The ASK Academy graduates largest class ever

ALBUQUERQUE — The ASK Academy in Rio Rancho graduated its largest class ever Friday, a milestone officials said was made all the more significant by the fact the seniors were the first four-year cohort post-pandemic to earn diplomas.

The school, which teaches a science, technology, engineering and math-based curriculum, saw 50 students walk across the stage inside an auditorium at the National Hispanic Cultural Heritage Center.

Ed Garcia, The ASK Academy’s chief executive officer, announced the milestone during his opening remarks to scores of parents, grandparents, relatives and friends. Garcia then touched on the changes in learning the seniors saw over the last four years.

“You spent your entire eighth-grade year in front of a screen,” Garcia told students, who sat in rows of chairs behind him on the stage, with The ASK Academy logo superimposed on a screen. “It was great to see you turn to the new normal in school, find yourself again and continue what is now a new learning process.”

Garcia added of the seniors’ schooling: “God knows it was not always easy, but moments like this make it worth it.”

Bill Barrett, The ASK Academy’s new high school principal, thanked the students for welcoming him to campus before giving them some advice: Don’t be afraid to fail.

“When you do — and you will — don’t be afraid to fail hard, fast and often,” Barrett said.

Commencement speaker Barbara McCann, the Academy’s academic dean, talked about the challenge of choosing a college major before settling on the one she initially resisted: teaching. McCann did it for 30 years, she told graduates.

“I was 100% against being a teacher, but you know what? It was right for me; and I loved it,” McCann said. “Now is that time to see yourself and let yourself grow and evolve. Go for it, just do it!”

McCann said she tells people she believes in young people despite others who doubt them.

Salutatorian Maya Haley, who plans to enroll in Howard University, a historically Black college and university based in Washington, D.C., said she won’t miss The ASK Academy’s facilities, including the vandalized bathrooms. But she will miss her classmates.

“We had a lot of drama, to keep it simple,” Haley said. “But things changed a lot senior year ... and at the end, I feel closer with everyone here.”

Valedictorian Ethan Arrieta used his speech to touch to talk about setting priorities and how he learned to put away personal electronic devices so he could focus on his studies.

“It’s simple things like that that can help enhance your efforts when taking care of priorities,” Arrieta said. “It’s stressful, for sure, but remember ... stress motivates us to do what needs to be done.”

The valedictorian closed his speech with other motivational points for his peers, including saying “I can’t wait to see what you all do in the future.”

Parents who spoke to the Observer before and after the ceremony offered nothing but praise for their loved ones who received their diploma. One father, Ezequiel Candelaria, said he was “so proud” of his first-born daughter for her accomplishment. He said she has always been bright and is ready for college.

“She’s got a good head on her shoulders,” Candelaria said.

Another parent, Jessica Yockers, said the ceremony “marked the start of a new chapter” for her son, Lukas Garcia, who is still shopping for colleges. Yockers said Barrett’s message to students that they should not be afraid to fail resonated with her.

“Honestly, that’s how you’re going to learn the most, is by making those mistakes yourself,” Yockers said.

Speaking for himself, Garcia described graduating in a number of ways: exciting, exhilarating and scary. But all in all, “excited for the future,” he said.