Alumni Awards

The Alumni Council presents the Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of extraordinary achievement or service that exemplifies the principles and values of Albuquerque Academy. It may honor an individual for one noteworthy act, or for many years of effort and accomplishment.

The intent is to recognize members of the Academy community making significant contributions to society, more than to highlight persons merely on the basis of human interest or fascinating and unusual life stories. Presentation of the award will occur on an annual basis.

Created by the Alumni Council to recognize notable service to the community and society that exemplifies the spirit of the Albuquerque Academy mission, the Young Alumni Service Award will be presented annually during Alumni Weekend to one recipient who is 35 years of age or younger at the time of nomination, and who has made significant personal achievements in serving the local, national, or international community.

Nominees for this award must:

• demonstrate dedicated volunteer service to others;
• have developed, implemented, or participated in a program, event, or special outreach effort that improves the lives of others;
• exhibit leadership and creative ability in addressing and solving societal problems;
• embody the ideals of the Academy mission

Distinguished Alumni Award: Kate Gallego ’00 

This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is Kate Gallego from the Class of 2000 for her dedicated leadership, vision, and service to her community. Mayor Gallego is the second elected female mayor in Phoenix history and one of the youngest big-city mayors in the United States. She is a strong advocate for sustainability and has been an enduring chaperone in guiding her constituents through the pandemic.

Young Alumni Service Award: Dustin Martin ’07

This year’s Young Alumni Award goes to Dustin Martin from the Class of 2007 for exemplifying great leadership through personal accomplishments and service to others. Dustin engages with numerous Native American organizations and is a catalyst in supporting the physical, mental, and spiritual welfare of native communities.

2020
Distinguished Alumni Award: Notah Begay III ’90
Young Alumni Service Award: Erin Penner ’02 Gallegos
Spirit Award (Special Award): Dr. Garon Cortiz ’04

2019
Distinguished Alumni Award: James Borrego ’96
Young Alumni Service Award: Noreen Kassam ’08

2018
Distinguished Alumni: Loretta Cordova de Ortega ’77
Young Alumni: Anna Pancheshnikov ’06

2017
Distinguished Alumni: Stacey Epstein ’87
Young Alumni: Katie Ogawa ’10
Special Award “The Voice of the Chargers”: Brent Carey ’79

2016
Distinguished Alumni: Christopher Schmidt-Nowara ‘84
Young Alumni: Christopher Marianetti ‘99

2015
Distinguished Alumni: Kristine Hain ’85 Rollinson
Young Alumni: Tomas Atencio Pacheco ‘99

2014
Distinguished Alumni: Gary Gordon ‘79
Young Alumni: Kristen Clauss ‘07

2013
Distinguished Alumni: Ian McKinnon ‘85
Young Alumni: Tara Perea ’06 Palomares

2012
Distinguished Alumni: Joshua Ramo ‘87
Young Alumni: Beau Hilland ‘06

2011
Distinguished Alumni: Norman Bay ‘78
Young Alumni: Neely Crane-Smith ’02 Heubach

2010
Distinguished Alumni: Jonathan Wolfe ‘88
Young Alumni: Consuelo Gonzales ‘04

2009
Distinguished Alumni: David Eagleman ‘89

2008
Distinguished Alumni: Tom Casey ‘93

2007
Distinguished Alumni: Laura Hood ’89 Watchman

2006
Deborah Cantrell ‘78

2005
R. Martin Chavez ‘81