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There's No Place Like Home, Canutillo High School Announces 2022 Outstanding Ex
CISD Principal Named CHS Outstanding Ex
Posted on 09/20/2022
This is the image for the news article titled CISD Principal Named CHS Outstanding ExMaria Alarcon has always called Canutillo her home.

She began her educational journey at Canutillo Elementary School (CES), graduated a proud Eagle from Canutillo High School (CHS) and currently serves the Canutillo Independent School District as the principal at Gonzalo and Sofia Garcia Elementary School (GES).

The CHS alumna has come full circle by being named the 2022 CHS Outstanding Ex for her commitment to uplifting the children in the Canutillo community through her work as a teacher and administrator that spans over two decades, with 19 of those years serving CISD.

“I really wanted to give back to my community and I thought the best way to do that was to teach students like me, who grew up in Canutillo,” Alarcon said. “I love being part of this community and being able to contribute by helping educate future generations of leaders who come out of Canutillo.”

Alarcon grew up in Canutillo as a migrant student and leveraged education as a pathway to opportunity. She thrived at CHS where she was actively involved in basketball, track and field and played the flute in the CHS Eagle Pride Marching Band. She graduated in 1985 in the top 10 percent of her class.

After graduation, Alarcon attended the University of Phoenix where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She later joined The University of Texas at El Paso alternative teaching certification program after realizing her desire to stay in El Paso and give back to the community through teaching.

Alarcon was a teacher for 12 years in both CISD and Ysleta Independent School District. She served as the assistant principal at CES and Congressman Silvestre and Carolina Reyes Elementary School before becoming principal at GES.

“We are honored to recognize Ms. Alarcon as a role model for our students and an outstanding member of the Canutillo Community,” said CHS Principal Teresa Clapsaddle. “It’s my honor to be able to celebrate the accomplishments of someone who has been part of the Eagle Family for so long.”

Being named CHS Outstanding Ex was a surreal experience for Alarcon, but she is honored and humbled by the recognition.

“It is very special being named Outstanding Ex by my Canutillo ISD family. I am honored to serve the District that gave me so many opportunities to succeed and continue to do my best to provide my students with everything they need to achieve their goals the way that I have,” said Alarcon. “I want them to know to never give up working towards their goals. No matter what they look to accomplish, through hard work, they will see the fruits of their labor.”