An Albuquerque Academy Community Newsletter
Contents
Students Reflect on Global Study Experiences | Browse Course Options Online | Think Summer Registration Begins February 9 | What I Learned in School: Think Summer | Robotics Team Earns Place at First Tech Challenge Qualifiers | What I Learned in School: Academy Traditions | Levanta Spring Classes Offer Hands-On Creativity | For Michael Ulku-Steiner ’88, Teaching is Holy | Academy Programs Recognized as Best of the City | U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze Visits Campus | Athletics Headlines | Three Charger Spellers Advance to District Bee | Re-enrollment Contracts Coming Soon | Celebrating the Influence of LGBTQIA+ Fashion | Campus Spotlight: Student-Athlete College Outreach | Alumni Reunite for a Festive Holiday Evening | Upcoming Events | Photo Gallery
Students Reflect on Global Study Experiences
When Amaya Lucio ’27 learned she had been selected for a fully funded international exchange through AFS Faces of America, her reaction was a mix of excitement and disbelief. She hadn’t applied for the program herself and didn’t even know it existed until she was nominated through the school. Suddenly, she was preparing for her first trip outside the United States.
“I’m excited to see a different country because I’ve never left the U.S. before,” Amaya said. “I’m excited to navigate culture shock and gain a whole new set of perspectives and see things that I wouldn’t see here.”
Next summer, Amaya will travel to Spain for a two-week homestay. Until recently, international travel wasn’t on her radar. A junior who takes French at the Academy, she has started learning Spanish through Duolingo in preparation for the trip. Outside the classroom, Amaya runs cross country, plays tennis, enjoys photography and drawing, and likes to crochet and read. She moved to Albuquerque from the Pueblo of Acoma to attend the Academy, a transition that marked a significant change in her daily life. For Amaya, the program seems manageable in part because of its length. “Two weeks feels like the right amount of time,” she said. “I want to explore, but I don’t think I could be away from home for too long.” Still, she’s eager to step outside her comfort zone — trying new foods, seeing historic buildings, and living with a host family.
That excitement is grounded by advice from someone who has already gone through it: Iyla Hernden ’26. Now a senior, Iyla traveled to Germany last summer as part of the same program, joining students from across the U.S. and Germany for a two-week program focused on social and environmental justice. It was her first time traveling abroad as well, and she arrived knowing little about what the days would hold. What stood out most was the intensity of shared experience. Living in a hostel with other students, attending daily seminars, and navigating unfamiliar cities together quickly built a sense of closeness. “This kind of closeness is something you could not even begin to simulate,” Iyla wrote in a blog during the program. “When you’re living, speaking, and moving with the same people for hours and hours a day without end, you’re bound to get to know them.”
A musician and writer, Iyla found the opportunity shaped both her independence and her academic interests. Conversations with German peers — many of whom were deeply engaged with politics, sustainability, and global issues — pushed her to think differently about civic engagement and her own voice. She later drew on the time abroad in her college essays and now hopes to pursue economics and journalism, with plans to study abroad again in college. As Amaya prepares for her journey next summer, she has already connected with Iyla, who has shared insights and encouragement from her own trip. Their journeys mark different points in the program’s cycle — one reflecting, one just beginning — but both underscore how meaningful learning can happen well beyond the classroom.
Featured photo: Ilya Hernden '26
Browse Course Options Online
Whether you’re looking for a great elective to round out your schedule or wondering what you would take if you were a Charger in 2026, visit our online curriculum guide to explore the Academy’s hundreds of course options. The guide has just been updated so that students can begin planning for next school year. Filter by department, grade, and/or term to hone in on exactly what you’re looking for, and create an account to save favorites. It’s also simple to access the 78 AP and Advanced courses for 10-12 students and the 30 pass/fail electives that 8-9 students may take as an optional second elective. Unique offerings like Animation and Game Design, Personal Finance, Advanced Research in Molecular Genetics, Atomic America, Global Dance, and Fiber Arts are back, and the handful of new classes include Advanced English IV themes — Dangerous Ideas and Spitting Off the Edge of the World: How Books, Music, and Visual Arts Make Us Feel Alive; Your Rights, Your Responsibilities: Practical Law; and Spanish V: Luces, Camaras, ¡Acción! Cine y cultura en el mundo hispanohablante.
Think Summer Registration Begins February 9 at 8 a.m.
Think Summer marks 42 years of bringing summer energy — and the broader Albuquerque community — to Albuquerque Academy’s campus. It’s a tradition many of us know well — one that reflects the Academy at its best, from imaginative classrooms and expert instructors to the easy sense of belonging that develops when students spend their summers learning together. Each summer, our beautiful campus is full of life. The library overflows with young readers from pre-K through 12th grade, the pool hosts everyone from competitive swimmers to those cooling off from the heat, and classrooms hum with activity — music, pottery wheels, wood saws, and plenty of laughter. The Path is busy, and students form friendships that often last well beyond the summer. Think Summer is a chance for students to experience the Academy in a joyful, exploratory way, whether they’re returning year after year or joining us for the first time. As you talk with friends, colleagues, and alumni, we hope you’ll help spread the word — especially to families who may be looking for a meaningful summer experience for their children. Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, February 9. The latest program details are available on the Think Summer website, and we look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces back to campus this summer!
What I Learned in School: Think Summer
We talked to Shelly Campbell about the early days of the Academy summer program in our latest episode of What I Learned in School. With registration for Think Summer 2026 opening February 9, it's the perfect time to hear how Shelly built the program into a nationally recognized model. With her background in public schools and UNM’s alternative teacher certification program, Shelly's work continues to shape student experiences today. Plus, don’t miss our teacher feature with photography teacher Alex McLaughlin '19.
Robotics Team Earns Place at First Tech Challenge Qualifiers
Four Academy eighth graders — Max Berger, Oceanna Li, Elana Schwarz, and Sahana Paruchuri — and their coach, Jay Garcia, took fifth place at the FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifiers with their robot, Cappuccino. Known as the Coffee Coders, the team looks forward to competing for the state championship in February. They designed, built, and programmed a robot capable of collecting balls from a central area and launching them into a goal. During the autonomous period, the robot operated without human input. Their autonomous programming “stood out as some of the strongest at the event,” said Coach Garcia. This is the team’s first year competing in the program, and they performed exceptionally well, finishing ahead of many veteran teams from across the state.
Students Recognized in New Mexico Scholastic Art Competition
Academy students earned dozens of honors in this year’s New Mexico Scholastic Art Competition, presented by the New Mexico Art Education Association (NMAEA) in partnership with the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Student works were recognized across all three award categories — Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention, showcasing a wide range of creative voices and artistic talent.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens, with more than 185,000 works submitted annually by students in grades 7-12. Winners advance to national adjudication with top recipients celebrated during events later in the spring and summer. This year’s statewide awards exhibition and reception are scheduled as follows.
- Exhibition: Artwork is on display at the Orpheum Community Hub (500 2nd St SW, Albuquerque) from February 6 through February 28.
- Awards Recognition Ceremony: February 28 at the South Broadway Cultural Center (1025 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque)
To see the full list of Academy recipients, visit the new story. For more information about the program, the official awards calendar, and the photo gallery of all winning artwork, visit the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards regional page.
Featured photo: Jeanette Oliva '28
What I Learned in School: Academy Traditions
Head of School Julianne Puente sits down with John Duncan ’62 in this episode of What I Learned in School to reflect on the traditions that have shaped Albuquerque Academy for more than 60 years. John shares stories from his time as one of the Academy’s very first graduates, recalling life on the original North Valley campus and the early customs that helped define what it means to be a Charger. Their conversation highlights enduring rituals — from Convocation and Community Day to quiet moments under the cottonwoods — that continue to connect generations of students and build a sense of belonging on campus. The episode also features Karen Glenn ’85 in the Teacher Feature segment, where she reflects on how these traditions influence the Academy experience today, offering insights from her perspective as an alum and faculty member.
Levanta Spring Classes Offer Hands-On Creativity
Spring is a season for exploring something you’ve always been curious about. This spring, the Levanta Institute for Music and Creativity invites adult learners to reconnect with creativity through welcoming, thoughtfully designed classes and workshops led by master instructors, including Albuquerque Academy alumni. Levanta’s spring offerings celebrate both tradition and experimentation. One of the most distinctive classes this season is Highland Bagpipes — a bold, expressive instrument rooted in centuries-old tradition and taught with care and approachability. It’s a perfect example of Levanta’s belief that it’s never too late to learn something unexpected. Also featured this spring is Knit T-Shirt Sewing, a practical and deeply satisfying class where students choose fabrics, experiment with seam finishes, and create a comfortable, wearable garment from scratch. For those drawn to color and process, Ink and Indigo: Block Printing & Natural Dyeing offers a hands-on exploration of natural dyes and printed textiles — equal parts craft, art, and creative joy. The class is taught by Albuquerque Academy alum Celine Gordon ’11 and has already generated strong interest. Additional offerings include:
- Music classes and private lessons for adult beginners and returning musicians, including guitar and harp
- Art and craft classes that emphasize skill, process, and creative confidence
- One-day workshops designed to fit busy schedules and encourage creative exploration
Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time, returning to a beloved art form, or simply looking to make something with your hands, Levanta offers a welcoming place to begin — or begin again. Spring registration is now open, and some classes are filling quickly. Classes start as early as January 27. Visit the Levanta website for full details and to register. We hope you’ll join us this spring and create something new!
For Michael Ulku-Steiner ’88, Teaching is Holy
To highlight the impact of Academy alumni in the field of education, Alumni Council member Ted Alcorn ’01 is sharing the stories of graduates who have devoted their careers to teaching, learning, and inspiring others.
Frank Slevin was dying, but that wasn’t going to keep him from the classroom. A legendary teacher who’d schooled generations of Albuquerque Academy students, he was diagnosed with cancer in early 1987, and when surgeons removed part of his jaw and throat, they’d also taken his ability to speak aloud. Students enrolled in his Advanced Placement English course that fall, including Michael Ulku-Steiner ’88, were told he might not return for it. But on the first day of the term, there he was, his iconic white beard gone and face scarred from the procedures, a copy of Heart of Darkness in hand. He would write a question on the board, Michael recalled, and so incisive was the thought he’d posed that the students would wheel off for minutes of discussion. Listening mutely, Mr. Slevin would follow the conversation with his eyes before returning to the board to tap it until the room fell silent. Then he’d write out another question. Michael still remembers this vividly, nearly 40 years later. “That was certainly sacred,” he said.
They had only a few weeks together. In September, Frank Slevin stopped coming in, and he died shortly thereafter. But now, midway through his own career as an educator, Michael can appreciate just how formative the experience was. He was part of the last all-boys class of sixth graders to enroll at the Academy. His classmates — who would go on to become actors, athletes, artists, and musicians — amazed him. “Everybody had some superpower or two,” he recalled. Middle school was rowdier without girls, he thought, but it made for intimacy among the boys that forged close ties. “It was a loony place — so much nonsense and hilarity and tomfoolery.” To this day, he counts a trio of classmates among his closest friends. It was still fun once girls joined in the ninth grade, he said, even if “it got complicated, and more civilized.”
The culture of curiosity and healthy competition pushed everyone academically, too. “It was a really rich soil for learning and never felt like it because it was so much fun to be there.” Michael did well in his classes and excelled at sports, including on a “radically undersized” basketball squad that nevertheless made it to the state semifinals at UNM’s Pit arena. But looking back, he saw himself “bouncing through like a pinball, doing what my parents and my peers and my teachers wanted me to do,” rather than captaining his own ship.
It was good enough to win him a Morehead Scholarship for four years at the University of North Carolina, where he studied English and Spanish and art history. Upon graduating four years later, looking for professional experience before law school and trying to stay near a girlfriend, he interviewed for a job at an independent school just down the road called Durham Academy. The role didn’t require a teaching certification and was an uncanny fit: the school needed an English and Spanish instructor, ideally one who could also coach baseball and basketball. Michael was hired — and terrified. At age 22, he was back in the classroom, closer in age to his pupils than to their parents. At an open house his first month, dressed to impress in his only blue blazer, he was welcoming families when a mother mistook him for a student guide and asked for directions to Mr. Steiner’s classroom.
“I was completely faking it and making it up as I went,” he said of those first years. But he had the right models.
I was acting like Bruce Musgrave and John Riley and Mike Brown and Martha Mentch, basically just channeling the good teachers and mentors and coaches I'd had.”
A passion for teaching quickly began to take hold in him — the challenge of planning lessons, watching the clock, tuning in to every student and how they were interacting with one another and with the material, “like a puzzle that never got dull.”
Three decades later, he’s still at Durham Academy, having learned to teach, then to administer, twice stepping away to educate overseas, always coming back. He watched his own children attend and graduate. Now 12 years into his term as head of school, a big part of his work is trying to keep kids thriving while also better connecting the school with the community — “more Durham, less Academy,” as he puts it. When he arrived in 1992, seven percent of students identified as people of color; now 50 percent do. He teaches, too, and still sometimes feels he’s ham-handedly stumbling through his lessons, making it up as he goes. But the question burning in him remains the same: how do we turn a child into a person with capacity and courage and compassion? His students poke fun at him for insisting they make the most of every single minute together, but it’s his way of affirming to them the most important lesson of all: the human potential all around us. “This matters,” he said. “Let's pay attention to each other.”
Academy Programs Recognized as Best of the City
We’re so grateful to our wonderful community for supporting Albuquerque Academy and it’s public programs in the 2025 Best of the City Awards from Albuquerque the Magazine! Congratulations to all of the local organizations recognized in this competition determined by reader votes. Best Youth Athletic Program: Charger Aquatics Top 5 Best Kids Camp: Think Summer Top 5 Best Education Classes: Levanta Institute for Music and Creativity Top 5 Best Private School: Albuquerque Academy Learn more about our youth and adult programs and admisson for Fall 2026 at the Academy website.
U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze Visits Campus
When students asked Arthur Sze how he first knew that writing was what he wanted to do, he traced the answer back to his freshman year at MIT. He arrived intending to study math and science, he told them but began taking poetry workshops almost by accident — a discovery that ultimately reshaped his academic path and his life’s work.
Now the 25th United States Poet Laureate, Arthur, visited campus as part of the Ogawa Speaker Series, speaking with students about how attentiveness to language, the natural world, and lived experience gradually drew him toward poetry. Living in Santa Fe, he has built a career that bridges disciplines, weaving scientific curiosity, ecological awareness, and translation into his writing. During his presentation, he reflected on how these influences shape his work and read poems inspired by moments of close attention — an owl lifting dust from its wings, light fading during a drive through New Mexico, ice melting into water — encouraging students to notice the ordinary details that can become sources of meaning.
Arthur described writing as a process of discovery rather than certainty, explaining that some of his strongest poems emerge when he does not know where they will end. Even in moments of uncertainty, he suggested, creativity offers clarity: a brief chance “to shine.” Student questions continued to shape the visit throughout the all-school assembly. They asked about balancing interests in science and the humanities, how poets find inspiration, and what it means to sustain a creative life over time. He emphasized curiosity and openness, encouraging students to follow interests even when the path ahead feels unclear.
A smaller group of students spanning all grades, along with Head of School Julianne Puente, Director of Diversity, Culture, and Belonging Peter Gloyd, and representatives from the Asian American Parent Council, continued the conversation with him over lunch, where questions turned more personal and exploratory. Students asked how writers draw from their cultural backgrounds, how long poems take to develop, and how poetry connects with other art forms. Arthur described translation as “the deepest form of reading” and encouraged students to read widely, collaborate with others, and engage deeply with language they love. His career also reflects a long-standing commitment to education and cultural exchange, including his work as a translator of Chinese poetry and his involvement with Native American education, arts, and creativity through the Institute of American Indian Arts. His visit invited students to see poetry not as a separate pursuit, but as something rooted in curiosity, attention, and lived experience — shaped as much by questions as by answers. Launched in 2023, the Ogawa Speaker Series is a platform for intellectual exploration designed to challenge conventional wisdom, question prevailing assumptions, and embrace growth in diversity, community, and belonging.
Athletics Headlines
Chargers Earn No. 1 MaxPreps Spot in NM and Recognized with Fall Sports Honors
- Journal’s 2025-all-metro-football-teams
- Journal presents its 2025 All-Metro soccer teams
- Meet the Journal's 2025 All-Metro volleyball team
Boys basketball preview: Who’s the ‘clear-cut No. 1’ in 4A? Girls basketball preview: Is Academy now the favorite in 4A?
Three Charger Spellers Advance to District Bee
Striding with confidence through a minefield of words like “sarsaparilla,” “crematorium,” “pâtisserie,” “diphtheria,” and “Charolais,” three spellers emerged victorious in the annual Academy Spelling Bee — seventh-grader Aadit Balwan and eighth-graders Sahana Paruchuri and Max Berger. All three will represent the Academy at the district bee on February 3. Thirty students took part in the bee, and numerous rounds were needed to pare down the strong competition.
Re-enrollment Contracts Coming Soon
Re-enrollment will open on January 30, and we ask that you complete the process through your ChargerHub parent portal by February 15. The only way to secure your child’s spot for the 2026-27 school year is to submit your enrollment contract and pay associated enrollment deposits and/or fees by this deadline. Watch your inbox on Friday, January 30, for an email with detailed re-enrollment instructions. To show our appreciation — and provide a friendly reminder about the upcoming deadline, faculty, staff, and the cheer team will be handing out a special Valentine’s Day treat during morning drop-off on February 13. Please look for them as you drop off your student that morning.
Celebrating the Influence of LGBTQIA+ Fashion
Allies, Friends, and Parents of LGBTQIA+ Academy Parent Council invites you to stop by to see and interact with the Celebrating the Influence of LGBTQIA+ Fashion display in Simms Library through Friday, January 30. Activities include a drawing for vintage shop Legos, a t-shirt logo/slogan design contest, and a challenging 500-piece puzzle.
Campus Spotlight: Student-Athlete College Outreach
More than 550 Academy graduates have continued their sport at the collegiate level. Shaun Gehres, director of the Student-Athlete College Outreach program, supports students by helping them explore as many options as possible throughout the college recruitment process.
Alumni Reunite for a Festive Holiday Evening
About 125 alumni gathered to celebrate the season at the Albuquerque Academy Alumni Holiday Party at Outpost 1706 on December 18. The night was filled with holiday cheer, warm conversations, and joyful reconnections with old friends and former teachers. Alumni Council President Noël Richeson '96 shared information about the meaningful work of the Alumni Council, encouraged fellow Chargers to get involved, and celebrated the tremendous success of our Giving TuesdAAy campaign, made possible by our supportive Academy family. We look forward to more opportunities in the new year to celebrate and connect with our extraordinary alumni community.
Upcoming Events
Pacific Northwest Regional Reception February 26
Albuquerque Academy is heading to the Pacific Northwest! Alumni and friends are invited to join us in Seattle on Thursday, February 26, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pike Place location of Old Stove Brewing Co. Head of School Julianne Puente will be there and looks forward to connecting with Academy alumni and supporters, sharing updates from campus, and celebrating the Academy community in the Pacific Northwest. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of conversation and connection. Register here.
GrandDays | April 6 and April 7
We are thrilled to welcome grandparents and grandfriends to campus this spring for a day filled with joy, connection, and cherished memories. GrandDays is one of Albuquerque Academy’s most beloved annual traditions, and we have an exciting event planned for 2026. Highlights include classroom activities led by our exceptional faculty, performances by our talented students, exploration of our beautiful campus, delicious meals prepared by SAGE, and a photo booth to capture this special event with a family portrait. GrandDays will be held over two days this spring.
- Monday, April 6, grades 6-7, 8:15 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 7, grades 8-12, 8:15 a.m.-2 p.m.
Golf carts will be available for those who need assistance. Families: For security reasons, only parents and guardians may register grandparents and grandfriends for this event through ChargerHub. Please watch your inbox for the formal invitation, coming soon. If you or your grands have questions about GrandDays, please contact the advancement team at advancement@aa.edu or (505) 828-3281. We look forward to celebrating this special tradition with you soon.
Spring Day of Giving | April 8
Mark your calendar! More information to follow soon.
Homecoming and Reunion Weekend | September 25-26
Save the date! Join us September 25-26 for this year’s Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, as we invite current families, alumni, faculty, and staff for a weekend of entertaining events such as the Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, a balloon glow, Bear Canyon hikes, benchmark reunions, and more! We hope to see as many Chargers as possible back on campus, whether it’s your reunion year or not. Registration will open this summer.