Stapleton, MLK school students make honorable mention in Balloon Fiesta pin contest

ALBUQUERQUE —  Two students from Rio Rancho Public Schools were named in the top five of designers in a pin contest for the 54th Exxon Mobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta "Balloons Aloft," according to a news release.

Fifth-graders Alina Anaya-Garcia of Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School and Xander Wolfram, of Stapleton Elementary School, were runners-up in the contest, which sees who can create the winning pin for "Aloft," an annual event that includes pilots launching their balloons from select schools in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho the Friday before Balloon Fiesta. Out of 80 submissions, approximately 12 of them came from Rio Rancho.

Luna Perez Carpio, a  student from Petroglyph Elementary School in Albuquerque, was declared the winner, so their design will become the pin used at the 2026 event, scheduled Oct. 3-11.

Along with two other runners-up ( Jacob Jaramillo from Collet Park Elementary and Leona “L.C.” Hurford from Petroglyph Elementary School), Wolfram and Anaya-Garcia's designs will be made into stickers, which will be handed out in the Balloon Discovery Center during Balloon Fiesta.

"Alina’s colorful design immediately caught the eyes of the committee. She captured the beauty of New Mexico sunrises while incorporating thoughtful details in both the landscape and balloons. Her art is so bright and cheerful!" Balloon Fiesta spokesperson Stephanie Kitts wrote in a prepared statement.

Kitts described Wolfram's art as "fun and full of personality thanks to his choice of balloons." He also "paid great attention to detail and captured the whimsy of Balloon Fiesta," Kitts wrote.

The students will be recognized at the Albuquerque Public Schools “Art is Elementary” art show on Feb. 24.