An Albuquerque Academy Community Newsletter
Contents
Community Day Brings Us Together | Chargers at Homecoming | Admission Open House | Alumni Awards | 6-7 Division Fall Activities | State of the Academy Address | History Teacher Recognized | Path Construction | Think Summer Reimagined | Photo Gallery
Community Day Brings Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni Together
Our Academy, Our Home was the theme for the 2022 Community Day, which was held on Friday, September 23. The goal of this exciting and unique school day is to strengthen our community by meeting new people, learning new skills, celebrating the diversity of our community, and engaging in new experiences together.
All students and faculty participated together in many activities throughout the day, including large group dance workshops, dynamic keynote speakers (poets Manuel Gonzalez and his daughter, Sarita Sol Gonzalez), and a new and improved AAmazing Race scavenger hunt. Mid-day we hosted a community fair with booths staffed by student groups, non-profit organizations, and others from our community; a pep rally; and the Reynolds' Regatta cardboard boat race. Because Community Day was the lead-in to Homecoming, visiting alumni took part in several activities, including the regatta.
Many Choices for Chargers at Homecoming 2022
There was something for everyone during Homecoming weekend September 23 and 24. Students got to show their school spirit at the all-school pep rally, while juniors and seniors participated in flag football and a dance-off, two long-standing traditions, followed by a bonfire and music for everyone. Unique to this year’s Homecoming, several students also got to meet with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego ’00, who was in town to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, and hear about her life in public service. Students in the 10-12 division ended the festivities at the Homecoming dance.
All Chargers enjoyed watching football, soccer, and volleyball games throughout the day or stopping into one of the Classes Without Quizzes where they could tour the Desert Oasis Teaching Garden, explore one of the Academy’s newer classes – Advanced Research in Molecular Genetics – in the cutting-edge Fly Lab, or hear from Dr. Rich Field about gladiators. There were many familiar faces – current and retired faculty, alumni, and families – at the coffee reception in Simms Lobby, which preceded the State of the Academy address.
Ten classes came together for reunions over the weekend, including the Class of 1962, celebrating its 60th. Alumni guests traveled from more than 10 states, including:
- A Class of 1972 graduate from New Jersey celebrating his 50th class reunion and hoping to mentor Academy students interested in military academies
- A recently retired Colorado physician showing the campus to his wife for the first time
- A family from Arizona celebrating the career of Coach Dave Barney and their enduring relationship
- A graduate from the early 2010s, recently returned to Albuquerque and looking for ways to reconnect with her community, who was pleased to be remembered by name during Rich Field’s lecture
Bring Your Friends & Family to the Admission Open House October 23
The Academy will host its annual admission open house on Sunday, October 23, 2-4 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity for interested families to explore our campus; meet with faculty, students, and parents; learn about student organizations; enjoy performances; and get details about admission and tuition assistance for the 2023-24 school year!
If your family or a family you know is interested, visit this link and plan on attending (reservations for a time slot required). We would love to meet you on our campus!
Apply now for Fall 2023.
Meet more of our curious students at aa.edu/curious.
Alumni Awards Dinner Honors Several Chargers
Before a crowd of 174 friends and family on the evening of September 23, Alumni Council President-Elect Christina Bachicha ’91 presented Mayor Kate Gallego ’00 with the Distinguished Alumni Award and Dustin Martin ’07 with the Young Alumni Service Award. And Athletic Hall of Famer Ellen Hart ’76 introduced the second class of inductees: Anika Apostalon ’13 (swimming), Coach Dave Barney (track, swimming 1967-2021), Curtis Beach ’09 (track & field), Andrea Goldberg ’98 (tennis), and Chainey Umphrey ’88 (gymnastics). Read more here.
November Santa Fe Alumni Reception
If you are in town, please join fellow alumni and friends in Santa Fe on Saturday, November 12.
Get full details and RSVP.
Now Accepting Nominations for 2023 Awards
Nominations for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award and Young Alumni Service Award as well as the Athletics Hall of Fame are now open. All Academy community members are encouraged to submit nominations.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Alumni Council presents the Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of extraordinary achievement or service that exemplifies the principles and values of Albuquerque Academy. It may honor an individual for one noteworthy act or for many years of effort and accomplishment.
Click here to submit a nomination for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award by January 5, 2023.
Young Alumni Service Award
Created by the Alumni Council to recognize notable service to the community and society that exemplifies the spirit of the Albuquerque Academy mission, the Young Alumni Service Award is presented annually to one recipient who is 35 years of age or younger at the time of nomination and who has made significant personal achievements in serving the local, national, or international community.
Click here to submit a nomination for the 2023 Young Alumni Service Award by January 5, 2023.
Athletics Hall of Fame
Established in 2020, the Hall of Fame serves as a means of honoring and recognizing the athletes, teams, coaches, and supporters who made significant contributions to the Charger tradition of excellence. Honorees — up to five per year — are announced each spring and inducted each fall. The Hall of Fame display is located at the path-side entrance of the East Campus Gym.
Click here to submit a nomination for the 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame by October 31, 2022.
6-7 Division Busy with Fall Activities
6th Grade Mass Ascension Lifts Off
Before fall break, our sixth graders created hot air balloons out of tissue paper and launched them during the second annual mass ascension with help from members of Balloon Explorium, a local non-profit. The rainy weather did not seem to bother them, or the AAPA, who supported the students with hot chocolate and treats.
7th Grade Harvest Fest Celebrates New Mexico Traditions
At this year’s Harvest Fest, 7th-grade students had fun making tortillas and piñatas, roasting chiles, painting pumpkins, and practicing a variety of outdoor skills.
State of the Academy Address and Coffee Reception
Parents, alumni, and current and former faculty joined us for a coffee reception before the State of the Academy address the morning of Saturday, September 24. More than a dozen retired faculty members returned to campus to reconnect with colleagues and former students.
Head of School Julianne Puente and community members shared the school’s current operations and priorities.
Ms. Puente opened the address by noting that things are different this year, as they should be, because the Academy is a "living, breathing, dynamic place — to keep it fettered and render it static would be disrespectful to those that came before me. The Academy is a national school because of its sustained ability to lead, and you do not lead by standing still." She acknowledged and thanked her predecessors by saying that she and the Board of Trustees are merely carrying forward the work they had started.
She concluded by noting what has not changed and should never change at the Academy. An Academy education means student learn:
- how to read closely, listen carefully, communicate clearly, and understand and appreciate complexity;
- how to think critically and creatively, and to be nimble and resourceful in the face of uncertainty;
- and how to put words into action and to engage and challenge the status quo.
Christina Bachicha ’91, Alumni Council president-elect, highlighted the importance of leaving a legacy for all students who follow in the footsteps of alumni and invited community members to engage or re-engage with the Academy, the place "that has given each of us so much. "
Associate Head of School Stephanie Lipkowitz provided an administrative perspective, Director of Diversity, Culture, and Belonging Peter Gloyd ’97 spoke on behalf of faculty, AAPA President Emily Hiller gave input from a parent role, and Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance Board Chair Cynthia Schultz ’97 spoke about the region and the Academy's role in the community.
To sum up the morning, Ms. Puente concluded by saying that the Academy is healthy and thriving. "We will continue to make student centered decisions, continually advance our mission, and remain thoughtful stewards of our resources."
Watch the State of the Academy Address below.
Rich Field, History Teacher, Recognized as a 2022 University of Chicago Outstanding Educator
Dr. Rich Field was named a 2022 University of Chicago Outstanding Educator, based on a recommendation from Devan Johnson '22, who thanked him for exposing students to new ideas and views of the world. Dr. Field is a member of the history department and has been at the Academy since 1992.
Path Construction Making Progress
If you have walked past McKinnon, Brown, or the Administration Building recently, you know that the construction on the quad and path is well on its way.
The construction project entered a new phase on September 29 when the first brick was laid. The full project will require roughly 25 truckloads of bricks, with each truckload containing approximately 7,500 bricks. So far, the construction team has installed two full sections on the quad and is working on the third section.
The demolition process has begun west of the arches, and the first concrete has been poured in that area. The plan is to complete the quad and the area west of the arches before any further demolition.
In the meantime, the facilities department will build a new path from parking lot two to the admission entrance in Simms Library. This path will be ADA compliant and will have an artery to the future patio that will be built off Common Grounds. This much smaller path project is expected to be completed before Thanksgiving.
Think Summer Reimagined
Changes are in the works for the 2023 Think Summer session. The staff is working toward building a program that can better accommodate the busy schedules of our families and faculty. Think Summer is planning to offer several two-week blocks as well as additional extended sessions that go beyond the core six-week program. Keep an eye on future issues of The Path for further details.
