Day: October 13, 2020

A Sky High Wedding

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Story and Media by

Mark Graven

Staff Reporter

Leslie Bordeau, a CNM student in 2014-2015, embarked on marriage in spectacular fashion, getting married to his sweetheart, Lorisa Silva.
The couple, both from Albuquerque, launched their marriage with a party of 10, taking off from the Cottonwood Mall parking lot.
Silva said that a friend suggested a balloon-based wedding to her about a month ago.
“I just thought that was a good idea,” said Silva.
So here they were, and there they went–up, up, and away, in a party that included a minister, a photographer, and various family and friends.
Their balloon was one of 11 Rainbow Ryder balloons taking off from the Cottonwood Mall.  
Ordinarily, Rainbow Ryders would be participating in the Balloon Fiesta, which was canceled this year, due to Covid. 

But Rainbow Ryders and others were keeping the fires burning for ballooning, through private enterprise this year.  Rainbow’s intent is to keep launching flights daily, weather permitting, its representatives said.
Albuquerque officials have encouraged the private party ballooning, labeling it Balloon Siesta.  
There were perhaps 50 balloons dotting the skies over Albuquerque.  During Balloon Fiesta, more than 500 are typically launched.

ECOS Continues Work on Remote Learning Message

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Story by Mark Graven

Staff Reporter
CNM’ s Executive Council of Students (ECOS) decided Friday to spend at least another week drafting a letter to the CNM administration regarding making improvements to remote learning at CNM.
ECOS President Alex Crossland said ECOS could use extra time to present as complete of picture as possible of what remote learning is like for CNM students.  He said he has been attending “review meetings” for various departments at CNM, but would still like more information.
ECOS has been soliciting feedback on remote learning through its Suggestion Box, which can be found on ECOS’s CNM web page.  Concerns or suggestions can be submitted anonymously, ECOS says.
Crossland said he was not interested in being better than other institutions on remote learning, if such institutions are setting a low bar.  He said that he wants to ensure that CNM students are receiving the quality education they expect, and are paying for.
Colin Stapleton, ECOS outreach officer says that CNM may be “treating students more like employees than customers.”
ECOS Vice-President Imane Bahji, who did not attend Friday’s meeting, has criticized the “lack-of-lecture” format to remote learning as limiting interchange between students and professors, which she says, could help clarify difficult concepts for students.
ECOS members said they would consider sending a letter to the Faculty Senate, as well as the CNM administration regarding remote learning.