For two kids growing up in the San Jose neighborhood of Bisbee, they couldn’t have written a better script than them going back to their roots by working at Bisbee High School (BHS). Courtney Borquez, athletic director and 2008 graduate of BHS, and Carlos Lopez, head coach of the Pumas’ football team and 2008 graduate of BHS, are both working their rookie year at the high school where they graduated 14 years ago.
Different circumstances would redirect their paths back to Bisbee High School, and they both couldn’t feel more blessed to be working with kids and athletes. As both played sports in high school (Borquez was also team manager for the state championship baseball team Lopez was on their senior year), they understand what it takes to be an athlete and a kid at that age. “It was special for me to come back and coach at the high school,” said Lopez. “I can relate to these kids and how it feels to grow up in this town.”
Borquez (whose maiden name is Benavidez) is excited to be back at the high school teaching and coaching, in addition to her athletic director duties. Previously a second and third grade teacher since she received her teaching degree from the University of Arizona South in 2014, she is not only entering her first year at the school but also as a high school teacher. “This is my first year teaching high school students, and I love it,” said Borquez. “I was nervous to come to the high school and didn’t know what to expect, but everyone has been so welcoming and kind.” Although she has been a lifelong resident of the community, it was still a big transition for her. And because she has never left Bisbee, it was important to her to be able to give back to the people and the town that helped her get to where she is today, teaching a class at BHS, serving as the school’s athletic….read full story (online subscribers only)