RBY: ARTURO DE LA O

            The New Mexico Military Institute conducted a mandatory proficiency profile test on Sunday, March 17^th during night study hall (7 PM). The test was mandatory for all Junior College students who are planning to graduate this May.

            The test is used to measure the students’ ability in critical thinking, math, reading, and writing. It is also used to evaluate NMMI’s academic program to see what areas need improvement and what areas need to be focused on more.

            Free revs were given out as rewards if students did well on the test. A student could have earned as many as three free revs for their score on the test.

            Cadet Captain Dominic Madrid when asked if the test was in any way beneficial for him said, “It wasn’t for me because I just rushed through it and got it over with, but for someone who took their time on it I’m sure it was beneficial.” Cadet Madrid did not receive any free revs.

BY: ARTURO DE LA O

The NMMI Broncos look to build off of a strong 2018 campaign and carry it over into the 2019 season. In 2018, the Broncos won 26 games (three shy of tying the program record) and had the program’s first All-American in outfielder Angel Colon-Aviles, since Roger Staubach in 1962.

The Broncos will look to carry this momentum into the new season. The Broncos are already off to a good start in that seven sophomores have signed to play for four-year schools. Two of which, pitchers Adrian Arpero (Jackson State) and Rafael Perez-Guzman (Bethune-Cookman), have signed to play at the Division 1 level.

Sophomore pitcher Mitchell Buffett said when asked about the comparison of this year’s team to last years that, “We now have some experience under our belt. Our pitching is a lot stronger and way more projectable this year.” The Broncos have 19 sophomores on the roster this season. When asked about the expectations of this year’s team sophomore corner infielder, Blaize Tenorio said, “To build from last season’s success and carry it over into this year so we can make it to regionals. That is the goal.”

Only two teams in the program’s history have made it to regionals, but this year’s team is determined to be the third. The quest for regionals starts on February 2^nd here in Roswell, New Mexico as the NMMI Broncos take on the Otero Junior College Rattlers. First pitch is set for 12 PM.

BY: ARTURO DE LA O

The New Mexico Military Institute hosted a blood drive earlier this week. The drive started on February 4^th and lasted until February 6^th. NMMI is known to host a few blood drives per year, which gives cadets the opportunity to donate blood and help save lives.

The blood drive was sponsored by Vitalant. Vitalant sent out an email to the entire corps that said, “You have the power to save up to three lives with one donation!” The email also went on to say that, “every two seconds, someone needs blood.” These are very powerful words that helped compel a lot of cadets to go and donate blood.

Cadet Pablo Martinez from November troop when asked about why he decided to donate blood said, “I just wanted to help out and hopefully save a life. I wanted to make a difference.” An attitude I’m sure most of the cadets who donated had.

It is safe to say that this blood drive was a success and that Vitalant will be back again soon. The New Mexico Military Institute Corps of Cadets will be ready to donate blood and help save more lives.

BY: ARTURO DE LA O

The New Mexico Military Institute Bronco Baseball Team traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico to take part in the ABA JUCO Weekend tournament at the Albuquerque Regional Sports Complex. The tournament was from February 15-17.

The Broncos kicked off the tournament Friday night against Trinidad State Junior College. The Broncos got off to a slow start, but were then sparked by a pair of homeruns from sophomore infielder Gabriel Perez-Torres and freshman outfielder Isaac Alcantara. The game was tied at 6-6 until freshman outfielder Johnnie Nemececk blasted a solo homerun to right-center to give the Broncos a 7-6 lead. Sophomore pitcher Mitchell Buffett then went in and shut Trinidad down to record his first collegiate win and a win for the Broncos.

Day two of the tournament was not as joyful for the Broncos. They played two games in the freezing cold, the first being against the Garden City Community College Broncbusters where the Broncos lost a heartbreaker by a score of 7-6. They then squared off once again with Trinidad State. Trinidad got off to an early lead and never looked back. A late inning surge by the Broncos was not enough as they fell to Trinidad 11-8.

The last day of the tournament the Broncos squared off against a tough Lamar Community College team. The Broncos, who were led by a strong pitching performance from freshman Jose Cabanillas, jumped off to an early 4-0 lead. They carried this momentum to secure a 9-5 victory over Lamar.

 When asked about his overall thoughts on how the team played, sophomore outfielder Jason Herrera said, “We played pretty well, but we know we should have walked away with four wins instead of two.”

The Broncos continue their season with a doubleheader on Saturday, February 23 against a tough Colby Community College team. First pitch is set for 12 PM.

  By: Arturo De La O

Daylight savings time officially hit here in Roswell, New Mexico on Sunday, March 10, at 2:00 AM. The clocks were moved up one hour, hence the term “spring-forward”, which means the time went from 1:59 AM to 3:00 AM.

This is always an interesting time at The New Mexico Military Institute because most cadets’ sleep schedules are already messed up enough and the spring-forward only makes them worse. That one hour lost makes a huge difference.

Cadet First Lieutenant Brandon Evans shared his thoughts about the spring forward, “I’m sure like many other people I enjoy the fall back portion of daylight savings time.” He also went on to say that, “The first day is hard to get used to, after that it marginally improves day-by-day, but it’s definitely rough the first day.” First Lieutenant Evans is a native of Roswell and will be graduating this May.

Although the spring-forward is an adjustment, the cadets here at NMMI are used to little sleep and stressful situations. They are used to situations being thrown at them and having to adjust accordingly. The spring-forward will be no different.