The Deming Headlight

By Billy Armendariz Headlight Staff The recent selection of adviser Austin Polk as Teacher of the Year by the New Mexico Agriculture Education Teachers’ Association matches what students in Deming High FFA have been building on all along since Polk arrived on the scene five years ago as adviser of the school’s Vocational Agriculture program. DHS FFA is well known throughout the state for its award-winning entries. The National FFA organization boasts more than 1 million student members.

Early College High School students spent a week this month preparing for the expectations of college, the workplace and professional life during the school’s annual Career Readiness Week. The week-long initiative focused on practical “soft skills,” including professional communication, handshaking, resumé preparation, professional attire, workplace conduct and interview etiquette.

By Billy Armendariz Headlight Staff Lady ’Cats soccer will play three matches in two days this weekend at the Bosque Invitational Tournament. They will meet the Santa Fe Prep varsity at 3 p.m. Friday in first-round action. Deming (0-3) remains scoreless following an 18-0 loss at Organ Mountain High School on Tuesday. The Lady ’Cats surrendered all 18 goals in the first half of the non-district match, which was called early via the mercy rule.

Another chapter of New Mexico prep football’s third-longest rivalry will be added this week when the Deming High Wildcats journey to Silver City to take on the Silver High Fighting Colts. Game time is at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Colts’ Corral. Artesia-Roswell is the state’s oldest rivalry, with 114 games played, followed by Artesia- Carlsbad at 107 and Deming- Silver’s 103 games. Silver came to Deming back on Sept. 5, 2025, and dished out a 41-14 defeat at the Wildcats in DHS Memorial Stadium.

The New Mexico State Library, the J. Cloyd Miller Library at Western New Mexico University, and the Public Library of Silver City will present a book talk with New Mexico Great Reads authors Caroline Starr Rose and Philip Connors. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 29, at the J. Cloyd Miller Library on the WNMU campus.

40-year water plan. ”We are asking Council to approve this resolution on the city-owned water rights,” said City Manager Aaron Sera. “This moratorium will allow us to do more investigation when the city is approached for water rights. We can take a stronger look at how our water is being affected and how it is being used.” Sera also noted that city officials have been contacted for water sales to data centers that are growing across the state.

A few hot air balloons lift off on Saturday from the Deming Youth Soccer fields. (Headlight Staff Photo by Billy Armendariz) The first-ever Deming attendance of the 47th The Great American Outhouse Races draw plenty of smiles on Saturday. (Headlight Staff Photo by Dustin Armendariz) The Luna County Skate Competition is one of the newer events during Duck Race weekend. (Headlight Staff Photo by Billy Armendariz) The 47th annual Great American Duck Race expanded its events for this past weekend.

A first-time competitor and a racer who waited more than two decades for his turn at the top claimed their respective championship titles Sunday during the 47th annual Great American Duck Race in Deming. Seven-year-old Emery Bencomo captured the dry track championship in her first year competing, while Anthony Almanza won the wet track title after competing in the event for more than 20 years. Each champion received a $1,500 grand prize.

Lady ’Cat soccer had a late start to the season as school administrators searched for a new coach. Meanwhile, the Wildcat boys are experiencing a rebuilding year, and both teams have seen in a winless first two weeks of their respective seasons. The Lady ’Cats dropped to 0-2 and were rained out on Friday during a home match with the Centennial High Hawks. The match will not be made up. Deming High Coach Carlos Astudillo is playing underclassmen, many of whom have never played competitive soccer.

For the first time in school history, both Deming High’s boys and girls captured team titles Saturday. The feat took place at the Silver High Invitational Meet at Fort Bayard. Senior Carolina Tafoya led the Lady ’Cats to the team championship with her firstplace finish in varsity girls’ race. Tafoya crossed the finish line in 23:00.77. Deming runners covered four of the first eight spots at the finish line. Allisson Reyes covered the 3.1-mile course in 24:44.43 to place third.