By Samantha Ayonn Flores
Picture the masterful minds and characters that came from the gates of Cienega High School; now picture Vail without them. Very odd right? Well, even if it is hard to believe, it could’ve been a reality. As we can see from the ever-growing construction sites of the upcoming businesses wanting to meet the demand of Vail residents, Vail is changing. Anyone can see that this tiny suburb that was once dirt roads is now a growing community. With the building of the new and upcoming Mica Mountain High School, tracing back to the roots of education in Vail is well needed.
The Hall of Honor Ceremony on September 27th of 2019 at Cienega High School honored 3 inductees to kick start this long-anticipated commemoration of honorable Cienega members. The three graciously celebrated inductees were community hero Anne Gibson, Cienega’s first principal Dr. Tricia Pena, and spectacular alumnus Chloe Swindler.
All three of these new inductees were chosen due to their commitment to Cienega and as exceptional examples of what can happen when Vail gets together and pushes for excellence.
Ms. Chloe Swindler is a fellow graduate from Cienega’s early years that has gone on to do incredible things, becoming one of the most recognized trumpet players at such a young age. Her personality and drive changed forever how the band program, at her time with only 12 students, operated and its prestige.
Cienega’s founding principal, Dr. Trisha Pena, was among the three inductees. Having been a teacher at Desert Willow Elementary school, the leap from her position at Desert Willow to principal of the sought-after high school seemed uncommon. However, with the support of the hiring committee, she made her stance and drove Cienega to excellence, defying the obstacles in her path. Pena took a chance on filling such big shoes that had never been done before, but she was just the perfect fit. She is congratulated and thanked for being the leader that Vail’s youth needed that guided everyone to the path to success.
Come to Vail and you will hear the community powerhouse that is Anne Gibson. Having been on the Vail School District Governing Board and planning committee as the school was being built from the ground up, she fought for this school to open, even after it was voted down. She was vocal in that the youth living in Vail needed their own high school, in their own town that was theirs. She was even a part of the infamous event at the state capital that demanded (and overwhelmingly received) their grant to build that blue gated building on E. Mary Ann Cleveland.
It must be noted that Cienega High School wasn’t even supposed to exist. Prior to the opening of Cienega in 2001, high school students were sent as far as even Benson every day so they could complete their education. The state had voted down the grant to build the school, but the Vail community stood their ground and marched into the grant hearing in Phoenix.
With the overwhelming amount of Vail teachers, parents, board members, and overall community members, the grant was given. Imagine the commotion and happiness exuding from the buses on the drive back?
Superintendent Calvin Baker, a community member that helped build Vail to the way it is now, described Cienega’s existence important as, “The successful fight for Cienega unified the community. Cienega has continued to be a major unifying factor in Vail. All of Vail is proud of Cienega’s many successes.”
Due to such efforts, the home of the Bobcats is thriving. Through the voice of Anne Gibson, and the guidance from Dr. Trisha Pena, graduates like Chole Swindler were able to graduate at home as the proud “copper and navy.” As a junior at Cienega, the Hall of Honor will remind of us the long yet rewarding history of this building called Cienega High School.
