The Path April 2025

An Albuquerque Academy Community Newsletter

Memories in the Making at GrandDays

Grandparents and grandfriends filled the campus for two unforgettable days of exploration, connection, and fun in early spring. Nearly 900 grands joined students in classrooms, shared lunch in the dining halls, enjoyed student performances, and posed for photos — bringing joy and energy to every corner of campus.

Throughout the day, guests sipped coffee, explored the Simms Library Art Gallery, browsed the Charger Bookstore, and relaxed at Common Grounds Café. The event wrapped up in Simms Auditorium with student performances and a few words from Associate Head of School Christine Lenhart, bringing GrandDays to a meaningful close.

It was a joy to see so many visitors experiencing campus life alongside their students. GrandDays is all about celebrating family and education, strengthening the bonds between Chargers and their loved ones, and highlighting the Academy’s commitment to community and lifelong learning.

Symphonic Band Gets a Taste of the Disney Experience

Albuquerque Academy’s Symphonic Band — 25 performing arts students with three chaperones – traveled to Anaheim for an immersive experience at Disney Imagination Campus. At a Disney recording studio, students worked with a professional conductor to sight-read and record authentic Disney soundtrack music, complete with headsets and a “click track,” just like the pros. Afterward, they watched their performance synced with a Disney animation scene and learned about careers in studio music.

The trip also included a tour of downtown Hollywood and the Hollywood Bowl, a visit to the Getty Museum to explore ancient art and cultures, and a stop at the Santa Monica Pier — plus a day at Disneyland to cap off the adventure.

Thank you to the donors who helped make this trip possible and to the four musicians who documented the trip: Nyna Preston ’28, Ezra Guerra ’27, Sara Chehy ’25, and Sierra Sedillo ’25.

“This trip was such a wonderful privilege, and I am so glad I got to experience this with the band. I love our band, and I was so excited when Mr. Corbin told us we were actually going to get to go. Not only did we get to record pieces of Disney soundtracks in the Disney Imagination Campus and go to Disneyland Park, but we also got to experience the amazing Getty Museum, Grand Central Market, the Hollywood Bowl Museum, and the picturesque Santa Monica Pier. I am so thankful for Mr. Corbin, our amazing chaperones, and everyone who went on the trip and made it a fun time. It was truly magical, and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate senior year of band and Mr. Corbin’s 30th year of teaching than this epic trip!” ~Sierra

Group sunset selfie on Santa Monica Pier

Sunset at the beach

I learned how music, and a common love for it, can bring even the most different people together. If it wasn’t for this band program at Albuquerque Academy, I would not be friends with many people that I now consider very close. During the trip, my fellow band members and I would often relate things that we saw or did to things we encountered while playing music—whether it was hitting someone in the head with a water bottle to demonstrate crescendos or decrescendos or singing songs on the long bus ride and wondering how difficult it would be to play them.” ~Nyna

In-N-Out Burger

Disneyland ride

Getty Center overlook of the city

Hollywood Bowl Museum

Santa Monica Pier

One of the best parts of the trip was laughing with everyone and making jokes throughout the trip! Between the excitement of the rides and Juan losing his voice from screaming so loud, this whole trip was incredible!" ~Sara

Disney California Adventure at night

Band group photo at the Getty Garden

Welcome New Chargers!

Welcome Event Drew New Families Together

Nearly 200 new students will join our community next school year, and we were excited to welcome them at our New Charger Family Picnic, where new students had a chance to meet their future classmates and parents learned how they can get involved in the Academy community.

These Chargers make up a fantastic group that will join us from more than 65 different schools. Fifty-six percent of our newly enrolled students self-report as students of color, and we are especially pleased to be able to offer tuition assistance to 28% of our new Chargers. Our newest students speak 22 languages other than English, ranging from Swedish to Arabic and Punjabi to Romanian.

Matt Rohde ’02 Brings Professional Experience Back to Campus

Albuquerque Academy alum Matt Rohde ’02 recently returned to campus not just as a performer but as a mentor, working with students as part of a Levanta Institute event that brought world-class musicians to the Academy. “Matt is one of the most remarkable students I’ve had the privilege of working with at the Academy,” said Mickey Jones, director of the Levanta Institute. “A brilliant musician and proud Albuquerque native, he played a pivotal role in shaping Albuquerque Academy’s nationally recognized guitar program. His impact as a student was extraordinary, and it’s a joy to have him back as a performer, mentor, and inspiration to the next generation.”

The Levanta Institute’s latest event not only featured the live performance of a newly composed score alongside Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog, but also created a rare opportunity for performing arts students to learn from accomplished professionals.

Joseph V. Williams II, working with advanced guitar students

Composer Joseph V. Williams II, whose score accompanied the film, worked directly with the Academy’s guitar students, providing insight into his creative process and helping them explore the connection between composition and performance. Michal Shein, a distinguished cellist from the New England Conservatory, collaborated with the school’s advanced string ensemble, sharing her expertise in technique and interpretation.

Michal Shein, collaborating with advanced string ensemble

In addition, the renowned guitarists performing for The Lodger — Adam Levin, Scott Borg, and Matt — engaged with 6-7 students through performances and a Q&A session, giving them the opportunity to ask questions about careers in music, practice habits, and the evolution of classical guitar.

Matt Rohde '02, pictured second from left

Junior on a Mission to Make Tennis More Inclusive

From a seven-year-old picking up a racquet at Think Summer to leading her own tennis event as an Academy junior, Naomi Brundage’s journey has come full circle.

Naomi, left, age seven, with her older sister Emma '24, age nine

For her Girl Scouts Gold Award project, she organized Arthur Ashe Day, bringing 21 young players from Jack and Jill of America to the Academy’s courts.

Photo by J. Free

Inspired by Ashe’s legacy, she wanted to break barriers and make tennis more diverse and accessible. “The lack of diversity and accessibility is a huge problem in tennis that I am passionate about fixing,” says Naomi.

Photo by J. Free

With the help of Coach Amy Badger, the Academy tennis team, and an incredible group of volunteers, the event combined life skills, mentorship, and match play. “I hope to create inclusive spaces and offer students the chance to experience the joy and lifelong benefits of the sports.”

Naomi Brundage '25, right; photo by J. Free

See the news story with coverage from the Albuquerque Journal

Sports and Activities Wrap Up

Record Number of Chargers Qualify for State Powerlifting

This season, Albuquerque Academy qualified its largest group yet for the NMAA State Powerlifting Championships. To earn a spot at state, each athlete had to rank among the top eight lifters in their weight class across New Mexico.

In girls’ weight classes, Leia Koudelka ’28 placed in the top five, and Juli Cushing ’25 finished in the top four. On the boys’ side, Cody Sandoval ’25 and Yone Lim ’25 both secured top-four finishes, and Grant Richardson ’25 won bronze.

HOSA Shines at State Conference, Prepares for International Stage

Academy students made their mark at the HOSA State Leadership Conference, with 13 earning recognition across 36 competitions —and many preparing to attend the International Leadership Conference this June. In just four years, our HOSA (Future Health Professionals) chapter has grown from four to nearly 30 students. This year, 23 students in grades 9–12 represented Academy at state. Read the full news story.

Science Fair Club Snags Numerous Awards at Central NM Event

Seventeen members of the Science Fair Club took part in the Central New Mexico STEM Research Challenge, with Ahana Kushik ’28 and Sowmya Sankaran ’27 earning spots at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May and several students qualifying for the state science fair on April 12: Andrew Auyang ’31, Max Berger ’30 and Felix Gray ’30, Iris Huang ’30, Sahana Paruchuri ’30 and Elena Schwarz ’30, Eddy Bielejec ’28, and Aarush Tutiki ’27 as well as Sowmya and Ahana. Read the full news story.

Ten Chargers Qualify for National S&D Debate Championship

Ten Academy students — twice as many as last year — have qualified for the National Speech & Debate Championship, and four were crowned district champions, at the 2025 District National Qualifier Tournament at the end of March. Read the full news story.

Twelve Academy Students Earn High Marks at State Math Contest

Open to students in grades 5-12, the PNM-UNM Statewide High School Mathematical Contest aims to promote mathematics education in New Mexico. The contest features two rounds: an online preliminary exam and an in-person final round at the University of New Mexico. Finalists not only compete in a challenging written exam but also attend a presentation by a distinguished mathematician or statistician. Each year, 700 to 1,200 students across the state participate, showcasing their problem-solving skills and mathematical ingenuity.

This year, 12 Academy students received recognition. Read the full new story.

Out of Uncertainty and Peril, Gratitude and Generosity

To shine a light on the transformative power of tuition assistance, Alumni Council member Ted Alcorn ’01 is telling the stories of alumni who were grateful recipients during their Academy years.

By Ted Alcorn ’01

Ian Bourland ’00 was in fifth grade when his world fell apart.

Up until then, he’d led, in his words, a “beautiful North Valley idyllic childhood,” with a house in a quiet neighborhood near parks where he played soccer, the pizzeria he favored for a quick slice, and beloved exhibits of the Museum of Natural History and Science.

He was on the cusp of middle school when his dad, the family’s sole breadwinner, abruptly left Albuquerque for a hardscrabble town in southwestern Wyoming. Over the next two years, Ian’s parents’ marriage unraveled, leaving his mom raising two young children and trying to rebuild her own life from the ground up.

The trio were living out of suitcases, Ian recalled, including a period with extended family in Washington State. Even after they found stable housing, finances remained precarious.

The Academy turned out to be a lifeline of sorts. Ian, who had attended the school’s summer camp and had always wanted to be a full-time student, applied. Friends chipped in to host him so he could return to Albuquerque and interview. He was one of just a handful of students accepted into the 8th grade and was offered full tuition assistance.

“My getting into the Academy was the reason we came back” to New Mexico, he said. If not for that decision, “I don’t know what would have happened to me.”

Even with financial aid, attending the school was a stretch. His mom was heading back to school, too, on top of working two jobs. Required books sometimes stressed the family budget.

But other lifelines kept dropping into the water. He found his way onto the debate team, where coaches Kevin Hall and Randy McCutcheon contrived to bring him to tournaments and training camps his family could not afford. His French teacher, Barbara Reeback, pointed him toward a program that would put him up in France for a summer, to better his language skills.

Ian, center, pictured with North Valley friends Jonathan Kirschner '00 and Ross Calvin

Those experiences “radically shaped who I am and completely changed my life,” Ian said. He hadn’t asked for them, hadn’t known what to ask for. “Someone was just looking out for me.”

With hindsight, he felt like faculty treated him and other students not as kids to be managed but as precocious adults, even when they tested boundaries. He dyed his hair, got caught smoking cigarettes up by the tennis courts, and wore offensive punk shirts. It doubtless annoyed administrators, but they didn’t throw him out. “There was just a sense that we were kind of a big family.”

That’s something he recognizes at Georgetown University, where he now chairs the department of art and art history. In that role, he’s pushed for a curriculum that takes in a more global sweep and is more attentive to power.

Ian pictured at Georgetown University with Frida

As a Jesuit institution, the school emphasizes cura personalis — care for the whole person — and for Ian, that is a continuation of what he experienced at the Academy. “It was a place with a sense of holistic education,” he said. “Care for your city, care for ecology, care for the people around you — be an ethical actor in the world.”

The hard times his family experienced are with him still, too. “It increased my sense of how provisional and contingent everything is, but that reminds me to be grateful,” he said, and “to look out for the next generation and my students and my friends in the same way.”

Record-Breaking Results for Spring Day of Giving

You did it! Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Albuquerque Academy community, our Spring Day of Giving was a tremendous success! We raised an unprecedented $572,351 from 614 gifts during Spring Day of Giving —more than tripling our original goal. This total includes over $219,851 raised through our new giving platform and other payment methods, as well as $352,500 secured through major gift efforts in the form of multi-year pledges and new endowed funds. Most contributions will support the Academy Fund, helping meet the school’s greatest needs while honoring 50 years of Bear Canyon and ensuring its legacy for future generations.

Community at Its Best

This campaign was powered by passionate outreach from alumni, parents, faculty, and friends. From matching gift incentives to heartfelt emails like Chuck Larrabee ’71’s nostalgic appeal (complete with vintage rocket launch photos), this was a true community effort.

Celebrating the Heart of Ex Ed

To honor 50 years of Bear Canyon and the spirit of experiential education, we're also excited to highlight some of the incredible faculty members who make these transformative experiences possible. Read their profiles to get to know the people who bring learning to life —on the trail, in the canyon, and beyond.

Class Challenge Winners

Alumni Class with Highest Participation: Class of 2000 — enjoy your Bear Canyon brunch during Alumni Weekend!

Grade Level with Highest Participation: Class of 2031 (6th grade) — Dion’s pizza party coming your way!

There’s Still Time to Give

While our Spring Day of Giving campaign has officially closed, we’re still working toward our annual Academy Fund goal of $1,200,000. We remain $400,000 short of this goal for unrestricted dollars used to meet the school’s greatest needs. Please join us in keeping Albuquerque Academy strong for future generations.

Give Now

New Bus Service Begins in August

Getting to and from Albuquerque Academy will soon be a little easier for many families! We’re excited to announce that next school year, the Academy is launching bus service that will provide convenient transportation options.

There are two routes, with stops in the downtown and westside areas. Registration opened in March, and spots are still available. Get more details and sign up here.

Advanced Spanish Students Visit Sister School in Ecuador

Ten sophomores and juniors from our advanced Spanish classes (Spanish III to AP Spanish) had the incredible opportunity to visit our sister school in Ecuador over spring break! They dove headfirst into the vibrant culture, attending school with their host siblings, experiencing everyday life with their Ecuadoran families, and exploring sites like Yambo Lake, waterfalls, and hot springs.

Eighth Grader Repeats as State Spelling Bee Champion

Eighth-grader Keith Lee ’29 has once again claimed the top spot at the New Mexico State Spelling Bee, winning his second title in three years. After a tense final round, Lee secured the victory by spelling puparium and verbigerate correctly. Read the website story for more.

Student Senate Serves Up Thanks to SAGE

Continuing an Academy tradition, the 10-12 student senators were up bright and early on a recent school morning to prepare a pancake and sausage breakfast for the SAGE Dining team.

The breakfast is a small gesture of appreciation for the countless ways SAGE staff support the Academy community each day. While the menu may have been simple, the sentiment was sincere — thanking those who take care of everyone else all year long.

It’s Never Too Early to Think About Alumni Weekend

Alumni Weekend 2025: September 19-20

Mark your calendars — Alumni Weekend 2025 is coming up, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to campus! From the Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Dinner to a true New Mexico balloon glow, Bear Canyon hikes, benchmark reunions, and plenty of activities in between, the weekend promises something for everyone. Whether it’s your reunion year or you’re just looking for a chance to reconnect, we hope you’ll join fellow Chargers in celebrating the memories, friendships, and spirit that make our community so special. The full schedule is now available on the Academy website, and registration will open this summer!

Reunions

Class years ending in 5 or 0 — your reunion year is here! If you haven’t been contacted by your reunion planning team, it might be time to update your contact details with us at advancement@aa.edu. Many reunion groups are also looking for extra hands to help plan and make the celebration even more memorable. Want to get involved and support your class? Reach out to us at alumnicouncil@aa.edu — we’d love to have you on board!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 | Alumni Awards Dinner | Balloon Glow

More Upcoming Events

Volunteer Breakfast | Wednesday, April 30 | 7:30-9 a.m. | RSVP

Commencement | Saturday, May 24 | 9:15 a.m. | Get Details

Photo Gallery

Visit us at aa.edu.

For more school new, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.