David Kistin ’01, who spent more than a decade moving lab tech into the market, will lead the $25 million effort Justin Horwath, Journal Staff Writer David Kistin, who has spent more than a decade spinning technology developed at Sandia National Laboratories into markets, will now direct a new state-funded project that seeks to build […]
Mariah Wilson ’03 Turns Childhood Passion for Horses into a Lifelong Mission
By Ted Alcorn '01 For her Senior Project, which some Academy students treat as a springboard to professional aspirations, Mariah Wilson ‘03 brought her horse to school and rode it bareback in the field beside the library. She said she was demonstrating Aristotle's ideas about leadership and nonverbal communication — that character shows in bearing [...]
Leaving his own mark: Notah Begay III ’90 honored for Native youth work
The Albuquerque golfer and analyst receives the 2026 Payne Stewart Award for his NB3 Foundation’s work supporting Native youth health and leadership. Geoff Grammer, Journal Staff Writer He’d rub a small strip of chiih across his cheek — just a little below each eye — before every match. It was part of the routine for […]
Notah Begay III ’90 honored with PGA TOUR’s Payne Stewart Award
By PGAtour.com Staff Four-time PGA TOUR winner and founder of NB3 Foundation – a national, award-winning Native-led nonprofit – Notah Begay III has been named the recipient of this year’s Payne Stewart Award presented by Southern Company, honoring his character, sportsmanship, and commitment to charitable giving. Begay, 53, will be honored Tuesday, Aug. 25, at […]
Rebel with a Cause: Dona Sosa ’95 is Part of a Revolution in Early Childhood Care
The yearbook editors had their reasons for crowning Dona Sosa the class "terror." Her Nissan Sentra was fitted with McLean wheels, hydraulics, and a sound system that announced her arrival in the parking lot well before her arrival. Bravado came easily. “I was a little on the edge there,” she recalled. 1995 Yearbook It is [...]
Diné optometrist named New Mexico’s Young Optometrist of the Year
Dr. Shane Benally, Academy Class of 2009 and a Diné optometrist who splits his practice between Santo Domingo Pueblo and Santa Fe, has been named 2026 Young Optometrist of the Year by the New Mexico Optometric Association. The award goes annually to an optometrist with fewer than 10 years in practice who has shown leadership […]
Josh Yguado ’94 steps down as Jam City leader after 16 years
By Dean Takahashi via GamesBeat Josh Yguado, 1994 Academy grad, has stepped down from Jam City after 16 years at the mobile game company he cofounded. He will be replaced by Simon Sim, a longtime mobile gaming leader who is CEO of Kabam and an executive in charge of the U.S. for Netmarble. Yguado made […]
Betsy Joles, New Mexico native, covers Pakistan peace talks for NPR
Journalists from around the world are in Pakistan waiting for the next steps in the peace talks. One of them, with deep New Mexico roots and a familiar name, didn’t have to travel far to cover this part of the history. New Mexicans knew Tom Joles as a trusted KOB 4 journalist for decades. “It […]
Service Comes First: Clair Toledo ’00
Clair Toledo ’00 has spent two decades as an educator in some of New Mexico’s most challenging schools By Ted Alcorn '01 Clair with friends in 8-9 division One of the most important lessons the Academy imparted on Clair Toledo ’00 wasn’t something she learned in a classroom or on campus at all. After an [...]
New Mexico United Signs Trio of Players to USL Academy Contracts
By Gavin Hauenstein New Mexico United announced today that three New Mexicans from the United Academy—forward Grady Gilchrist, defender Kyle Hofmann, and goalkeeper Taren Wente—have signed USL Academy contracts for the 2026 USL Championship season. These signings are pending league and federation approval. With USL Academy contracts, players can train and play with the First […]
