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

This award is given to a member of the Academy’s faculty who has rendered distinguished service to Albuquerque Academy and made a lasting impact either to the development of the school’s students or, through their dedication and leadership, have strengthened the school as an institution of learning for our community. The Albuquerque Academy Alumni Association Constitution allows the Alumni Council to bestow membership to the recipient of this award.

Distinguished Alumni Award: Amy Loyd ’93

This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is Dr. Amy Loyd, Class of 1993, who serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education in the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, she leads federal programs related to career and technical education, community colleges, adult education and family literacy, and correctional education. Amy’s important work in building education systems that provide students of all ages and walks of life with greater self-determination to pursue multiple pathways to rewarding futures of their choosing makes her deserving of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Young Alumni Service Award: Julia Youngs ’10

This year’s Young Alumni Service Award goes to Julia Youngs, Class of 2010, the Senior Director of Social Impact Strategy and Entrepreneurship for Alithi Management Consulting. She works with organizations like Microsoft to develop their social impact and entrepreneurship programming. Julia’s demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of others through fostering societal change with her leadership and creativity embodies our school’s mission. It makes her a fitting recipient of the 2023 Young Alumni Service Award.

Alumni Council Faculty Legacy Award: Ed Baklini

This year, the Alumni Council is excited to announce the creation of a new award – the Albuquerque Academy Alumni Council Faculty Legacy Award. This inaugural award goes to Ed Baklini, who has taught history, including New Mexico history, economics, geography, world history, and U.S. history, at Albuquerque Academy for more than 40 years. Mr. Bak’s distinguished service and lasting impact on our learning community, make him a worthy recipient of the inaugural Alumni Council Faculty Legacy Award.

2022
Distinguished Alumni Award: Mayor Kate Gallego ’00
Young Alumni Service Award: Dustin Martin ’07

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