Alumni Awards
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. The nomination deadline is October 31 for consideration for the subsequent year’s awards.
Distinguished Alumni Award
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
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
Faculty Legacy Award
2023 Award Recipients
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.
Past Award Recipients
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