The campus of New Mexico Junior College came alive on Thursday, April 24, 2025, as nearly 200 students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered for the 2nd annual T-Bird Block Party and Rock Glam Hair Show — a vibrant celebration of creativity, community, and Thunderbird pride.

This year’s event was a dynamic collaboration between several departments across NMJC, transforming the campus into a multisensory experience filled with music, dance, glamour, food, and fun. The celebration served as both a showcase of student talent and a community engagement initiative designed to connect NMJC with the broader Hobbs community.

“I am so pleased NMJC came together to collaborate on such a wonderful event that brings so many senses together; rock-n-roll, dance, glam, food, glitter, and fun!” said Valerie Onsurez Gauna, Director of Outreach & Engagement. “Each year we strive to offer the student community and community at large an event to share our beautiful campus with, and this year was another hit! I am thankful for all my colleagues who do the hard work to make this happen!”

A major highlight of the event was the Rock Glam Hair Show, a dazzling runway experience produced by NMJC’s Cosmetology Department. Students brought high-energy creativity to life with avant-garde hairstyles, theatrical makeup, and bold fashion statements that lit up the stage. The show featured live performances by the NMJC Fearless Ensemble, adding to the electrifying atmosphere.

“The hair show was a huge success. I'm so proud of my students and would like to give a special thanks to the models for being such a big part of this event,” said Professor of Cosmetology, Vance A. Onsurez. “Thank you to Valerie, Dustin, AJ, and Joni, among all the others, for all the hard work and collaboration they put into the event and my hair show. This was a ground shaking show, I could not have asked for a better outcome! It was awesome to share the stage with the NMJC Fearless Ensemble as well. I was truly pulsing with excitement and joy, as were all the students during the runway and several hours after. This was truly a moment to never forget!”

The T-Bird Block Party also featured food trucks, interactive booths, and music that kept the celebration going into the evening.

“The Tbird block party was a fun and exciting event that brought together the energy and spirit of our campus community!” said AJ Cordova, Coordinator of Student Activities and Intramurals. “With the collaboration of a few different departments, we successfully created an enthusiastic atmosphere for all. We had a great turnout of students, faculty, and staff and we were thrilled to see members of the local community join in the celebration as well. It was truly a memorable event filled with connection, music, and shared Thunderbird pride. A big thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success!”

As NMJC continues to grow its presence in southeastern New Mexico, events like the T-Bird Block Party and Rock Glam Hair Show highlight the creativity, passion, and collaborative spirit of its students and staff. Planning is already underway for next year’s festivities, promising to bring even more sparkle, sound, and school spirit to the NMJC campus.

About: New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) is a leading educational institution committed to providing success through learning and high-quality education to its diverse student body. Founded in 1965, NMJC offers a wide range of academic programs, certifications, and services to empower students to achieve their educational and career goals.

Contact: Valerie Onsurez Gauna, Director of Engagement & Outreach, New Mexico Junior College, 575-492-2780, vgauna@nmjc.edu