As graduation week begins Monday, Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey celebrates students and honors their successes. She said every graduate’s achievement deserves recognition, along with the dedication of APS staff who helped make those accomplishments possible.
“I’m always blown away when I hear their amazing stories of determination, perseverance and triumph. I am so proud of what they’ve achieved over these last dozen or so years, and I’m grateful to the teachers, principals and other APS staffers who were there for them throughout the journey,” Durán Blakey said.
She highlighted some outstanding students she considers an inspiration to everyone.
For one, Wealth Eze, a senior at Del Norte High School. She adjusted to a completely new way of life after moving from South Africa to Albuquerque. She persevered through the transition and now plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Arizona to study Business Information Systems.
Durán Blakey also recognized Alex Valdez, a Del Norte senior sidelined for a semester after a serious motorcycle accident. He pushed himself to recover and completed the work he missed, graduating with his class. Valdez plans to attend Central New Mexico Community College to earn his EMT license.
Another is Luna Ortiz, a New Futures High School senior. She juggled her school work with caring for her son. She credits her family’s support throughout her journey. Ortiz also credits a school system that focuses on helping young parents reach graduation.
“We have amazing graduates throughout our district,” Durán Blakey said as she continued recalling inspiring students.
Kayla Garcia, who is graduating from Valley High School, will attend Duke University on a full-ride scholarship. She ultimately plans to go to veterinary school.
Then, Ava Wagenman, who attends La Cueva High School and the Career Enrichment Center. She plans to pursue a career in medicine in New Mexico. She has been accepted into the BA to MD Program. The program at the University of New Mexico allows students to transition directly into medical school after completing their undergraduate degree.
Meanwhile, Anisha Jombo, who attends West Mesa High School, plans to study biochemistry at UNM. She aims to become an emergency physician.
Kacee Larrañaga, a senior at Valley High School, plans to attend UNM to study mechanical engineering. He’s a Horatio Alger Association National Scholarship recipient who has overcome so much to get to where he is.
According to Durán Blakey, Larrañaga wrote in his scholarship essay about being diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of 5. He also wrote about his mother’s Stage 3 breast cancer. His mother beat the cancer, but when Kacee was in eighth grade, his father died of COVID pneumonia. A week and a half later, his grandfather suffered a heart attack and also passed away.
“These struggles would be a lot for anyone to deal with, let alone a young man. Rather than allowing those obstacles to derail his dreams, he overcame them, maintaining straight As throughout high school and securing a scholarship that will allow him to be debt-free when he graduates from college,” the superintendent said.
“These are the types of amazing graduates we produce at APS, and I couldn’t be prouder!” she added.
While expressing pride in APS graduates, Durán Blakey also recognized parents and staff supporting students’ success.
“But as I’ve said many times, they didn’t get there on their own. They had amazing families, teachers, principals and others along the way who encouraged them and helped them realize that they would succeed if they kept working hard. So, thank you to everyone who helped these kids,” she said.
She said Larrañaga credits Serri Grube, his engineering teacher, for her constant support. Grube kept snacks on hand in case his blood sugar dropped and always checked in on him. Larrañaga said Grube made him feel seen.
“Thank you, Ms. Grube, for seeing this student was carrying a heavy load and stepping up for him, and thank you to the many other APS staffers who are doing the same thing each and every day,” Durán Blakey said.
“Congratulations to the Class of 2026! You are amazing and you’re going to make the world a better place.”