“I was definitely really nervous going into it,” Grace Knouse ’26 says. “This is so awkward — just sitting in front of a camera for two minutes and saying this is why you should pick me.”
Even though the UNM Regents Scholar application process – particularly the two-minute video – began uncomfortably, it turned into something powerful after Grace met with her college counselor, Dean Jacoby, to talk through her ideas. Looking back at her essays helped her find a story she hadn’t fully realized she was telling.
“I wrote a lot about my religious background — how I was always scared to show that I was Catholic — and then how I’ve grown as a human to become more confident in my religion,” she says. In her video, she connected that with her work as leader of the Feminism Club. “I talked about how I’ve let them intertwine — how being Catholic in ways has contradicted being a feminist, and how being a feminist in ways has also contradicted — and how I’ve allowed myself to grow and evolve and have these two ideas or beliefs about myself.”
For Grace, Kira Lopez ’26, and Sydney Koranyi ’26, that moment of reflection ultimately led to one of the highest honors offered by the University of New Mexico, where each has been named a Regents Scholar.
Even more remarkable: three recipients from the same school is rare.
Like many Academy students, all three seniors once imagined heading out of state. But as they moved through the application process — writing, revising, and thinking more deeply about their experiences, what mattered most became clearer.
For Sydney, that reflection centered on growth earned through challenge. In her application, she drew on her experience in wrestling, where she often found herself in unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations. “It taught me the importance of losing on your own and being accountable for that,” she says. What began as an intimidating step became one of the most meaningful parts of her high school experience, shaping her confidence and resilience.
Kira approached her experience with a similar openness. She describes herself as an “opportunity picker. If there’s a door open, try it,” she says — a philosophy that shaped not only her application but guided her through a wide range of interests, from science to language to the humanities.
That willingness to reflect, and to take risks, runs through each of their stories.
Grace, who plans to study biochemistry, found her direction in the classroom. Her anatomy and physiology course, she says, changed the way she thought about learning. “I realized, ‘I like this — I’m studying for it every night, and I’m not mad about it.’” Outside of class, she balances that academic focus with creativity, taking AP Drawing and working as a student art instructor, while also leading the Feminism Club.
Kira’s path has been defined by curiosity across disciplines. Considering a pre-med track, she hopes to continue studying biology while also exploring Spanish and possibly philosophy. “Academy is the root of me being able to be an opportunity picker,” she says. “I’ve had a lot of doors opened here.” Over time, that openness has translated into confidence. “I’ve been able to realize that I do have a place in the rooms that I want to be in.”
Sydney’s experience has been equally transformative and, at times, physically demanding. A dedicated athlete, she took on the challenge of wrestling, often as the only girl on the mat. “I was the only girl on the team at one point,” she says. “It was intimidating, but it taught me so much about confidence and showing up anyway.” What began as a challenge became one of the most meaningful parts of her high school experience.
All three students point to Albuquerque Academy as instrumental being in that growth.
“Writing is such a big part of the application,” Grace says. “And I feel really fortunate that I had teachers who taught me how to write well.”
For Sydney, the preparation showed up more gradually. “You don’t always realize it while you’re here,” she says, “but you’re building skills and confidence the whole time.”
When asked what advice they would offer younger students, their answers echo the same theme.
“Don’t dismiss opportunities too early,” Grace says. “There’s so much more out there than you might think.”
Kira puts it more simply: “Try pistachio ice cream,” she says with a laugh. “Don’t knock something until you try it.”
Sydney agrees. “Some of the things that end up mattering most are the ones you didn’t plan on.”
As they look ahead, their paths are still taking shape. But the habits that brought them here — the willingness to reflect, to take risks, and to step through open doors — are already firmly in place.
