532 Spring 2015.pdf

532
Spring 2015
osuna road
A magazine for the Sandia Prep Community
Alumna's Adventurous
Spirit Takes Her Around
the World
the S.P.A.C.E.:
Sandia Prep’s Autonomous
Creative Environment
Profiles
Alumna: Maya Higgins '06
Faculty: Ron Briley & Rick Wettin
Student: Juhee Patel ’16

532
In this Issue
11
11
Cover Story
532 refers to the school’s physical address - and the sense
of place felt by all who come here. The 532 staff welcomes
you to our school magazine, published twice yearly for
alumni, parents, students, friends and the entire Sandia
Prep community. We hope you enjoy the magazine.
Our Mission: The joy of learning and living is at the
center of all we do. Sandia Preparatory School provides
remarkable opportunities for intellectual and personal
growth within a challenging and balanced program.
As an extension of our families, Sandia Prep’s diverse
community inspires students to find their academic
focus, talents and creativity.
Our Vision: At Sandia Prep, we will inspire our students
to discover their purposes in the world by:
• Developing essential skills and intellectual potential
through challenging academics;
• Cultivating a socially responsible environment of
innovation and creativity; and
• Engaging as a vibrant community for the betterment
of society.
Our 5A’s: To foster growth toward human as
well as academic excellence, Sandia Prep seeks
to create balance among the Five A’s:
Sandia Prep Alumna Maya Higgins ’06
Maya Higgins ’06 has taken her passions for
adventure, travel, science and the outdoors and turned
them into a unique and diverse career: teaching
environmental science to children on the trail during
the school year, and leading National Geographic
Student Expeditions to international destinations each
summer. A Scripps College honors graduate, she
is a former Thomas J. Watson fellow and Fulbright
scholar who has learned three languages while
conducting research on the effects of ecotourism on
island biodiversity and cultures, in such places as the
Galapagos Islands, New Zealand, Micronesia, Palau,
and Madagascar. Read more about her adventures,
and how her experiences at Sandia Prep inspired the
career that she loves today.
On the cover: As a leader on one of National Geographic's
Expeditions to Vietnam, Maya Higgins ’06 takes a break
from her duties to visit with local children.
Academics • Arts • Athletics • Activities • Atmosphere
Sandia Prep’s logo represents our balanced philosophy
and program. Our Five A’s converge to form an integrated
whole with the student at the center, reflecting the
comprehensive, well-rounded education that Sandia Prep
students receive.
Find us on the Web
sandiaprep.org

13
15
15
Features
5
13
2015 Alumni Weekend
Student Profile: Juhee Patel ’16
In Every Issue
We’re Listening
From the Head of School
Alumni Notes
3
4
6
15
Faculty Profiles: Ron Briley & Rick Wettin
From the Archive
SPS Briefs
10
19
19
the S.P.A.C.E. Sandia Prep’s Autonomous
Creative Environment
Student 411
Faculty Wall
21
22
23
Smart Giving: Track & Soccer Stadium Nears
the Finish Line
Smart Board
Sundevil Sports
23
25
26
Joyce Whelchel Leads as Interim Head
SPS on Facebook & Twitter
facebook.com/SandiaPrep
@MySandiaPrep
Alumni on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
facebook.com/SandiaPrepAlumni
@SandiaPrep

532osuna road
is published twice a year by Sandia Preparatory
School, an independent co-ed school with
a nationally recognized college preparatory
program for students in grades 6 through 12.
[ ]
I remember when I was at Prep... I like the
new magazine. I
We’re
want to hear about...I find
the new sections...Can you have a place for...
Where is Prep Listening
Post? The photos are great. I
get to stay in touch with fellow alumni. The
Around the Web
students are doing such amazing things
at Prep You should write a story about...
ADMINISTRATION
Joyce Whelchel • Interim Head of School
Cheryl McMillan • Assistant Head for
Academics
Julie Cook • Director of Development
Jenny Davidson • Director of Information
Technology
Maria Fidalgo • Business Manager
Laura Fitzpatrick • Director of Admission
Celeste Walther, APR • Director of Marketing
Managing Editor –
Celeste Walther
Designer/Editor –
Melissa Jo Stroud
Contributors –
Justin Brough
Roxanna Caird
Julie Cook
Melissa Besante Dineen ’97
Pete MacFarlane
Susan Walton ’72
Joyce Whelchel
Sandia Preparatory School
532 Osuna Rd NE • Albuquerque, NM 87113
505.338.3000 phone • 505.338.3099 fax
sandiaprep.org • info@sandiaprep.org
This issue of 532 is printed
on paper containing 55%
recycled/30% post-consumer
content.
Once you have enjoyed this
issue, please recycle.
“I would not be where I am today had I not met my
teachers at Prep. I'm so grateful to have had them
as teachers in the classroom, in the wilderness, and
on the courts/fields. I don't think there are words
that can describe how much I appreciate them
and their enthusiasm for teaching. All my teachers
had a hand in my education - I can't name just
one. Happy Teacher Appreciation Day to the best
instructors on Earth.”
– U.P. Nguyen ’15
Great article! I am so proud to see how
Coach Huitt has taken our program
from a team of rag tag players (some
who had never played baseball before)
to the powerhouse that it is now. He
taught us to "always compete" and the
tradition continues. It wasn't just him
though. Paul Huitt, Tommy Smith, Rick
Wettin, and Willie Owens are all amazing
Sandia Prep coaches who have molded
generations of men through sports. I am
proud to have played for them all.
- Bobby Harms '00
in response to the Albuquerque Journal
article about Sandia Prep's "Diamond" of
a baseball team.
“Getting ready for
Seussical the Musical with
the littles... So exciting!” -
April Camilli-Marker ’93
3 532 • Spring 2015
“I consider myself very lucky to have received such a world-class
foundational education at Sandia Prep, and I’m eternally grateful to the
teachers and peers who made my adolescence the great experience that
it was. There are too many to name, but among them are certainly Mr.
Fitzpatrick, who was an inspiring and challenging teacher of English.
Alice Perry, Pat Rhoads, Mary Beth Libbey, Thomas Weber, Grazina Klein,
and many, many more brilliant individuals who influenced me in a very
positive way. Tremendous congratulations to Rick Wettin (my sixth grade
PE instructor!) and Ron Briley for their decades of great work and welldeserved
retirement. All the best to the teachers and students today and for
all the years to come!”
– Brian Donahue ’00

From the Head of School
Leadership opportunities are often well planned and thought out. Sometimes, they
occur when least expected, and the need is urgent or great. Transitions often fall into the
latter category. During this year of transition for Sandia Prep, many adults and students
have risen to take on important leadership roles that have benefited and moved the
School forward. We have remained true to our mission by providing a balanced program
that inspires and challenges our students, while also providing growth opportunities
for our dedicated faculty. The world is constantly changing, and the need to be skilled,
informed and prepared becomes increasingly important.
The members of Sandia Prep’s faculty and staff bring a wealth of interests and strengths
to the School; and they graciously share these with students. I hope you will enjoy
reading and celebrating two important leaders of our school, Ron Briley and Rick
Wettin. Words cannot express the impact these two gentlemen have made on the many
students whom they have taught and coached. Even as I write, a group of students and faculty members are returning from
a kayaking trip on Lake Powell. The teachers not only teach many important safety skills and kayaking techniques; they also
encourage collaborative work with camp set-up and cooking each day. Our faculty members show up each day to share their
passions with our future leaders; and they enjoy every minute of doing so, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Sandia Prep offers many opportunities for students to thrive. Each opportunity is unique and valuable, as demonstrated by
alumna Maya Higgins ’06 and current student Juhee Patel ’16. These two young women are poised and confident in their
differing leadership roles, from Juhee’s focus on New Mexico needs to Maya’s global interactions. Theirs are merely two of
thousands of stories we can tell about our students and alumni being inspired to action, as they move through Sandia Prep
and on to adulthood.
Whether in the classroom, on the athletic field, as a mentor on a backpacking trip or competing in the state Mock Trials,
Sandia Prep’s leaders are identified. As a school, we embrace leadership in varying ways, from one-on-one tutoring, to
leading an athletic team as captain, to interacting with all the students as President of the SGA. We celebrate our students
and alumni as they become leaders and contributing members of the global community in which we live.
Warmly,
Joyce Whelchel
After a national search, the Sandia Preparatory School Board of Trustees proudly announced
the selection of Bill Sinfield as Sandia Prep’s next Head of School. Sinfield will succeed Interim
Head of School Joyce Whelchel beginning July 1, 2015.
Bill Sinfield’s career has included teaching, coaching and leading in both American and
Canadian schools. He is currently Headmaster of Good Hope Country Day School, the largest
of 22 non-public schools on the island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. During his tenure, he
successfully merged two schools, St. Croix Country Day School and Good Hope School. One
hundred percent of Good Hope Country Day’s graduates are accepted into colleges throughout
the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
“I am honored and humbled by the incredible privilege of serving as Sandia Prep’s next Head
of School. I was drawn to the breadth and depth of Sandia Prep’s outstanding programs— not
only the academic program, which is rigorous, but also the athletic, arts and outdoor leadership programs. That’s what
a real education should be,” said Sinfield. “Sandia Prep’s faculty and administrators understand that the time, energy,
and enthusiasm they expend on their work of educating the whole child will make a significant and positive difference
for students. At Sandia Prep, I found a place of joyful learning wholly committed to developing the thinking skills, the
interpersonal skills, and the qualities of character that our children will need to succeed in this ever-changing world.”
532 • Spring 2015 4

S A N D I A
A L U M N
P R E P
2 15
I
W E E K E N D
Alumni Weekend
July 11
Honoring Ron Briley & Rick Wettin
2015 Alumni Weekend
When: July 11, 2015
Where: Sandia Prep's East Soccer and Softball Fields
Plan now to return to campus Saturday, July 11, 2015 for our 2015 Alumni
Weekend! The fun will begin at 5:00 p.m.
During our 2015 Alumni Weekend, Prep community members will enjoy:
Campus Tours
Happy Hour
Alumni Family Picnic
Thomas Ebel Alumni Soccer Games – All former Sandia Prep soccer
players are invited to dust off their cleats and join us. The women’s game
will begin @ 6:00 p.m. and the men’s game @ 7:00 p.m. Players: RSVP
by Wednesday, July 1, 2015 to receive your team tee.
Children’s Soccer Clinic
Outdoor movie screening of The Sandlot
Class Renions
We have three class reunions scheduled during
our 2015 Alumni Weekend festivities
July 10-July 12, 2015.
Please contact your reunion representative for
details:
Class of 1990 – Audra (McCammon) Sedillo '90
at AudraSedillo@gmail.com
Class of 1995 – Colleen Callaway Eager ’95 at
colleen@mygobistro.com
Class of 2005 – Liz Hayman ’05 at
LizHayman1@gmail.com.
Questions? Please email alumni@sandiaprep.org.

Alumni Notes
’60s
Paula McGinty ’69 emailed and said, “I
have not been much of a correspondent
over the years; however, I think of Sandia
Prep often.
Attached is a
picture of my
grandchildren
Max, 11, and Evan
Marie, 9, ready for
cowboy/cowgirl
day at school. Evan
Marie is wearing
a shirt and vest
I made for Max
several years ago.”
’80s
Commander Ronald Stinson ’85 recently
became the Director of College Operations
at Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk,
Virginia. The ’85 Prep grad said, “I have
a fantastic family with both daughters
playing travel soccer at the highest level as
goalkeepers.”
In November,
Strom Peterson
’86 was elected to
the Washington
State House of
Representatives in
the 21st Legislative
District.
’90s
Class of 1990 Reunion
The Class of 1990’s 25-year reunion
will take place during our 2015 Alumni
Weekend festivities, July 10-July 12, 2015.
The reunion committee is hard at work
finalizing details and will send out more
information in June. To learn more, please
email Audra (McCammon) Sedillo ’90 at
AudraSedillo@gmail.com.
In December, Roseanne
(Morton) Eklund
’91 graduated from
Scottsdale Community
College with a degree in
nursing. Roseanne passed
the RN boards in March
and is now working as a
Labor & Delivery Nurse at
Scottsdale Shea Hospital.
Roseanne and her two
boys, Jackson, 13 and
Cole, 8 live in Phoenix,
AZ.
Jillian Gonzales ’91 has a new job at
the University of New Mexico as an
Organizational Development Consultant in
the Human Resources Department. “It has
been a fantastic change and I’m loving it!”
she said.
Class of 1995 Reunion
The Class of 1995’s 20-year reunion will take
place during our 2015 Alumni Weekend
festivities, July 10-July 12, 2015.
The reunion committee is hard at work
finalizing details and will send out
invitations in June. To learn more, please
email Colleen Callaway Eager ’95 at
colleen@mygobistro.com.
Raul Torrez
’95 is running
for District
Attorney of
Bernalillo
County. The
’95 Prep
grad said,
“The people
of Bernalillo County are ready for fresh
leadership and they deserve a District
Attorney who is prepared to reform, rebuild
and renew our community’s commitment
to the promise of justice for all.” Raul was
appointed as a White House Fellow in
2009 and received his A.B. in Government,
cum laude, from Harvard University; his
M.S. in International Political Economy,
with Merit, from The London School of
Economics; and his J.D. from Stanford Law
School.
Tom Broderick ’95 is the Managing
principal at BPW&C and a member
of the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants' national board of
directors; he is also the former chair of the
New Mexico Society of CPAs. Tom was
profiled in the January 12, 2015 issue of the
Albuquerque Journal.
In April,
Monique
Mayer
Jacobson
’96, a
Wharton
School of
Business
graduate,
was confirmed as New Mexico’s new
Secretary of Children, Youth and Families
Department in a 35-2 vote. Jacobson had
been serving as NM's Secretary of Tourism
for the past 4 years. Monique and her
husband Andrew have three boys: Drew, 9;
Reid, 8; and Brody, 3.
Ava Jamshidi
’96 is a named
producer for
the CW’s new
show “The
Messengers.”
The show’s
episodes
were shot in
Albuquerque, meaning Ava had a chance
to come back to her hometown for a
few days. She said, “Nine of our ten days
of shooting were outdoors and it was
FREEZING. Our production days were
532 • Spring 2015 6

Alumni Notes continued
at minimum 14-hour days and it was
exhausting, but a lot of fun.” The show
premiered on Friday, April 17, 2015.
Melissa (Besante) Dineen ’97 and
her husband Michael welcomed Norah
Besante Dineen into the world November
5, 2014 at 12:07am. Norah was seven
pounds, 15
ounces and
22 inches
long. The new
addition joins
big sister,
Sophia, 8 and
big brother,
Elliott, 6.
Rosina
Jaramillo
Stavast
’99 and her
husband,
Vann,
welcomed
Camille Renee on St. Patrick’s Day, March
17, 2015 at 3:03am. Their third daughter
was six pounds, five ounces and joins big
sisters, Lily, 5 and Violet, 2.
’00s
Brian
Donohoe
’00 received
his bachelor’s
and master’s
degrees
from the
University of
North Texas’s
College of Music. The ’00 Prep grad was
a founding member of Snarky Puppy
– the group won a Grammy award for
best R&B performance in 2014. Brian
also has worked as a freelance musician
and contributed to recordings and
performances by the bands Okkervil River,
Nelo, One O’Clock Lab Band, and Progger.
Most recently, Brian relocated to New
York City. He said, “I’ve been lucky to find
myself very busy as a full-time musician
7 532 • Spring 2015
in this amazing place. I continue to gig,
tour, record, write, and produce music for a
wide variety of applications, and I perform
regularly as a saxophonist and keyboardist.”
To learn more about Brian’s work, please
visit: www.briandonohoemusic.com.
Eva (Brodin)
Hadad ’00
and husband
Nick,
welcomed
their third
child, Rylan
Jack, to
their family,
March 11, 2015. Rylan joins Owen, 4 and
Alexandra, 2.
Celeste (Brooks)
Zimmermann ’00
and husband Jay
welcomed Audrey
Sofia to their family
on December 7,
2014 in Linköping,
Sweden. Audrey was
a healthy 9 pounds,
13 ounces, and joins twin brothers, Oliver
and Luke, 3.
Emily Newsom ’02 will begin a Procedural
Dermatology Fellowship at Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center/Weill
Cornell in New York City. Emily is currently
a dermatology resident at Wayne State
University School of Medicine.
In the fall,
Tonia Naleen
Herrero ’03
will begin
working on
a Master of
Professional
Studies in Art
Therapy and
Creativity
Development
at the Pratt
Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Tonia has a Fine
Arts degree from the California College of
Arts.
Class of 2005 Reunion
Sandia Prep’s 2005 class reunion will take
place during our 2015 Alumni Weekend
festivities, July 10-July 12, 2015.
Friday, July 10, 2015 @ Season’s Rotisserie
& Grill
Dinner & Drinks from 5:30pm to 8pm
Saturday, July 11, 2015 @ Sandia Prep
Campus Tour + Happy Hour + Alumni
Picnic + Outdoor Movie Screening
The entire weekend is just $30 per
person if you RSVP by June 10, 2015.
Late registrations will increase to $45
per person. Spouses are welcome and
encouraged to attend. Please send
reunion checks to: Sandia Prep Alumni
Association, 532 Osuna Road NE,
Albuquerque, NM 87113.
Invitations will be sent to the addresses we
have on file in June. To RSVP or to learn
more, please email Liz Hayman ’05 at
LizHayman1@gmail.com.
In December, Nicole Kapnison ’06
purchased Albuquerque’s Nob Hill Bar
& Grill. She said, “We revamped the
menu to reflect a more upscale American
cuisine while keeping the neighborhood
atmosphere.” Nicole previously helped to
run her family business, Yanni's, where
she remodeled and designed the Lemoni
Lounge and
built the
organic urban
garden which
produced
herbs and
seasonal
vegetables.
In October
2014, Ross
Arias ’07 and
a friend won
the top prize
on the new
game show,
“Celebrity
Name Game”
hosted by Craig Ferguson. Ross, a graduate
of Occidental College, is currently working
to develop his “Poser Socialite” clothing
brand.

Nick Arter ’07 and his wife, Tara
welcomed Charles (Charlie) Kiran
Arter on
February 2,
2015. The
newest Arter
weighed 8.6
pounds and
was 21 inches
long.
In March,
Tasha Serna-
Gallegos ’07
was matched
with her
first choice
residency
program at
the University
of California,
Irvine. Tasha will begin the four-year
obstetrics and gynecology program
in June 2015 and plans to pursue a
gynecologic oncology fellowship
following her residency. Tasha said, “I
chose UC Irvine for many reasons, one
of which is because one of my older
brothers, Derek Serna-Gallegos
’04, is in L.A. working as a third year
general surgery resident at Cedars-
Sinai Medical Center.” The ’07 Prep
grad received a Bachelor of Arts with
a major in Biochemistry and a minor
in Spanish from Occidental College in
2011, followed by medical school at the
University of New Mexico School of
Medicine.
In April, Lauren Weber ’08
successfully defended her master's
portfolio for the University of New
Mexico's (UNM) English – Rhetoric
and Writing program. Lauren received
her bachelor’s degree in English from
UNM in 2013.
Evan
Dixon '09 is
producing
weekend
broadcasts
at the White
House
for NBC
News. Evan
graduated from Texas Tech University
last summer and then moved to
Washington, D.C. to work for
NBC News' Desk Assistant (DA)
program. The 18-month program
gives young journalists a wide variety
of experiences and the opportunity
to learn from some of the very best
in the industry. As part of the Desk
Assistant program, some of the most
promising DA's are selected to serve
as NBC's White House producer on
the weekends. The job entails helping
Kristen Welker prepare for her many
live hits on MSNBC throughout
the day; helping to prepare stories
that might air on Weekend Nightly
News; and, serving as the travel pool
producer if the President leaves the
White House. Photo by: Samantha
Schnurr
’10s
Michael Binkley
’10 received his
Bachelor’s degree
in Bio-Medical
Engineering from
the University of
Arizona on May 17,
2014. He graduated
summa cum laude
from the U of A
Honors College.
Michael will be attending graduate
school at the Washington University
School of Medicine in St. Louis
beginning June 20, 2014 as he pursues
a master’s degree in Bio-Medical
Engineering.
Richard
Abraham ’11
graduated summa
cum laude with
a Bachelor of
Science degree
in Mechanical
Engineering from
the University
of New Mexico
in early May.
Richard, a
member of the Pi Tau Sigma and
Tau Beta Pi honor societies, has
been working for three years as a lab
assistant in a nano-science lab with Dr.
Jeffrey Brinker. In the fall, Richard will
begin his graduate studies at Stanford
University to work on a Master's
Degree in Bioengineering.
Ryley Bennett ’11 recently graduated
from Texas Tech University magna
cum laude with Highest Honors with
a degree in Honors Arts and Letters,
along with minors in Legal Studies and
Spanish. The ’11 Prep grad has been
busy. She studied abroad in Sevilla,
Spain for a semester; was named the
Attorney General for the Student
Government Association this past
year; and will serve as a Congressional
Intern in
Washington
D.C. later this
summer. Ryley
will begin
Texas Tech
University
School of Law
this fall.
In May,
Spenser
Owens ’11
graduated
magna cum
laude with a
Bachelor of
Arts degree in
Philosophy,
with a
concentration
in Pre-Law, and Political Science from
the University of New Mexico. Spenser
spent the last three years working
as a legal assistant for Albuquerque
attorney Eric R. Hall, Esq. The ’11 Prep
grad will begin law school this fall at
Washington University School of Law
in St. Louis, Missouri.
In May,
Caleah
Whitten
’11 received
a Bachelor
of Science
degree in
Biochemistry
from the University of New Mexico.
Caleah, a Phi Kappa Phi member,
graduated summa cum laude after
interning in the materials science lab
at Sandia National Laboratories for
the last two years. She’ll join Emory
University's School of Law this fall.
532 • Spring 2015 8

Alumni Notes continued
Ian Sanchez ’12, a junior at Cornell
College, is a member of their first varsity
lacrosse team. He said, “We just won our
first game 19-3 and we show no signs of
slowing down!”
In February, Courtney Eker ’13 was
invited to meet Donald Trump through
her position as Feature Editor for the
College of Charleston student-run
newspaper Cisternyard News. Courtney
said she and a couple of her colleagues
met Mr. Trump on his private plane after
he landed at Charleston International
Airport to attend a Patriot's Dinner at
The Citadel. “We had a brief tour of the
plane, led by Mr. Trump himself, and then
attended the press gathering in the main
cabin afterward. It was pretty wild!”
Briley’s Summer
Film Class Returns
Tuesday nights at
6:30 p.m.
Sandia Prep’s McCall
Family Theater
June 2 - July 7, 2015
Fee: $20 per
participant for the entire 6-week series
This year’s class will focus on the films of
actor/director Paul Newman.
To register: rbriley@sandiaprep.org
9 532 • Spring 2015
In Memoriam
Former faculty John
Fitzpatrick passed
away in February
2015. Mr. Fitzpatrick
worked with Sandia
Prep students for
nearly 20 years before
leaving to care for
his elderly mother.
The faculty favorite
recently lived in San Antonio, Texas
and worked with students at St. Luke's
Episcopal School.
When we shared Mr. Fitzpatrick’s passing
on the Sandia Prep Alumni Association
Facebook page, we received nearly 100 kind
comments from alumni, including:
Catriona Cowan ’01 – What a huge loss.
Fitz was truly an inspiration, who made
every story an adventure, not just a lesson.
RIP. Prayers for his family and friends.
Kino Pearce ’90 – He was a great teacher.
The profession has lost a true gem.
Sarah Rosenberg Brown ’94 – Always
had great memories of his class. Fitz, the
positive contribution you made will live on
for future generations!
Angela Turner Kubié ’00 – One of my
favorite Prep teachers. Taught me how to
write a proper essay and how to speak Old
English. Grateful to have known him.
Thomas Weber – I've missed him for
many years as a colleague--I always
admired his independent spirit and his
amazing ability to get 9th graders to read
Beowulf.
Leryn Doggett Messori ’99– One of the
most influential teachers in my life. He
taught me to love Shakespeare, Kubrick,
and encouraged me in so many ways. I am
so sorry to hear of his passing.
Andra McClung-Kiscaden ’02 – What
a great loss! Mr. Fitz changed how I
understood literature and in doing so,
changed how I saw myself and the world
around me. I remember his passion for his
students as well as his fantastic dry humor.
We were all so blessed to have had such a
phenomenal teacher!
Chris Young ’94 – He was one of the
best, and made a huge impact on me as a
teenager. Such sad news.
Gayle Polansky ’98 – One of the special
things about Prep is most of us leave there
with a special list of teachers who were
more than just teachers. They are those
people who forever touched our lives and
expanded our minds on so many levels.
Mr. Fitz was one of those teachers for me.
He made me think, reason, and stretch in
ways that have guided me in my life. He
was an amazing man and will be greatly
missed!
Kathy (McNeill) Foy ’88 – So sad to hear
this. My Prep memories start with Fitz. I
had no clue what literature really was until
his class. Was even talking about his class
with my son at dinner tonight, wishing he
had a teacher like him.
Former Director
of Admission
Ester Tomelloso
Overby passed
away Thursday,
January 15, 2015. She
was surrounded by
her family at M.D.
Anderson Cancer
Center, Houston,
Texas. Ester is survived by her husband,
B. Lowell Overby; her children, Milena
Leigh Overby ’04, Nicolas Overby ’06,
and Paula Frances “Frannie” Overby ’12.
Ester was known for being genuine. Her
gigantic heart and her interest in people
defined her. She was an exceptional
listener and her friends were friends for
life. Her faith and family were the most
important things in her life. She slipped
into and out of English and Spanish
throughout the day. She loved a good
laugh and she loved animals – especially
dogs. She served as Sandia Prep's Director
of Admission from 1996 until 2012.

From the Archive
Times of Transition
Life has a beginning and an ending. So do
essays, horseshoes, and our engagement in
school life.
For Sandia Prep families, there is the
day the student starts and the day the
student leaves. Faculty and staff have the
same. Some weave together comings and
goings as students, parents, grandparents,
trustees, faculty and staff, and through
other types of involvement. What happens
in between is the magic. Here are a few
such stories.
NM Gameday with Tommy Smith
& Boys Varsity Soccer
Tommy Smith, Faculty and Coach,
1998-present
“When I arrived at Sandia Prep to teach
and coach, it was exciting and challenging.
I was excited for the opportunity and I
relished the challenge of turning the boys'
soccer program into a powerhouse. I love
the fact that our school is a community and
very close knit.”
Sheila Ryan Hunter, ’78, Alumna,
Parent, Former Trustee
“I arrived at Sandia Prep in 1972, following
my sister Leigh who graduated in 1971.
Many of my teachers remembered her and
my perception was they expected me to be
like my super smart sister! I nearly flunked
out of Sandia Prep trying to be different
from Leigh! I was myself and thrived on my
own Prep experience - very different from
Leigh's and successful in my own way! I
graduated in 1978, went to college in Los
Angeles and later, the real world in Los
Angeles, Dallas and Charlotte, NC, only
to transition back to Albuquerque 12 years
ago so my daughter Maddie ’10 and son
Ryan ’15 could attend Sandia Prep. They
are the last of the third generation of my
family to attend Sandia Prep. Sandia Prep
is ingrained in our family heritage and has
been supportive of all our transitions!
Alex Munoz, ’09
“It was a great
experience to go to
Prep from 2002-
2009. The student
center and 200
building had just
opened up when I
was in 6th grade
and by senior year
there was the
new Field House.
Prep does have
a great balance
of the 5As and I
was lucky enough to take advantage of
Prep’s offerings from athletics, Junior
Civitan, SGA, and Camping Associates.
One of my favorite attributes about the
Prep community was how easy it was to get
involved in many different things and have
a variety of extracurricular experiences.
The transition into college after Prep was
very easy because I learned the importance
of getting involved with organizations.
Now that I am an Admission Counselor for
SMU and recruiting students, I value the
Prep experience even more, since I have
seen a wide variety of high schools and how
they function. A Prep experience is unique
and something I fondly remember. A well
balanced Prep student is exactly what
universities look for in future students; a
student who is academically prepared and
is well-rounded outside the classroom.”
Alex Munoz '09
Jan Randall, Teacher, College
Counselor, Admission Director, 1969-
2002, parent of SPS Alumni
“The Sandia Prep of today bears no
resemblance to the Sandia School of the
60s. The campus was not shabby chic, but
shabby…what would you expect for $1 per
year rent! I would not even say that it was
comfortable; we either were too cold or
too hot. Our furniture was of the second
hand nature: wobbly with splinters. Most
of our students’ desks were purchased
from APS surplus; the teachers’
desks were donated by supporters
of the school. Teachers and spouses
could be found prior to the opening
days of school painting classrooms.
With inadequate space, we shared
the use of classrooms. Teaching tools/
aids were practically non-existent
and those that were used belonged
to the individual teachers and not
the school. But, a school is not the
physical plant; it is the chemistry
between the teachers and the students
and between the teachers and fellow
teachers. Sandia School had energy and
soul! As faculty, we owned the mission
of working together to build a fine school
and to responsibly shape the whole
beings of the girls entrusted to us by their
parents. It was important to empower
these young girls to think outside the
box and to reach far beyond traditional
boundaries of the day. I vividly remember
the power of Paul Saunders’ humanities
class. Paula Degenhardt’s chemistry
class was feared, but taken. Ina Miller’s
French class intimidated all but the most
brave, but students enrolled. As a young
teacher, I grew through my association
with my peers and believe that my earliest
experience with incredible commitment
in the face of adversity shaped who I
am today. I treasure those wonderfully
rewarding days.”
- Susan Walton ’72
Maddie Hunter ’10,
Ellen Ann Lembke Ryan,
original Sandía School Alumna,
Sheila Ryan Hunter ’78,
Ryan Hunter ’15
Jan Randall, Teacher, College
Counselor, Admission Director
and parent of SPS Alumni -
photo 1990s
532 • Spring 2015 10

Alumnus Profile
Maya Higgins ’06
11 532 • Spring 2015

Alumna's Adventurous Spirit Takes Her
Around the World
Alumna Maya Higgins has experienced a decade’s worth
of adventure since graduating from Sandia Prep in 2006. A
self-styled globetrotter, Higgins makes her living educating
students about the world’s biological and cultural ecology from
her own experienced perspective. During the school year, she
works with a nonprofit known as NatureBridge, where she is
responsible for developing and teaching an environmental
science curriculum that allows students to experience science
first-hand on the trail. In the summers, she helps lead National
Geographic Student Expeditions to international locales such
as Vietnam and Belize, where students take part in service
learning and conservation education.
Higgins’ transformation into the confident cosmopolitan leader
that she is today did not happen overnight, however. She vividly
recalls a class hiking trip through El Malpais during 7th grade
(her first year at Sandia Prep) as one of many experiences that
solidified her love for the outdoors. In particular, a night hike
with her classmates and Middle School science teacher Mr.
Hanley impressed upon her: “I was terrified and also felt so
alive. That experience was really transformative for me and it
sparked my interest in camping and being outdoors.”
While at Sandia Prep, Higgins took every science class she
could in preparation for a career in the field. She attributes her
interest in the subject to Prep’s amazing science department,
fondly recalling time spent working with fruit flies alongside
Mr. Polansky, scouting for wildlife off the Rio Grande with Mr.
Buxbaum, and tinkering with projects as part of Mr. Suding’s
classes: “All of those classes and moments increased my
interest in a science career. I have always been someone who
was interested in a lot of things and wanted to mesh several
careers into one.”
That desire is part of the reason that, following her graduation
from Scripps College in 2010 with an honors degree in
Organismal Biology and Ecology, Higgins left the States
for a one-year sabbatical as a Thomas J. Watson fellow. The
competitive fellowship, which awarded her a grant to study
the effects of ecotourism on island biodiversity and cultures,
gave her an unprecedented opportunity to travel the world in
pursuit of her emerging passion.
Higgins traveled to dozens of locales, including the Galapagos
Islands, New Zealand, Micronesia, Palau, and Madagascar. She
organized her own home stays, immersed herself in foreign
culture, and went scuba diving alongside whale sharks. “[The
journey] completely changed my own perception of the ocean,
of the world, and most importantly, of my own capabilities. I
learned to embrace failure, to be fearless of making mistakes,
and to put myself out there.”
Higgins had to learn a number of languages in order to
communicate across cultural barriers over the course of that
year. She picked up Malagasy, Yapese, and Spanish during her
time abroad. Higgins said the task of learning these languages
was made much less daunting by her exposure to French
during her time at Prep. “[French teacher] Mr. McJimsey really
motivated me to learn as much about the language as possible
and also made me feel comfortable making mistakes and
speaking, even when I knew that it wasn’t going to be perfect.
That fearlessness is so essential when learning a new language.”
Following the Watson fellowship, Higgins became a Fulbright
scholar and spent another year overseas teaching in Thailand.
While in Southeast Asia, she developed a passion for cooking,
sharing, and — of course — eating food with others. “In
Thailand, instead of asking ‘How are you?,’ the first question
you often ask someone is ‘Have you eaten yet?’ I’ve definitely
taken this motto to heart.”
After two and a half years spent mostly living abroad, Higgins
returned to the United States and ultimately began work at
NatureBridge, where she has been an educator since January
of 2014. Her job combines her passion for teaching with her
love for adventure, and her days are anything but predictable:
“My days vary so much depending on many uncontrollable
factors like weather, wildlife, and group abilities. Often,
lessons don’t go according to plan because the wind will pick
up unexpectedly and blow all of my cards away, or a whale will
appear offshore while the group is having a serious discussion…
When these interruptions happen, I have to just laugh about
them and go with the flow.”
Higgins’ parents still live in the Albuquerque house where
she grew up. During her visits home, Higgins makes a point
to reconnect with Mr. Polansky. She considers Mr. Polansky
and his wife “second parents” due to their encouragement
and support throughout high school and college. Higgins, a
Lion, spent five years playing on Prep's girls soccer team and is
still friends with a couple of her teammates. “I think that my
experience at Prep — taking so many challenging classes while
playing soccer — taught me how to manage my time, push
myself, and work with others to succeed.”
So what’s next for Maya? Besides a planned return to Thailand
to lead a National Geographic Student Expedition this summer,
Higgins is planning a dogsledding trip to Canada with her
father. It's a far cry from the tropics and the west coast, but a
challenge she’s both nervous about and excited for: “I had a
good friend tell me once, ‘If you aren’t nervous or scared about
what’s coming next, you aren’t challenging yourself enough.’
I’ve kind of taken that quote to heart throughout my life. I like
to push myself and grow and try new things constantly.”
- Justin Brough

Student Profile
Juhee Patel ’16
Junior Leads by Giving Back
Juhee Patel ’16 could probably beat you up. She has been
practicing Tae Kwon Do for the past thirteen years, and says that
the martial art has taught her about discipline, self-control, and
respect for others. These virtues have instilled within her a high
level of maturity, and have empowered her to want to tackle
societal problems outside the dojang, driving her towards a degree
in medicine and a career in helping people. So yes, Juhee Patel
could probably beat you up, but she’d be far more interested in
fixing you afterwards.
A junior who has attended Sandia Prep since 6th grade, Patel,
a Unicorn, cites the beginning years of her education at Sandia
Prep as some of her most transformative. Before she came to Prep,
Patel says, she was less organized and used to larger institutions
where students become lost in the crowd.
Now in 11th grade and looking into colleges, Patel recognizes the
immense effect that her Sandia Prep family has had on her life
path, which she currently charts in the direction of medicine.
Her immediate plan post-Sandia Prep is to apply to the University
of New Mexico and obtain her bachelor's degree, followed by
her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the UNM School of
Medicine, which would allow her to stay in New Mexico.
“I really want to stay in New Mexico. I know that’s a little bit weird
coming from a junior […] but I love New Mexico.”
Patel, who grew up in Gallup (two hours west of Albuquerque),
sees the problems that New Mexicans face, and is eager to
help. She is highly involved with community service, including
Sandia Prep’s Helping Hands, National Honor Society, and
Student Government Association, and was recently appointed to
Albuquerque Mayor Berry’s Youth Advisory Council.
“Before high school I thought, ‘I need to get out of here—when
I go to college, I’m going to go far away.’ But then as I got older, I
became familiar with all the challenges in New Mexico… There are
so many problems that can easily be helped, and this is my state,
and I want to give back to it.”
For Patel, the inspiration to go into medicine comes from
several factors: her cousin’s diagnosis with a brain tumor at the
young age of two; her grandparents’ shortage of specialized care
professionals nearby to their rural homes; and a lifelong desire to
help others.
As part of the University of New Mexico's Research Experience
for High School Students (REHSS) Patel assisted in research at
UNM's Department of Internal Medicine. Patel also volunteers at
the University of New Mexico Hospital. She states she has a clear
preference for the kind of work that places her in direct contact
with people in need of assistance.
“I love patient interaction, I love talking to people; I’m more
of a ‘people-person’ than the kind of person who’s behind the
computer all day.”
Patel’s passion shows when she talks about the time she spends
volunteering at Casa Angelica, a home for the mentally and
physically disabled in the South Valley. There, Patel cares for a
young woman who rarely gets the chance to interact with other
people her age.
Patel’s openhanded attitude toward others is inspired by her
interactions with the faculty and staff at Sandia Prep. She recalls
an experience during her freshman year when she felt lost,
stressed, and out of place during her P.E. class. The instructor, Mr.
Wettin, pulled her aside and took the time to reassure her and
show his concern.
“And I think that is so important because—well, yes, it’s
important to learn in class—but it’s also important for teachers to
let the students know, ‘Hey I’m here for you. I care about you. I’m
not here to just give you the C and leave; I’m here to really get to
know you.’”
The closeness of the faculty and students at Sandia Prep is one
of the reasons Patel is confident and is able to explore so many
things. Like those of her fellow students, her experiences — both
in and outside of school — would simply not be possible without
the care and commitment of Sandia Prep’s teachers. Ultimately,
Sandia Prep is a learning institution. But for Patel and all the
other students who will move on from SPS to do great things, it is
so much more.
“Because what do you think of when you hear ‘school?’ You think,
learning and notes, and you want to cry… But here it’s not like
that […] I think it’s a great environment, a perfect environment for
me.”
- Justin Brough
13 532 • Spring 2015

Faculty Profiles
Rick Wettin &Ron Briley
15 532 • Spring 2015

Ron Briley: Legendary Teacher
The number of years Ron Briley served as Sandia Prep’s
Assistant Head: 26
The total length of Ron Briley’s tenure at Sandia Prep:
37 years
The number of students Ron Briley has inspired and lives he
has touched: Thousands.
The impact Ron Briley has made? Immeasurable.
Ron Briley grew up in Childress, a tiny town in the Texas
Panhandle, where he remembers picking cotton. As a boy, he was
not a great student. His family was poor, and there were no books
in the house. “I was not inspired by high school. But I was selfeducated;
I read a lot,” he says.
All that changed when Briley enrolled at West Texas State
University, the first of his family to attend college. There, he
discovered a passion for history. “There was a professor there
named Pete Petersen, who had come from the University of Iowa;
he’s retired now. He was a major figure in my life; he took me
under his wing.”
Briley went on to earn a B.A. and M.A. in History at West Texas
State, before coming to the University of New Mexico for his Ph.D.
While accepted at several graduate schools including Iowa, his
mentor’s alma mater, Briley chose UNM because he was offered a
full assistantship.
By 1978, Briley had finished his coursework for a Doctorate in
History and completed his comprehensive exams; he needed to
finish his dissertation. He took a job teaching at Sandia Prep,
planning to teach for just one year, long enough to finish writing
his dissertation on agrarian protest politics in the 1920s.
A funny thing happened. Briley fell in love with teaching high
school at Sandia Prep. “You can be as academic as you would be
at a university – but you get to know your students in a way you
cannot as a university professor,” he explains. “Teaching at Sandia
Prep is a lot like teaching at a small liberal arts college,” Briley
adds. When asked what has kept him here, he does not hesitate.
“The students!” he declares.
Briley’s favorite thing about being a teacher is “trying to make
the world a better place. You have an opportunity to influence
the future.” His faith and hope in the future drive his passion for
teaching. “Teaching is never boring; it is different each day. When
you work with kids, you never know what they will say, do or
think,” notes Briley. “Like my colleagues, at Prep I have been able
to teach my passions.” Along with teaching at SPS, Briley also has
enjoyed teaching at UNM Valencia for 20 years.
Briley teaches American History, a required course for SPS
juniors, along with two very popular senior electives. The first
is Introduction to World Cinema; the other is Contemporary
American History Through Film. The latter has become legendary.
So much so, in fact, that for the last few years, demand has driven
Briley to offer a Tuesday evening class during SummerPrep for
alumni and parents. This summer’s class will focus on the films
of actor/director Paul Newman. (There may be a few slots left; if
interested, email Briley at rbriley@sandiaprep.org.)
Continued on page 17; see “Briley.”
Rick Wettin: Respected Teacher,
Coach and Mentor
When Rick Wettin came to Sandia Prep to teach and coach,
Sandia Prep was just starting its seventeenth year on Osuna Road;
and the School had been co-ed for only nine years. He got the
job offer while traveling with his children from California up to
Calgary and back. “It was a big moment,” he recalls.
After earning his first bachelor’s degree in History and Political
Science and a teaching certificate from the University of New
Mexico and an Army career that included teaching, Wettin
had returned to UNM to earn a second bachelor’s in Physical
Education and Health. “I realized that I enjoyed teaching but
did not enjoy being confined inside all day. I wanted to be able to
teach outside the classroom,” he says.
Wettin was hired to teach P.E. and serve as co-head coach for
Varsity Soccer, but says he quickly realized that fellow coach Juan
Ramos was the expert and happily deferred to him. Over the
years, he has coached Junior Varsity (JV) boys soccer and served as
the Girls Varsity Basketball coach, a role he filled for 28 years. For
the last few years, he has coached the 6th Grade Boys Basketball
team.
Throughout his tenure, Wettin’s duties have run the gamut, from
serving as faculty sponsor for Student Government (SGA) and
being in charge of all the lockers on campus to advising at every
level from 8th through 12th grade and planning back-to-school
camps for every grade. He was a key member of the leadership
team for most of his tenure, serving as 11th and 12th Grade Dean
(Coordinator, as it was called then) for fifteen years and directing
graduation from 1985 until 2011.
As for what has kept Wettin at Sandia Prep for 33 years, he
answers emphatically, “No place could replace this!” He says he
has had opportunities to move on, but made a conscious decision
to remain here to coach and teach. “It has been an adventure,” he
says.
Wettin explains his two favorite things about teaching and
coaching. “First, it’s the kids; they are good material to work with,”
he says with a smile. “The other thing is interacting with a really
good group of faculty and administrators every day.”
One of the most significant challenges Wettin faces each day is
helping students learn the difference between right and wrong,
and how to make good decisions – while still remembering that
they are just twelve to eighteen years old, and helping their
parents remember the same thing. He says that perspective is key.
“When I was young, I was not a great student, and I caused a lot
of trouble; but I grew out of it well. We all learn by ‘bumping our
heads’ and ‘skinning our knees,’” he adds.
Unlike many adults whose career path was sparked by a particular
person or teacher, Wettin says that his path was actually inspired
by a subject area. “I loved history. I took summer classes,
voluntarily, at Sandia High, because I enjoyed it so much. But
then as a History major at UNM, I asked myself, what am I
Continued on page 18; see “Wettin.”

Briley (continued)
Ron and Son Shane
One of Briley’s proudest
accomplishments is starting Sandia
Prep’s Model United Nations
program. “The students had fun, and
almost immediately started bringing
home trophies. In our second year,
SPS was representing Togo, an
African nation, and our delegates
won First Prize, coming out ahead of all
the other schools,” he says proudly.
Briley has served in leadership positions for most of his Sandia
Prep career. As Assistant Head from 1986 to 2012, he oversaw
the Advisory program and was responsible for student life and
discipline. In 2004, he led the School as Acting Headmaster during
Dick Heath’s sabbatical.
All of Briley’s four children have attended Sandia Prep. Daughter
Pam ’86 graduated from Fort Lewis College and lives in Telluride,
Colorado. Son Shane ’11 will begin law school at UNM this fall.
Daughter Meghan ’14 is studying Music Education and will
be a sophomore at UNM next year. Daughter Rosemary ’20 is
currently a 7th grader at SPS. “At Sandia Prep, we give our students
confidence,” Briley notes. “Meghan found it here in music. Shane
found it in academics. Now Rosemary is beginning to find hers.”
Teaching has influenced the way Briley has raised his own
children. “With my kids, I emphasize that education is important
— in the experiential sense, the ‘big picture’ sense — and that it
never stops,” he says. “As a teacher, the least important thing I do is
assign a grade,” he adds.
Besides family and teaching, Briley has several passions. The first
is scholarship: academics, scholarly writing and book reviews.
“People think it’s funny, but I really enjoy scholarship,” Briley says.
“The second is a tie — between film and baseball. It’s a toss-up
which one I enjoy more!” he admits. The last is politics. Briley
has written numerous editorials for venues from Time magazine’s
website to the History News Network.
As for what Briley hopes his students will hold onto as they move
on, he says, “I would hope I have encouraged them to pursue their
intellectual passions and a sense of social justice. I hope I have
encouraged them to make a difference in the world.”
Briley does not hesitate when asked what he believes distinguishes
Sandia Prep. “It has always been the same. What sets our School
apart are the relationships between students and trusted adults —
in the classroom, the Outdoor Leadership Program, on the athletic
fields, in the art programs, and as advisors.”
Briley will walk away with countless Sandia Prep memories. “One
memory represents an interesting personal transition. I was asked
to serve on the Search Committee for Elton Knudsen’s successor in
1986 and we hired Dick Heath. Dick asked me to serve as Assistant
Headmaster. I wound up working with him for 24 years, and later
for two years with Steve Albert. I have been able to see our School
evolve,” he recalls.
17 532 • Spring 2015
Another vivid memory is of Sandia Prep winning the School’s firstever
State Championship, in boys soccer in 1985. “We were beating
Hope. I can remember it as plainly as if it had happened yesterday,”
he explains. “Andy Weiner scored the goal that put us ahead and
then… pure joy! My daughter, Pam, was on one of Prep’s teams that
year.”
The thing Briley will miss most? Teaching in the classroom. “I love
it. It’s a lot of fun.” After much consideration, he decided it was
time to retire. “The physical demands have grown challenging for
me; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” he explains. One
thing he plans to do in retirement is write a memoir.
Briley stays in touch with many former students. His office has
long been one of the most popular campus stops for visiting
alumni. “I don’t ‘do’ Facebook, but they know where to find me,” he
says. Some alumni contact him regularly. “Others drop off the radar
for a while, and then email and ask, ‘Can we grab coffee and catch
up?’” he explains.
When asked to reflect on his years at Sandia Prep and of what he
is most proud, Briley cites “the relationships formed with young
people, and the passionate discussions of politics, films and ideas”
and says the word that comes to him is “hope.” He concludes, “I
like to ask my students, ‘What have you done today to make
the world a better place?’ I try to teach them to change the
world, one person and one deed at a time.”
- Celeste Walther
Ron Briley has a vita over 120 pages long. Although we cannot name
all of his numerous honors, or his 100+ articles, 100+ reviews, 50+
presentations, and five books, we can give you some of the highlights.
• Fulbright Programs: The Netherlands (1985), Yugoslavia (1998),
Japan (1999)
• Golden Apple Teaching Award: New Mexico (1996)
• Eugene Asher Distinguished Teaching Award, AHA and
Society of History Education (1996)
• Grand Prize Essay Contest, Republic of Korea (1996)
• OAH Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau Pre-collegiate Teaching
Award (1997)
• 2003 Excellence in Teaching Awards, American Councils,
Azerbijan
• Beveridge Teaching Prize, American Historical Association
(2007)
• Guthrie Fellow, Woody Guthrie Archives, New York City (2006)
• Paul Gagnon Prize, National Council for History Education
(2011)
• Class at Bat, Gender on Deck, Race in the Hole: A Line-up of
Essays on Twentieth Century American Culture and America's
Game (McFarland, 2003)
• James T. Farrell's Dreaming Baseball: A Novel, Co-editor (Kent
Ohio: Kent State University Press, 2007)
• All Stars and Movie Stars, Co-editor (University of Kentucky
Press. 2008)
• The Politics of Baseball: Essays on the Pastime and Power at
Home and Abroad (McFarland, 2010)
• The Baseball Film in Postwar America: A Critical Study, 1948-
1962 (McFarland, 2011)

Wettin (continued)
going to do with a History degree? And so the option of teaching
presented itself,” he remembers. Wettin did his student teaching
with 8th graders at Monroe Middle School and later at Cibola High
School.
an American father and
an Australian mother.
Though the young family
had planned to remain
in Australia, Wettin’s
father, as the eldest son,
was summoned home
to deal with family
matters. So father,
mother and 10-monthold
Rick left on a troop ship and
headed back to the States. Wettin lived outside
Chicago until 1952, when his Aussie mother’s disaffection with
Midwestern winters caused his father to take a job with Sandia
National Laboratories and move the family to Albuquerque.
Wettin attended Sandia High School, where he swam for three
years before graduating in 1964. He later swam for UNM, attending
on an athletic scholarship. After earning the first of two degrees
at UNM, Wettin was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam
and later North Carolina. He then re-enlisted and served in
Colorado, Oklahoma and Germany.
Ron, Rick, Dick Heath, Former Faculty Thomas Webber, Willie Owens
Of his many, many memories, Wettin says one that stands out is
the day when Sandia Prep won its very first State Championship,
in soccer, in 1985. “It was a ‘whole school’ celebration,” he says. “A
group of crazy parents even strung big signs across Osuna Road
that said, ‘You’re passing Sandia Prep, home of the State Soccer
Champions!’” Besides that, Wettin says that he has hundreds more
individual memories of students, experiences, colleagues and
parents, and his interactions with so many people.
Beyond teaching and family, Wettin’s passion is travel. “I
have enjoyed the chance to travel as much as I have. I have
been fortunate to travel
throughout Europe with
Ron Briley and Paul Ryder
and three times to Africa
with Arne Vanderburg,” he
says. Certain experiences
have left their mark. “When
I think about Zimbabwe, I
can visualize walking down
the path, with twelve-foot
high grass, and I can smell
the elephants,” he explains.
“Travel teaches you about
yourself. You have a greater
understanding of the world.”
Wettin began his travels
at a very early age. He was
born in Sydney, Australia to
Both of Wettin’s children are graduates of Sandia Prep. Son Scott
'91 resides in Arizona. Daughter Wendi '88 lives in Brookvale,
Australia, just across the harbor from Sydney; and Wettin’s brother
lives in far southwestern Australia. He has traveled extensively
throughout Australia. “I’ve probably seen more of the country than
my family members who live there,” he notes.
When he thinks about Sandia Prep, and what distinguishes our
School, Wettin does not hesitate. “I know it sounds corny, but
Sandia Prep has always been a family. Students and adults
have always felt comfortable with each other here. The other
thing that set us apart is this: Sandia Prep provides a great
education, but we care about kids.”
Wettin pauses to think, when asked
about his time at Sandia Prep and of
what he is most proud. “Perhaps that
I didn’t do too much damage?” he
asks, with a laugh. After a moment,
he is ready to answer. “I would say
that I am most proud that I have been
afforded the privilege of working with
good people – students, faculty and
staff.”
When asked what he will miss most,
Wettin becomes silent. After a very
long pause, he looks up and says,
“Everything.”
- Celeste Walther
532 • Spring 2015 18

SPs News
the S.P.A.C.E.
Sandia Prep’s Autonomous
Creative Environment
Opening: August 2015
What is a “maker space”?
• A place for engaging learners in creative, higher-order problem solving through hands-on design, construction and iteration; one
that facilitates experimental play that engages students
• A resource that creates the opportunity to put theory into application, where failure is a welcomed component and there is no
penalty for failure
• A community workspace for budding artists, craftspeople, makers, hobbyists and hardware developers
• A movement to empower students as creators and tinkerers
Why are we building one?
• Because creativity, design and engineering have never been more important
• To allow our students to develop the types of skill sets that have real, applicable value in our rapidly advancing world
• Because we know that students should be asking questions; finding problems, instead of merely solving those identified by
others; and thinking about systems instead of compartmentalized ideas
• To continue to offer Sandia Prep programs that engage students in a culture of creativity, constructivism, and project-based
learning
What will Sandia Prep’s “maker space” be?
• The S.P.A.C.E.: Sandia Prep’s Autonomous Creative Environment will be a community-oriented workshop where science,
engineering, technical and visual art enthusiasts meet regularly to share, explore and collaborate using textiles, electronic
hardware, manufacturing tools, and programming techniques.
Continued on next page.
SPS Briefs
Sandia Prep's Dance Team had a
memorable year. They traveled to Walt
Disney World to compete in the National
Dance Team Championships, where they
placed 6th in the nation with their Jazz
routine and 12th in Pom. At the St. Pius
and Four Corners Competitions, they took
1st place in both Pom and Jazz and had the
overall high scores. The team took 3rd place
in the State competition.
As always, the Sandia Prep
Theater Department showcased
the amazing talents of our
students in plays and musicals,
including Marvin’s Room, Legally
Blonde Jr., Seussical and A Child
Shall Lead.
An exhibit featuring original works
by senior students in Sandia Prep's
Visual Arts Program was displayed
in the Anderman Concourse of the
McCall Performing Arts Center.
Works included acrylics, silk
paintings, drawings, photography,
ceramics and sculpture.
19 532 • Spring 2015
The Greendevils, Sandia Prep's
sustainability organization, collected
approximately 13,000 pounds in
donations during their 3rd Annual
E-Waste Recycling Drive, nearly
tripling the second-place school's
total -- and winning the competition
for the third consecutive year!

What are some of the goals of the S.P.A.C.E.?
• To act as an incubator, a space where students can go to learn the skills to create things and
have access to the tools necessary to create them
• To provide innovative tools, so that students can develop ideas and try implementing them
• To balance social interaction with individual exploration, while keeping students close
enough together to inspire each other with ideas
• To partner with other programs and groups on campus, such as science, art and broadcasting
• To interact with other maker spaces in our area, such as Manzano Day School’s MakerSpace
Who will use it?
• Sandia Prep students in grades 6 through 12
• Sandia Prep faculty and staff
• Sandia Prep families
• Local professionals, tradespeople
• SummerPrep students
• SPS student teams participating in competitions such as FIRST® LEGO® League
What kinds of things will be done in the S.P.A.C.E.?
Our new MakerBot Replicator Mini
• Students may take things apart, build things, or experiment.
• Students may choose to create things with recycled and repurposed items.
• Students may utilize equipment, such as sewing machines, woodworking tools, CAD software, 3D printing, or laser-cutting
equipment.
• We will hold “pop-ups” – impromptu lessons and demonstrations that focus on particular concepts and skills.
How will the S.P.A.C.E. benefit students?
• Students will learn to share available resources, mentor one another and solve problems.
• The S.P.A.C.E. will move students from merely studying about the principles of math and science to actually applying them,
inventing, and trying solutions.
• Students will learn to work in a multi-age environment, as co-creators from both the Middle and Upper Schools collaborate with
one another.
• By allowing students (“makers”) to spend time, collaborate, learn, and be inspired to build innovative creations.
Where will the S.P.A.C.E. be located?
• It will be located in the 300 building, a highly visible space in the center of campus, adjacent to the Quad.
What is needed, and how can I help?
Donate a needed item: See the Wish List at www.sandiaprep.org/giving/SPACE and consider donating an item shown there; or
contact Julie Cook at jwcook@sandiaprep.org or 505.338.3022 to make a donation.
Lend a hand: To volunteer with building the S.P.A.C.E. over this summer, or to donate some time to work with students in the
S.P.A.C.E. this fall, contact Cassandra Osterloh at costerloh@sandiaprep.org or Daniel DeLeón at ddeleon@sandiaprep.org.
Sandia Prep students, families, faculty
and staff donated more than 2,400 pounds
of food to the Storehouse to help feed local
families in need. SPS 6th Grade students,
who won the grade level competition, voted
to forego their prize and instead donate the
additional proceeds to the Storehouse.
Sandia Prep's girls and boys basketball teams
raised a total of $4,837 at the annual Pink Out
basketball games. Of the proceeds, $4,637 will be
donated to the American Cancer Society to aid in
the fight to end cancer. The remaining $200 will
go to Pink Pack, a family fundraiser started
by UNM Lobo Hugh Greenwood to benefit
the UNM Cancer Center.
Sandia Prep's Mock Trial team competed
against 27 other teams to capture sixth place
in the New Mexico High School Regional
Mock Trial Competition. The team then
headed to State Competition, where it was
awarded second runner-up. Keely Lovato
’16 was named an outstanding attorney.
The Native American Sandia
Prep Alliance (NASPA) was
proud to sponsor its 2nd Annual
Native American Day at Sandia
Prep. The festivities included
a tribal drum group, singers,
dancers, vendors and a storyteller
from the Zuni Pueblo.
532 • Spring 2015 20

SummerPrep 2015: The Future Begins Here
SummerPrep 2015 offers more than 90 academic, arts and sports camps for students
entering grades K-12, with new camps such as Rocketry, Comparative Anatomy: Get the
Inside Scoop on the Animal Kingdom, Exploring the World of Gods, Myths and Monsters,
and Young Actor's Workshop. Returning favorites include: Weird and Wacky Science;
Hogwarts School; Kids Cook; Chemistry; Costume Design; and Come Play and Learn.
Sports camps for soccer, tennis, kickball, and yoga round out the offerings, along with
sports clinics in basketball, soccer, baseball and volleyball.
SummerPrep 2015 takes place June 1 through July 10. Register online at summerprep.org.
The Future Begins Here!
Student 411
Delaney Heileman ’16 has been
selected as a member of U.S.
Representative Michelle Lujan-
Grisham’s Youth Advisory Council.
The council was formed by Rep.
Lujan-Grisham to gain insight on
important issues from the youth in her
congressional district.
Gabriella Albert ’15 has been selected to
participate in the 47th annual Dr. Bessie F.
Lawrence International Summer Science
Institute at the Weizmann Institute of
Science in Israel. She will be one of 19
students representing the U.S. among a
group of 80 participants from around the
world.
Sandia Prep senior Rachel Bryant ’15 was
awarded a scholarship by the Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Multicultural Council,
based on an essay she composed. She
spoke about Dr. King and the effect his
legacy has had upon her life at the “57th
Anniversary of the Dream” event hosted
by the Council. In addition, she spoke
briefly at the awards ceremony.
Stuart Wygant '15 was awarded a National Army
ROTC Scholarship, a full four-year scholarship
that can be used at any university where he
is admitted. The application process was
competitive and included interviews with ROTC
leaders at universities in multiple states. Excellent
academic performance, extracurricular activities
(Civil Air Patrol 2nd Lieutenant, Eagle Scout,
School Sports and OLP) and splendid character
contributed to the award.
Sandia Prep students,
Angelica Adams ’20
and Walker Durell ’15
were prize winners in the
2015 Vocal Artistry Art
Song Festival. Nearly 100
singers took part in this
year's event.
Sandia Prep senior Blaque Armijo ’15
recently participated in the Perry Outreach
Program at the University of New Mexico
Health Sciences Center. The program
strives to inspire young women to be
leaders in the fields of Orthopaedic Surgery
and Engineering and is a hands-on,
mentor-based program that invites only
40 female students from 23 high schools
around the state to attend.
Sandia Prep senior Natalie Benson ’15
has been chosen as New Mexico's
Distinguished Young Woman and
awarded a $108,000 scholarship to
Chapman University. She will represent
New Mexico in the Distinguished Young
Women national finals.
21 532 • Spring 2015
Niall Rawn ’15 has been honored
by Photographer’s Forum for his
photograph, “Lenticular,” which
has been selected as a finalist in the
magazine’s annual High School and
College photography contest. The entry
was selected from among 17,000 photos
submitted by student photographers around the world and will be
published alongside the other finalists in the hardcover book Best of
College & High School Photography 2015.

Explore China - Spring 2016
Walk along the Great Wall in Beijing, tour the famous Bund waterfront in Shanghai,
marvel at the stately Terracotta Warriors in Xian, and take in the Li River's majestic
scenery in Guilin.
Plans are underway for an SPS-sponsored trip to China over spring break 2016. The
two-week trip, open to Upper and Middle School students and parents, will include
visits to Chinese cities and rural areas as well.
If you’d like more information, please contact Ying Ding (yding@sandiaprep.org),
Rob Minear (rminear@sandiaprep.org), or Joan Goessl (jgoessl@sandiaprep.org).
The Faculty Wall
Sandia Prep bids farewell and thanks to three of our distinguished
faculty members who are retiring this year.
• Dave Schindel, College Counselor and faculty member, has
been at Sandia Prep for nine years.
• Ron Briley, History teacher and former Assistant Head of
School, retires after 37 years.
• Rick Wettin, Physical Education teacher and soccer and
basketball coach, will retire after 33 years at Sandia Prep.
All will be greatly missed!
Sandia Prep science teacher and Outdoor
Leadership Program member Helen Haskell
has been selected to take part in the 2015
EARTH workshop with the Monterey Bay
Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in
Oregon. The workshop brings together
educators and scientists to learn about new
research and how to incorporate it into the
classroom. EARTH uses near-real-time data to
design and test Internet outreach.
Sandia Prep guitar teacher Dr. Lynn
McGrath has had a busy year. She directed
the Guitar Foundation of America Regional
Symposium in Las Vegas with over 200
registrants, adjudicated for the CU-Boulder
International Guitar Festival, presented
masterclasses at Cerritos College and the
Vanguard University Guitar Festival, and
adjudicated for the Clark County School
District Guitar Festival.
Math teacher and Helping Hands
(community service) advisor Susi
Hochrein will be taking on a new role
in the 2015-2016 school year. She will be
Sandia Prep's next Dean of the 7th and
8th Grades. Susi has been at SPS since
2010 and will continue to teach two
sections of Beginning Algebra.
The Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña
(State Arts Agency of Puerto Rico) honored
Sandia Prep Band Director, Dr. José Mariano
Morales-Matos, for his achievements as
a composer, arranger and educator and
his contributions to music and culture in
Puerto Rico. The Government of Puerto Rico
dedicated the 48th Fiesta de la Música de
Puerto Rico to Dr. Morales. Morales’ CD was
released in January and is available through
Amazon and iTunes.
Encircle Publications has published a
second chapbook of poetry by Sandia
Prep faculty member Steve Ausherman.
Marking the Bend, Ausherman's new
chapbook, is concerned with the grounding,
transformational experiences that are found
in connecting deeply to place. The book is
available at encirclepub.com.
Sandia Prep photography teacher Michael
Hudock was featured on the NM PBS
series, ¡COLORES!, a weekly art series
highlighting local and national stories
about film, visual and performing arts,
theatre, photography, literature, painting,
sculpture, poetry and dance.
532 • Spring 2015 22

smartgiving
Track & Soccer Stadium Nears the Finish Line
Photo: Donors, members of the Board of Trustees, and track and soccer athletes ceremoniously shoveled dirt to officially break ground on the stadium renovation.
On a cold and sunny day in February, Sandia Prep’s entire student body, faculty, trustees and donors gathered on the west soccer
field in the interior of the School’s aging track. They came together to take part in the much anticipated groundbreaking ceremony
signifying the beginning of a four-month renovation of the track and soccer facility.
In December 2015 the Board of Trustees voted in favor of moving forward with the $1.093 million project to address deep cracks in
the track’s surface, poor drainage, and soil settlement issues.
The Durán Family Track & Soccer Stadium
Financial support from the Sandia Prep community has been
strong and heartfelt, inspiring gifts from alumni, current parents,
parents of alumni, grandparents, businesses and friends of
Sandia Prep.
Named for Bronson and Margaret Durán and their children, the
family’s leadership gift for the new track and soccer stadium
reflects the many years of participation and commitment by their
children, Tatianna ’07, Bronson ’10, and Sevilla ’20, all of whom
have been very involved in Sundevil athletics.
The stadium will officially open at the start of school in August
2015.
"
We have always been taught to invest in
what we believe in, and we truly believe in
Sandia Prep and its commitment in putting
students at the center. We have no doubt that
academics and athletics go hand-in-hand
to help young people achieve their utmost
potential. Sandia Prep's unique no-cut athletic
tradition gives all students the chance to
experience and contribute to a sports team.
The track and soccer field renovation is a
small way for us to give back to a school that
has given so much, to so many.
- Bronson & Margaret Durán
smartboard
23 532 • Spring 2015
New Ford Mustang
Coupe V6 Raffle
$10 per ticket
Drawing will be held
July 11, 2015
Purchase tickets at
www.sandiaprep.org
School Groups Give
(As of 4.30.15)
Congratulations to the parents of the Boys JV
& Varsity Basketball teams for achieving 100%
participation in Sandia Prep’s iGive Annual
Fund! Other programs with greater than 70% parent participation include: Varsity
Boys & Girls Swimming, Cross Country, Camping Associates/OLP, Varsity Boys & Girls
Soccer, Varsity Girls Basketball, Middle School/Boys/Girls Tennis, and Jazz Band.

Project Inspires Gifts of Gratitude
"
The Jury Family is committed to the pursuit of excellence for our children and future generations of Sandia Prep
students. Through sports, we learn the fundamentals of most life lessons. We learn perseverance, sacrifice,
leadership, delayed gratification, teamwork and humility. We experience triumph and defeat. We learn how to win
and lose with grace and humility. We learn to never give up and finish the race. The Jurys are honored to be a small
part of the track renovation project and the impact it will have on all that experience it.
- Vic & Mary Jury
Many thanks to all of the families and
businesses who have contributed to the
Track & Soccer Stadium Renovation
(as of 5.5.2015)
Leadership Gifts
Bronson & Margaret Durán (Tatianna '07,
Bronson '10, Sevilla '20)
Vic & Mary Jury (Victor ’15 & Meredith ’18)
_________________________
Anonymous
Chuck & Chris Abadie
Pat & Kim Allen
Billy & Shawne Blackburn
Dr. & Mrs. Robert L. Brooks
Lionel & Karil Candelaria
Jerome Cap & Marilyn Bange
John & Carol Cochran
Lisa Curtis
Rev. & Mrs. Paul Debenport
Victor & Emma Del Frate
Dion's
Chuck & Liz Fleddermann
Don & Cori Friedman
Frontier Restaurant/Golden Pride
Goodrich Corp Partners in Giving Plan
David & Ginger Grosjean
Dick & Nancy Heath
Scott Henry
Carol Hinton
Phil & Theresa Houser /
Document Solutions, Inc
Paul & Noel Huitt
Patrick & Shannon Hurley
Intel Foundation
Jay Kory '06 & Kristen Johnson '06
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Johnson
Phillip & Janelle Miller Johnson
Eugene & Ellen Kersh
Mike & Ellen Kivitz
Larry & Loretta Levy
Lexus of Albuquerque
Randall & Phyllis Lynn
Robin McCoy
Mini Cooper Raffle
Robert & Susan C. Meredith
Joe & Margaret Michael
Nancy Miller
Robert Milne & Ann DeHart
Pediatric Associates/
Gretchen Seelinger, MD
New Mexico Racewalkers Inc.
Cassandra & Brian Osterloh
Tony & Jo Paap
Mark Riley
La Vern Roberts
Ellen Ann Ryan, Original
Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union
Brandon C. Saylor '03
Scalo
SPS Parents Association
Southwest Capital Bank
Chet & Diana Stewart
Ed & Jennifer Street
Steve Suiter
Len & Liz Trainor
Drs. Victor & Justina Vigil
Joyce Whelchel & Tom Baumgartel
Bruce & Lorna Wiggins
Al & Vicky Zaleski
2015 Sandia Prep Golf Tournament
Friday, September 18
Sandia Golf Club
1:00 pm Shotgun Start
Save the Date
Noche de Oro
50th Anniversary Kick-Off & Fundraising Gala
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Hotel Albuquerque
Register today @ www.sandiaprep.org.
Sponsorships available.
Contact Julie Cook at jwcook@sandiaprep.org or 505.338.3022 532 • Spring 2015 24

SUNDEVIL
SPORTS
2014 Winter Season Recap
The winter season was highlighted with the return of the Girls
Varsity basketball team as well as the Varsity Dance team’s
return to the Pit. The girls basketball team, led by first team allstate
Kalei Yepa ’15, tied the school record for victories with 19.
Receiving a 6th seed for the state tournament, the girls defeated
Silver City before falling to Shiprock in the quarterfinals. Kalei
set a total 9 school records. She and Madie Trainor ’17 were
selected to the All-District team as well. Kalei was selected
to the North All-Star team in a game to be played later this
summer.
The Boys Varsity basketball team struggled throughout most
of the season and came up short in the district tournament.
Dustin Gaddis ’16 and Will Lucero ’16 made the All-District
team.
Several records were set by the swim teams including the girls
200 yard relay. Louisa McNaughton, ’16, Yana Apostalon, ’15,
Amanda Custer, ’15 and Morgan Crotta, ’17, swam a 1:44.56
time that eclipsed the record set in 2003. Crotta also set the
50 free record of 25.45 seconds and Amanda Custer broke
her own record in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 58.98.
Kevin Benavidez, ’16, set records in the 200 yard individual
medley with a time of 1:53.95 and a record 59.41 in the 100 yard
breaststroke. The girls team finished 1st among the A-4A
schools while the boys finished 2nd in that category. Seniors
Monty Bruckman ’15 and Yana Apostalon ’15 have been
nominated for Academic All American.
The Dance Team performed exceedingly well before a large
crowd at the Pit and finished 3rd for the 4th time in 5 years.
The Bowling team finished in 3rd place at State for the 4th
consecutive year. The team was led by Brittany Holden-
Rhodes, ’17 who had the high game and the high series in the
1A-4A Class. Brittany, for the second year in a row, made the
All-State team and this year Alexandria Ragsdale, ’16 and
Yanru Wang, ’17 were selected to the All-State team as well.
Middle School Boys Baseball competed in the Albuquerque
Private and Parochial League (APAIL) with 6 teams. The 8th
grade Blue team won the consolation bracket of the post
season tournament
In all, 230 students participated in winter sports on 22 teams
this year.
- Pete MacFarlane, Athletic Director
See what we’re about.
Visit us at:
sandiaprep.org/athletics

"
This year has been one of reflection,
growth, and excitement for me. I have been
honored to work with such a marvelous
faculty and staff while learning, in depth,
about each area that contributes toward
making this school so alive. Transitions
provide opportunities for people to
rise into leadership positions at many
different levels. This faculty and staff
has stepped up as a solidified group and
I am forever grateful. Together, we are a
dynamic organism that works to provide an
exceptionally joyful and meaningful learning
environment for our remarkable students.
Joyce Whelchel
Interim Head of School, 2014-2015
Longtime SPS Educator Joyce Whelchel Leads as Interim Head
Having taught and served in multiple leadership positions since joining the faculty in 1997, Joyce Whelchel has led Sandia Prep
since June of last year as the Interim Head of School. While a time of transition, this year also has been one of accomplishment
and progress under Whelchel’s leadership. The School has moved forward on multiple fronts, enhancing curriculum, adding a
Maker Space, and undertaking and completing a major renovation of the Track and Soccer Stadium. At the center of the School,
students have enjoyed a successful year in academic, athletics, the arts, the Outdoor Leadership Program and other activities.
Whelchel will turn over the reins to Bill Sinfield, Sandia Prep’s next Head of School, on July 1.
2014-2015 Highlights:
• Campus improvements: The $1.09 million renovation of our Track and Soccer Stadium
• Planning: Development by the Leadership Team of a dynamic, comprehensive working plan for Sandia Prep to continue to
provide the ideal educational and experiential environment
• Curriculum: The addition of unique courses in multiple academic departments, such as Mathematics and Theater, and the
addition of new electives in 8th grade and new options in the 8th grade art and media rotation
• Native American Studies Center: Faculty collaboration to develop learning initiatives, across grades and departments,
that enhance our students’ multicultural knowledge
• Center for Learning Excellence: Newly added opportunity for all students, every day, to utilize the Center for Learning
Excellence for study
• the S.P.A.C.E.: The addition of a brand new Maker Space, complete with 3D printers; ours will be called the S.P.A.C.E.,
Sandia Prep’s Autonomous Creative Environment; it will open in August
• Continued success of our students in academics and with our athletic teams, Outdoor Leadership Program, club
competitions, and the arts
532 • Spring 2015 26

Sandia Preparatory School
532 Osuna Rd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
sandiaprep.org
Non-Profit
Organization
US POSTAGE
PAID
Albuquerque, NM
PERMIT NO 215
7th Annual
Sandia Prep
GOLF
tournament
Alumni Weekend
2 15
S A N D I A
A L U M N
I
P R E P
W E E K E N D
July 11, 2015
See page 5 for details.
Save the Date
Friday, September 18, 2015
Sandia Golf Club
@ Sandia Resort & Casino
sandiaprep.org • 338.3000