Word on the Bosque
Middle School STEAM
By Dr. Scott Crago, Academic Dean
This year, Bosque School piloted a new way to teach science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) at the middle school level. After digging into research on STEAM best practices, we agreed that a STEAM curriculum is most meaningful when there is an element of exploration and creativity woven in. To meet this end, the Academic Leadership Team, along with members from the art, science, and math departments, collaborated to find a way to develop a curriculum that could inspire students’ curiosity and innovation.
As a result, the STEAM curriculum has become an integral part of the middle school arts experience. Starting in 6th grade, students learn the basics of digital media to create stop-motion animations. In 7th grade, students get an introduction to robotics, where they make their 3D creations come to life. Finally, in 8th grade, students learn the basics of HTML to create a website that allows them to showcase the work they do over the year in a digital portfolio.
Overall, the STEAM integration has been an enormous success. The teachers collaborating on this endeavor have reported that the STEAM integration has put an exciting twist on a core course and are advocating that any additional STEAM course in the upper school should exist in tandem with art.
Furthermore, teachers have noted the positive impact the STEAM curriculum has had on students. Those teaching the middle school STEAM integration note that the model has engaged many students who may struggle in other classes or are not always excited about academics. As we look forward, we are excited about the many opportunities this STEAM model has for potential upper school courses.
Philanthropy
Celebrating 30 Years!
Bosque School is turning 30! Join us for a special three-day celebration, May 15-17, 2025, featuring exciting events for all. Register today to reserve your spot — space is limited for some events.
🎉 Thursday, May 15 All-Alumni Reception — Hosted by Dan Shaw & Meghan Bode.
🎈Friday, May 16th Family Picnic — Sunshine, music, games, magic, face painting, FREE food and fun for all ages.
✨Saturday, May 17 UnGala — This signature one-time event will be UN-like all the other galas you’ve seen and the biggest event of the 30th-Anniversary weekend!
Get Your 30th-Anniversary Brick Today
Time is running out to leave your mark! In honor of our 30th anniversary, we’re offering a once-in-three-decades chance to secure a personalized 30th-Anniversary Brick — a permanent tribute to your time at Bosque. Bricks are available to any members of our community, even if you already have an alumni brick. Orders close April 25, 2025!
Alumni Bricks: Missing bricks from previous classes can be purchased until April 25. If you know of an alum who does not yet have a brick for the year they graduated, there is still the opportunity to have their gift of $100 recognized with a brick with their name and graduation year!
Bosque in the Middle
Every 30-year-old can remember that halfway point, right in the middle of their teenage years, when they turned 15, and everything was changing so fast. We asked teachers who were relatively new to Bosque School in 2010, or who arrived just afterward, what it was like to be part of those middle years. Upper School Spanish teacher Maria Clara Herrera Rekow, who came to Bosque in 2007, Visual Arts Department Leader Sasha Custer, who arrived in 2010, and Upper School Latin and Humanities teacher Christina Alvarez from 2011 shared their thoughts and memories with the Buzz.
Bosque Delegates Win Big at Spanish-Language Model U.N.
On February 28, twelve Bosque students participated in Spanish Model United Nations at the Berna Facio Professional Development Center in Albuquerque. This event resembles the Model United Nations program familiar to students across the country, with the challenge of being conducted entirely in Spanish.
The program was developed sixteen years ago by upper school Spanish teacher Maria Clara Herrera Rekow as a final project for her first Seminario class. That first one was held in the Schoolhouse conference room, and in subsequent years, as it grew, was held in what are now the science rooms in the middle school, and for a number of years at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. After COVID-19, new venues included the public library at Nob Hill and the Santa Fe Capitol. The students appreciated the space and layout of the Berna Facio Center, which allowed for the attendance of 160 students from eight different Albuquerque and Santa Fe schools.
Six Bosque Students Awarded Prestigious UNM Scholarships
Each year, a number of our seniors choose to accept admission to the University of New Mexico, and one of the reasons it can be a great choice is their scholarship program. To compete for these awards, students had to complete a scholarship application in addition to their regular admission application. It included essays and, for the Regents' Scholarship, a video.
UNM recently announced its winners, and Bosque students did even better than last year. Five seniors won the Presidential Scholarship, of which only 75 are awarded annually: Mattie L., Dylan P., Claire P., Isabella T., and Everett H. The Presidential Scholarship is worth approximately $14,000 per year, which covers tuition, and is renewable for 4 years. Winning the Regents' Scholarship, one of 12 awarded annually, was senior Isabel R. Her scholarship is worth approximately $24,000 per year, covers base tuition, fees, and housing, and is renewable for 4 years.
Bosque School's Spring Musical, "Hadestown," Brings Down the House
A World Out of Tune
The floorboards of the Blackbox Theater in Budagher Hall got a workout during the ambitious run of the Spring Musical, Hadestown. The show’s journey, from being a twinkle in Drama Director Meghan Bode’s eye to being a sold-out two-week Bosque performance extravaganza, was not unlike that of the original show, which went from an obscure 2006 start in Vermont to Broadway in 2019, earning 14 Tony Award nominations and winning eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. If you happened to be in London in 2024, you could have caught it at a West End Theater.
Bosque Alum Connor Donovan Inspires with Cross-Country Cycling Journey
Bosque School recently welcomed back alum Connor Donovan, who returned to campus to share the story of an unforgettable adventure: biking over 3,500 miles across the United States. Starting in Seattle, Washington, and ending in Coney Island, New York, Connor completed the ride in just 56 days with a group of friends, including fellow Bosque grad Ezra Duree, as part of a team they called The Future Cowboys.
Building Brilliance: Students Construct Gaming Computers
The Bosque School advanced coders in programming instructor Matt Fike’s Programming II course built two gaming computers this semester to replace two that recently broke from age and overuse. The process began with a budget and the job of acquiring parts from existing computers or outside sources. The computers in the lab are primarily used for the digital arts class, the computer programming classes, and our Esports team.
One programming team, all seniors, consisted of Simon P., Julian, Luke, and Michael. The second team was made up of Sebastian J. ‘27, Jack ‘27, Kyle ‘26, and Wyatt ‘25. The teams started by carefully selecting the components, which must be balanced in terms of computing capacity and power needs.
Global Educators Gather at Bosque for ISEEN’s 20th Anniversary
By Dr. Scott Crago, Academic Dean
In late January, Bosque School co-hosted the 20th-annual Winter Institute for the Independent Schools Experiential Education Network (ISEEN). The theme of the conference was “What’s Our Impact: Relationships as the Future of Experiential Education.”
In collaboration with Sandia Prep, Bosque School hosted 160 educators from across the globe so that they could learn more about how we are a leader in experiential education, not only in the Southwest but also across the nation. Part of the ISEEN Winter Institute requires host schools to lead workshops where participants can get a glimpse of how students experience our educational model.
Teachers Sasha Custer, Kim Fike, Aaron Morales, Dan Shaw, and Erin Zavitz led these workshops and covered topics that ranged from Art and Social Justice to the amazing work Bosque School does through our Field and Community Science program. The workshops were not limited to the Bosque School campus, as some groups went to the Albuquerque Museum and even as far as Jemez to learn more about how Bosque School approaches experiential education.
Many of the facilitators recruited student leaders to help lead the workshops. Participants noted that the students who participated were the highlight of the ISEEN experience and showcased what amazing student leaders we have here at Bosque School.
Bosque School Students Explore Historic Gutierrez-Hubbell House
Tenth-grade students from Bosque School recently visited the Gutierrez-Hubbell House, a national historic landmark in Albuquerque's South Valley. The students learned about the rich history of this adobe home, which was built in the 1850s by the prominent Gutierrez and Hubbell families.
During the tour, students gained insights into life in 19th-century New Mexico. They explored the home's architectural features, including its thick adobe walls, high ceilings, and cooling design elements like transom windows. The students also visited the on-site trading post, which was an important part of the families’ business and community involvement. The Gutierrez-Hubbell House served as both a family home and a hub of activity, hosting community events, dances, and gatherings. The families’ generosity struck students as they learned the Hubbells built the first one-room schoolhouse and church in the area.
Visiting this historic site was an invaluable learning experience to connect with the stories and spaces that shaped our local community and was part of Bosque School's ongoing efforts to engage students with the rich history and culture of Albuquerque and the surrounding region.
Bosque Students Recognized at Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Several of our Bosque School students have earned recognition for their outstanding artistic work at the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is a prestigious national competition that recognizes creative excellence in middle and high school students throughout the United States. Established in 1923 by the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the awards celebrate artistic and literary talent.
Bosque Mathletes Advance to State in MathCounts Competition
MathCounts is a national organization that provides resources and competitions designed to engage and inspire middle school students in math and engineering. Bosque School students have participated in the middle school math club for several years, coached by math teachers Spencer Baum and Heidi Goodman.
The chapter level of the MathCounts competition, hosted by Sandia Labs, was held on February 15 at the UNM Centennial Engineering Center. The Bosque School team placed fourth, the highest they’ve ever done, advancing them to the state-level competition. The Bosque School students competed against bigger schools, both public and private, who had larger teams and more established history with the competition. The four-member winning Bosque team included sixth graders Simon and Ermis, seventh grader Andreas, and eighth grader Josie. Additionally, three students—sixth grader Nico, seventh grader Lucas, and eighth grader Lillian—qualified as individuals to go on to the state level. Additional participants included sixth graders Cora, Benjamin, and Miles and eighth grader Aryanna.
Words That Matter: A Workshop with Jimmy Santiago Baca
On January 27, Ms. Mac, Profe Rafa, and Mr. Pacheco collaborated to invite award-winning poet and screenplay writer Jimmy Santiago Baca to do an interactive workshop with some of our Bosque School students. This workshop aimed to show students the power of creative writing, provide Chicano representation, and allow students to learn from place by letting them meet a local writer.
Students from the Chicano storytelling class, Hispanic honors, and the Hispanic affinity groupall gathered to ask Jimmy questions about his life and how he used literacy and creative writing to lift himself out of poverty and away from a life of crime. To understand his process, students were given a prompt and encouraged to share their poetry with each other. Students also received copies of his poetry collection Martín and Meditations on the South Valley, some of which he signed.
WELLBEING
Supporting Transgender Awareness at Bosque School
On the evening of February 18, Bosque School’s WELLBEING department welcomed Adrien Lawyer—co-founder and director of education at the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico (TRCNM)—for a Transgender Cultural Fluency Training presented to the Bosque School community. Over 40 Bosque School students, parents, guardians, and staffulty members attended.
TRCNM brings its training program to schools, businesses, and other organizations to help people understand and support members of the transgender community. This two-hour program is designed to help anyone, regardless of their connection to the transgender community, improve their understanding of what it means to be transgender, including nuances of genetic biology and reproductive anatomy. The TRC approach is humanizing and science-backed, inspiring us to confront our cultural biases in a way that protects everyone’s dignity.
Bosque School Students Explore Civic Engagement and Wildlife Conservation
Bosque School's upper school students recently participated in two distinct educational experiences that provided unique insights into legislative processes and wildlife conservation.
In one group, students visited the New Mexico State Capitol as part of the Secure Water and Climate Future program. Organized by River Source, the students engaged with representatives from various schools across New Mexico. They observed legislative procedures, learned about bill introductions, and even heard one of their peers, Rowan, speak at a rally.
These experiences reflect Bosque School's commitment to hands-on learning, providing students with opportunities to understand civic processes and environmental stewardship. Some students, like Rowan, were so inspired that they immediately sought volunteer opportunities, demonstrating the program's impact on young learners.
Save the Date: Bosque School's First-Ever Bike-a-Thon, April 12!
Get ready to ride for a great cause! We’re thrilled to invite you to Bosque School’s first-ever Bike-a-Thon fundraiser—a fun-filled day of biking, community, and celebration. Whether you're an experienced cyclist or just love a good ride, this event is for everyone!
This Bike-a-Thon supports student financial aid and the Bosque School mountain bike team. While a $20 donation is encouraged to register, all contributions—big or small—are welcome. You can also increase your impact by securing donation pledges for each lap you complete!
Highlighting New Mexico's "Leaders of Enchantment"
Doug Campbell, a successful venture capitalist and philanthropist in Albuquerque, has made it his mission to showcase the incredible talent and achievements happening right in his own backyard. Through his "Leaders of Enchantment" podcast, Campbell aims to counter the constant negative narratives about New Mexico by highlighting the inspiring stories of local leaders. "There's a lot of cool people here doing really exciting stuff," Campbell shared. "My motivation with the 'Leaders of Enchantment' podcast is simply to highlight that—highlight what the leaders here in our state are doing, and highlight that from a career and life journey standpoint."
Bosque Dogs Bring Joy and Confidence to Sixth Graders in Spanish Reading Session
We all enjoy the presence of our Bosque dogs on campus as they stroll through the quad or greet students in staffulty offices. But on February 18, Bosque dogs Wally, Daisy, London, Maive, Molly, Diego, and Denver had a job! They and their staffulty owners hosted sixth graders throughout the day for a session (or more) of reading children's books in Spanish. Sixth-grade Spanish teacher Hayley Pedrick, who organized the activity, said, “I think that reading to animals helps kids to build confidence because they can practice their skills without fear of correction or embarrassment. I'm hoping we can create more opportunities for students to read to dogs.
This project was a pilot and a small step to help students strengthen their reading and speaking abilities in Spanish, but it also created a sense of community by bringing together staffulty, their precious pets, and our newest Bobcats!” As the sixth graders practiced their pronunciation and articulation and picked up new vocabulary, some of their canine listeners cuddled, some ran away, some fell asleep, and one seemed to give a skeptical side-eye the whole time, revealing an emotional range as varied as that of their human companions.
Superpowers & Support: Inside Bosque’s Newest Affinity Group
The newest affinity group at Bosque School brings together a community of people with superpowers, and they’ve been meeting regularly all year to share the challenges and advantages of being neurodivergent.
The group was created by junior Meena, who has worked tirelessly to bring together both middle and upper school students for lunch and special events each week to support one another, study topics related to neurodivergence, and explore new ways to thrive. Sponsored by Learning Specialist Amy Gurley and Middle School Counselor Dr. Becky Bone, the group drew its inspiration from a series of festive but noisy special events last spring that had some students asking for quieter alternatives. From that desire, “Silent Confetti” emerged: a quiet group activity available outside and away from the loud indoor activity.
Family Spotlight
Meet the Karnas Family
The Karnas family chose Bosque for its experiential learning and has stayed for its supportive community and excellent education. They appreciate the close-knit classroom settings and individual attention their children receive. Ana-Alicia describes Bosque as a school with integrity, while Mason values the real-world application of lessons. Their children have grown into confident learners, developing strong convictions and growing into their own identities. The Karnas family believes Bosque offers a valuable, challenging academic experience and prepares students for the future. We're thrilled to have them in our community!
Bobcat Highlight
Meet Paul, a curious and active 6th-grade Bobcat who brings energy to everything he does, from soccer and parkour to creative projects in Spanish class. Whether he’s painting flags, playing with friends at Fall Fiesta, or sharing his favorite book, Paul’s enthusiasm and love for learning shine through.
Staffulty Highlight
We're thrilled to welcome Pat Wilkins as Bosque School’s new Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO). A proud Bosque parent, fifth-generation New Mexican, and dedicated behind-the-scenes helper, Pat brings both professional expertise and a deep personal connection to our community.
Meet Savannah Miers, our Middle School Assistant, who brings warmth, experience, and a deep love for community to Bosque School. From supporting families to baking with her red-headed kiddos, Savannah’s story is one of connection and care.
We're excited to spotlight Mike Boring, Bosque’s talented Middle and Upper School performing arts accompanist. From musicals to music ministry (and a love for sudoku and chihuahuas!), Mike brings creativity and heart to everything he does.
Meet Diego Garcia, our Upper School Administrative Operational Assistant, who brings a love of reading, writing, and volleyball to the Bosque community. From supporting students to pursuing his goal of becoming a published poet, Diego is all about growth and creativity.
Bobcat Athletics
Congratulations to all our amazing Bobcat athletes on a fantastic winter season! We're so proud of all of you!
Submit photos and stories to our marketing and communications team, and your alumni photos and stories to the philanthropy department.