New Mexico

Fort Lewis College hosts 10th annual Hawk Tank competition

Published

8 months ago

May 6, 2025

Fort Lewis College hosts 10th annual Hawk Tank competition

Perhaps you’ve heard of the show Shark Tank? Where people pitch their business ideas to big time business people hoping to get a shot.

The Four Corners has its own version, called “Hawk Tank.”

FARMINGTON, N.M. – Perhaps you’ve heard of the show Shark Tank? Where people pitch their business ideas to big time business people hoping to get a shot.

The Four Corners has its own version, called “Hawk Tank.” KOB 4 spoke with this year’s winner about his plan that is now a reality.

“Hawk Tank is their premier business plan competition in the Four Corners area. And the purpose behind Hawk Tank is really just empowering students so we can take their business ideas to the next level. Whatever that may be,” said Michael Valdez, professor of management at Fort Lewis College.

This year, Joey DeMartino is the overall prize winner in the 10th annual Hawk Tank competition for his business is called, Noise Hub.

“I’ve been tethered to music, sound, noise, whatever you want to call it, my whole life. And so it was kind of a culmination of my life, building up this process. And then, since this contest came up, it afforded me the opportunity to actually say, you know, I’m gonna put my energy into a business plan and create something out of this,” said DeMartino.

It’s a full-circle moment for DeMartino. He’s creating notes the business world isn’t used to hearing in the area.

“I feel like being that nobody seems to be as interconnected as I think they could be, it’s a great spot for us to kind of get set up and open the doors and say, ‘Hey, let’s, let’s make this happen. Let’s create kind of our own ecosystem.’ So to speak, with all the different types of creators that we have in this area,” said DeMartino.

The prize money from winning Hawk Tank is going to help DeMartino do just that for his fellow artists.

“Providing the skills, giving access to resources so these participants who want to solve the problems that we have in our community and our country and around the globe, the opportunity to see what that might look like, actually having a viable business and solving those real-world problems,” said Valdez.

“I’m surrounded by talented individuals, talented students that, in my opinion, are the sky’s the limit for them. A lot of them might fall through the cracks when it comes to the industry. That’s kind of where we’re at, is to say, ‘Hey, let’s kind of re-home you, get you set up, and let’s make this happen,’” said DeMartino.

To learn more about Hawk Tank or Noise Hub, you can visit the links below:

Source link

New Mexico

New Mexico transfer LS Trey Dubuc commits to Texas

Published

26 minutes ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico transfer LS Trey Dubuc commits to Texas

After Lance St. Louis served as the starting long snapper for the Texas Longhorns for four seasons, special teams coordinator Jeff Banks landed an experienced replacement when New Mexico Lobos transfer Trey Dubuc pledged while on a visit to the Forty Acres.

The pledge from Dubuc ensures that Texas has experienced replacements for three specialists despite signing high school prospects at each position — with the SEC expanding to 105 scholarships in 2026, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian can afford to develop high school recruits at those positions behind experienced transfers like Dubuc.

The Fort Lauderdale product started his career at USF after playing on two state championship teams at Cardinal Gibbons. A 6’1, 209-pounder, Dubuc redshirted during his freshman season in 2023 before appearing in one game as the backup long snapper the following year.

After transferring to New Mexico, Dubuc served as the starting long snapper while making two tackles for the Lobos.

Source link

New Mexico

Missionary from Utah serving in New Mexico died unexpectedly in sleep

Published

13 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Missionary from Utah serving in New Mexico died unexpectedly in sleep

SALT LAKE CITY — A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Utah has passed away in his sleep unexpectedly Saturday in New Mexico, according to a news release from The Church.

Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died from a medical cause that has not been determined, Church spokesman Sam Penrod said in a statement.

According to The Church, Martin had been serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission since May 2024. He was from Salem, Utah.

Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died in his sleep on Jan. 3 from a medical cause that has yet to be determined. He was serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fellow missionaries. We pray they will find comfort and strength through their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and feel the Savior’s love as they honor Elder Martin’s life and devoted missionary service,” the statement said.

According to the release, an autopsy is planned.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

Source link