies. Thank you to everyone who pitched in to make the start of the New Year such a fun and memorable celebration.
Our winter sports teams have also started the year strong. The basketball teams have won their last two games, beginning with a dominant showing over Rocky Ford during the break, where the boys earned an impressive 82–45 victory. This past weekend, both teams traveled to South Park and came away with big wins. The boys defeated South Park by 36 points, while the girls cruised to a 45–11 win and also edged out Rocky Ford by five points. The Lady Vikings are on a four-game winning streak and currently hold a 7–3 record. Way to go, Vikings!
Our wrestling team is also seeing success. They competed at the Rocky Mountain Invitational in Pagosa Springs, earning a 13th-place team finish. Five wrestlers placed in the top eight: Derriq Thompson took 8th at 157 pounds, Xavier Berry placed 6th, Isaac Garcia finished 7th, and Devin Garcia and Michael Archuleta both earned 3rd-place finishes. Great job, wrestlers!
As we move forward, it’s important to take time to reflect on all that Center Vikings and the Center School District accomplished in 2025. It was truly a year filled with growth, achievement, and Viking pride.
Year in Review – 2025
January
Recognized by the Colorado Department of Education for a 5% or greater increase in graduation rates.
February
CHS Wrestling took 1st place at the Valley Classic.
Six wrestlers qualified for State, with the team finishing 7th overall.
State Champions: Giselle Meraz and Aaron Valadez.
Broke ground on the new additions construction project.
Viking alum Aucencio Martinez inducted into the NCAA Division II Athlete Hall of Fame by U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches.
March
Boys and Girls Basketball teams qualified for Regional Tournament play.
April
Expanded district safety and security by hiring District Security Officer Mike Ruybal.
Ribbon cutting and first meet held on the new track and field facility.
Track dedicated to the “Triple D’s” — Dennis Schoenfelder, Dave Furukawa, and Dale Beiriger.
Phillip Martinez and Lloyd Garcia were inducted into the Center Athletic Hall of Fame.
Five Viking athletes competed at the State Track & Field Meet: Giselle Meraz, Presley Wilson, Anjel Palma, Andre Meraz, Caden Ruggles
May
Hosted the First Annual Author and Art Show, organized by Chris Hintz and Elizabeth Soden.
August
Center School District announced the highest starting teacher salary in the San Luis Valley.
Added a new Agriculture Program and a full-time Culinary Arts Program to the high school schedule.
Welcomed the BOCES SSN program to our district
September
Honor Choir was re-established under the leadership of Mr. Swanson.
Skoglund Middle School and the Academic Recovery Center both earned Performance Ratings, the highest school performance designation.
October
FFA students traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding.
November
Lady Vikings Volleyball qualified for Regional Competition.
December
Secure Rural Schools funding passed the House of Representatives and was signed into law by President Trump.
Coach Lambert named SPL Coach of the Year.
2025 was a year marked by dedication, excellence, and remarkable accomplishments across academics, athletics, and community partnerships. Here’s to building on this momentum and achieving even greater success in 2026.
Fast Forward-
Monday, Jan. 12th- Mid Year Evaluations
Tuesday, Jan. 13th- Access Testing starts, CDE Monthly Superintendent Meeting, Superintendents’ Advisory Council, District Accountability, BOE Work Session, Meet the Board, Regular BOE Meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 14th- Rural Schools Alliance, Mid-Year Evaluations, PICs Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 15th- Grant Meeting, Mid-Year Evaluations, OAC Meeting, CHS Hoops vs. Trinidad
Friday, Jan. 16th- Staff PLC Data Day, Suicide Prevention PD, Colorado School Finance Project Meeting, Parks and Rec Meeting
Saturday, Jan. 17th- CHS Hoops @ Fowler