ABSTRACT
I came to Norteño to explore the linkage between school and community. Norteño High School’s graduation day exemplifies this linkage in many ways, for it has become an integral part of the rhythm of community life that the whole community celebrates. Educational opportunity at the secondary and college levels came late to Northern New Mexico’s villagers. Thus, high school graduation is a milestone. One community elder recalls:
My father actually didn’t have any formal schooling at all. Our school was very primitive, and the teachers themselves had very little training-probably a second or third grade education. But because they knew a little English, they were hired by the local board to be the instructors in that particular village. My mother also didn’t have any schooling-maybe 1 year-because her parents used to say that the place of the lady was in the house. They were supposed to take care of the family, and the father had the duty of earning the living for the family (personal communication, October 27, 1992).
