Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Concludes Third Summer with Final Graduation in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Students from Jimmy Carter, Kennedy, and Wilson Middle Schools celebrated their graduation Thursday from the Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Program at the New Mexico National Guard’s Job ChalleNGe Academy at Expo New Mexico, marking the culmination of the Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Program’s third summer serving students across New Mexico.

Students from the three Albuquerque middle schools completed six weeks of academic enrichment, physical fitness, leadership development and hands-on learning experiences designed to combat summer learning loss while preparing them for success both inside and outside the classroom.

Throughout the summer, students participated in daily reading and math intervention, resiliency training, leadership development and physical fitness challenges designed to strengthen both academic skills and character.

Adventure-based field trips encouraged students to step beyond their comfort zones as they rappelled the 50-foot tower at the New Mexico National Guard’s Santa Fe Complex, learned to ride bicycles while navigating trails alongside National Guard mentors, tackled indoor rock climbing challenges and tested themselves on high-energy ninja obstacle courses.

Along the way, students also explored topics such as emotional resilience, coping strategies, nutrition, financial literacy and goal setting while working alongside educators, National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and community partners.

The ceremony opened with the presentation of the colors by a student color guard comprised entirely of Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe participants.

Selected for their leadership, discipline and commitment throughout the six-week program, the students demonstrated the confidence and responsibility they had developed while serving as representatives of their classmates during the graduation ceremony.

Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General of New Mexico, said the program’s measurable outcomes demonstrate both its immediate impact and its long-term potential.

“In just six weeks, these students closed massive academic gaps, proving that when we pair targeted instruction with physical and mental resilience training, we fundamentally change their trajectory,” Aguilar said. “But a program of this magnitude cannot be built one summer at a time. If we are serious about addressing the crisis of disconnected youth, this incredible growth is our proof of concept. We can no longer go year-to-year; we need the stability that comes from a recurring budget and the purposeful growth for expansion to ensure these students stay connected and on track.”

The Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Program was created to address the academic “summer slide” while helping students develop the social and emotional skills needed to thrive in school and life.

Since its launch, the program has continued to expand as educators, families and community leaders have witnessed its positive impact on participating students.

Lucia Lower, program director for the Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Program, said the impact of the program reaches well beyond the six weeks students spend in the classroom.

“This summer proved that the Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Program isn’t just changing six weeks of a student’s life—it’s helping change the direction of a school year, and potentially a lifetime,” Lower said. “Every graduation reminds us that when schools, families, community partners and the National Guard invest in young people together, there’s no limit to what they can accomplish.”

Karen Price, the program’s site lead and English language arts teacher at Wilson Middle School, said one of the program’s greatest successes is helping students realize they are capable of more than they ever imagined.

“One of our biggest goals is helping students replace the fixed mindset of ‘I can’t’ with a growth mindset of ‘I can,’” Price said. “Together with our military partners, educators and support staff, we challenged these students to step outside their comfort zones and discover just the tip of the iceberg of their own potential. Watching them overcome obstacles, support one another and grow as a team has been one of the most rewarding parts of this program.”

Student Luis Garcia, who has participated in the Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Program all three years since its inception, addressed his fellow graduates during the ceremony.

“The biggest thing I learned from this program was integrity—being good to others even when no one is watching because you know it’s the right thing to do,” Garcia said.

During the ceremony, students were also recognized for exceptional achievement throughout the six-week program.

Awards honored participants who demonstrated outstanding physical perseverance, leadership, resilience, positivity and quiet leadership.

Peak Performer Awards were presented to Luis Garcia (Jimmy Carter), Gage Torres (Kennedy) and Fabian Potoy Gonzalez (Wilson).

Trailblazer Awards recognized Alyssandra Smith (Jimmy Carter), Mia Vicente (Wilson) and Joslynn Howe (Kennedy).

Zia Spirit Awards were presented to Garriden Begay (Wilson), Zackery Benally (Kennedy), Dominic Madrid (Kennedy) and Ralph Hoess (Jimmy Carter).

Bounce-Back Awards recognized Serenity Buckner (Kennedy), Meilein Gonzalez (Wilson) and Lorenzo Sanchez (Jimmy Carter), while Silent Anchor Awards honored Andrea Alvarez (Kennedy), Ellie-Jean Landin (Jimmy Carter), Mariam Marta (Wilson) and Jarome Williams (Kennedy).

The graduation also highlighted the continued partnership between the New Mexico Public Education Department, the New Mexico National Guard and local school districts, whose combined efforts have allowed the program to expand its reach each year while maintaining its focus on developing the whole student.

This summer’s Governor’s Summer ChalleNGe Program served students from eight middle schools across New Mexico: Jimmy Carter, Kennedy and Wilson middle schools in Albuquerque; Carlos F. Vigil Middle School in Española; Mesa, Sierra and Mountain View middle schools in Roswell; and Dexter Middle School in Dexter.

As the final graduates received their certificates, the ceremony marked the close of another successful summer dedicated to helping ensure New Mexico students return to school not only academically prepared, but more confident, resilient and ready to succeed.