Our people: Coming full circle

Melrose native Jamie Widner has been in education as a teacher and administrator for 26 years, all in New Mexico. Coming from a family of 11 children, all who graduated from Melrose High School, he is family-oriented. Widner said the village of Melrose is like a family.

“Melrose is a unique small town. Melrose is like a family where everyone cares about everyone else. We have our family squabbles but we are united when it comes to making Melrose a better place to live,” he said.

Widner is the first Melrose graduate to serve as superintendent in the 103 year history of Melrose schools.

“It is truly an honor to be the representative for our school, for my school. It is a wonderful school and our students have many great accomplishments that I love to recognize, but I'm probably biased,” Widner said.

When he’s not at the school, he works his 320 acre wheat farm and his herd of 35 registered Angus cows.