SENIORS PUT OTHERS AHEAD OF SELVES
These leaders have confidence in themselves and they stand up and help others with whatever they need.
These 14 high school students are devoted to improving communities.
Since 2008, photographer Frank Frost has partnered with the Albuquerque Public Schools Foundation to recognize seniors in high school who have selflessly given back to their communities, usually without recognition or praise. These young adults have already made a difference in their schools and neighborhoods and inspire their peers and all of us to do the same.
Selections are made by a committee of community partners and volunteers, and the decision is not an easy one. Each Selfless Senior not only represents themselves and their families, but the amazing work of countless high school students who are making a positive difference in our city each and every day.
This year’s selectees are:
SOPHIA RIO CHAVEZ Albuquerque High School
“Throughout my life, my family has instilled a sense of civic duty and giving back to our community. Working with my Youth Group at the Safe House and serving food to the homeless showed me the significance of delivering compassion and love to those around me. I found happiness volunteering at Serendipity Day School and was humbled by teaching the little ones how to read and share. Although becoming Student Body President of my school during COVID has been a challenge, working alongside a dedicated officer team, we have spread positivity virtually keeping students involved and motivated.
When I graduate from high school my hope for Albuquerque is that individuals find the silver linings of 2020 and commit to showing kindness to one another.”
JADE MENDOZA Volcano Vista High School
“Throughout my time at Volcano Vista, I have learned to be the light in the darkness. For me, being the light means creating and being a part of service projects based on spreading kindness. This year I took part in a month-long project designed to show appreciation to students, staff, spirit, and the community called ‘Dude Be Nice Month.’ It made me realize now more than ever we need to come together as a community and support one another. If you have the chance to make someone’s day better do it because every interaction you have with someone is a chance to leave a positive impact on their life. This life is beautiful and so are you.
When I graduate from high school my hope for Albuquerque can be found in the answer to this question, ‘How can you be the light?’”
ISAIAH BACA Valley High School
“A smile is the most impactful action that inspires me to do my best and strive for success.. My father being a five-time cancer survivor and my mother being on a feeding tube for 10 years has driven my passion to become a doctor. My goal is to become a reconstructive plastic surgeon here in New Mexico and give back to a community that has given me so much. I’m proud to have volunteered to altar serve at Holy Family Parish each Sunday for the past 11 years. My favorite aspect was witnessing the smiles of those who I had helped and I hope in becoming a plastic surgeon that I can offer care to those with deformities and give them confidence that shows in their smile.
When I graduate high school my hope for Albuquerque is that even though we are struggling during this dark pandemic, that we can stick together and persevere as a community.”
AYANNA TEAGUE Manzano High School
“One of the highlights of my week is going to work. In my virtual senior year, I was elected as Secretary of Student Senate and President of our Black Student Union. Being so involved can tend to be stressful so I always tell myself to take it one day at a time. Life sometimes tends to feel rushed and even when everyone is going at a fast pace, I remind myself and others to value each and every day, hour and minute of life.
When I graduate from high school my hope for Albuquerque is that even in the most chaotic of situations we can all take time to realize that there is no such thing as a time restraint on life and we should enjoy our work and what we do.”
ARIANA MAGANA-RAMIREZ Highland High School
“I am proud to have participated in creating and catering our school’s Tutoring Diners, where families could enjoy a free and nutritious meal and students could get free tutoring on anything they needed. Once a month I participated in peaceful protests to fight for issues like DACA and voting. These amazing opportunities that were available at my school have not only helped me give back to my amazing community but have also shaped the person I am to this day. I am a proud Chicana who will fight for what is right and help the community I have been raised in.
When I graduate from high school my hope for Albuquerque is to become a strong community by coming together, despite our differences, and by helping each other out.”
SARAH RUTHERFORD Sandia High School
“For me, volunteering is two-fold. It’s not about the recognition, which is nice, but about what I, you, people give back to the community and the great feeling you get while doing so. The organizations that I volunteer for such as Fat Katz cat rescue and Wanagi Wolf Rescue are dear to my heart. It is a wonderful stress reliever and a great way to show love and compassion to animals that have been abused, forgotten or just left out. It’s a fantastic feeling knowing that I can give in a small way, to a world that is much greater than me.
When I graduate from high school my hope for Albuquerque is that as a city, as a community they can give back to what has given us so much!”
TAYLOR CHRISTIANSEN Cibola High School
“I feel very honored to receive this award and to represent my school. I am blessed to be able to give back to Seed2Need, a Corrales food pantry project, lead my school’s Operation Smile student club, and participate in volunteer opportunities organized by my church. In the midst of quarantine, my younger brother and I launched our apparel and accessory brand, ‘All Sick’. With every purchase we give back a portion of the proceeds to a featured non-profit organization. I have been taught that where much is given, much is required. The beautiful thing about serving others is that we receive so much more than we give.
When I graduate from high school, my hope for Albuquerque is that it continues to be a beacon of diversity and opportunity for all.”
FRANCESCA MILES New Futures School
“A year ago, I was a high school dropout. I was a teen parent and scared of what the future would hold for me and my child. I heard about New Futures and I never expected to meet all of the incredible people I met and how much they would change my life. The teachers and staff at New Futures opened a number of doors for me, as well as pushed me towards my future goals of becoming a zoologist and opening my own wildlife rescue. I have also found an incredible amount of joy in supporting and coaching youth volleyball, fostering animals for Central New Mexico Beagle Rescue amongst other rescues and assisting in a classroom for students with disabilities. To all of you younger students, teen parents, or anyone struggling — know that the sky’s the limit and you can do anything you put your mind to.
When I graduate high school, my hope for Albuquerque is that we can all learn to be more supportive of each other and our community.”
MAURA JOHNSON La Cueva High School
“Teen suicide and depression are major issues in New Mexico. I, like so many of my peers, have struggled with mental health. Recognizing when you need a break is one of the first steps to taking ownership of your mental health. This idea is what inspired me to reach out to New Mexico legislators with hopes of passing a bill that would allow for mental health absence days in schools. It wasn’t easy finding the courage to speak up about the issues that I saw in my community, but I hope that I can inspire my peers and friends to do the same.
When I graduate from high school, my hope for Albuquerque is that students feel brave enough to lean on each other, ask for help when they need it, learn self-care strategies and, most importantly, speak out when necessary.”
MELINA VUGRIN
Eldorado High School
“’Fight for what you care about.’ I recently discovered Justice Ginsburg’s guidance, but the sentiment has driven my call to service. I always connected with animals. They enrich our lives as pets, service animals and wildlife, but they cannot advocate for themselves when experiencing cruelty. Much of my volunteering has focused on helping animals, through organizing supply drives, volunteering at rescues and data analysis supporting animal welfare legislation. The time spent on these efforts never felt like work because I believe in the cause.
My passion is animal welfare, but I recognize the cause may not speak to everyone.
So, when I graduate from high school, my hope for Albuquerque is that each of us recognize our individual passions and that we take action to further them.”
NATALIA HERNANDEZ West Mesa High School
“When people say it doesn’t hurt to be nice to others, it truly doesn’t. Small gestures such as sharing a smile or holding the door for a stranger can brighten someone’s day. I enjoy serving my community and seeing the impact I have on those around me; hoping they will inspire others to spread positivity.
When I graduate from high school my hope for Albuquerque is for us to see past the barriers we may encounter to make a statement for the betterment of our future.”
CAMERON ORTEGA
“Even though I volunteer with Roadrunner Food Bank, send letters to our veterans, read books to and interact with younger ages, I believe that being kind every day and putting a smile on your face makes a big difference in not only your own life, but for those around you. Even though it seems smaller than those other huge selfless activities, saying ‘Hi’ or even giving someone a compliment can really make someone’s day or even without knowing you can save a life.
When I graduate from high school my hope for Albuquerque is that we learn to come together as a community to do better things for our hard-working citizens like our teachers, doctors, firefighters, nurses, police officers, fast food, retail and construction workers.”
TYLER CHAVEZ Rio Grande High School
“I never would’ve thought I would’ve earned something so insane as being a Selfless Senior. Genuinely, I have always just wanted people to feel comfortable around me and want everyone to feel appreciated. My parents have always raised me to just treat everyone with respect, and after my father passed away earlier this year, I really took everything he and my mother had taught me and tried to really use that every day. I try and treat everyone with respect and go that extra mile for anything, whether it’s opening the door for someone, carrying things or just anything that someone around needs help with. I’m just a normal kid.
When I graduate from high school my hope for Albuquerque is that the community and the people can have a healthy relationship with each other, and everyone’s opinions are heard in one way or another.”