On April 25, the IBA presented a $12,158.94 check to the Gadsden Independent School District, which represented the final proceeds raised from the 13th Annual Santa Teresa Charity Golf Tournament, managed and hosted by the IBA in October 2012. Approximately 100 players from the El Paso, Juarez, Albuquerque and southern New Mexico business community participated in this event, which was sponsored by more than 50 companies and organizations. Major sponsors of the tournament included Union Pacific, Titan Development, Baker and McKenzie, and Domenici Insights among others.
The tournament raises money for the Honors Program at Sunland Park, Desert View, and Riverside Elementary Schools in Sunland Park, New Mexico. At the end of each school year, elementary students who have perfect attendance, good grades or who have performed an extraordinary act during the course of the year, are awarded medals and special presidential certificates. Since its inception, the tournament has donated more than $147, 000 to the Honors Program.
According to Gadsden Independent School District Superintendent Efren Yturralde, “The charity golf tournament is critical in helping our students maintain good attendance and study habits. We really appreciate the business community’s interest in supporting our youth.”