Albuquerque Public Schools
Celebrating Our Stars
In her weekly message, Superintendent Blakey highlights the many successes students have had this semester.
As we prepare to break for the holidays, I know it’s customary for a superintendent to wish our students, families, employees and communities a restful season while offering gratitude for all they do.
All of you have been a great gift to me. I always knew APS was a family, but my first months as superintendent have brought that home even more.
I want to thank and recognize all of you in this, the final message of the calendar year. I asked colleagues to send the names of students or teachers who received honors in the first semester. So here goes!
Our students have excelled in so many ways this semester. I’m so proud to note that several APS students were honored during the 2024 New Mexico State Fair School Arts Exhibit Awards Ceremony in September. They included:
- Nac’Lah Bitsilly of Alamosa Elementary, who won first place in the fifth grade category; Nac’Lah's teacher is Kimberley Humphries.
- Nicco Cacciabando of San Antonito Elementary received a second-place honor in the fifth grade competition; Carrie Sanchez is Nicco's teacher.
- Wherry Elementary third-grader Giovanni Zapien was a second place recipient; Giovanni's teacher is Pablo Medina.
- Second-grader Olivia Winkless-Hall got third place; Olivia's teacher is Chelsea Trejo.
- Eighth-grade student Landon Babcock of James Monroe Middle School received a third-place award; Geoff Smith is Landon's teacher.
- Chloe Montano of Cibola finished second in 11th grade; Sara Linn is Chloe's teacher.
- Jenevieve Lopez-Lugo of eCademy received an honorable mention for the 12th grade; Jordan Orlovsky is Jenevieve's teacher.
Our winners didn’t end there, of course. We have 217 students who made the New Mexico Music Educators Association All-State Ensembles. That’s a great accomplishment that signifies a lot of work, and while the list is too long to include here, they’re all named in this story.
But wait, there’s more.
Albuquerque High School captured the DECA chapter of the year and several students in APS competed and won individual categories. Highland High School is the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America state champion, and several high school and middle school chapters from the district won individual categories.
In the state JROTC competition, Eldorado placed first; Cibola was second. Volcano Vista won the mock trial competition. We had several students who won or placed in Science Fair competitions and all 13 traditional high schools and several middle schools competed, with several winning project of the year categories.
And in athletics? APS once again was solid. We had state championship teams in girls’ soccer (La Cueva) and cross country (Eldorado). La Cueva’s boys’ soccer, football and volleyball teams were state runners-up. And the amazing Gianna Rahmer of Eldorado won the individual girls’ cross country title with a blistering time of 17:34.7. Carysa Marquez of Volcano Vista was third.
We have a lot of success at APS – in the classroom, in the band room, on fields and courts throughout our city. And I don’t doubt I’ve missed some names here. The point is, when you are looking for bright stars during this holiday season, remember: They are all around us, and not just in December and January.
Of course, success doesn’t just happen. I’m proud of each of these students for their hard work. I’m also grateful to their families and our staff for the support and guidance they provided along the way. You helped them succeed.
Have a great break! We’ll see you in January.