RRHS students help residents in 17th annual 'Big Event'

RIO RANCHO — For many Rio Rancho High School students, last Saturday might have just been the start of another lazy weekend.

For others, it was a time to get up off the couch and do something for their community.

That’s exactly what happened Nov. 22, when more than 500 RRHS students fanned out across 102 sites to provide a helping hand to seniors and disabled military veterans for their neighborhood home improvements. The effort, known as “The Big Event,” marked its 17th year.

“Typically, students come to the consensus that, yes, it’s hard, but it’s worth it,” said Chris Salas, activities director at RRHS.

Two Vista Hills homes got The Big Event treatment. One of them included RRHS Senior Vice President Kostyn Perry and junior Baileigh Culpepper, who donned shirts bearing the name of the event. This was not the first time they participated.

“To be able to do this is a really great honor,” Culpepper said. “I just love seeing people’s smiles on their faces.”

Perry said during her first “Big Event” years ago, she was nervous. But over time, she developed an appreciation for community service.

“It’s great to give back to the community and all the people that have served us, and we’re finally serving them,” Perry said. “You bring joy when people see you working.”

Not all the students who participated hailed from RRHS. Calli Jones, an eighth grader at Lincoln Middle School, was part of a crew that included some Albuquerque students and her mom, Sarah Stockton, a third-grade teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.

“It does feel like a team. It feels good to ... be productive,” Jones said. “This is the right pace.”

She wants to join student government next year, when she becomes a freshman at RRHS, and participate in “The Big Event.”

Jones, Stockton and their crew worked on the backyard of longtime Rio Rancho resident Cindy Kierst.

Kierst, 70, and her husband, Gregory, 77, built their house 37 years ago. Their yard is tiered, with the top level serving as a patio-like space and the bottom two tiers left to grow out naturally. The area has since developed weeds and sagebrush.

“We had more rain this year — with global warming, I guess — and so the weeds have been more prolific,” Kierst said. “As I’ve gotten older, it’s just harder to maintain. That’s where this (Big Event) really comes in as a blessing for us.”

Kierst, whose daughter teaches at RRHS, first heard of The Big Event on Facebook. She called up her daughter to ask her about it.

“She said, ‘Oh yeah, it’s The Big Event,’” Kierst said with a laugh. “I said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this years ago?’”

Kierst was happy with the students’ performance the first year and there was no question in her mind to invite them again.

“The kids that come out are just wonderful; they’re just as sweet as can be — and they work super hard,” Kierst said.

Overseeing the effort at Kierst’s home was Stockton, whose daughter asked a family to volunteer during The Big Event. Every student government member who participates includes one adult volunteer and five minors on their team, according to Stockton.

“We’ve had lots of work to do — which, honestly, is a benefit,” Stockton said. “It’s better than kids just standing around wondering what to do.”

Stockton and the students wore gloves as they pulled weeds and shrubs and picked up sticks. They also worked together to place yard waste into giant trash bags.

“You’re working so darn hard,” Stockton told Jones.

Kierst, standing on the backyard’s first tier, told the team, “I appreciate you guys,” while adding, “I can’t believe how much better it already looks.”