Bosque School Awarded Educational Leadership Grant
By Valery Galanter, Director of Philanthropy
It is with tremendous pride and excitement that I share that Bosque School has been awarded a prestigious $250,000 Educational Leadership Grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation. This highly competitive award will support and expand our signature Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program, deepening its impact and extending its reach. I hope you will take a few moments to read the article below for more about this extraordinary program and how this investment will accelerate its growth.
The Edward E. Ford Foundation, based in New York City, is one of the few foundations in the nation dedicated exclusively to supporting independent schools. Since our founding, Bosque School has been honored to receive support from the E.E. Ford Foundation three times, most recently in 2021, when a $100,000 grant helped launch our Immersives courses. In this current grant cycle, only five schools nationwide were selected to receive an Educational Leadership Grant. We are both proud and deeply humbled to be among them.
Our MRC program so powerfully reflects who we are as a school. It embodies our commitment to relevant, hands-on, and transformative learning while living out our belief in being a “private school with a public purpose.” Through authentic partnerships and real-world engagement, our students are addressing meaningful community needs, particularly in a state facing significant healthcare workforce shortages. Throughout the grant review process, it became clear that MRC is not only innovative but a true differentiator for Bosque School.
To maximize the impact of this award, the Foundation has challenged us to raise an additional $250,000 in matching funds by December 31, 2027. We are already in conversation with corporate and foundation partners who are eager to invest in this initiative, recognizing both its educational value and its importance in strengthening healthcare access across New Mexico. This grant affirms the power of our mission and our incredible students. I look forward to sharing continued updates as this work unfolds and invite you to read more below about the program and the journey that led to this exciting moment.
These Dollars Will Save Lives
The E.E. Ford Foundation recently awarded Bosque School one of its highest honors: the Educational Leadership Grant Award, which provides $250,000 for the school’s Medical Reserve Program (MRC). It includes a one-to-one matching fundraising challenge to establish a permanent endowment for the program. This is a next-level, eye-popping, game-changing opportunity for the school and the program.
Save the Date for Founder's Days: April 15th & 16th
Founder's Days is not just any fundraising campaign—it's an online giving event dedicated to raising crucial support for our Bosque Fund. During these two days, we come together as a community to make a lasting impact by contributing to our shared goals and vision. Stay tuned for details!
- Bosque School Awarded Educational Leadership Grant
- These Dollars Will Save Lives
- Save the Date for Founder's Days: April 15th & 16th
- We ❤️ Art
- Celebrating Our Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winners!
- Maya Awarded Davis New Mexico Scholarship
- Daniel Performs at the White House
- Inaugural Hall of Fame Ceremony
- Spread the Word! Bridge Dialogue Conference for High School Students
- Give Them a Summer to Remember
- Congratulations to Mark Giesmann
- CHECK IT OUT
- Whole Child Wellness: The Family Resource Collection
- Meet the Bosque Ambassadogs!
- Middle School Robtics Heads to State
- Bosque Students Attend UWC-USA Conference
- Bosque Students Collaborate On ME/WE Projects
- LEAVE A REVIEW ABOUT BOSQUE SCHOOL, AND YOU COULD BE A WINNER!
- March 18: Staffulty work day – no classes
- March 30-April 3: Spring break, campus closed
- April 10: Middle school dance
- April 13: Upper School awards ceremony
- April 14: Middle school musical
- April 16: Seniors’ last day of classes
- April 17: Campus closed
- April 24: Grand finale performances and Art Crawl
- April 29-30: Senior Colloquium
We ❤️ Art
While most Bosque School classrooms buzz with noise — students and teachers collaborating to make meaning across the curriculum — visual arts studios are dedicated to developing student voices without the cacophony. While the room might still hum with conversation, the focus is on the internal dialogue within each student artist, responding to questions about who they are and how to interpret the world around them through the mostly silent language of the tangible and visible. This issue’s department spotlight highlights our four visual arts department teachers: Alaura Nellos, Sasha Custer, David Minkus, and Nick Otero. As artists themselves, each brings a range of experiences, skills, and talents, with a consistent commitment to guiding Bosque School students toward a love of the visual arts and the confidence to discover and express themselves.
Celebrating Our Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winners!
We are proud to share that several of our talented visual arts students received recognition in this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition! The Gold Key and Silver Key works were featured in an exhibition at Orpheum Events Space, and all the winners’ works are featured online: https://newmexicoartawards.wordpress.com/2026-honorable-mention-winners/ Congratulations to all! We are so proud of these students for their creativity and hard work! Award Winners:
- Cheyenne A. ’26 – Gold Key (Photography), Silver Key (Painting)
- Amelia B. ’26 – Painting
- Kiki B. ’28 – Painting
- Abby C. ’28 – Sculpture
- Addi F. ’26 – Gold Key (Digital Painting)
- Lauren J. ’26 – Gold Key (Mixed Media)
- Rainey K. ’27 – Sculpture
- Emmy S. ’26 – Silver Key (Illustration)
- Milo W. ’27 – Gold Key (Painting)
- Gabby Y. ’28 – Sculpture
Maya Awarded Davis New Mexico Scholarship
Bosque School is proud to recognize Maya ('26) as a recipient of the Davis New Mexico Scholarship! This full-ride scholarship is annually awarded to approximately 50 first-generation college students from New Mexico. Students who receive the scholarship are selected based on success in rigorous high school courses, school involvement, and the ability to articulate their resiliency for success in higher education. The Davis New Mexico Scholarship partners with six schools for recipients' higher education: the University of Chicago, the University of Denver, the University of Portland, Occidental College, Southwestern University, and St. Edwards University. Maya’s top school choice is the University of Chicago, and she will be the ninth Bosque School Bobcat to receive the Davis Scholarship. Since its founding in 2014, the Davis New Mexico Scholarship has awarded more than $54 million in scholarships and $3.7 million in grant awards. Congratulations, Maya!
Daniel Performs at the White House
Bosque School student Daniel, a Bosque School freshman and the son of math teacher Hannah Choi, traveled very far from home to perform at the White House during the 2025 holiday season. The annual tradition brought volunteers from across the country to decorate the public rooms and to perform holiday music for the thousands of guests who visit during December. According to the White House, 26 volunteer performer groups from 22 states were selected to share their music throughout the season. Group sizes ranged from solo performers to ensembles of more than 30 members, featuring choirs, jazz bands, and instrumentalists whose performances reflected the diversity and richness of American musical traditions.
Daniel has been studying classical piano for the past 12 years, with both Falko Steinbach at UNM and Tatyana Bayliyeva at the Albuquerque Institute of Music. Ms. Bayliyeva encouraged Daniel and his older brother to submit an application and audition tape, and the two were delighted and honored to be selected. Although their audition tape was a duet performance of a classical piano sonata composed by Hanna Kulentry, the White House asked them to come prepared with a suite of traditional holiday songs, including “O Holy Night,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Joy to the World” to fill a two-hour slot in the program. Preparing and rehearsing all this new music was a challenge, as was the timing of their assigned day: Saturday, December 13, the weekend before finals. Nevertheless, the Choi family traveled to Washington, D.C., that weekend with their guests, and Daniel made it back in time to take his exams. A highlight of the experience was playing on a Steinway piano that virtuoso Andrea Bocelli had played the week prior.
Inaugural Hall of Fame Ceremony
Thank you to all those who joined us for our inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, "For the Love of Athletics." It was a truly memorable and meaningful evening as we celebrated the athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors whose dedication and sportsmanship have shaped Bosque athletics. This special night honored the 2026 class of inductees and reflected on the legacy they have built—one that continues to inspire our students and strengthen our community. Seeing generations of Bobcats gathered together in the gym was a powerful reminder of the spirit, determination, and community that have defined Bosque athletics since our earliest days. The launch of the Athletics Hall of Fame marks an exciting chapter in preserving and celebrating our school’s rich athletic history, and we are thrilled to have shared this milestone with so many of our Bosque friends and families.
Spread the Word! Bridge Dialogue Conference for High School Students
Bosque School's Bridge Dialogue Club students are hosting a dialogue conference for New Mexico high school students, and we are hoping you'll help SPREAD THE WORD, This free conference will take place at Bosque School in Albuquerque on April 18, 2026, from 10 am–3 pm. During the conference, students will engage in dialogue with one another on topical issues led by their peers. This is a space for meaningful conversation — no debate, no pressure — just respectful dialogue about what matters most to you. 🍕 Free pizza and snacks provided throughout the day. 🎤 Topics chosen by students. 🤝 Learn and practice facilitation skills.
Give Them a Summer to Remember
With Bosque Summer, kids can build their own adventure with the flexibility of our weeklong half and full-day programs for students entering grades K–12. Whether you seek academic enrichment, creative adventures, skill development, meaningful movement, or just plain fun, Bosque Summer has you covered! Our full-day camps are specially designed for students entering grades 1–8. They are built on the pillars of creativity, discovery, movement, and performance, with students taking one class from each section daily. The programs culminate in a Friday showcase on the Bosque School campus for parents and families. Pick your passion with Bosque Summer's half-day camp options. These half-day weeklong programs allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the topics they are most interested in.
Congratulations to Mark Giesmann
We are proud to share that Mark Giesmann, Director of College Counseling and 11th-Grade Dean, has been recognized as a 2026 Counselor That Change Lives by Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL). This national honor celebrates counselors whose work reflects CTCL’s mission to promote a student-centered college search process — one that encourages students to look beyond ratings and rankings to find colleges that foster a lifelong love of learning. Mark’s dedication to our students and families, particularly in today’s complex and evolving college landscape, exemplifies this mission. Through thoughtful guidance, strong partnership, and tireless advocacy, he helps students discover not just where they can attend college, but where they will truly thrive. Please join us in congratulating Mark on this well-deserved recognition.
Are you looking to reconnect with the Bosque School community in a meaningful way? We are currently hiring for several staffulty positions and invite parents, alumni, and community members to consider joining our team. This is a wonderful opportunity to work alongside our inspiring students and dedicated staffulty in the community that means so much to all of us. If you’re interested in becoming part of the Bosque team, we encourage you to explore the current openings listed below. We would love to welcome you back and continue the story together!
CHECK IT OUT
By Rachel Patton, Librarian
With February in the rearview mirror, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge that it was a month of celebrations. We celebrated Black History Month, the month of Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, Groundhog Day, and the Super Bowl. It was also the month of one of my favorite holidays. February 14 was Library Lovers’ Day. In fact, the whole month was Library Lovers’ Month. I love this because I love libraries and I LOVE love — all of the kinds of love in all its messy, complicated, beautiful forms. As much as I LOVE love, I also know that Valentine’s Day can be complicated. For some, it’s joyful. For others, it can feel lonely, commercialized, or heavy with expectations. That’s because love isn’t just one thing. It’s not only romantic, heart-shaped, or wrapped in pink. There are so many kinds of love — friendship, community, mentorship, self-love, love for a pet, love of place, love of learning. A couple of years ago, I heard one of my favorite authors speak. Kate DiCamillo writes brilliant, poignant stories for kids that are crafted so masterfully that they also resonate deeply with adults. She said one thing I still think about: “Every good story is a love story.” Every good story is about someone caring deeply about something or someone. Good stories are about hope, belonging, sacrifice, friendship, and home. Even stories about loss are love stories. At Morning Meeting, upper school counselor Stephanie Andre reminded us that love isn’t just poetic, it’s biological. She spoke about the mental health benefits of our brain’s “love chemicals,” especially oxytocin, which supports bonding, trust, and emotional well-being. Feeling connected to others through friendship, kindness, and shared experience literally helps our brains and bodies thrive. In a world that can sometimes feel rushed or divided, stories slow us down. They invite us to care. And caring, at its core, is love. So whether your life right now feels sweet, complicated, joyful, or tender, I hope you find your way to a story. Because every good story is a love story.
Whole Child Wellness: The Family Resource Collection
By: Dr. Becky Bone, Middle School Counselor
An idea that has been in the works for a couple of years is the Family Resource Collection in our Bosque School library. Given that we now have a full-time librarian (yay, Rachel Patton!), we decided it was the right time to bring this idea to light. The Family Resource Collection in the library will grow over time and include books that have been helpful to me as a parent raising three adolescents, as well as books recommended to me by other parents and educators. Many of these resources have informed my pedagogical practices in the classroom with adolescents. Our Family Resource Collection will contain books geared toward raising well-adjusted, mentally capable adolescents, as well as resources focused on neurodiversity, mental health during adolescence, including the college years, and talking to your adolescent about sexual health. There will be resources about the importance of sleep and minimizing technology exposure, and how to help your student manage anxiety and depression. If there is a book you have found especially helpful as a parent or educator of adolescents, please reach out, and we will add it to the growing collection. We look forward to families being able to check out these resources in the next couple of weeks and hope they are beneficial for everyone raising adolescents. Happy Reading!
Meet the Bosque Ambassadogs!
Bosque’s Ambassadogs now have their own webpage! These friendly pups are some of our very favorite community members, and they support our community by bringing smiles, reducing stress, and adding a little extra joy to campus life. Visit the new page to learn more about the Ambassadogs, see their photos, and find out where you might spot them around campus.
Middle School Robtics Heads to State
Bosque School's robotics club, coached by teachers Spencer Baum and Trista Fussner, which is open to both middle and upper schoolers, competes on the VEX Robotics platform. This season's challenge, "Push Back," tasks teams with designing robots capable of collecting uniquely shaped game pieces, loading them into raised scoring troughs, and outmaneuvering opponents in real time. It's engineering, strategy, and teamwork under pressure, and our students are rising to the occasion brilliantly. This year, three of our middle school teams have already qualified for the middle school state championship, and the upper school team built a sophisticated robot that not only collects game pieces but uses an onboard color sensor to decide in real time whether to score them or stash them inside the robot. This is what's possible when students are given time, guidance, and the freedom to create. Bosque Robotics allows students to grow their skills across years, building skills and confidence that extend far beyond the competition floor.
Students and staffulty from Bosque School attended the annual conference at UWC-USA with high school students from around the world. This year's conference focused on the "Attention Economy," and how we can regain control of our attention in a world driven to control and commodify it. While there, they also enjoyed connecting with UWC's international community and with students and faculty from schools across the state.
Bosque Students Attend UWC-USA Conference
Students and staffulty from Bosque School attended the annual conference at UWC-USA with high school students from around the world. This year's conference focused on the "Attention Economy," and how we can regain control of our attention in a world driven to control and commodify it. While there, they also enjoyed connecting with UWC's international community and with students and faculty from schools across the state.
Bosque Students Collaborate On ME/WE Projects
This year, seventh-grade students partnered with upper school students enrolled in STAM (Statistics and Applied Math) to analyze data for their Me/We inquiry projects. As part of these projects, seventh graders develop original research questions about identity and belonging within our community and collect survey data to explore those questions. STAM students then applied the statistical concepts they have been learning in class to analyze the survey results and shared their findings with the seventh-grade research teams. The seventh graders will present their final research—incorporating this collaborative data analysis—at the annual Me/We Conference on March 4.
Submit photos and stories to our marketing and communications team, and your alumni photos and stories to the philanthropy department.