January is the kickoff month for the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) teams. The SSES team, the Phenoms, is divided into groups to complete their robot. Designing and assembling the robot is a collaborative effort, bringing in skills from mechanics, electronics, and software development.
The Construction Group
Construction consists of creating the framework of the robot prior to the internal workings and the software coding for functioning. An important aspect of construction is the build of the bumpers and padding to cushion the robot from collision damage. Framework is the skeleton of the robot.
Bumpers
Bumpers are mandated by FIRST® Robotics Competition because they absorb impacts, prevent frame damage, and ensure consistent robot-to-robot contact during gameplay. They reduce the likelihood of bent frames, broken welds, or damaged electronics.
The bumpers are cut and constructed with a wooden framework then covered with red or blue padding to display highly visible team numbers. Bumpers must also pass inspection prior to competition.
If you would like to support or donate to the Phenoms’ build and competition, please contact SSES at (575) 888-3421 or email ssesadmin@charter-sses.org.
Gerard Gibbs, Guest Lecturer, grew up on the East Side of Detroit in a working-class family shaped by migration and discovery—his mother a first-generation Italian immigrant, his father adopted at birth, later revealed to be of German heritage. His path to music was entirely his own. With no musicians in the family, everything changed the day he heard Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 on the radio and knew, instantly, that the oboe was his instrument. A natural aptitude for German led to a full scholarship as a year-long exchange student in Germany, a formative experience that would echo throughout his musical life.
Returning home, Gerard studied oboe at Wayne State University with Donald Baker, Principal Oboist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and a student of the legendary Marcel Tabuteau. Deeply conscious of lineage—a central value in classical training—Gerard takes pride in tracing his musical ancestry to the great French oboists of the 19th century, fitting for an instrument born in France. His curiosity soon expanded to historical performance, and he became an early adopter of the Early Music movement, performing on modern, Baroque, and Classical oboes as well as recorders with leading ensembles across North America, including the Waverly Consort, Seattle Baroque Orchestra, Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, and numerous symphony orchestras in the U.S. and Canada.
Parallel to his performing career, Gerard built a substantial presence in arts leadership, working with orchestral management and historic theaters. From 2002 to 2010, he directed Alberta’s Empress Theatre and co-founded the Fort Macleod International Festival with Rivka Golani. He later worked in London with Sir John Eliot Gardiner to strengthen the American Friends of the Grammy Award–winning Monteverdi Choir. Back in the United States, Gerard held leadership and teaching roles with the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Utah Tech University, and New Spire Arts in Frederick, Maryland. He now serves as Executive Director of the Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts, where he brings together a lifetime of musical lineage, performance, and leadership to shape a bold new artistic vision.
SSES Students Speak at the Alamogordo Rotary Club
Two of our students, Angelita Guilez and C/CMSgt Christopher Stephens, recently had the opportunity to speak at the Alamogordo Rotary Club. Christopher has been active in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) since age 12, and they shared what life is like as students at the Sacramento School of Engineering & Science.
Rotary members were eager to learn more, asking thoughtful questions about student life, academics, and experiences in CAP. Angelita and Christopher answered with confidence and clarity, representing SSES with pride.
Angelita is a 10th grader from Tularosa, and Christopher is a 9th grader from Alamogordo.
We’re incredibly proud of both students for volunteering to speak and for doing such a fantastic job. They continue to show the leadership, curiosity, and character that make SSES such a special place.
Dear Students and Families, SSES will be on a delayed start tomorrow, Monday, January 26th. Buses will run on a two-hour delay, and all students will report two hours later than usual. Breakfast will not be served tomorrow, but lunch will be served as normal. Stay Warm!
📢 Important Notice
On Monday, January 19, school buses will not be in operation and school meals will not be available.
Please arrange transportation and be sure students bring a packed lunch. Thank you for your cooperation.
Next Governing Council Meeting is on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 5:00 at SSES. Visit our website for the agenda. www.charter-sses.org
Next Governing Council Meeting is on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 5:00 at SSES. Visit our website for the agenda. www.charter-sses.org
Next Governing Council Meeting is on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 5:00 at SSES. Visit our website for the agenda. www.charter-sses.org
CAPT. GORDON McCULLOH - Guest Lecture Series
Captain Gordon McCulloh, U.S. Space Force, is an experimental flight test engineer specializing in GPS navigation at Holloman Air Force Base. He holds graduate degrees in astronautical engineering and flight test engineering and has accumulated over 330 flight hours in 28 different aircraft. Originally from New England, Gordon graduated high school in 2016 from the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, a public magnet school, and has since dedicated himself to multiple disciplines in aerospace engineering.
Captain McCulloh presented various STEM-focused topics across his educational and career path as a flight test engineer, covering coursework from high school to his day-to-day job at Holloman Air Force Base. This included his experiences as a cadet, graduate student, SpaceX intern, active-duty military officer, and more.
Thank you, Capt. McCulloh!
Visit us at - www.charter-sses.org
Jacquelyne Nichols Inspires SSES Students
Guest Lecture Series
Jacquelyne Nichols, a major airline pilot and U.S. Marine Corps aviator, visited SSES to share her career journey and life lessons. She encouraged students to embrace lifelong learning with her philosophy of being a “sponge,” reminding them that every room is full of people they can learn from.
She explained the demanding academic path to becoming a pilot, highlighting the value of science and engineering studies. Her career has taken her around the world, giving her opportunities to experience new cultures, food, and people—insights that also fuel her nonprofit work and passion for helping others. She began her career with American Airlines in 2022.
Marine Corps Career
Nichols flew both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including the CH-53E Super Stallion and UC-35D Cessna Citation Encore. She deployed to Okinawa, Japan and Al Udeid, Qatar and a combat deployment to Afghanistan earning a Strike Flight Air Medal with Numeral 3 while flying the CH-53E. After transitioning to the Marine Corp Reserves, she served as an instructor pilot and Marine Liaison Officer at Andrews AFB. She now continues her professional development at Command and Staff College.
Life in New Mexico
Since 2020, Nichols has lived in La Luz, NM, where she and her husband help run his family’s ranch. Alongside cattle and orchards of apples and cherries, she tends to her own lively herd of horses, goats, and mini donkeys—more than 25 animals in all!
She has served as the President of the New Mexico Chapter of Women in Aviation International from November of 2020 to October of 2024 and is currently the Otero County Coordinator for the chapter. She is a member of 100 Women Who Care Alamogordo and serve on the Board of Directors for the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.
More at https://www.charter-sses.org/
Sacramento School of Engineering & Science’s students displayed their most recent hands-on projects for their parents and community visitors to see.
Since it was a carnival, popcorn, cotton candy and balloon animals for everyone. A great combination of education and festivities.
Wilbur, the tree frog, also made an appearance.
Thanks to the students for all of their hard work and to Ms Allen for directing the hands-on projects.
SSES is Partnering with Toys for Tots
This year Sacramento School of Engineering & Science is proud to support Toys for Tots. This is a project by the Marine Corp Reserve who distributes the collected toys to disadvantaged children.
SSES is designated as a Toys for Tots drop-off location. Donations will be accepted from December 1, 2025, through December 15, 2025, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Please drop-off toys at Sacramento School of Engineering & Science, 7035 US-54/70, Alamogordo, NM 88310.
Help us in supporting this worthy project and make a child’s holiday that much brighter.
SSES Student Honored for National eSports Achievement at Honor Assembly
At the recent Honor Assembly, Sacramento School of Engineering & Science celebrated a standout achievement in the growing field of competitive gaming. Math teacher and competitive sports faculty advisor Mr. Miyoshi presented student Modesto Ramos with a special award recognizing his accomplishments and national ranking in eSports.
Ramos, a dedicated member of the SSES Scorpion team, currently holds the 26th rank in chess among competitors in the eastern half of the United States. According to Mr. Miyoshi, Ramos competes against a pool of approximately 100 players from various school-based teams across the region.
eSports has rapidly gained traction as a mainstream extracurricular activity in schools and universities nationwide. Beyond the thrill of competition, the program fosters valuable skills such as strategic thinking, communication, and teamwork. It also opens doors to higher education opportunities, with eSports organizations awarding over $10 million in scholarships annually.
Ramos’s recognition highlights both his personal dedication and the school’s commitment to supporting emerging academic and athletic frontiers.
Congratulations Modesto!
Next Governing Council Meeting is on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 5:00 at SSES. Visit our website for the agenda. www.charter-sses.org
Sacramento School of Engineering & Science Announces 1st Quarter Honor Roll
The First Quarter Honor Roll was announced Thursday, Nov 13, 2025, recognizing our students for their hard work. These students must have a GPA of 93.5 or higher to achieve this honor.
The 10 students are Ben Christensen, Christopher Stephens, Brailyn Tally, Angelita Guilez, Elijah Calderara, Logan Greenwood, Aaron Boyle, Ariyuanna Herron, Lucy Adams, and Giancarlo Harris.
Congratulations All! Great Job!
The Carnival of the Curious & Courageous STEAM projects also include the (A)rtwork by the students.
Come by Friday, Nov 14, 8:30 - 1:30, come and go format, to see student-only projects. Sacramento School of Engineering & Science is located just north of Hwy 82 at 7035 Hwy 54/70.
The community is invited. See you there.
