532 - Fall 2014.pdf

532 

Fall 2014 

osuna road 

A magazine for the Sandia Prep Community 

A Field of Dreams & A Journey of Gratitude 

Sandia Prep’s Track & Soccer Stadium 

Profiles 

Alumnus: Michael Blea ’00 

Faculty: Noel Huitt 

Students: Kalei ’15 & Meredith ’17 Yepa 

Beyond Boundaries: 

SPS Students Travel to China 

Sandia Prep Establishes 

Native American Studies Center

532 

In this Issue 

17 

17 

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 Track & Soccer Stadium: A Field of 

Dreams and A Journey of Gratitude 

Since its inception, Sandia Prep has embraced a nocut 

athletics philosophy — while cultivating a highly 

successful and competitive sports program, of which 

the track and field program is a key component. Yet 

the program’s value far transcends the numerous 

trophies and tournament banners garnered; its true 

value lies in the countless young people whose lives 

have been touched; who have discovered confidence, 

wellness, self discipline, teamwork and community on 

the field and track; and who have learned that, as long 

as they continue to dream and persevere, they can 

achieve anything. 

On the cover: Victor Jury, III ’15 and Kalei Yepa ’15, two 

student athletes in Sandia Prep’s track and field program, run 

along the tree-lined path near the Sandia Prep campus. 

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

11 13 

15 

Features 

11 

13 

Alumnus Profile: Michael Blea ’00 

Faculty Profile: Noel Huitt 

In Every Issue 

We’re Listening 

From the Head of School 

Alumni News 

3 

4 

5-6 

15 

20 

Student Profile: Kalei ’15 & Meredith ’17 Yepa 

Beyond Boundaries: SPS Around the World 

Alumni Notes 

From the Archive 

SPS News 

7-9 

10 

21 

21 

Sandia Prep Establishes Native American 

Studies Center 

Student 411 

Faculty Wall 

22 

22 

Smart Giving 

23 

Sundevil Sports 

25 

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 – 

Roxanna Caird 

Julie Cook 

Melissa Besante Dineen ’97 

Sebastian Holguin 

Pete MacFarlane 

Lesley Paisano 

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 miss Prep so much! 

My first year of college 

has really opened my eyes 

to how remarkable an 

education Prep provides.” 

Pia Matic ’13 

Sundevil Sam: We have the BEST alumni! 

Jere Newcomb: Can’t wait for the road trip trying all of them out. 

Monique Mayer Jacobson ’96: Thanks so much for the support! That is awesome... 

now get out on that road trip. 

ABQ Journal: “W/ SPS 

having swept the 2nd place 

Bobcats, it virtually clinches 

the District title & No. 1 

overall seed @ state.” 

Go Sundevils!@ 

MySandiaPrep 

3 532 • Fall 2014 

Here are a few pictures from 

our “Evening to Remember” 

dinner we purchased at 

Noche de Celebración. 

Food, wine, company and 

music (care of Darby Fagan) 

were all fabulous! Certainly 

an evening to remember! 

- Sheila Ryan Hunter

From the Head of School 

A Red Oval Track 

Many memories surfaced as I read through this issue of our 532 magazine. More recent thoughts 

surrounded my interactions with the many student athletes I have come to know over the past 

eighteen years. Their dedication for embracing Sandia Prep academically, as an athlete and often 

as an artist, is both encouraging and enlightening. I ask myself, “Who are the future leaders of 

our world?” I have no doubt that Sandia Prep students will be part of the mix, bringing their 

commitment and leadership to many different areas across the globe. I hope their athletic and 

academic involvement at Sandia Prep will be a foundation that will support them with their 

individual journeys. 

More distant memories go back to my days as a child when a Physical Education teacher at my 

elementary school entered me in an AAU track meet at Albuquerque Academy, then a boys’ school. 

I was only nine years old and showed up to compete against teams with matching uniforms and spikes in their running shoes. 

Imagine that! It was the beginning of a love affair with running and track and field. As it turned out, I won all three events (running 

and long jumping) that day, to the shock of the club running teams, one of which I joined soon after! 

Those oval running tracks are structures of beauty. I remember my first of many trips to California to run. I was used to our New 

Mexico cinder tracks and was in awe of the first rubberized track I ran on at University of California at Irvine, changing out my 

long spikes for short ones. This was later followed by a trip to nationals in Bakersfield, California and then to Walnut, California to 

compete in the Mt. SAC Relays at Mount San Antonio College’s Hilmer Lodge Stadium, in one of the most beautiful settings for a 

track I have ever seen. Those red oval tracks made me feel like I was flying, even though my personal times were only slightly better. It 

was magic to my feet. I still get chills when I see a red track, lined white and clean. Of course, New Mexico soon followed suit with our 

own great tracks, and sponsored an international indoor meet each year with athletes from all over the world. This was exciting for a 

small New Mexico girl. The banked indoor track made of wood was also fun (and loud) to run on — and more importantly to me, it 

was designed by one of my own track coaches. 

That red oval track has allowed me to come full circle. I have been able to watch runners move around and around our track, watch 

soccer players run up and down the field, and watch jumpers reach high or long for record distances. It is a pleasure to be a supporter 

of our athletes and cheer them on to great accomplishments. I look forward to the spring when I can watch these same athletes run 

around a new oval track (hopefully red) and to the fall when the soccer teams enjoy a better stadium field on which to play. They 

deserve a chance to find that magic — running on a red oval track or competing within its boundaries. 

Yes, I do still run despite a couple of used-up knees. I now choose the quiet, tree-lined trails in the Bosque or the slippery granite 

trails in the Sandia foothills. While these locations are best for me now, I will never forget the magical feelings I was so fortunate to 

experience for all those years, running around a red oval track. 

Warmly, 


Sandia Prep Important Dates 

Santa Claus is coming to SPS!, Monday, December 8, 2014 

Last Day for Middle School, Friday, December 12, 2014 

Winter Break, Friday, December 19, 2013-Monday, January 5, 2015 

Alumni Basketball Games, Saturday, December 27, 2014 

Classes Resume, Tuesday, January 6, 2015 

Recent Grad Lunch, Wednesday, January 7, 2015 

Advisory Conferences, Wednesday, January 12, 2015 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Monday, January 19, 2015 

Presidents Day Holiday, Monday, February 16, 2015 

Spring Break, Monday, March 23 - Friday, April 3, 2015 

Classes Resume, Monday, April 6, 2015 

Graduation, Saturday, May 23, 2015 

Send us your news! 

If you have something you’d like to share, send your news and photos to 

info@sandiaprep.org. 

532 • Fall 2014 4

Alumni 

Ron Briley to Retire May 2015 

News 

Ron Briley has given nearly four decades of his life in service to our School and our students. After 37 years in the classroom, and stints 

as Interim Head and Department Chair, Sandia Prep’s beloved History teacher and longtime former Assistant Head of School is set 

to retire in May 2015. Our school was only twelve years old when Ron came to teach on Osuna Road; he saw this as a “brief stop” on 

his way to a university career. Instead, he grew to love teaching high school at Sandia Prep — and we, in turn, have grown to love and 

admire him. Through his teaching, guidance and mentorship, he has touched the lives of thousands of students, countless parents and 

families, and nearly all of Sandia Prep’s alumni. 

A message from Ron Briley: 

“Dear friends: It has been incredibly fun and intellectually stimulating to work alongside my peers and teach some of the greatest 

students and people in the world during my 37 years at Sandia Prep. While I have decided to retire from teaching at Prep in May 2015, 

I can honestly say it will be a difficult transition. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have spent here, the colleagues with whom I 

have been privileged to labor, and especially the students whom I have had the great privilege to know and to teach. 

I will, of course, maintain my connection with the School and I plan to continue attending games and performances. In addition, I will 

continue to teach my summer film class for parents and alumni; and if there is an interest and need, I may still teach one film history 

class at Prep in the fall. I also plan to maintain my SPS email and snail mail address. So if you need to get in touch with me, I will still 

be available. Give me a call, and we’ll grab a cup of coffee—I’ll have the time. I will also have a little more time for family, baseball, 

films, and a little writing. I’m looking forward to it.” – Ron Briley 

Book of Memories 

Sandia Prep’s Alumni Association is working to put together a memory book of alumni memories and photos for Ron Briley. To submit 

your message and/or photo(s), please email alumni@sandiaprep.org. 

Briley Bash 

We’re looking for planning committee members to help host a Briley Retirement Bash during our 2015 Alumni Weekend Festivities, 

Saturday, July 11, 2015. If you’d like to join the committee, please email alumni@sandiaprep.org. 

Event Recaps 

To celebrate National Teacher Appreciation 

Day in May, the Sandia Prep Alumni 

Association hosted a breakfast for Prep’s 

dedicated faculty and staff. In addition to the 

Rebel Donuts they received, we had dozens 

of “Grads Showing Gratitude” cards to share. Thank you to all 

who participated! Our faculty members loved the personalized 

messages and the monetary donations helped raise important 

funds for Sandia Prep. 


During our 2014 Noche de Celebración, 

Sandia Prep auctioned off four tickets 

to The Voice finale. Winners were 

chauffeured to and from the show, 

enjoyed a two-night stay in Beverly Hills, 

plus a gift card to be used toward airfare. 

During the live finale May 20, Susan 

(Przekurat) Epstein ’91, Michelle Clark, Guilia Urquhart and 

Caroline Woods (left to right) witnessed The Voice reveal its sixth 

champion. A special thank-you to Pete and Tracy Henderson and 

Alfred Volden ’78, owner of All World Travel, for helping us to 

pull together this once-in-a-lifetime auction package!

2014 Alumni Weekend 

Our 2014 Alumni Weekend was the best yet! 400+ community members joined us for a complimentary evening of Papa Murphy’s 

pizza, Marble Brewery amber and pilsner beers, shaved iced treats, Lil Kickers soccer instruction, a photo booth and more! 

Our Alumni Weekend festivities had a great deal of support including our planning committee: Melissa Besante Dineen ’97, Susan 

(Prezkurat) Epstein ’91, Julie (Langheim) Jackson ’99, Andrea (Brue) Kendall ’98 and Lydia (Jones) Pizzonia ’99. We also had a great 

group of volunteers: Allen Arsenault, Ethan Aronson ’05, Melissa Bentley ’79, Billy Blackburn, Shawne Blackburn, Meghan Briley ’14, 

Ron Briley, Rosemary Briley ’20, Roxanna Caird, Dave Disco, Roseanne Eklund ’91, Justin Escobedo ’16, Greg Farah ’99, Courtney Haury, 

Michael Dineen, Jade King ’14; Rhianna King ’10; Judd McRoberts ’96, Andrea Kennedy- Montanez ’02; Jere Newcomb, Dave Schindel, 

Tommy Smith, Kiersten Stockham ’91, Kevin Wade ’09 and Joyce Whelchel. 

On June 8, 2014, Helena Chalverus ’95 

organized a hike and picnic in honor of 

former Prep teacher George Emeny. Karen 

Lyall said, “It was really nice....we hiked 

for about 4 hours, and remembered all 

of the wonderful things about George 

(Mr. Emeny), along the way.” Helena and 

Angie were on the first-ever Sandia Prep 

outdoor trip, sponsored by George Emeny! Pictured from left to 

right: Karen Lyall, Helena Chalverus ’95, Paul Ryder and Angela 

(Angie) Campbell-Knapp ’94. A special thank-you to Helena 

Chalverus ’95 for organizing the hike and picnic! 

Mr. George Emeny is greatly 

missed by the Sandia Prep 

community. To honor his 

memory, the Sandia Prep 

Alumni Association posted the 

following plaque in the Quad’s 

wooden gazebo. The gazebo is used nearly every day of the year by 

Sandia Prep students and community members. The plaque was 

officially dedicated during our annual Alumni Weekend festivities, 

Saturday, July 12, 2014. 


Alumni 

Notes 

Originals 

Three 

generations of 

Sandía School 

/ Sandia Prep 

alumni during 

our 2014 

Homecoming 

festivities. From left: Madeline Hunter, 

Ellen Ann Ryan Sandía Original, Sheila 

Ryan Hunter ’78 and Ryan Hunter ’15. 

’80s 

WANTED:’85 Reunion Reps 

We’re looking for Class of 1985 volunteers 

to help plan a 30-year class reunion. Your 

SPS Alumni Affairs Office is committed to 

making this process as simple as possible 

and is available to help in a variety of ways. 

Email alumni@sandiaprep.org to learn 

more. 

’90s 

In August, 

President Barack 

Obama appointed 

Ethan Epstein 

’91 as a member of 

the United States 

Military Academy 

at West Point 

Board of Visitors. 

Pictured: Ethan and Susan (Przekurat) 

Epstein ’91 with their three children at 

West Point: Prep sixth grader Austin, 11; 

Kaden, 8; and Riley, 6. 


’90s 








more. 

From Karen Lyall: Jesse Daves ’95 and 

Sarah Montgomery ’95 started the 

nonprofit, The Garden’s Edge, many years 

ago. Sarah is providing seed grants to 

farmers in Guatemala, for the ability to save 

and exchange native seeds while preventing 

the GMO corporations from profiting from 

small farms. She has been dedicated to 

this work for some time. She is also a local 

farmer with her husband, Prep alumnus 

Jesse Daves. 

In May, the 

bar owned 

by Rebecca 

(Debenport) 

Safford ’95 and 

her husband Scott 

was featured on 

the fifth season of 

the Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck 

Race”. The couple owns the “Tap & Bottle,” 

a popular craft beer and wine tasting room 

and bottle shop located in downtown 

Tucson, Arizona. 

Heather (Horn) ’96 

and Joe Paar welcomed 

Breesa Joy into the world 

May 7, 2014. Breesa joins 

big sisters Pearle, 5, and 

Livia, 3. Breesa weighed 

in at 8 pounds even. 

Heather is a Certified 

Nurse Midwife and the 

Medical Director for Midwifery at Swedish 

Medical Center in Seattle, WA. 

Alli (Bivins) ’98 and her husband Nick 

Bongianni welcomed their first child, 

Nicholas William Bongianni, into their 

family on August 29, 2014 in Mesa, AZ. 

The little man was born at 5:21 am and was 

eight pounds, seven ounces and 21 inches 

long. In March 2015 Alli will graduate from 

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic 

Medicine in Arizona with a Master of 

Occupational Therapy. 

Dr. Emily Bowlin ’98 married Eric 

Wolters July 26, 2014 in Kailua-Kona, 

Hawaii. 

Kevin Quinlan ’99 has published his first 

book, The Secret War Between the Wars: 

MI5 in the 1920s and 1930s (Boydell Press), 

based on his doctoral 

research completed 

at the University 

of Cambridge. He 

currently works at the 

Department of Energy 

in Washington, DC, 

where he is also an MBA 

candidate at Georgetown 

University. 

’00s 

Rena (Gardenswartz) 

’00 and Cory Dulberg 

welcomed a baby girl to 

their family. Eden Hope 

was born on May 6, 2014 

in Denver, CO. Rena works 

with Johnson & Wales 

University. 

We’re happy to have another alumni 

couple! Jacob Kubie ’00 and Angela 

Turner ’00 were married in Denver 

on June 28, 2014. The 

Sundevils met in 6th 

grade at Sandia Prep and 

were friends through 

high school. “The Sandia 

Prep connection is very 

important to us, and 

we wanted to share our 

news with the alumni 

community.”

Katie (Holland) ’01 

and Lance Maurer 

welcomed Adelie 

Simms Maurer into 

the world Saturday, 

June 28, 2014 at six 

pounds, five ounces. 

Andra 

(McClung) ’02 

married Chris 

Kiscaden on May 

10, 2014 at Los 

Poblanos in Los 

Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM. Andra is 

the Administrative Officer of the UNM 

Clinical & Translational Science Center 

(CTSC), an NIH-sponsored research 

center dedicated to the acceleration of 

health discoveries from basic science to 

health care practice. Chris is a professor at 

UNM’s Anderson Schools of Management 

and CNM. 

Alumni couple, 

Jamie (Lang) ’03 

and Jason Cloyes 

’03 welcomed Bodie 

Omera into the world 

on August 8, 2014. The 

little man was born at 

12:54 am and weighed 

in at five pounds 14 

ounces. Jamie is a 

Nurse Practitioner at the University of 

New Mexico Hospital and Jason teaches 

physical education and health at the 

Bosque School. 








more. 

Tom Barker ’05 graduated 

from the Art Institute of 

Colorado with a Bachelor of 

Arts in Food and Beverage 

Management. 

McKellan Binkley ’06 

received her Medical Degree 

from Texas Tech University 

on May 19, 2014. Dr. Binkley 

will be practicing Family 

Medicine at the Utah Valley 

Regional Medical Center in 

Provo, Utah, beginning June 2014. She also 

celebrated her marriage to Ross Hines on 

May 31, 2014 at a ceremony in Albuquerque. 

Sandia Prep’s Visual 

Arts teacher Amy 

Mann ’06 has had a 

busy year. In February, 

Amy worked with the 

costume department 

on the independent 

film, “Frank.” The 

movie is about an 

avant garde band from 

Ireland that travels to America to play at 

the world famous South by Southwest 

music festival in Austin, TX. In July, Amy 

married Nathan Campbell in Albuquerque. 

In May 2014, Lillie Mae 

Stone ’06 completed 

her post graduate 

Educational Specialist 

(Ed.S) degree in School 

Psychology from the 

School of Education 

at Loyola University 

in Chicago. Lillie Mae recently relocated 

to Portland, Oregon to work as a school 

psychologist. 

Karee E. Welker ’06 received the degree of 

Medical Doctor from Texas Tech University 

Health Sciences Center 

School of Medicine. 

Karee has accepted 

a Family Medicine 

Residency beginning 

June 2014 at St. Mary’s 

Hospital and Regional 

Medical Center in 

Grand Junction, 

Colorado. 

James Caughren ’07 is working as a Senior 

Admission Counselor at Coe College in 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The ’07 grad was back 

on campus in early October to meet with 

prospective students. 

Kyle Cowan ’07 appeared in the fourth 

episode of the WGN show “Manhattan.” 

In September, Marcus Roybal ’08 

was featured on KOB-TV and in the 

Albuquerque Journal for his role in 

FootGolf, a hybrid sport at Santa Ana Golf 

Club that combines soccer with golf. 

Maddie Barker ’09 

graduated from the 

University of Oregon with 

a Master of Science in 

Chemistry. She completed 

her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry 

and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science 

at UNM where she received summa cum 

laude honors for her thesis depicting the 

four novel molecules she synthesized. 

Emily Hampden- 

Smith ’09 and Sam 

Kerby ’10, pictured 

at their white coat 

ceremony for the 

Washington State 

University’s College of 

Veterinary Medicine 

for the class of 2018. 

Sam Kerby ’10 and Emily Hampden-Smith 

’09 have begun their journey to becoming 

Doctors of Veterinary Medicine. 

’10s 

In May, Alex McCue ’10 graduated from 

Harvard University with a degree in 

Economics. The ’10 Prep grad is now 

working with the nonprofit, Human 

Connections. Alex helps to grow 

locally owned businesses in Bucerias, a 

community just north of Puerto Vallarta, 

Mexico. 

Cassie M. Welker ’10 

received a Bachelor 

of Science Degree in 

Biochemistry and a 

Minor in Horticulture 

& Tuffgrass Sciences, 

magna cum laude In 

Honors Studies, Texas 

Tech University (TTU). 

Cassie will begin her master’s studies 

(scholarship recipient) at TTU Plant and 

Soil Science College June 2014. Cassie 

also was to begin employment June 2014 

at TTU Fiber and Biopolymer Research 

Institute Department of Plant and Soil 

Sciences. She will be conducting research 

on cotton fibers and biopolymers under 

Dr. Venugopal Mendu. 

Nicholas Sommariva ’11 submitted the 

following picture and Clayton Calvin 

’10 said, “Margaret and I are finishing 

Continued on next page. 


AlumniNotes continued 

up our last year at Georgetown (I did 

a gap year after Prep so now I’m in her 

class), and it was her 22nd birthday 

this weekend. Her boyfriend Nick 

came up from Emory, and Leslie 

Wilson ’10 and Kristen Ellingboe ’10 

live here together like in the show 

“Friends.” Leslie is studying at Johns 

Hopkins for a masters in international 

development economics, Kristen 

works for a progressive think tank, and 

Stephen Kersh ’10 also happens to 

live here, enrolled in the Georgetown 

sports management program. This 

is at a bar on U Street for Margaret’s 

birthday.” 

Parker 

Abell 

’13, who 

recently 

completed 

his first 

year at 

the U.S. Naval Academy, stopped by 

campus to visit faculty and friends. 

We snapped his photo while he was 

chatting with Biology 1 & 2 teacher 

Ernie Polansky and Interim Head of 

School Joyce Whelchel. Abell said that 

his first year at the Naval Academy was 

challenging but extremely rewarding. 

“I was just in the Persian Gulf,” he 

shared. “A year ago, I never would have 

guessed that in my first year I would 

already have spent time in Bahrain, on 

a U.S. naval destroyer.” 

On September 4, 2014, David Tenorio 

’13 was featured in the New York Times 

column, “Behind Ivy Walls: Why 

Colleges With a Distinct Focus Have a 

Hidden Advantage.” The article looked 

at why Tenorio chose to attend Harvey 

Mudd after he was accepted by ten 

other schools, including Harvard and 

Northwestern University. 

Alumni Affairs Office Closed for 

Maternity Leave 

Sandia Prep’s Alumni Affairs Office 

will be temporarily closed from early 

November to late February while our 

Alumni Affairs Coordinator is on 

maternity leave. Prep’s Development 

Office will continue to lead scheduled 

events and handle alumni requests, 

etc. Please continue to send Alumni 

Notes to alumni@sandiaprep.org. 

Take a look at our newest alumni on 

Graduation Day 2014 on page 26. 

In Memoriam 

Peter D. Harrison, 

an Honorary Trustee 

at Sandia Prep, passed 

away in Albuquerque 

at age 76 on December 

15, 2013. A renowned 

archaeologist with more 

than 30 years of experience, he exhibited 

photos of his digs in the Heath Board 

Room. He and his wife Alexandra created 

an endowment at Sandia Prep to support 

the use of art in teaching. He worked as 

an archaeologist in Guatemala, taught at 

Trent University, and was a Senior Research 

Associate at the Maxwell Museum at UNM. 

At the time of his death he was director of 

the Tikal Project West. 

Nancy Robb Briggs, a 

student of the Sandía School 

in the 1930s and 1940s, passed 

away in Albuquerque August 

30, 2014. She had lived an 

active life in her later years 

and was active in the League 

of Women Voters and the Pan American 

League. An avid tennis player and skier, she 

supported movements for peace and justice 

and was involved in many arts and cultural 

organizations in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. 

Reunion Recaps 

1994 Reunion 

Our ’94 graduates had a full weekend of reunion activities in late 

October. 

A special thank you to reunion organizers Peter Everett ’94 and 

Sarah Rosenberg Brown ’94. 

1998 & 1999 Reunion 

Our ’98 and ’99 graduates held a combined class reunion during 

our 2014 Alumni Weekend festivities. 

A special thank you to reunion organizers: Greg Farah ’99, Andrea 

(Brue) Kendall ’98 and Lydia (Jones) Pizzonia ’99. 

9 532 • Fall 2014

From the Archive 

What’s the buzz in the 

lunchroom? 

The culture of an institution is reflected 

in many ways. At Sandia Prep, lunch 

period is one such expression. It’s a time 

when we see happy kids having fun and 

interacting with faculty. 

The original Sandía School lunchroom 

housed tables of eight. Everyone sat down 

to eat at the same time and at least one 

adult sat at each table. Pieces of the silver 

and china the students and faculty used 

are now on display in the current school. 

In 1966, when lunch was served at our 

current location, everyone again sat down 

to tables set for eight, with one or more 

adults seated at each table. In both cases, 

a central kitchen prepared one meal to be 

served to all and the cost was included in 

tuition. 

Summer of ’72 

Survival Set 

About 1970, seated, family-style lunch 

gave way to bring-your-own lunch, or 

buy pre-packaged sandwiches. The 1972 

school yearbook, actually a box called 

“Summer of ’72 Survival Set,” included 

a plastic container that would have held 

Jell-O, a cellophane hot dog wrapper, a 

paper napkin and a broken plastic spoon 

in its “Lunchroom Kit.” The option to 

buy lunch each day, or bring your own, 

has continued to this day. What have not 

changed are the daily conversations. 

This year at Middle School lunch, 

students tend to seat themselves indoors 

or outdoors by grade and in groups of 

friends. Often the topics are what they 

are watching on TV, who the current 

“couples” are, and of course, schoolwork. 

The Middle School takes lunch first from 

11:10 to 11:55 a.m.; Upper School takes 

lunch from noon until 12:45 p.m. 

During either lunch period, you will find 

faculty, staff and students sitting together 

in the Russell Student Center or in the 

Quad. Quite a few teachers eat in their 

rooms while working with students. One 

such example is new math teacher, Neal 

Holtschulte, who confessed that he had 

finally eaten lunch in the lunchroom for 

the first time – but not until the second 

week of the second quarter of the school 

year. 

It’s a time for faculty and staff to 

reconnect as friends. One recent October 

lunch saw history teacher Ron Briley 

talking with IT Director and Middle 

School Tennis coach Jenny Davidson. 

The topic was baseball with a segue 

to the House Un-American Activities 

Committee. 

At the 6th Grade Parent Orientation 

breakfast, Student Government 

Association President Uyen Phuong “U.P.” 

Nguyen ’15 had the parents laughing at 

the story of her first lunch at Sandia Prep, 

six years earlier. She said she headed to 

the bathroom with her lunch bag and a 

book, since that had been her tradition at 

her elementary school. She said everyone 

was nice, but she was shy. On her way to 

the bathroom, she ran into another 6th 

grader headed there for the same purpose 

and the two instead sat at a lunchroom 

table together. Since then, U.P. said she 

has continued to make numerous friends 

and has never had to resort to eating 

lunch in the school’s bathrooms. 

One sign of the times nowadays is the 

sight of student with head bowed over a 

digital device at lunch, a time when the 

Upper School students are allowed to 

use their electronic devices. Occasionally 

a cluster of kids will watch something 

together on the small screens. When I 

was a student here, I remember a group of 

my classmates reading aloud a paperback 

book (The Horse is Dead) to howls of 

laughter at lunch. 

Another sign of the times is how tasty 

the food is these days. Some remember 

the Landshire sandwiches of the 1970s 

and 1980s that Science Chair Paula 

Degenhardt and several students warmed 

up to serve, although the centers of 

burritos sometimes remained frozen. 

Today with Hello Prep Deli, operated 

by local Hello Deli business owner 

Marcus Cassimus (and parent of two 

Sandia Prep alumni), a $5.50 hot lunch 

special is available daily, along with a 

salad bar, sandwich or pizza special, and 

a vegetarian option. Cokes and candy 

bars were sold on campus through the 

early 2000s, when the voices of nutrition 

advocates caused the sugary treats to 

disappear from campus. 

Food sharing goes on, with kids who 

eschew pizza crusts passing the last bites 

on to those who love the crunchy morsels. 

Good-natured arguments about video 

games, discussions as to the natures of 

Stalin and Hitler, and comparisons with 

previous schools continue. 

Sandia Prep is a wonderful place. Our 

school lunch is just one example that 

reflects the diversity of our student body 

and the commonality of our focus on 

exploring our world. 

- Susan Walton ’72 

Parent Relations Coordinator 

Friend Time-2014 1938 Lunch with Coach-2014

Alumnus Profile 

Michael Blea ’00 

Q&A with Alumnus and Surgeon Michael Blea 

Tell us about your position and the responsibilities involved: 

I am a midlevel resident, which means I am responsible for any 

patient who needs to be seen by the hospital’s surgical department. 

I also cover traumas at TMC, a busy trauma center in downtown 

Boston. I serve as Chief Resident of Transplant, Thoracic and 

Colorectal Surgery, and also rotate at a community hospital west of 

Boston called Metro West Medical Center. Aside from the residency, 

which keeps me extremely busy, I have a couple of small clinical 

research projects going that focus on critical care and trauma. 

What are some day-to-day challenges you face in your work? 

Covering the consult pager; it is almost impossible for one human 

being to do. My biggest challenge is triaging patients, determining 

who is sick and needs immediate attention, and who can wait. 

The very long hours and functioning on very little sleep can be a 

challenge at times. 

Did specific teachers, classes, or programs at Sandia Prep 

influence your career path? If so, how? 

Sandia Prep’s science program really nurtured my interest in the 

sciences, starting in Middle School with Lucy Cloyes and in Upper 

School with Leigh Thompson and Mr. Polansky. My Prep teachers 

had a profound impact on steering my passion for science that led to 

my surgical career. 

In general, how did SPS prepare you for college and career? 

Prep was great preparation for college. In college, most of my science 

and math classes were a review of material I had already studied. 

Many times, I studied for college exams using notes from high 

school classes at Sandia Prep! 

Tell us about your student experience: How many years did you 

attend SPS? Did you have a favorite class or teacher? 

I was a “lifer” at Prep from grades six through twelve. I have always 

enjoyed science; I took just about every science class Prep offered. 

The Science faculty made it enjoyable and exciting for us, with 

hands-on projects and labs. Raising flies to study genetics with Mr. 

Polansky comes to mind, as do numerous chemistry labs. 

How did your experience at Prep influence the person you are 

today, personally or professionally? 

Sandia Prep shaped me into a student athlete and introduced me 

to the idea that you can do both academics and athletics. I played 

soccer for four years at Tufts University — and was team captain 

for two of those years — while studying rigorously for premedical 

classes and a double major in biology and biomedical engineering. 

Are you a Lion or a Unicorn? 

Don’t be insulting. I am a Unicorn. 

Do you have a favorite SPS memory? 

I have some great memories of Prep, but I have countless memories 

of being out on the soccer field. I still get both excited and 

nervous when I think about stepping onto the SPS soccer field and 

representing Sandia Prep at the State soccer tournament. 

Have you been back to visit Sandia Prep since graduation? 

Whom were you most excited to see? 

I have not been back in a number of years, but I stay in contact 

with many teachers, including Cathy Martinez, Tommy Smith, and 

Former Headmaster Dick Heath. These people as well as Hudock, 

Rick Wettin, and Willie Owens, had a significant impact on me and I 

am always eager to catch up with them. 

Do you stay in contact with your former SPS classmates? 

I stay in contact with many of my SPS classmates. I lived in Boston 

with Ben Youngdahl for a number of years after college. It seems 

like every year I have another wedding to attend for a classmate. I 

was ecstatic when Jacob ’00 and Angela (Turner) ’00 Kubie (two 

Sundevils who recently married) came to visit me in Boston. 

After SPS, where and what did you study? 

I attended Tufts University for undergraduate, Tufts University 

School of Medicine for medical school, and Tufts Medical Center for 

Residency training. I have been at Tufts since I graduated from Prep. 

I will have been at Tufts for 17 years when I complete my residency. 

What hobbies do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? 

I try to get out and knock around a soccer ball every once in a while. 

I think life is all about planning your next ski trip. I’m interested in 

anything that takes me outdoors — mountain biking, skiing, golf. 

Tell us about your family and the important people in your life. 

My younger brother, Sean Blea ’07, lives in Santa Monica and 

works for a business management firm representing entertainment 

industry clients. He played on Prep’s soccer team (2003-06), 

including the nationally ranked team, and held the state single-year 

goal record. I have been dating Terra Cederroth, a medical school 

classmate for six years. She is a third year Pathology resident and 

plans to specialize in Forensic Pathology and work as a medical 

examiner. (Everyday is CSI at our house.) We have a couple more 

years of busy residency life; then, hopefully, we will have time for all 

the other things couples are supposed to do. 


Honored for Service 

At the one-year anniversary ceremony honoring the 

victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, Michael was 

recognized by the Mayor of Boston and the victims 

treated at Tufts Medical Center, for the excellent 

medical care he gave on that day. Tufts is the closest 

hospital/Level 1 trauma center to the finish line and 

Michael was part of a three-person team who evaluated 

and treated patients as they came into the medical 

center. He was responsible for those admitted to the 

trauma services for the duration of their stay.

Faculty Profile 

Noel Huitt 

Teacher and Coach: 

Invested in Students’ Hopes and Dreams 

At Sandia Prep, Noel Huitt is a math teacher and track coach. 

She is also a mentor and inspiration to her students. But her role 

goes beyond those duties. Huitt has been teaching at SPS for 

almost fifteen years, and she says it is hard to identify her favorite 

memories. Huitt first came to Sandia Prep to teach at SummerPrep 

in 2000. She liked the school’s energy so much that she applied for 

a full-time teaching position at Sandia Prep for the following year. 

So what made her want to be a coach and a teacher? “I was very 

involved in The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in high 

school and college. I knew from experience that teachers and 

coaches are the second most important adult influence, aside 

from parents, on a young adult’s path.” Being closely involved with 

athletes and students gives Huitt the opportunity to help them 

grow as contributing citizens. It is her way of giving back. 

Before settling down in Albuquerque, Huitt was accustomed to 

travel. “I am an Army brat.” Huitt has lived all over the world, from 

Arizona to The Philippines to Germany. She did not end up in The 

Land of Enchantment until her 8th grade year. “When my dad 

retired from the Army, we moved to Albuquerque,” she says. She 

ran for an organization called The Duke City Dashers at the time 

because APS did not have a middle school sports program. Upon 

entering high school, Huitt ran for La Cueva, competing in crosscountry 

and track. This is where she began to develop a love for the 

sport. 

After high school, Huitt left for Texas for her first year of college, 

where she attended Wayland Baptist University. She went on to the 

University of New Mexico for her last three years, where she also 

ran track. During her time at UNM, she met her future husband, 

Paul, through FCA. Paul was studying as a graduate assistant 

under the UNM Baseball coach at the time, while Huitt joined as a 

student athlete. 

In 1999, Huitt’s husband, Paul, accepted a coaching position at 

Sandia Prep. During that time, Huitt was teaching and coaching at 

La Cueva. The couple also has a daughter, Kiersten; this prompted 

Huitt to take a summer job at SummerPrep. While the position 

was part-time, it allowed her to become a part of the Sandia Prep 

community and be considered for future coaching and teaching 

positions at SPS. 

“My nickname on campus is Mama Huitt,” she says, and for good 

reason. She is known for bestowing her motherly wisdom on 

her students and giving out free hugs whenever there is a need. 

Daughter Kiersten now attends SPS as a junior and carries on 

her mom’s legacy as a runner, by competing in track, as well as 

volleyball. 

Huitt believes teaching, coaching, and being a mother are all very 

similar, and that each has taught her different skills that build 

on one another. “Having a child of my own, especially at SPS, has 

influenced how I am as a teacher.” In turn, Huitt feels that working 

with children and young adults has helped her become an even 

better teacher, coach, and mother. 

Though Huitt has learned a great deal over the years, there are still 

hurdles she must overcome. When asked about some of her dayto-day 

challenges, she said, “It is sometimes hard to remember that 

my students are still kids; they need to have high expectations set 

for them but also grace when they do not meet them.” And Huitt’s 

commitment does not end there; she is invested in their hopes and 

dreams. 

Huitt and her husband sponsor Sandia Prep’s community service 

group, Helping Hands. Helping Hands organizes community 

service projects around Albuquerque to help those less fortunate. 

This is yet another way that Huitt gives back to the community. 

Huitt sees running as the one thing that ties her whole life 

together. It has been a part of her life since she was young. “I began 

running when I was in 6th grade while living in Arizona.” Had it 

not been for running in her younger years, it is possible she would 

never have met her husband Paul, and could have ended up at a 

different job in a different place. For someone who grew up without 

a hint as to where she would belong in the world and where she 

could help the most people, Huitt “ran” into all the right people to 

propel her into this place, one where she can help kids flourish and 

grow. Sandia Prep is truly her home away from home. 

- Sebastian Holguin 


Student Profile 

Kalei’15 & Meredith’17 Yepa 

Splendid Sisters are the Dynamic Duo 

From the track, to the classroom, to the basketball court, two 

Sandia Prep sisters are making their mark at Sandia Prep and 

solidifying their future. 

Fondly known as “the Yepa sisters,” Kalei ’15 and Meredith 

’17 are third-and fourth-year students at Sandia Prep. 

The sisters say they enjoy being a part of the Sandia Prep 

community because “the challenges that we face at Prep 

have made us stronger individuals.” The relationships that 

they have developed with the faculty and other SPS students 

have helped them become better students and have built a 

foundation for their futures. 

Each of the sisters is involved in the Native American Sandia 

Prep Alliance (NASPA) and they have enjoyed this experience 

because it brings Native American culture to school and it 

keeps the culture alive for them while they are away from the 

Jemez Pueblo. “NASPA has influenced me to push myself and 

to always be proud of where you are from,” Kalei said. 

Kalei and Meredith both enjoy being at a school where so 

many positive and rewarding aspects are incorporated into the 

day-to-day grind. “I like the academic challenges that Sandia 

Prep offers and the student-teacher relationships. They make 

you feel comfortable,” Kalei said. Meredith agrees, “Prep has 

a great environment! I love being a student here because I am 

surrounded by positive people. I am determined to get my 

work done and I care about my grades that will influence my 

future.” The girls enjoy their classes especially Biology, Clay, 

French, Philosophy and Photo. Meredith and Kalei believe 

that with the encouragement of outstanding teachers, they 

have received a well-rounded education at Sandia Prep. They 

feel their experiences have prepared them for the future. 

The sisters are each involved in track, basketball and softball. 

Being involved in extracurricular activities takes dedication, 

hard work and teamwork, valuable skills to learn at a young 

age. Yet the relationships make the greatest impact. “My 

favorite thing about competing and being involved with 

sports are the friendships I create with my teammates; they’re 

like my second family,” Kalei said. Finding time to balance 

schoolwork and sports is difficult, but in the long run it pays 

off. Sandia Prep’s Athletics are valued as one of the five A’s 

(Academics, Athletics, Arts, Activity, Atmosphere) and sports 

are considered as a positive characteristic that contributes to 

the whole person. “I love that you’re not in it for yourself; you 

have other people to support you though it,” Meredith said. 

Athletics could bring scholarships for the future, which is 

something each of the girls has considered. “I would love to 

continue my athletic journey in college,” Meredith said. “To 

do that, I have to spend more time practicing and also keep 

up with school.” Kalei is undecided about whether or not she 

wants to pursue athletics in college. “To be considered for 

a track scholarship, I would need to bring my times down a 

little more. As for basketball, I just need to keep my scoring 

averages up,” she says. 

Although sisters and alike in many respects, Kalei and 

Meredith have different plans for the future. Kalei has 

considered The University of New Mexico, Chatham 

University in Pennsylvania and Mount Holyoke College, a 

liberal arts college for women in South Hadley, Massachusetts 

and plans to study sociology. “I will have to decide by the first 

of May. In five years, I hope to be starting grad school to work 

on my master’s,” Kalei said. Meredith does not have a specific 

college in mind but is interested in studying nursing. “I’ve 

always loved to help people and I feel as though this might 

be a good job for me,” she said. Meredith plans to keep her 

options open and may pursue a career as a pediatrician. 

The education that each sister has received can be attributed 

to the dedicated teachers at Sandia Prep who make every effort 

to extend their knowledge to their students. The experiences 

that Meredith and Kalei have enjoyed are a testament to 

the school’s five A’s; they have made the girls well-rounded 

individuals. “I see myself reaching my goals and continuing to 

strive for more,” Meredith concludes. 

- Lesley Paisano 


Sandia Prep Stadium: A Field of 

Dreams & A Journey of Gratitude 

From the late 60s through the 70s, 

Interim Head of School Joyce Whelchel, 

Sandia Prep community member Mary 

Goodwin Jury, and Sundevil varsity track 

& field coach Janelle Miller Johnson were 

members of a team of young girls known as 

the Albuquerque Olympette Club (AOC). 

Title IX was not yet a reality, and for many 

girls, club experience would be their sole 

immersion into sports and wellness. There 

were no tryouts for AOC, and few girls 

had prior athletic experience. Coach Stan 

and Coach Floyd provided a welcoming 

and encouraging environment with year-round training and 

competition, helping build the foundation of self discipline and 

wellness for hundreds of Albuquerque women — a foundation 

that continues to serve Joyce, Mary and Janelle today. 

“ 

Looking back, Sandia Prep’s no-cut 

policy was invaluable. 

Rebecca Debenport ’00 

Nowadays, only a handful of Albuquerque school athletic 

programs welcome the inexperienced student athlete. Johnson’s 

first awareness of Sandia Prep’s no-cut athletics and wellness 

program came through a friendship with Rebecca Debenport 

’95. Debenport and her family moved from Arkansas to 

Albuquerque in the middle of her 8th grade year. In her first 

weeks at SPS, Debenport’s English teacher and SPS middle 

school track coach, Peter Goss, encouraged her to join the track 

team. Having endured several failed 

attempts at drill team and basketball 

tryouts in Arkansas, Debenport was 

hesitant. “Having a coach ask me to 

join a team was awesome. I was a new 

student trying to find a place — Mr. 

Goss saw a runner before I knew I was 

one. Looking back, Sandia Prep’s no-cut 

policy was invaluable. I probably would 

have not had the courage to ‘try out’,” 

she explains. Goss inspired a lifelong 

runner; Debenport was active in track & 

field all five of her years at Sandia Prep, 

Rebecca 

Debenport 

and joined the cross-country squad her 

junior and senior years. “Being part of 

a team, combined with the dedication 

needed to build endurance and speed, 

truly balanced my academic schedule,” 

she adds. Teacher and varsity track coach Paul Ryder was a 

strong mentor for Debenport during high school, encouraging 

her to take on longer races and helping her improve her focus 

before a race. Today, running and wellness remain a large part of 

Debenport’s life. She and husband Scott 

continue to run and race in Tucson, and 

she is reminded of Sandia Prep’s no-cut 

policy every time they line up at the start of 

a community 5K race several times a year: 

“Every type of person is at the starting line 

and is excited to be there and to participate 

. . . from experienced elite athletes to firsttime 

runners, we are all lined up together 

as one community.” 

More than a decade later, Johnson’s son, 

Jay Kory Johnson ’06, joined the Sandia 

Prep community. In 2007, Johnson was asked to help lead Prep’s 

varsity track & field program for boys and girls. “The offer to 

work with Athletic Director Pete McFarlane in Sandia Prep’s nocut 

environment was a dream come true,” she says. “Nowhere else 

is there an AD like Pete, whose leadership has been a mainstay 

for Sandia Prep. He fosters service opportunities through his 

sponsorship of Sandia Prep Special Olympics and the middle 

school parochial league, both of which call our Sandia Prep 

campus home for training and competitions,” she adds. In 2008, 

renowned Coach Stacey Price was invited to share leadership 

of Sandia Prep’s track program with Johnson. Together they 

have grown the program from fewer than twenty-five athletes 

to approximately seventy student athletes today. Sandia Prep 

moved to Class AAA in 2007, and for the past seven years, the 

Sundevils no-cut varsity track & field program has made two 

trips to the podium for overall top state team scoring, along with 

101 all-state podium finishes for individual and relay events, 31 

of these being the overall individual state champion first place 

finishes. With the exception of boys 300-meter hurdles, every 

school record has fallen over the last six years. One school record 

remains the current state record set in 2010 (Krista Armstead ’12 

/ 200-meter dash 24.12); and the girls 1600-meter relay standard 

of 4:02.37, set this season and breaking the old school record by 

more than twelve seconds, narrowly missed the state record in 

the state championship race last May. 

While numbers are impressive, Johnson & Price’s coaching style 

is centered on kids. “Our primary goal is to make the program 

available to a broad spectrum of Sandia Prep students, whether 

a student is a club basketball participant, an ambitious scholar, 

or someone engaged in the performing arts. We schedule all 

our competitions in the metro area and work to ensure that 

each student athlete enjoys a meaningful experience, while 

fulfilling other commitments and pursuing other interests,” 

says Johnson. Coach Price’s training helps each team member 

Stephen Kersh

Saim Diaz- 

Strandberg 

embrace wellness and 

self-discipline at his or 

her highest individual 

potential. This widely 

accommodating no-cut 

program is where the 

gift of gratitude begins 

for Sandia Prep student 

athletes. The program fosters cooperation and builds a sound 

corporate and individual work ethic, resulting in a commitment 

to wellness that sustains most student athletes for a lifetime. This 

gratitude is evident in the lives of our young alumni. 

and becoming part of the track & field family changed 

my perspective and outlook dramatically. I began to 

work harder at everything — athletics and academics 

— with an outlook of renewed hope and confidence. 

My SPS track & field family taught me that, no matter what 

hardships life brings, it can be overcome, and hard work trumps 

anything.” Diaz-Strandberg valued the encouragement and 

mentoring he received, not only from his coaches, but also from 

his teammates. “The older athletes brought me in as one of their 

own, and it took no time for me to find a home in the program. 

Their acceptance and support of those of us who were young 

At Sandia Prep, you have an entire community behind you, and that’s 

“ 

what I love most about our School...To say that we are excited is an 

understatement; our entire team is tremendously grateful for the generosity 

of so many people who are coming together to make this happen.” 

Mackenzie Blackburn ’15, regarding Sandia Prep’s Track Restoration Project 

Stephen Kersh ’10 stresses that one of the key things he has 

learned is that “a person cannot do it alone” — and he saw this 

most clearly in Prep’s no-cut athletics. “I was fortunate to win 

both a 2006 team state championship with the soccer team and 

an individual state championship on the track in 2010,” says 

Kersh. “Teammates were integral in both victories. It wasn’t just 

about having the most talented teammates, but rather having 

teammates who made the distinct choice to come to practice, 

work hard, and revel in it. No one is pushed away from joining 

a team at Prep; instead, they are encouraged. By recognizing 

that everyone who participates has something to 

contribute to a greater good, it sets Sandia Prep 

student athletes up for successes later in life, when 

they are working in teams outside the arena of sport,” 

he explains. He says, “The program did amazing things for my 

confidence, self-belief, and determination. Coach Price never 

allowed me to think I ‘couldn’t’ do something; his quiet, assured 

personality showed me confidence doesn’t need to be brash. 

Coach Price and Prep’s no-cut program have their fingerprints in 

almost everything I do.” 

Saim Diaz-Strandberg ’11 came to Sandia Prep in 9th grade, 

under the legal guardianship of a Sandia Prep family, having 

recently lost his mother to cancer. Like Kersh, Diaz-Strandberg 

had no track and field experience before joining Sandia Prep’s 

program. “I joined the team at a juncture where I was unsure 

what I wanted to do with my life,” said Diaz-Strandberg. “The 

coaches and my teammates provided a welcoming environment, 

and new to the program helped us develop, not only as athletes 

committed to wellness and good decision-making, but also as 

part of something larger than ourselves,” Diaz-Strandberg adds. 

“As we became seasoned athletes, it was part of our individual 

and team core to welcome and mentor younger student athletes 

experiencing track & field for the first time.” Diaz-Strandberg’s 

gratitude to Sandia Prep is 

active; he helps coach track at 

SPS at the middle school and 

varsity levels while he attends 

the University of New Mexico. 

With a developmentally 

disabled brother, Diaz- 

Strandberg is also involved 

with Sandia Prep’s longtime 

community partnership with 

Special Olympics and the 

opportunities that partnership 

affords a very special 

population of athletes. 

Rachel 

Fleddermann 

For Rachel Fleddermann 

’14, Sandia Prep’s track & field 

program at is “such an amazing 

thing, because every type of student can be a part of it,” she says. 

“Team members work together to run, jump and throw their 

way to wellness while building a community that combines hard 

work and self discipline. It is also a lot of fun!” Having never 

run before, Fleddermann entered Sandia Prep’s no-cut athletics 

program in middle school and never looked back. Throughout

Mackenzie 

Blackburn 

high school, she lettered 

in three sports (crosscountry, 

swimming and 

track & field) and was the 

first Sandia Prep student 

athlete to be honored 

this past spring by the 

New Mexico Sports 

Hall of Fame for her 

athletic and academic 

accomplishments. 

Fleddermann and her 

teammates earned team 

state championship 

honors for both crosscountry 

and track & field, 

while Fleddermann ran 

her way to individual 

overall state AAA 

cross-country champion and individual state champion in the 

1600-meter and 3200-meter track events for three consecutive 

seasons. Fleddermann learned that running — and especially 

distance running — takes a great deal of determination, 

something she applied to her academic efforts as well. “Like 

running, becoming a lifelong learner requires you to be steadfast, 

of good endurance, and a finisher at your best pace for that given 

day,” she explained. Looking back to her multiple seasons on 

the Sundevil track, Fleddermann says she is unsure whether 

she would have joined cross-country or track if a tryout had 

been required. “My passion for running definitely began 

at Sandia Prep. My gratitude to my teammates, my 

coaches and my teachers at Sandia Prep will forever 

run deep in my heart.” 

Current senior and captain of both the soccer and track and 

field teams, Mackenzie Blackburn ’15 is a two-time state 

soccer champion who initially thought that working out with 

the Sandia Prep track team would be good conditioning for her 

soccer ambitions. Three seasons and twelve trips to the state 

championship podium later (for the 300-meter hurdles and all 

four relay events), Blackburn says she cannot imagine her life 

now without track. Her most meaningful memory to date is 

coming around the final curve of a hard-fought 300-meter hurdle 

state final and seeing her teammates and a cluster of Sandia Prep 

teachers and parents at the rail cheering her to press on to the 

finish. “It was such a meaningful victory. You are not out there by 

yourself trying to do the impossible. At Sandia Prep, you have an 

entire community behind you, and that’s what I love most about 

our School. Everyone who joins our team is embraced by so 

much faith and encouragement, and in turn, each of us is able to 

put that same faith back into one another,” she adds. Blackburn 

has developed some of her closest friendships through her 

involvement in track & field. “We all bring different interests 

and cultural backgrounds to the team, but we are connected by 

working hard together each day, doing something that we all 

have grown to love. I’ve learned that as long as we keep dreaming 

and never give up, we can achieve the impossible.” One such 

dream that will be realized for Blackburn and her teammates is a 

complete restoration of Sandia Prep’s track stadium this winter, 

which includes re-grading of the soccer pitch and stadium 

surfaces, along with the installation of new competition surfaces 

throughout. Blackburn says, “We’ve not been able to host home 

meets for the past two seasons due to our failed competition 

“ 

Coach Price and Prep’s no-cut 

program have their fingerprints in 

almost everything I do. 

Stephen Kersh ’10 

surfaces. To say that we are excited is an understatement; our 

entire team is tremendously grateful for the generosity of so 

many people who are coming together to make this happen.” 

The refurbishment of Sandia Prep’s Track Stadium is a 

community-wide effort, made possible both by generous 

financial donations as well as the donation of time and talents 

by a long list of professionals. The Track Stadium will feature 

an enhanced soccer pitch and new surfaces — and will be 

fully FAT-compatible (equipped with state of the art Fully 

Automatic Timing), thanks to a recent donation. Upon the 

project’s completion, Sandia Prep once again will be able to host 

Albuquerque track & field competitions, the Sandia Prep Special 

Olympics program, and the coveted annual Sundevil Track & 

Field Invitational, which draws teams from across the state. 

It will be a Track Stadium that will serve Sandia Prep and its 

community partners well for decades to come. 

Coach Johnson and Coach Price remain fully invested in Sandia 

Prep, donating back most of their coaching salaries over the 

next four years toward the stadium refurbishment project. They 

believe in Sandia Prep’s no-cut athletics philosophy, and they 

have a special perspective on the way track & field participation 

can impact a student’s life: They see that track and field is 

unique, as it combines intensely personal competition with a 

profound reliance on teammates and team support. 

“We all have diverse gifts to offer Sandia Prep,” notes Coach 

Johnson. “Through our time, talents and treasure, each of us has 

the ability to lift up our students — and the stadium that will 

sustain their ‘Field of Dreams’ for generations to come.” 

Head Coaches 

Stacey Price & Janelle Johnson 

with Zach Smith (Jumping Coach) and 

Frankie Jaramilo (Throwing Coach)

We have $165,000 yet to raise 

towards our fundraising goal of $600,000. 

Help build our stadium! 

Contact: 

janellemiller@me.com 

jwcook@sandiaprep.org 

Presenting Sponsors ($100,000) 

Bronson & Margaret Duran 

Vic and Mary Jury 

Sundevil Partner ($30,000-$45,000) 

13-14 Mini Cooper Raffle 

Frontier Restaurant/Golden Pride Restaurant 

Scoreboard Sponsor ($25,000) 

Graphic Connection 

Columbia Blue Booster ($15,000- $29,999) 

Larry Johnson 

Phillip & Janelle Miller Johnson 

Coaches Club ($10,000 - $14,999) 

John & Carol Cochran 

David & Ginger Grosjean 

Mark Riley 

Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union 

Captain’s Club ($5,000) 

Victor & Emma Del Frate 

Dion’s 

Scalo 

Chet & Diane Stewart 

Varsity Circle ($1,000 - $4,999) 

Chuck Abadie 

Lionel & Karil Candelaria 

Don & Cori Friedman 

Scott Henry 

Jay Kory ’06 & Kristen’06 Johnson 

Lexus of Albuquerque 

Randall & Phyllis Lynn 

Robert & Susan Meredith 

SPS Parents Association 


Fans of Track & Soccer (Up to $999) 

Jerome Cap & Marilyn Bange 

Rev. and Mrs. Paul Debenport 

Paul & Noel Huitt 

Intel Matching Gifts Program 

New Mexico Racewalkers Inc. 

Cassandra and Brian Osterloh 

Ogden & Roxana Reid 

Steve Suiter 

Drs. Victor & Justina Vigil 

Bruce & Lorna Wiggins 

Al & Vicky Zaleski 

Beyond Boundaries: 

SPS Around the World 

From helping fourth-graders 

with their English vocabulary 

to hiking the Great Wall, the 

students, parents, and faculty 

members who traveled to 

China over spring break returned with 

warm memories and a broader understanding of the 

country’s rich culture and history. 

The group—36 in all—spent two weeks in March zigzagging 

from southern China to the north, beginning in Hong Kong and 

traveling to Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai, Xian, and Beijing. 

The trip offered myriad highlights: a bicycle tour into the Guilin 

countryside and a boat ride along the majestic Li River; visits 

to the Terracotta Army Museum in Xian, the Bund in Shanghai, 

and Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing; a dim 

sum lunch at a floating restaurant in Hong Kong and a homecooked 

meal with a local family in Beijing; evening performances 

that included a Peking Opera, a Kung Fu theatrical show, and an 

outdoor light show/musical that featured hundreds of singers and 

dancers. 

In the best-experiences-ever 

category, the group spent a 

morning at a Hope School in 

Yangshuo, where they helped 

rural elementary students learn 

English vocabulary, including 

distinctly American phrases 

such as “good job!” and “well 

done!” High-fives were abundant 

after games of “Duck-Duck-Goose,” impromptu soccer matches, 

and versions of “Simon Says.” The group left behind school 

supplies and Sandia Prep t-shirts and took with them a rewarding 

experience and a desire to return. 

Upcoming Travel Opportunities: 

Zimbabwe & Botswana - May/June 2015 

For more information, contact Arne 

Vanderburg at avanderburg@sandiaprep.org. 

JAPAN & 

BHUTAN 

CHINA 

ZIMBABWE & 

BOTSWANA 

Japan & Bhutan - June 2015 

For more information, contact SPS History 

Chair and trip sponsor Tom Gentry-Funk at 

tgentryfunk@sandiaprep.org. 


SPs News 

Sandia Prep Establishes Native American Studies Center 

Sandia Prep applied for and was awarded a $50,000 matching grant by the Edward E. Ford Foundation in July 2013 to establish a new 

Native American Studies Center on campus. In July 2014, the School successfully raised an additional $50,000 in matching funds to 

meet the terms of the grant. This fall, a newly renovated space that is now home to the Center opened in the 500 Building. 

The goals of the Native American Studies Center are to: 

• Enhance the place-based nature of our academic program; 

• Increase the number of interdisciplinary opportunities available to students, focusing on anthropology of indigenous peoples; 

• Provide opportunities for faculty collaboration, professional development and innovation; 

• Develop curricular materials that Sandia Prep is uniquely poised to create; and 

• Strengthen our connection with Native American groups within and outside of our school community. 

“We are ecstatic and elated to have this renovated space. The area will be used for strategy meetings, hosting 

study groups and simply a place for students to congregate. Our Native American Sandia Prep Alliance 

(NASPA) bi-weekly activity meetings are now held in the space, and it is an honor to have such a place for our 

Native American students.” 

Danielle Yepa-Gunderson 

Director of the Native American Studies Center and SPS College Counselor 

Member of the Jemez Pueblo (NM) and the Chickasaw Nation (OK) 

SPS Briefs 

Sandia Prep Girls Middle 

School Soccer team went 

undefeated this year. To 

cap off their successful 

season, they went on to win 

the APIAL Tournament in 

October. Congratulations! 

Sandia Prep 7th graders celebrated 

the culmination of their year-long 

work in Sandia Prep’s Community 

Garden with a Harvest Festival 

in October. During the festival, 

the students participated in 

various activities including 

ristra-stringing, baking bread and 

tortillas and making biodiesel fuel. 


Sandia Prep’s Theater and Visual Arts 

departments teamed up in October 

for a combined opening night. The 

Faculty Art Show exhibition opened 

in the Anderman Concourse, while 

the Theater Department celebrated 

opening night of the Upper School 

Play, Marvin’s Room. 

Unicorns and Lions of all ages 

celebrated Spirit Week at Sandia 

Prep. The fun included Pajama 

Day, Yacht Day, USA Day, Color 

Day and, of course, Lion & Unicorn 

Day. The week culminated with a 

Homecoming barbecue and soccer 

and volleyball games on Saturday.

Student 411 

Hannah Qualls ’15 has been nominated 

to attend the Congress of Future Medical 

Leaders in Washington, DC. The Congress 

is an honors-only program for high school 

students who want to become physicians 

or go into medical research fields. Hannah 

was nominated based on her academic 

achievement, leadership potential and 

determination to serve humanity in the 

field of medicine. 

Natalie Benson ’15 has received national 

recognition for her work in battling 

chemotherapy-induced nausea. Her 

message “Chemo Courage” will be 

trademarked before she graduates. She also 

received Miss New Mexico’s Outstanding 

Teen Award for her continued work in the 

chemotherapy field. She has also been 

featured in the documentary “Ride The 

Battle” for the same work. 

Sandia Prep junior Juhee Patel ’16 

participated in the University of New 

Mexico’s Research Experience for High 

School Students (REHSS) program 

this summer. The program gives 

students the opportunity to learn about 

and experience scientific research. 

Over the past few months, Patel had 

the opportunity to work at UNM’s 

Department of Internal Medicine. 

Kevin Benavidez ’16 earned a USA 

Scholastic All-American Award 

for outstanding achievements in 

academics and swimming. Benavides 

swam in the 2014 Western Zone Senior 

Championships in Fresno, California, 

where he excelled in 3 events including 

the 200 Fly, the 200 Individual Medley, 

and the 400 Individual Medley. 

May 13-17, 2014: A Successful Week for Sandia Prep’s Huitt Family: 

Daughter Kiersten ’16 led the Huitt family and the Girls Varsity Track team on the medal stand by 

winning the 100 Meter High Hurdles and finishing runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles at the State 

track meet. She was also part of the State Champion 4 x 400 Meter Relay team. Kiersten was a 

member of the state runners-up girls team, breaking an 11-year drought between podium finishes (1st, 

2nd or third). On the same day, dad and faculty member Paul Huitt led the Varsity Baseball team into 

the state championship game. For the first time in five finals, the team came up short, falling to #1 seed 

Silver City. Mom and faculty member Noel Huitt led the successful Middle School track program to 

Parochial League championship trophies in the Boys Varsity and Girls JV competitions. 

The Faculty Wall 

Ron Briley has been busy. Over the past 6 

months, Briley has published 14 academic 

reviews, was interviewed by Bloomberg 

News, taught a summer course to alumni 

and parents, gave several presentations, and 

was appointed to the Head of School Search 

Committee here at Sandia Prep. Briley will 

be retiring this year, leaving behind a legacy 

of published works and presentations. Read 

more on page 5. 

Helen Haskell recently traveled to the 

Philippines on a Teachers for Global 

Classrooms exchange. She received a 

fellowship from the U.S. State Department 

to develop a global curriculum in her science 

classes for middle and high school students. 

Haskell has a blog detailing her experience 

in the Philippines and other places she 

travels at InAndBeyondNewMexico.weebly. 

com. 

Steve Ausherman’s chapbook, Creek Bed 

Blue has been chosen as a finalist for a 2014 

New Mexico Book Award in the Poetry 

Book category. Steve Ausherman has been 

recognized many times for his poetry. His 

works have been featured in the recently 

published book Mo’Joe, the London-based 

journal Decanto, the journal Bear Creek 

Chuck Buxbaum was recently awarded 

2014 Dr. Richard W. Becker Award of 

Excellence in Environmental Education. 

This award recognizes and honors an 

outstanding individual in the field of 

environmental education or service 

learning in New Mexico. Congratulations, 

Chuck! 

Haiku, The Pilgrimage, and The Aurorean. 532 • Fall 2014 22

smartgiving 

Materials for Science 

Experiments 

iGive to Make Every Day Happen 

2014-2015 Annual Fund 

Every day at Sandia Prep, students are inspired, challenged, motivated, advised and prepared 

through our Five A’s – academics, athletics, activities and our school atmosphere. This happens 

with the support of our school community. 

Engaged Faculty 

The most important fundraising effort for Sandia Prep is the Annual Fund, which makes up 

6% of Sandia Prep’s operating budget. Contributions to the Annual Fund directly fund school 

camps, classroom materials, athletic uniforms, band instruments, student financial aid, faculty 

enrichment, campus buildings and grounds maintenance, just to name a few. 

Make a tax-deductible gift to Sandia Prep, and make a student’s day — every day. Use the 

enclosed envelope or look for the iGive button on Sandia Prep’s homepage – sandiaprep.org. 

Back-to-School Camps 

Uniforms for 

Middle School 

Sports 

MINI Cooper Raffle 

Winner 

2014 MINI Cooper raffle winner, 

Cat Vigil (Adam ’15), pictured here 

with her new MINI Cooper. Read 

more on page 24. 

smartboard 

Annual Report 

Sandia Prep’s 2013-2014 Annual Report 

is now online. Visit www.sandiaprep. 

org/giving. 


2014-15 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

Lorna Wiggins, Chair 

Patrick Allen, Vice Chair 

Jim Firkins, Treasurer 

Jessica Korber Montoya ’88, 

Secretary 

Kathleen Atkin 

Lovie Bey, M.D. 

Mimi Burns 

Carol Cochran 

Susan Przekurat Epstein ’91 

Pete Henderson 

Greg Hicks 

Elizabeth Kirschner 

Derrick Lente 

Jerry Lovato 

April Camilli Marker ’93 

Lydia Jones Pizzonia ’99 

Todd Sandoval ’91 

Ruth Silva-Hernandez 

Liz Trainor 

M. Todd White

Golf Outing Raises $26K for Financial Aid 

Gorgeous fall weather brought 108 golfers to Sandia Golf Club to take part 

in Sandia Prep’s 6th Annual Golf Tournament on September 12. The event, 

presented by title sponsors and Prep parents Pete and Tracy Henderson, 

raised $26,686 for the School’s financial aid program, which grants awards to 

37% of the student body in grades 6-12. 

Major sponsor support was also provided by Graphic Connection (player gift), 

Frank’s Supply Co. (player gift), Enterprise Rent a Car (Awards Dinner), Il 

Vicino Wood Oven Pizza/Il Vicino Brewing Co., and Sandia Office Supply. 

The tournament is now known for its Cold Hard Cash Contest, sponsored by 

Edwards Jones Investments/Todd White, Financial Advisor, which awards the 

winner $500 cash at the end of the day. This year’s winner was Alan Brumer, 

parent of alumna Adena Brumer ’88 and the Sundevils girls golf coach. 

1st Place Team 

Brumer also won the men’s Closest to the Pin Contest, sponsored by Yenson, 

Allen & Wosick, P.C. The women’s winner was Prep parent Lisa Crawford. 

Heavy hitters Derek Marker and Tracy Henderson claimed the prize for the longest drive (men’s and women’s 

categories). 

Melloy Nissan, our loyal Hole in One Contest Sponsor, was prepared to give away a 2015 Nissan Altima, but 

lady luck was not on our side that day. 

Rounding out our sponsorship support was Exhibit Solutions, Cambro Construction, Captiva Group, Dick 

& Nancy Heath, Grosjean Insurance Agency and Heritage Home Healthcare & Hospice. 

Team Standings: 

1st place 

Neal Piltch 

Doug Gibbons 

Chuck Reardon 

Tim Gutierrez 

2nd place 

Derek Marker 

Louie Camilli 

Mike Contreras 

Pat Gordon 

3rd place-tie 

Jon Toman 

Leonard Garcia 

Cale Glover ’09 

Marcos Roybal ’08 

3rd place-tie 

Buster Mabrey 

Art Maestas 

Jon McAdoo 

John Moreno 

Didn’t get to play this year? SAVE THE DATE for next year’s outing on Friday, September 18, 2015 at the newly 

renovated Sandia Golf Club & Pavilion. 

Noche de Celebración 

Sandia Prep’s signature biennial gala, Noche de Celebración, and the Mini 

Cooper Raffle raised $104,381 for the Sundevil Athletics Program, including 

the replacement of the school’s track. The event was held on April 26, 2014 

at Sandia Resort and Casino. 

More than 340 guests attended the special evening, which featured special 

guest Coach Jack Lengyel, the inspiration for Matthew McConaughey’s 

character in the film, We Are Marshall. Student athletes from nearly 60 

Sundevil teams volunteered for the event, aiding with the silent and live 

auctions and festivities. The Sandia Prep Dance Team, which finished 2nd in 

the 2014 State Championships, also performed. The Sandia Prep Jazz Band 

provided musical entertainment for the cocktail reception. Athletic Director 

Pete MacFarlane, who will celebrate 40 years at SPS in 2015, spoke; and 

coaches from all of Prep’s 21 sports were honored. 

The Duran Family with Coach Tommy Smith (left) 

Event chair and former Sundevil athlete April Camilli Marker ’93 served as mistress of ceremonies for the event. High bidders took 

home eleven live auction items and more than 150 silent auction items, including 4 tickets to The Voice finale in Los Angeles. 

The 2014 Mini Cooper Raffle winner was Ann Vigil, parent of Ryan ’14 and Adam ’15. Ann’s name was randomly chosen from 616 

tickets the night of the event. Sandia Prep extends its thanks to Edward Jones / Todd White, Financial Advisor, for sponsoring the 

raffle, and to Sandia MINI for its additional support. 

Thank You to Our Major Sponsors: 

Vic and Mary Jury, Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza & Brewing Company, Todd White/Edward Jones Investments, Robert and 

Liz Aranda, Stone Face Tavern, Grosjean Insurance Agency, Captiva Group, Distracted by Decor, charmfactory.com, 

Tractor Brewing Company, Shastyn Photography 


SUNDEVIL 

SPORTS 

2014 Spring Season Recap 

Spring 2014 was highly successful for the Sundevil athletic 

teams and numerous individual student athletes. While golf 

and tennis experienced growing pains due to graduation last 

year, there were some outstanding individual performances. 

Lindsey McMillan ’16 won the district singles title, received a 

#3 seed finishing fourth at the State meet. Sophie Castlemain 

’17 and David Atkin ’17 qualified for state out of districts. In 

golf, Isaac Alderete ’14 finished as the Runner-up in A-AAA 

boys golf and Klara Castillo ’14 finished third in the girls 

division. Isaac shot a school record 69 and Klara shot a 71. 

Klara also had a 76.9 season average, as well a 152 at the State 

tournament, both school records. 

The Varsity Softball team, led by all district players Evone’ 

Garcia ’15, Skylar Nicholson ’18, Carly Martinez ’14 and 

Angelina Navarro ’14, finished third in districts and qualified 

for the State Tournament. Evone’ set school records for 292 

Career Strikeouts and 378 Career Innings Pitched. 

Varsity Lacrosse, led by Korey Largo ’14, Sam Hebenstreit ’14, 

Aaron Poole ’15 and Justin Escobedo ’16 qualified for the State 

tournament but were ousted in the first round. 

Varsity Baseball won their 12th district championship and 

advanced to the State Finals at Isotopes Park. The anticipation 

of the match-up between #2 seed Sandia Prep and #1 seed Silver 

City was intensified by the fact that SPS had been in four finals 

and won all four. Unfortunately, the top-seeded Colts proved 

too much for the Sundevils. The team, led by Mikey Gangwish 

’15, Harris McConnell ’16, Shawn Moore ’14, Michael Snow 

’16 and Dalton Turpen ’14, finished at 24-7. JV Baseball, led by 

Coach Vince Barnett, set a school record for wins. 

The Girls Track team ascended to the podium for the first time 

in 11 years, finishing as Runners-up. In her final high school 

competition, Rachel Fleddermann ’14 pulled off a rare feat of 

winning both the 1600-meter run and the 3200-meter run for 

the third consecutive year. In addition, Rachel was a threetime 

winner of the State Cross Country titles and finished 

her career with nine individual state titles. She was also 

awarded the 12 Letter Club Award (only 13 other athletes 

have accomplished this). Mackenzie Blackburn ’15 was 

a two-time winner, defending her 300-Meter Hurdles title 

and helping bring home the gold in the 4 x 400 Meter Relay. 

Kiersten Huitt ’16 became the third SPS athlete to win two 

golds, winning the 100-Meter High Hurdles and running a 

leg in the 4 x 400 Meter Relay. By running the anchor leg in 

the 4 x 400 Meter Relay, Kalie Yepa ’15 became the fourth 

Sandia Prep athlete to win two golds. She also won the 

800-Meter Run in a school record time of 2:22.89. Sydney 

Brooks ’14 won her first gold as part of the 4 x 400 Meter 

Relay team. Earlier in the season at the Metro Meet, the 4 x 

400 Meter Relay team set a school record of 4:02.37. Rachel 

Fleddermann also set records of 5:14.61 in the 1600-Meter Run 

and 11:17.28 in the 3200-meter run. The Boys Track team was 

led by Donald Roberts ’15 and Max Stahl ’15, both of whom 

finished in the top ten at the State Meet. 

Middle School Softball finished second in the Parochial 

League tournament, upsetting Holy Ghost in the Semifinals. 

The Middle School Track team took 1st Place trophies in girls 

JV and boys varsity competition. Evan Dougan ’18, Levi 

Shije ’18, Atlee Gaddis ’19 and Erik Streit ’18 set a Middle 

School Track record of 1:57.12 in the 800-Meter Medley Relay. 

Dougan also won the 100-Meter Hurdles in 15.38 and Shije 

won the 1600-Meter Run in 5:03.00, both school records. 

Zack Tenorio ’14 was selected and participated in the AA- 

AAA All Star Basketball game earlier in June. 

- Pete MacFarlane, Athletic Director 

Last year (2013-2014), 461 of our students — 74.8% — 

participated in at least one sport, playing on 53 teams 

in 21 sports; and 266 of those played a spring sport. 

See what we’re about and join us at 

sandiaprep.org/athletics!

Congratulations 

Class of 2014 

“We expect the exceptional... At Prep 

you are expected to find a hunger for 

your passion and push it to the razor 

edge of possibility. This is where we 

forge our life and find our friends.” 

- Sawyer Gill ’14 

“Prep made us comfortable in 

our own skin. We were able 

to choose our own paths and 

encouraged to try something 

different...We once again are 

encouraged to do what makes 

us passionate - a life long lesson 

we were given thanks to Prep. ” 

- Cailee Nelson ’14 


Sandia Preparatory School 

532 Osuna Rd NE 

Albuquerque, NM 87113 

sandiaprep.org 

Non-Profit 

Organization 

US POSTAGE 

PAID 

Albuquerque, NM 

PERMIT NO 215 

The future begins here. 

batik 

organic gardening 

musical theater 

architecture 

herbal chemistry 

studio arts 

tennis 

digital filmmaking 

robotics 

animation 

journalism 

biology 

costume design 

forensic science 

More than 90 academic, arts and 

sports classes for students in K-12 

Registration opens in February 

sandiaprep.org • 338.3000

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