Meet the 2021 Selfless Seniors

Fourteen high school seniors were recognized for their leadership and philanthropic spirit.

Selfless Seniors is a recognition program started in 2008 by photographer Frank Frost.  The APS Education Foundation manages a nomination process to find APS high school seniors who give their time and energy to help others without expectation of recognition or praise.  One high school senior is selected by a committee of volunteers to represent each traditional APS high school and one is selected to represent APS magnet schools.  Together, these 14 Selfless Seniors represent the spirit of philanthropy of the APS student body.  These Selfless Seniors were the students who did not let the pandemic stop them from serving their community when their community needed them most. 

Among the many ways in which this class stepped up include: providing meals to those in need, engaging younger students and their families to support them in their education, advocating for and supporting their peers struggling with mental health issues, fundraising and caring for those with no voice to ask for help by working with animal welfare organizations, leading their peers in advocating for equity in education as well as racial justice in our city and state, and showing kindness and compassion each day to bring a smile to everyone they meet, even if it is virtually.

Frank Frost Photography generously gives each of these students their senior portrait at no cost.  These beautiful images are shared with the community to celebrate our senior class and inspire service in our district.  

Our Selfless Seniors were also recognized by the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners, and were recognized by the Albuquerque City Council with the reading of an honorary proclamation read by Council President Borrego.

Congratulations to all our 2021 Selfless Seniors!

• Sophia Rio Chavez of Albuquerque High School
• Griselda Montes of Atrisco Heritage Academy High School
• Taylor Christiansen of Cibola High School
• Cameron Ortega of Del Norte High School
• Melina Vugrin of Eldorado High School
• Ariana Magaña-Ramirez of Highland High School
• Maura Johnson of La Cueva High School
• Ayanna Teague of Manzano High School
• Tyler Chavez of Rio Grande High School
• Sarah Rutherford of Sandia High School
• Isaiah Baca of Valley High School
• Jade Mendoza of Volcano Vista High School
• Natalia Hernandez of West Mesa High School
• Francesca Miles of New Futures School