Albuquerque Public Schools
Celebrating 30 Years of Impact at the APS Education Foundation Gold Bar Gala
Annual event raises over $124,000 to invest in our teachers, students and community.
The APS Education Foundation marked its 30th anniversary in style at the annual Gold Bar Gala, a night that was equal parts elegant and emotional. The theme, “30 Years of Impact,” honored the Foundation’s three decades of support for students and educators across Albuquerque Public Schools.
Held at Sandia Resort and Casino, the evening celebrated the far-reaching influence of Foundation funded programs while raising money to continue that legacy of opportunity and innovation. The event raised over $124,000 and granted $38,000 that very night to further support students and educators.
The emcees for the evening were three charismatic APS high school students: Sebastian Chavez from Rio Grande High School, Trey Hill from Volcano Vista High School, and Anahi Marquez from Atrisco Heritage Academy High School. With poise and personality, the trio guided attendees through a night filled with gratitude, inspiration and pride in public education.
A Stage for Student Talent
From heartfelt solos to dazzling dance performances, APS students provided the entertainment for the night, showing exactly what community investment makes possible. The lineup included:
- Atrisco Heritage Academy Jagline
- Cibola High School guitarist Michael Lueras
- Cleveland Middle School Cleveland Classics Show Choir
- Highland High School Hornet Steel
- Hoover Middle School Leadership Color Guard
- La Cueva High School Beats Club
- Manzano High School soloist Jeremiah Mabane
- Reginald Chavez Elementary School Folklorico Dancers
- APS Traditional High Schools Cheerleaders and Mascots
Each performance reminded attendees why the Foundation’s work matters — and just how bright the future is for APS students.
Recognizing Selfless Seniors
One of the most moving moments of the night was the recognition of the 2025 Selfless Seniors — 15 remarkable students from APS high schools who are making a difference in their schools and communities. Selected for their volunteerism and leadership, each senior took the stage to share their future plans, eliciting smiles, cheers and more than a few tears from the audience.
This year’s Selfless Seniors are:
- Albuquerque High School: Kaylee Shelton
- Atrisco Heritage Academy: Leona Belmares
- Cibola High School: Ryan Ramirez
- Del Norte High School: Jazmine Montoya
- Eldorado High School: Charles Epp
- Highland High School: Felipe Hernandez
- La Cueva High School: Clay Hsieh
- Manzano High School: Mattie Espinosa
- New Futures High School: Amari Solomon-Iule
- Nex+Gen Academy: Dani Figueroa
- Rio Grande High School: Robert Mendoza
- Sandia High School: Eli Crowley
- Valley High School: Elecia Padilla
- Volcano Vista High School: Kailyn Montoya
- West Mesa High School: Noah Chavez
Best in Class: Investing in Innovation
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Best in Class winners. These honors go to educators and program leaders who received Foundation grants and used the funds to create transformative experiences for their students.
Three finalists were selected by a committee and then put to a public vote, with prize money awarded to help further their work:
- First Place ($15,000) – PE Collaborative
- Second Place ($10,000) – Truman Middle School STEM Lab and Virtual Learning
- Third Place ($5,000) – Cibola High School Robotics Program
These initiatives represent the best of what APS educators can accomplish when given the tools and support to dream big.
A Night to Remember
With heartfelt speeches, community spirit and stories that inspired, the 2025 Gold Bar Gala celebrated not just the Foundation’s 30 years of impact, but the thousands of lives that have been changed along the way. The evening also included appreciation for generous sponsors and fundraising opportunities to keep that momentum going.
As the night drew to a close, there was one clear takeaway: when a community invests in its students, the return is immeasurable.
Want to see more highlights from the Gala? Visit APS Education Foundation's website or follow APS on social media.