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        • We believe that children's lives change when their natural passion for learning is nurtured and transformed into habits of life-long learning and reflection. We believe that the world changes as these children learn to serve country and community with wisdom, conviction, and compassion.

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        • Albuquerque Academy is an independent, college preparatory day school for boys and girls in grades six through twelve. The Academy prides itself on offering an educational program based on creative, independent doing and thinking.

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Alumni Awards

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Each year, the Academy community is invited to submit nominations for two alumni awards: the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Young Alumni Service Award. Any member of the Academy community (alumni, family of past or current students, faculty, staff, or current student) may nominate anyone who attended Albuquerque Academy. Nominations are closed for the 2023 awards. Nominations for the 2024 awards will open in September 2023.

Distinguished Alumni Award

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.

Young Alumni Service Award

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

2022 Award Recipients

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.

Past Award Recipients

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

Nominate an Alum

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ABQ, New Mexico 87109-3899

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Albuquerque Academy is an independent, college-preparatory day school for students in grades 6 through 12 and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or disability in admissions, the administration of its educational policies, tuition assistance, athletics, and other school-administered programs.

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Albuquerque Academy is an independent, college-preparatory day school for students in grades 6 through 12 and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or disability in admissions, the administration of its educational policies, tuition assistance, athletics, and other school-administered programs.

© Albuquerque Academy | 6400 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109-3899 | Ph: 505-828-3200 | Login | Privacy Policy

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