Pictured from top to bottom, left to right: Adam Senter, Kevin Peterson, Sonny Sherwood, Zion Lopez, Bodhi Baker, Joshua Estrada, David Pecotte, Sisco Aguilar, Jaime Villanueva, Kai Shaw, Meliani Diaz-Urbina, Willow Sprague-Robinson, Ronan Euler, Pranay Kyasa, Nathaniel Castillo, Siobhan Pyper, Eva Engstrom, Cedar Markham, and Maya Reeves - Photo by Jessi Ann Crocker On Saturday, May 18 Aldo Leopold Charter School (ALCS) held their graduation ceremony at the Ben Altamirano Field on the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) campus.  

The keynote speaker was teacher Zachary Tecca who focused his remarks on the topics of curiosity and motivation, encouraging students to continue to explore the world around them. 

Mr. Tecca concluded, "So here is the lecture where I impress upon you the merits, that I believe, make a person successful. It isn't the typical senses of achievement, like strictly wealth or education, that make a human successful. It is the motivation that comes from a person's deep-seated interest in discovering the unknown.

From something small like perfecting a music piece, to something large like categorizing a new species. That motivation to understand, categorize, collect, and apply some new concept or skill is what makes a person successful. It isn't the act, so much as the motivation behind doing. Success isn't always measured in the milestone itself, but sometimes the attempt or follow through where curiosity leads." 

Some members of this class were recipients of the Youth Conservation Corps scholarship of $1500 or $500 cash bonus including: Meliani Diaz-Urbina, Josh Estrada, Makiah Granadino, and Maya Reeves. Maya Reeves and Willow Sprague-Robinson were recipients of this year's ALCS Ella, Michael, and Ella scholarship. And Willow was further recognized as this year's Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen for patriotism and community service. 

Two ALCS graduates further gained recognition in the WNMU graduation ceremony. Josh Estrada was awarded his Associate's Degree in Applied Science: Welding Technology with honors and Bodhi Baker was awarded a Certificate in Welding Technology with honors. Junior Kojun Iwaasa earned his Fast-Track Certificate in Welding Technology. ALCS Graduates who took dual-enrollment courses from WNMU during their high school years were given cords to wear with their gowns.