After hours party draws hundreds

The Rehoboth Christian High School Chorale performs Wednesday evening, August 27, during the Gallup Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours party at the new Rehoboth Fitness Center. — © 2008 Gallup Independent / Cable Hoover

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Gaye Brown de Alvarez
Staff writer

REHOBOTH — A large crowd of people came to Rehoboth Wednesday evening to attend the chamber of commerce After Hours party at the new Sports and Fitness Center on Rehoboth Christian School’s campus.

Hundreds of people were there to eat hors d’oeuvres from Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe, listen to the students of the All-State Choir, socialize with students, teachers and old friends and see the new, incredible sports and fitness center.

Students from the school were in their dress clothes and walked around to ask the guests if they needed anything. Other students were there, many of them in their sports uniforms and exercise clothes.

Students like Alexander Gomez, 13, from Gamerco, Amber Ballenger, 13, of Gallup, Karla Sam, 13, who has been a student at Rehoboth for two years and Kyree Sky, 13, a student who had attended the school since kindergarten, hobnobbed around the crowd and talked proudly about their school and its new expansion.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” said Ernest Martinez, manager of Cope Memorial Chapel in Gallup. “It’s a very impressive opportunity for the kids.”

Alice Perez from the chamber of commerce worked the table for door prizes and raffle tickets. Rachel Kass of the school’s administration said they were hoping for about 150 people and “I think we have that many.”

By 6:30, the crowd looked to be beyond 200.

Superintendent Ron Polinder took the microphone and introduced new employees to the crowd and some of the history behind the mission and the buildings. He explained how the water and sewer infrastructure was at least 70 to 80 years old and needed to be replaced and that the facility itself was 106 years old. Then the tours of the facility began.

New Director of Advancement David Orris had a big grin on his face all evening.

“I love Gallup,” he said. “They turned out in spades!”