APS School Matters; Kids Speak

it. Listen to your children speak on school matters coming up next. Good evening. I'm Brad Allison. You're Superintendent of the Albuquerque Public Schools and we have a wonderful treat for you tonight. We're going to be talking to nine teenagers at different high schools in the Albuquerque Public System and we're going to be talking about their perception of the quality of their education, K-12.

A little bit about where they're going and a little bit about the community as a whole. We want to talk about the mayoral election and NMAA and some of the controversial issues that have surrounded public education that has been portrayed in the press. It's very important to know what our clients, what our children are thinking, the people that we're spending money to educate. So I want to start by having them introduce themselves to you tonight and I'm going to start right over here with Monica, Moni. Tell us where you're from and what your name is. My name is Moni Gonzalez. I'm from Valley High School. And what year are you in Valley High School? A senior. A senior. Good for you. What are you going to do next year? Go to college. You and him? Thinking you and him. You've had our out of state to Colorado. Anything that you think that you're going to major in? Hopefully biomedical engineering. Biomedical engineering. That's a coming field for sure. A long step, but hopefully I can pull it out.

Faith. Kevin, where are you from? I'm from Highland High. And your last name, Kevin? Bunting. And how good is Highland High? Very good. What year are you? I'm a senior. And do you play baseball? No, I run check. Oh, do you really? Do you enjoy it? Yeah. What are your areas that you specialize in? Spenting and jumping. Spenting and jumping? Wow. What are you going to do next year? I have no idea. You can talk to Monique, okay? That's a show. Jocelyn, where are you from? I'm from Seable High School. And what's your last name? Guitarist. Guitarist. And what do you like about Seable High School the most? The Senate, the student council, definitely. Are you part of that? Oh, yeah. And you've got some political thoughts, I know. Yeah, I want a major political science, so I'm very into it. You teach political science, go to law school. I go to law school. Go to law school? Yes. Any idea what kind of lawyer you want to be yet? I'm not too sure. I'm not sure just when we get into it, kind of. You've got time. Exactly. And Adam, you're from?

I'm a senior attending West Mesa. West Mesa. What do you like about West Mesa? I enjoy the different clubs, Senate and Mesa, and Mecha, and the honor society that are all. So you're really involved in the school? Yeah, most definitely. Yeah. How do you like your principal? He's a great man. I like just a bucket, too. Of course you have to say that on TV, right? Of course. And then over here, we have... Edward, I'm a junior at Delnori High School. And your last name, Edward? To Foya. And what do you like about Delnori? I just love all the people around Delnori, because we have the school with the coolest mix of people here in Albuquerque, I think. Really? Yeah. Tell me more about that. Well, I get along with everybody, so I guess that's why I enjoy the people at Delnori so much. And I don't like... There are a lot of groups that are at... They're like certain groups that everybody hangs around with. And at Delnori, it's basically like... There's no certain group. Everybody's just one huge click.

Oh, that's really unusual. Yeah. One of the things about high schools that I've always noticed is kids break up into groups for some reason. And at Delnori, that doesn't happen. That speaks well. And... I'm Mecha Kern from Aljorado High School. And how do you like Alorado? I love it. Really? Yes. Just everything about it. I love all my classes and my friends and all the clubs that I do. It's just a great school. Great. That's wonderful to hear. And... Nathan? Nathan Hasse from Monzano High School. And how do you like Monzano? I love Monzano High School. Ever since I was a freshman, I have. Really? You're a senior this year? Yes, sir. What are you going to do when you graduate? I'll hopefully end up at Lubbock Christian University. So, I hope to end up there next year. Any idea what you're going to study? I want a double major in youth ministries and youth psychology. Well, that double major is going to take a lot of effort. Yeah, it sure is. Yeah, that's neat. That's very neat. And... Hello. I'm Frances Alazar from Rio Grande High School. How do you like Rio Grande? I love it. Everybody says Rio Grande is so bad. Is that true? No, it is not. It is the total opposite.

It's a great school. Yes, it is. I don't know why people pick a Rio Grande. I know. I don't understand it either. They would go there then. They would know the truth. Yeah. It's one of our best schools, I think. It's a great school. That's good to hear. And last but certainly not least. My name is Andrew Alquist and I'm a senior at Sandia High School. And how do you like Sandia? Oh, I just got to say it's the best school. Really? Yeah. What makes it so good? Just administration, the staff. Basically just like all the people, all my friends. Yeah. Just make it fun. A great atmosphere. Yeah. Well, we're here today to talk a little bit about public education and a little bit about all kinds of things, controversial and non-controversial about public education and your education. How many of you have been in APS all of your education? Can you garden through? One, two, three, four, five, six. How many of you transferred from someplace else? Where from? I transferred from New Mexico. I mean, North Carolina. North Carolina? How do our schools compare to the school that you were at in North Carolina?

I really don't remember. You don't? What did you transfer? Fourth grade. Fourth grade, yeah. That's a long time ago. So you've been here since fourth grade. Right. And Andrew, you came from someplace else? No. Jocelyn? No, when I'm missing. Who else came from someplace else? So most of you have come from APS? Oh, well, I came from... I came from a private middle school and grade school. And so you saw the light and came to public education? Oh, sure. You can put it that way. I'd ask a question a little bit about your elementary education. Those of you who have been in APS. Because I'd like to know what your thoughts about it upon reflection from the high school level. Were you well prepared at the elementary level? What was your elementary experience like? Somebody like to tell me your thoughts on that? Jocelyn? I think that I was well prepared for middle school and high school. I had great teachers all throughout kindergarten through fifth. And I didn't have a teacher that just let me slack off.

Or we just painted the whole day or anything like that. I think they built us for the high school and to get ready for middle school. And just our upper education. So I had a really good experience with it. Where did you go to middle school? At LBJ. And where did you go to elementary school? Mary Hughes. Mary Hughes, good for you. Good for you. Were any of our schools year round schools? Mary Hughes was for my fourth grade year. Was it? Yeah. How did you like that? I didn't. The vein at school weighed too long. I didn't. I was so happy to get rid of it. Definitely. Anybody else have comments? I just have to agree. My elementary school years were really good. And it was a building block from first grade to second grade and second grade to third grade. And especially fourth and fifth grade, they just really prepared you for what middle school. And even high school had to offer you. And Mia, where did you go to school? I went to elementary at Mitchell for K through second. And then S.Y. Jackson, third through fifth.

Okay. Anyone else want to talk about elementary school? Their elementary experience? Well, kindergarten through second grade. I went to Colette Park Elementary. And then after that, my mom took me into homeschooling. And I was in homeschooling through the first nine weeks of sixth grade. And then after that, I entered into Jackson middle school. And it was, in homeschooling, it really prepared me. I felt like I was way ahead whenever I did get into middle school. And then middle school prepared me really well. Good. How did you like homeschooling? I really liked homeschooling a lot. It was just, I guess it was really neat because I got to, really, I taught myself a lot. And so now I'm really ahead whenever it comes to learning stuff myself. Such as like a lot of classes that I take now at the higher level being a senior. You have to teach yourself a lot. And so I'm really good at that. I had to teach myself a lot back then. That kind of independence is really important around learning, I would think. Yeah, it really is. It helps me out a lot. I would think so. Francis, where did you go to school? To elementary. Elementary. I went to Adobe Acres.

And middle school? Middle school. I went to Ernie Pyle, excuse me. I'm not there for a second. Well, I went to Harrison and then I went to Ernie Pyle. Yeah. And at Ernie Pyle, I think I got way more education. I guess the teachers were a little more, I guess. I don't know. They taught me a lot more. Yeah. And they were like, they kind of go through every student and kind of like, you know what I mean? They teach every person individually. They're not just going at one pace. They'll slow down. And so they prepared me very well for high school. Did you have a sense that they cared about you individually? Yes. I think that makes a big difference, doesn't it? Yes, it does. Because when you know someone cares and they're kind of on your back, then you know you've got to do well in school. Yeah. Yeah. Let's talk a little bit about high school, the high schools that you're in. And I'd be very interested in hearing a little bit about the best teacher you have at high school right now. I don't have to name the person, but I'd be very interested in their characteristics. And you think that for a second, reflect on who's your best your favorite teacher?

Well, we'll try Edward here. Well, I actually have a couple of favorite teachers because there's just something with the way they teach. They actually show that they care about what's going on. One of our teachers at Del Norte, he's a sophomore teacher and his name is Mr. Domina. And he's one of those teachers that actually cares. He'll thank you if you get a good grade on a test or something. And he's also one of those teachers that likes to poke fun at you and you can poke fun at him too. And it just makes it so you actually get closer to him and you understand what he's teaching. And he just makes his class, it's an English class. He makes his class just a really enjoyable experience for everybody. Did you learn a lot from him? Yeah, I didn't really understand very much about Shakespeare before I got into his class. And then we read Julius Caesar in his class. And now I actually understand all the little hidden jokes that are inside of some of Shakespeare's work. And I just really enjoyed having him as a teacher.

And he's actually one of my closest teacher friends at Del Norte right now. So it's really cool having him around. That's very neat. That's very neat. Shakespeare did so many kids, I think, is the impossible task to read Shakespeare. But we can learn about our own lives from Shakespeare. Mia? My favorite teacher is this year my APUS History teacher, Miss McMurray. And it's one of the hardest classes that I've taken, I think. But she's just willing to help you and she makes you think on your feet all the time because we're always doing class discussions. And I just love her to death. And then my yearbook advisor is pretty cool. Yeah. So I just love him all. What are you going to do when you graduate? I want to go to law school and be a child's lawyer. A child's advocacy lawyer? Yep. That's really boy there. That's a need for that. Yeah. Really is. Really is. And Nathan? Well, I'd have to say like all my teachers this year. I've seen New York. I have a full load. I have seven classes I'm taking. And every single one of my teachers, I love to death.

Yeah. Every single one of them is there to teach you. But I'd have to say my favorite teacher in all of high school is her name is Julie Huntsman. And she teaches science. And I've never seen somebody love a curriculum so much. She loves it. And she doesn't settle for any student who won't succeed. She finds the students who don't succeed and make sure they get on top. And she just has the greatest passion that I've ever seen for anything in my life. She just loves what she does. She loves the kids and she's so happy every day. You can never tell if she's down or not. Is that the kind of person you want to be like? Oh, yeah. She's a mentor to her. For sure. She's awesome. That's really great to hear Nathan. And Frances, your favorite teacher? Is last year's English teacher Miss Pratt? And I wasn't really into reading and all that. And she got me really into it. We read the Scarlet Letter. And she just explained it so well. And we'd read in class and class discussions. I'd love that. So people that would slack off, she wouldn't let them. She'd be like, well, come on, get involved. And then the whole class was into it.

So it was great. So it was fun. It sounds like the best teachers are the ones who don't let any kids get away. No. They don't really care about all the kids. Because I think a lot of kids really want to get involved. They're kind of just afraid. So if someone just gives them a little push, then they'll be into it. Yeah. That's what teachers can do. Yeah. And I'm really interested in who your favorite teacher is. It's Sandia. Well, I actually have about three favorite teachers. One ironically is my coach for track and cross-country coach Clark. He started teaching me for PE and freshman year. And I wasn't going to go into track or cross-country. He recruited me out for those sports. And just from since then, I've just hung around his family. Like I ran with both his sons. And now his daughter's at Sandia too. And I'm just more of a family to him than he does as a teacher figure. And then another teacher I really like is Ms. Watts. She's our activities director. She teaches student senate. And without her, we wouldn't have a student senate. We have a huge student senate. We have like 120 people. That's huge.

And it's basically her just vibrancy. She's just an awesome teacher. And then another one was my US history teacher from last year. Mr. Wiesbrick, he's a new teacher. And in fact, this summer, he got a job offer over in California for a higher pay and everything like that. But he decided to stay here just because of he just loves the students here and like that. And he just loves the public school system too. And I'm listening to you guys describe heroes to me. What about this side? Well, I've had two really good teachers that I've enjoyed. I kind of struggle and math. I mean, I'm good at it. But I kind of have a hard kind of struggle a little bit. But my last year, I had Ms. Chase. And she's a great algebra teacher. She helped me a lot with what I didn't know. She helped me introduce. You know, she helped introduce stuff that I didn't know basic. And helped me prepare for calculus, which I'm in now. And I really enjoy the teacher that I have now, Mr. Paco.

And he's really involved with the students. He teaches so well. He explains everything. He takes the time to teach every student. Now, if you struggle, you just, you know, you go to him and he's wide open. You know, he offers his help. And it's great. They've made me feel very welcome there. Again, really caring about you personally. Right. That's a very important piece. And so much that you're in calculus, which is the top math course we have. You're going to be helped me get there. That's great. That's great money. It really changes your life, I think. Yes. Which we're interested in right now. Right. And Andrew, your favorite teacher? Kevin. Kevin. He's Andrew. He's Kevin. I'm sorry. I apologize, Kevin. Now, I think the best teachers are the ones that get involved personally. And try to do more than just teach. They just become, just get more personal with you. And I don't know. I don't know if I have any favorite teachers, but some of the ones that I get along best with is our activities director. And I don't know if she's more of a friend than anything else.

And it just helps a lot a lot. It makes you feel more comfortable and everything like that. It's easier to learn that way. This is your last chance to grind up to a teacher. Are you sure you don't want a favorite teacher here? A one? Maybe not, right? Well, I don't know. Like, I don't know. It tells very good. She taught a lot of different ways so that if you didn't get it one way, then you got it another way, like visual and then notes wise and stuff like that. And then Ms. DuBois does that also. It helps a lot for people that learn different ways. Different ways. They can count how you learn, really. Yeah. Yeah, that's very important. Jocelyn, who's your favorite teacher? Who's your best teacher? I shouldn't say favorite. I can't narrow it down to one, because I've been in the school for three years. And so I would have to say Mr. Miller and Dr. McCosker. But one of them, Dr. McCosker, she teaches drama, which is an awesome class. Because it's actually a second English class. Yeah. And most people would think that's a nine year. But we have so much fun in there.

And she has definitely just left an imprint on my life. And she just really cares about each individual person. And I personally didn't think that she would like me when I went in there. But she, you know, she looks like beyond that and wants to know who you are. And she's all about success. And she wants all her kids to succeed. And Mr. Miller is the nicest guy at Seabla ever. And everybody just loves him. And he taught law one for me. And he still, like, I see this man, you know, in the halls. And he just has this big smile on his face. And he's like, hi, Jocelyn. And he just gets to know you and who you are. And he helps you out. If there's something that comes up and he's like, oh, I want you to go to this. Or be involved in this and stuff. And he just wants everybody to get involved. And he cares a lot, which is the most important trait of a teacher. Yeah, really is. I mean, they can know the material very well. But it's important that they care about you. Exactly. Because we don't teach the material we teach people. Yeah. I like what you said about the teacher leaves an imprint on your life. Yeah, they both have definitely. Yeah, that's very good.

And Adam? I would have to say that I can't say a specific teacher because I believe that all my teachers have contributed to the person I am and to my education. But if I would have to say one, if you pushed me to say one, I would have to say Martha Badoe. She taught my AP English last year. And I mean, she raised our standards. She pushed us and we just continued and went after that ultimate goal. So I would have to say Martha Badoe. One of the things I really liked about what all of most of you had said is that you're all very bright people and you're all going to be very successful. But there are other students that we have who are struggling for one reason or another. But you said that all of your teachers that you mentioned really reach out to those kids as well, which I think is an important characteristic of a high quality teacher. Very important. Let's talk about athletics. Because athletics is pretty important. How many of you are interested in athletics? How many of you participate in athletics? One, two, three, four, five.

Okay. So you're aware of this NMA issue a little bit and how we're trying to resolve it. And you must have thoughts about that. I'd be very interested in hearing student thoughts. Who would like to tell me what you think? Nathan? Well, personally, I guess it's just, I guess it kind of bug me whenever I heard that they might make Albuquerque like just where you can only be like if you win state, it would really only be you're taking Albuquerque. And I don't think that it's as much pride. I don't mean if you take state, there's just like everything. There's so much pride that comes along with that and just so much success. And I don't think that that would be right to take that away from the students. Because that just is so much pride that you have caring that around. And if you get a state patch on your letter jacket or just the, I think the main thing is pride. You're just, you can so much respect and for yourself if you can take all the state. That's just like the main goal is to take state. Yeah. So it's a much larger arena for competition for sure. Good. Anything else on it, ma'am? Yeah. Also, I know it wouldn't affect just athletics, but I'm involved in the New Mexico Association of Student Councils. Yeah.

And APS schools would be broken apart from the rest of the state. And we have one of the closest state associations. And that just be sad to see what we have built up. Yeah. Go to waste. Yeah. Very, very good point. Edward? I thought that the whole thing was kind of dumb because if we narrowed it all down to Albuquerque, it does have a lot to do with the pride issue. And one thing that we do at Del Norte is whenever like the football team or somebody like that has an out of city game, then we actually sponsor a bus for everybody to come to our school, get and get taken to the game. And that's one of the things that I look forward to sometimes during the year. Getting to go to like, I don't know, last year we went to Santa Fe. So getting to go to Santa Fe to watch one of the games and cheer on our Del Norte football team, you know, it was great. Yeah. So that's why I want to see it stay completely statewide instead of just keeping it all here. Yeah. Makes a good point, I think. Why is the excitement around athletics at high schools? I mean, what if we just took all the athletic programs and got rid of them and just focused on learning?

Well, it would kind of take away from the whole high school experience from everybody. Because, you know, part of it is having the memories of either playing in a varsity football game or just sitting there in the crowd with your friends being as rowdy as you possibly can. That merits your principal. Yeah. But me and my principal get along though. So that's good. And he has the thoughts on anime. I know Andrew, you've got some thoughts. Yeah, one of the things also is just variety. Like every single year for a state meet for cross country, it's helping Gallup. Yeah. And that's just been a tradition there. There's so many people in Gallup that just come out and watch and help out. And that's like one of the things that I don't think Gallup would necessarily enjoy very much. And also, there's other schools around the city, I mean around the state, other than here in Abokirky, that are good competitors for everyone. And so it'll just take off a level of competition. Yeah. There's some great kids in athletics, I think, all around the state, particularly important to us. Any other thoughts?

Morning. I think also one of the conflicts that I guess a lot of parents have brought up is the traveling just, you know, the kids are going so far away. Yeah. And then they're coming home at one, two in the morning, depending on where they're coming from. Yeah. You know, and I've been involved in a couple of those trips with basketball going to Gallup and then not getting home till maybe 12 at night and then still have homework. Yeah. But I think it's also important, you know, that we have out of city games, you know, and also, you know, of what they said is just, you know, it's important that the whole state is involved. That's, you know, that's why it's called state championships. Right. But I just think it's really important to keep the state involved. And, you know, it's not all involved just Abokirky. You know, there's so many other schools out there that are really competitive. Yeah. So I think it's just really important to consider all that's out there. And we're part of New Mexico. Any other thoughts on this side? Athletics activities? Andrew? Tell me what you think. Adam. Adam. Gosh. Andrew, Adam, Kevin. Yeah, I do agree with what has been said so far.

I think that once you stop allowing students to like travel to different parts of New Mexico and just say it's only Abokirky that gets a battle in this tournament or whatever, I believe that it stops that recognition that Pride has was said. And I think that it opens the doors to wider competition. I mean, many students depend on scholarships through sports in order to go to college and just to, I mean, they depend on that for their future. Yeah. So I have to agree with what has been said. Pretty important. So we need to stay in the NMA. Yes, Nathan. Yeah, I wanted to say one more thing about that. Like, Monzano and El Dorado, we travel really far. We go to Carl's Bad and we go pretty far. And it's like, I love making those trips. I think it's harder and everything like that. But it's just, it's fun. Like, everybody, it's really fun that you get a good on a bus and travel five hours. I mean, it's just the bonding that comes along with it with your teammates. And plus, it's just the competition level. Like, they're saying out of Abokirky, the competition level is just, it's awesome. Like, playing Carl's Bad and places like that, they're really, really good athletes.

They work really hard. And for them to be able to compete with us in Abokirky and for us to be able to compete with them is a real privilege. And I just, I really like that. A whole idea of us getting to travel and play different cities and stuff. That's really an honor. Yeah, makes a lot of sense. Well, there was a El Dorado last year, a basketball team that had a nightmare trip. But that was an unusual circumstance. Francis, what do you think about all of this? I think it is important for us to stay statewide because who says learning stops in the classroom? I mean, everyone's seen the state. I mean, if they weren't traveling for basketball or across countries, to go to Gallup or to Carl's Bad or wherever, maybe they wouldn't even get that opportunity to go on their own. So they're being able to, I mean, it's a lot of opportunities, not just playing basketball. And it goes with the whole spirit being, that's the spirit of your school when you get rowdy. And you have fun. And that is bonding with the whole school.

And I think it's important. Yeah, well said, well said, Andrew. One of the big things about high school is that it's just another block to go to college. And so, and just having sports where you travel, that will get you ready for college if you're going to be going to college and playing sports. Because, you know, you and him can't always just play, you, and stuff like that. They have to travel too. And that's just another thing that will just prepare us for college. Yeah, I think that's a good point. You've made all very good points. I guess switch topics a little bit to talk about teenagers, all of your teenagers, how many of you are 17? How many 18s? 16s. So we've got 16s and 17s here, right? But then a lot of talk about all kinds of controversy issues involving teenagers. Because you're sort of a weather barometer for how well our culture is doing. So I'd be interested in what kinds of things are really challenging to you right now. What are the things that you worry about as teenagers? Well, sometimes it's as far as stereotype goes.

You know, we kind of have a hard time fitting in in some ways. But I think we're working on that, you know, as far as the teenage group. There's a lot of us that are succeeding, you know, very well. We're doing very well in our lives. I think we've come a long way and we just have to, you know, pick up our reputation again. And as teenagers, you know, it's really hard to, I mean, because we're taking, we're looking at adults and, you know, that's what we're going to be. So we're going through those hard times picking colleges, our careers. So we're just trying to fit in, basically. A lot of decisions in this time frame in your life. They sort of get all bunched together, you know, and make it a little difficult. Anything else that you worry about generally speaking, speaking for teenagers? The last thing? The thing I'm most worried about is school. And just because I know that probably a lot of us are like involved in a lot of things at our school and trying to be here at the same time is here. And that, but also making sure that you're doing well in school and trying to get to college

and trying to go in and out of state college or trying to go to the best college that you want to go to. It's like there's so little time to do all what you need to do. And I know that like a lot of time, it's just, if I only had like two more hours, I could do this. And sometimes it doesn't work out that way, but it's, I think it's hard for a lot of, a lot of teenagers, like, get sports and then activities and stuff out of their focus. Yeah. Into their focus, sorry. Instead of school and they, like, let their grades slip and everything. And I think that's like a very hard thing because you're trying to figure out what your priorities are sometimes going to that soccer game is like better than doing the geometry homework or something. So I think that's way hard. Anything else in terms of things you worry about? I think probably the biggest fear is the fear of failure. I think a lot of students fear that they won't accomplish in each that goal and they won't be accepted by their, by their fellow students or whatnot. So I think social acceptance and social power definitely affects what students choose to excel

in areas that they want to move forward into. I think that's, that's very well said. I mean, this is the time in your life where you're sort of making your mark and setting your stage is where you're going to be going from here. What about time? At Jocelyn talked about time. Is that an issue for anybody else? I think time is a very big issue because teens now like we want to do everything. Like for me, I want to do everything. I want to go to school. I want to work. I want to go out with my friends. I want to be understanding. I want to do all this and there's just not enough hours in the day. And sometimes, you know, your parents don't understand that you can't spend time with the family because you want to do this or your teachers don't understand why you didn't do that paper or whatever. So I think that's a big issue. Like that's what I stress about the most. I think it's just having enough time for everything to get everything in like for your senior year because you want to do everything because it's your last year. I've always heard the senior year is a slack off year.

Is that true? Definitely not true at all. I'm glad to hear that. No, everyone this year, all my friends were like, no, we've got to go to class. We've got to do everything. We've got to, you know, get those good grades for scholarships and college and all that. All the competition. Yeah, and all the competition. Yes, definitely. Nathan, you had something to add to that time issue? I'd have to say with time definitely because college is right around the corner. And everybody, like every youth, you just said like it's a slacking year. And I think more people realize that you have one last year to get that opportunity because a lot of people, a lot of people, such as myself and other people, you have to get a scholarship if you want to go to college, like out of town and stuff like that. If you want to get into a good college, so you have to work hard. And there's like a little bit of time you have to do that. I mean, you usually realize, like a lot of people realize that the last second I have to get this done. Like a lot of people realize that they're senior. I have to get this done now in order to get a full ride or a partial scholarship or I need to work this much harder in my sport that I play. And I just think time's a really big issue when it comes to school because it is.

You have to get everything done in the right amount of time so you can get yourself into a good college or something. It scares me a little bit because of the time pressure. I see so many young students like yourself drinking coffee. And it just seems like it's... Starbuck. Starbuck is the thing. That's because it tastes good. All right. It isn't the caffeine. Mia, what about time? You just have to prioritize. I know my mom made me sit down and make a list of everything that I'm doing this year and prioritize it. Just because you don't have that time to do everything that you want to do. You don't. Yeah. What criteria do you use to prioritize? School comes first. Then, Senate. And then, my sports. And then... I don't know. It just depends on the day, I guess. Yes. But you really have to prioritize. Do you have problems with time? Not really. But one of the things that the seniors have been talking about is, this is their last year and their last chance to do everything that they've always wanted to. And I started thinking about that last year in my sophomore year thinking,

well, there's only two more years of high school left. And then, after that, it's on to the real world. You know, the brutal slap in the face. So... So, once I started thinking about that, I started thinking, I need to get more involved in school. So, I joined Student Council finally. I've been thinking about it since freshman year and so I finally did it this year. And I've just been having a blast so far because I'm more involved in... And I keep on thinking that when I get to the podium when I'm graduating, and be thinking, I didn't waste my time. And that's the one thing I'm worried about now, just wasting all the time that I have left. Pressure of time, youth time. Yeah, that's very important. Monica. I think that's what a lot of seniors also think about on their last years, when they step up on the line to, you know, ready to graduate, they just don't want to, you know, regret anything. You want to know that, you know, they went on those trips, you know, with their football game, you know, too far away or whatever,

and just had fun with their friends or, you know, just able to enjoy their senior year, you know, and, of course, do the homework and everything, you know, but also just have fun and know that you've had a great time at your high school. Yeah, really important pieces. Tell me about parents. How are your parents involved in your education? And does it make a difference? What do you think, Kevin? Actually, I think it makes a very big difference. I think if your parents, like, tend to slack off and you tend to have the same, I don't know, the same views on everything. I don't know. How do you get your parents involved? I don't know. A lot of it is themselves. I mean, if they don't want to do it, then they don't want to do it. But you can, like, try to get them well. I have a football game that I'd like you to come watch, or I'm doing this. I'd like you to see me do this. Yeah. Just things like that. Try to get them more involved with what you're doing. Yeah. Teenagers can help that.

Any other thoughts about parents and involvement? Yeah. I think you definitely learned from your parents. I know my mom's on three PTAs this year. And so I'm just as involved as my mom. So both of us understand what we're going through. And I know I couldn't make it through high school this far. If I didn't have my parents to support me in everything I do. So they definitely just play a huge role in high school. Yeah. Unfortunately, some of the parents think that high school is done and you're going to specialize in areas and they don't need to be involved. But that's just not true. Exactly. Nathan? And like I was saying earlier about my mom home schooling, she really made a big impact on my schooling. She taught me, she basically molded me in the way I needed to be. And then with my dad, he's got to be the hardest working person I've ever seen in my life. He just, he's fully dedicated to his job. And he always has to do. He puts priority. He's really good with that. And he's really like a big role model for me because he shows me how to do stuff and how to succeed. Yeah. And so that my dad and my mom really had a really big impact on how I live my life and the decisions I make. Your parents do mold you, don't they? Yeah.

I think parents are very crucial in your life, especially when now in high school. Like my mom, well, all through my life, my mom's told me, you know, work hard in school, get, learn as much as you can so you don't work as hard as like if you had a labor job. Or even if you did have a labor job, work hard at that. But I mean, like be successful in what you choose to do in your life. Don't settle for anything. And I think she's taught me everything. Even just stuff, just pay my bills. She just teaches me at stuff at home. You know what I mean? Yeah. She like, stuff that I'll actually use in my life. So I think parents are very important. Yeah. I'm so glad to hear that. Yeah. Andrew, your parents are terrible, right? Oh, no. No, they're really awesome. Tell us about them. I spend like most of my time at school, sadly. You know, just from getting up and zero off her students and then like after school athletics and stuff. Yeah. And they're really supporting me about that. I mean, a lot of people don't realize that parent participation is a huge thing. Whether it's going to an open house, whether it's going to a kid's, you know, athletic thing or whatever.

You know, parents have made a lot too. It can like, I mean, even though they may not say it, it's true. Yeah, it's so important to actually do something. A parent can say that they love you, but actually come into your game or participate in things with your teaching. You had to do a checkbook or whatever. Jocelyn. My parents are definitely like my personal cheerleader. And so like my sisters, and they're always there. And I do some crazy stuff and I get involved in like way too many things and then I'm stressed out. And like, and they're always there. Like, and they always, like, when I had, like, run, I ran for senior president. I made them like, say up all night, like, putting pins in each little card. And they were just like, never again, you know, but they're there. And they like want me to succeed. And whatever I do, even though they might think it's crazy. Or, you know, can you really fit that into your schedule? They help me out with it. And I, like, I couldn't do it without them. Yeah, that's so nice to hear. They are your cheerleaders. Monique, you were going to say something. What's been really important to me is that, you know, like everyone said,

they've been there for me when I've needed them. And, you know, sometimes you come home and you're so stressed out. And you say, you know, if you've had a hard day, you just storm into the back room. And you know, you shouldn't slam the door. Then, you know, they give you a chance to cool down, you know, but. That's what you've got them figured out. Yeah, I haven't figured out well. Then, you know, they come and comfort you and everything. And they're always there when you're stressed out. And I think that's the most important things for parents to let their children know is that they're always there for them. Yeah. And, you know, I think that gives a great comfort to children to know that their parents will always support them through anything. Yeah. I think parents, probably most parents realize the most important thing they've ever done in their lives, no matter what kind of job they have is they have children. Edward. Well, my parents do have like a big part in what goes on, but they're not the only ones like my whole family gets into it. Like, before I even got into elementary school, I would always stay with my grandparents at their house. And they started buying me these little workbooks that were preparing you for preschool.

They, like, they didn't math and stuff. It was like all sorts of Sesame Street characters add five and five. And so, they help me, like, get ready for school. And my mom and my dad are always trying to help me in any way that they can. And my cousin, Bobby, is a really big inspiration. She graduated from UNM, got her master's degree. And she did it on a full ride. Wow. She had to pay, the only thing she had to pay for were her books. So, she's always giving me something to look forward to. And every time, like, something good happens in school, she's always one of the first people that leaves a message on the answering machine, or calls me, or comes by and brings a little card that says, I'm so proud of you. And her husband, her new husband, he's actually gotten into it too. So, they're always, like, so proud of me. Yeah. It's just, like, sometimes it feels like I have to do good in school just to show everybody that there are times not being wasted when they say you're doing a good job,

or there are times not being wasted when they go and see me do something weird, like, being a play and act like Texas Hick or something. So, I... They don't show the show in Texas, I want you to know. Yeah. So, I'm just... It's not just my parents that push me to succeed, it's my whole family, and I'm really thankful to them for that. Well, that's a very good point. Very good point. It is a whole family. How many of you have been influenced by your grandparents as part of that process? Tell me about that, Mia. My grandparents, just the way they push my dad. My dad was an Olympian, so yeah, he was a ski jumper. And my grandparents just always supported him and what he chose to do. And that just reflects in how my parents push me to do whatever I want to do. So, they've just been an influence. That's great. Anything your grandparents? Well, I'd have to say my grandma and my grandpa. They also...

They taught my dad his responsibility and how hard of a work he is. But my grandfather, he's always pushed me in baseball. Like, ever since I was a little kid, he's always been... He's been at every single one of my games since I can remember. He's always been there. No matter what, he's the first person there at the game, and he's the last person to stay and say goodbye and good job. And he just... He makes you feel good. He makes you want to succeed. And my grandma just... She always has some good advice, somehow, somewhere. She has a really good advice to give you. And so, anytime I need some advice, I just call my grandma and she'll give me some good advice and send me on my way so I can do a good job at whatever I do. That's... It's important because there is a connection between your parents and your grandparents and you and the generations that will follow you. Francis, are your grandparents around? Yeah, but we're not... I'm not really involved with them for a long time. Not much, no. But we're real close about that, but she's... She's been an inspiration. I mean, she's worked hard her whole life and everything, but yeah. She supports me and everything I do. It's funny how we learn from everybody's life is a lesson. And when you get to be older, you're getting near that period where you can say the lesson was this or that.

Yeah. Andrew, anything about your grandparents? Well, my grandparents both live in Missouri. So I haven't had that close bond as like Nathan said, like, about going to games and stuff like that. But, like, your grandparents just shine through your parents also. So just the way that they taught them and how your parents interact with you also. I mean, they're an inspiration to me to say the least. Like, one of my grandparents, he just... He works so many years of his life as a carpenter. And he's like living in the house that he built and all that. And it's just amazing. And my other grandpa, just a stubborn, you know, he hasn't retired yet. And he's still the president of his own life insurance company that he built from the ground. And they're just inspirations more than anything. So if they don't... So if they're not here, you know, I can always still just look up to him. Sure. Yeah, that's really well said. That's really well said. Um, what about politics? We're getting short on time. I want to... Jocelyn wants to talk about the mayoral race, right? Because I want to know what you're thinking about there. We've got so many people running for mayor. And the mayor...

The city council, actually, and the mayor give us some money to APS. You know, that we can spend on students for after-school programs and that kind of thing. And the mayor is responsible for the police chief and the police process. And a whole bunch of other things. So it's a pretty important position. I just wonder if any of you have any particular thoughts on one person or another? Jocelyn. I actually... I like two candidates and I have not chose, but I'm not going to vote. But it's okay. And that would be Martin Chavez or Rick Comins. And Rick Comins, he's new, and not that many people know him. But he's done an excellent job campaigning and getting out there and actually showing, like, what he wants to do for Albuquerque, which is the most important thing. And not just with education, but with a whole bunch of other wide variety of things. And you know, he's like the billboards that say tip number five or whatever. And I really like Martin Chavez because I'm from the West Side. And he's done a lot. And I met him when I was in fourth grade and I thought it was the coolest thing ever.

And he's just done a lot for the West Side. And so I like both of them. It's a big decision. I don't think people realize that because this is our city. And whoever gets mayor affects a lot of what we do and our educational system because Albuquerque is such a big city. And you know, we're the central part of almost everything in New Mexico. And so I'm very big within it. And I hope that just the best person wins for basically our students. It is sad that so few people vote. That's way sad. I think that everybody should vote. It's your duty as a citizen. You need to vote. And I don't really care for people that complain so much about the system. If they're not out there voting. And if they're not out there, well, you know, knowing about it. And they're just, you know, I hate Bush or I hate Clinton. And stuff and not really knowing anything about the situation. That's one thing to have an opinion. It's another thing to have an informed opinion. Exactly.

Andrew or Adam? Andrew, Adam, Nathan, and Edward. Adam. I'm not very familiar with the candidates. But I believe that we should have a leader that we can depend on as strong and knows how to lead a city. I just think that yeah, I agree with which you said that many people make an in a non informed decision about certain things. And then they complain because things are the way they are. But yet they don't want to step out of the comfort zone and take that step and make them do the proper actions. What's that comfort zone thing? The sitting back and letting everyone else do the work when really you have a big part of it. It's so easy to complain. So difficult to do. Yes. Anybody on this side? On the murals? Andrew. I don't know. Andrew. Yeah. There you got it right. A lot of the things that kind of bothered me are just the whole campaigning thing. Like a lot of people like, you know, the higher end campaigning people like Baka and Chad is, you know, they've poured like half a million dollars into their campaigning material and advertisements and stuff like that.

And a lot of it, I don't know, it seems like more people are interested in advertisements than they are for the politics. Yeah. And that just kind of bothers me. I mean, I understand that that's how it works nowadays. Like an art technology, technologically advanced world and all that. But like, I don't know, I'd like to see, you know, like an underdog just come up. You know, that doesn't have like a lot of money. You know, and that comes from like the slums and stuff like that and has been building the American dream. Yeah. And just and be voted into office for his ideals, not because it was advertisements. Yeah. It is funny that people spend so much more money to get into office than they really make once they're in office. I think. Yeah. Any other thoughts on that, Francis? I would have to agree with Andrew because I think a lot of candidates sometimes are into advertising themselves instead of, instead of really caring for Albuquerque, and I think the person who does care and isn't just for themselves should be mere. I'm not really familiar about their situations or whatever, but I hope the best person wins. Those thoughts are very good.

We don't have any women running, which seems pretty unusual. Sure. When I'm old enough to run. All right. How many years do we have? Wow. I'm just keeping in mind everywhere. All right. You heard it first here, right? I want to bring up another topic that's, I don't think sensitive. But it seems to me as somebody who's been a long time, seven, a teenager. But when I was a teenager, it was sort of the boys' rule. I remember sitting on a bus going to a senior picnic or something like that and asking the group of girls in the next seat in the bus, what they were going to do when they left high school, and they said, well, I was going to be a teacher, or stewardess, or a nurse. That was it. And these were young ladies who were getting better grades than the men that I was sitting with, the young boys I was sitting with, and the other seat. And it just struck me at the time that that sort of minimizes what their opportunities are. But at the time, I thought, well, they're women, and I'm a man, and so I'm supposed to have the job and go out and work, and they're supposed to be stewardesses until they can get married, or nurses until they can get married, or teachers until they get married.

What's changed? What's the relationship now between boys, men, and girls, women inside of our high schools? I'd have to say everybody's learned to look at each other equally, because it's like, I know so many people. I have just as many girlfriends as I do guyfriends, and they're just, I mean, a lot of the time, like you said, all the girls that I know get better grades than us guys. But I mean, I think everybody looks at it equally, because I know all the girls that I know they all have, they all know what they want to do with their future. They all have it planned out, and know what they want. And half of us guys don't even have a clue. It's like the girls are really the ones that are getting it done and stuff, but I mean, even us guys, we're doing what we can to get it done. I think everybody looking at each other is a lot more equals, because it's like a guy can look at a girl and know just as equal that they can be just as good as they are. And they don't doubt it, or try to put them down about it. I haven't seen that. More respect for girls?

More respect. It's an equal respect, yeah. Any other thoughts on the battle between the sexes? I just think that way back when it was like men did everything, like women stayed home. The good old days, right? When men went out and made the money, the women would say in the kitchen and make the food. The energy out of the table when I get home, right? Yeah, it's changed so much since then, because women have, I don't want to sound really bad, but women have gotten smarter. The laws have changed too, Edward. They're trying to, they want to have as big of a part in our society as guys do. And it's really great most of the time. I'd actually like to see a woman run for president one of these days. That would be pretty cool. And I just think that where the reason why women are coming up a lot better than guys now is because they just want it more. Guys have basically had everything handed to them for millions of years and now girls want to actually go for it and be huge success stories.

Is that good? Yeah, I think it's great. Why? Well, because it wouldn't hurt that when I get older to have a woman that has a better paying job being a wife. I have a nice sugar mama. Sugar mama. Right on, Edward. It's just like, it's just like, it's just a great thing that everybody is trying to get as far in life as they possibly can. Sure is. I think so too. Any other thoughts on this? I agree that women have more of an equal stand, but we still, in today's society, still look as men with more power than women. Why do we do that? I don't know. I think it's just the way that we've been brought up ever since, you know, we were little and our parents were little and our grandparents were little. We've just always seen it as the man is the one who runs the house, the man is the one who runs the country. And I think it's just the way that we've been brought up until that, until that cycle is broken, that's how we'll look at society.

We're sort of in a transition, do you think? I think so. Yeah. I definitely think we'll see a female president within my lifetime. I'm surprised we haven't already, actually. Yeah. So it's coming just not yet, though. All right, you give it a bit. Mm-hmm. You gotta be 35. Yeah. I know. Gotta be 35. But hey, I'm gonna go for it. Good. Francis, you got some thoughts? Yes, I just wanted to disagree with Edward when he said that nowadays women are just getting smarter. I think women had always been smarter. They just weren't allowed to express that and express how smart they were and that they were, they could be independent. It wasn't like that in like the old indies or whatever. I mean, like they were smart. It was just different laws. And I think we came a long way, like a long way. You'd agree with that, Edward, wouldn't you? Yes. I completely messed up my entire journey. He's learning. What about over here? I definitely say now, especially just in high school, and now more in the Senate and in the Congress, where women are showing up, and personally, that's great.

And looking from a woman's standpoint, I know that a lot of us, men are still, like, I agree with Mia, and still, like, men are, you know, higher or whatever. But I think that actually gives women their urge to be better, because we're like, you know, we can, yeah, we can be better than this guy, you know. And I think there's still competition there, and I think we're in a major transition period. And hopefully, like, my grandchildren won't have to face, like, some of the, you know, things why maybe some woman won't get a job, because she is a woman, because there's still people out there like that. Yeah. Andrew, do you think it's good the relationship between Adam? I give up. It's too small, Adam. I'm sorry, Adam. The relationship in high school between boys and girls. Is it good or bad?

What do you mean by relationship? How did they get along with each other? Um, I think they functioned well. Um, I believe that, yeah, I agree with men have had the more higher position than women. But I think that now that it's time it's progressing, I believe that women are rising to that point, and we are functioning more equally. It seems like it would be better for the culture. I mean, if people who are bright shouldn't be just stuck in one kind of job or a lower-end job. What do you think, Adam? Um, I think women are pushing up the bar as far as like job opportunities and everything. I mean, you have like women fighter pilots and like a lot more male dominant things. And then like, and then not only in the job force, but then at home. Like, I know like a lot of families wouldn't be able to, wouldn't be where they are if the women weren't there, because like men can't do everything. When men can't, like, I don't know, I know I find myself. Yeah, I know. No, no, no, no. Just like, men couldn't survive without women, and women couldn't survive without men, so it kind of balances out.

And then as time goes on, you get more and more able to see that. Yeah, really, we complete each other. I think in a total scheme of things. Right, Monique? Yeah, I pretty much agree with him. I think nowadays, women and men have are equal. And they've been able to provide a better financial situation for themselves as one. And, you know, before the male was running the household, you know, they, it depended on him for the whole financial situation. And now it's become more equal as both. As far as school goes, I think it's really equal as well, because in most of my committees, such as cabinet or senate, you know, we have a lot of real officers. And, you know, they're just as good, and they lead just as well, and it's, I think it's good for our society. I think you're all living in a wonderful generation. I really do. Before we close, I want to ask a whole bunch of questions, and I just want to raise your hands, yes or no. Okay? I've decided that we're going to start high school next year at nine o'clock. Good idea or bad idea? Good? Raise your hand.

One, two, three, four, four. Bad idea. We're going to start school at seven o'clock. Good idea? Okay, the early risers are winning here. The police officers that work for Albuquerque Public School that are trained and certified to carry weapons, and all that kind of stuff, don't carry weapons. In light of the difficulties of protecting children because of Columbine and other places, should they carry weapons? Yes? One, two, three, four, five. No? One, two, three. Okay. NMAA. Should we become more representative in the NMAA than we currently are? Yes or no? Yes? No. We're a third of the state, and the way the system is set up, it's by school districts. So we have the same voice as a school district that has 2,000 students versus 85,000 students.

So should we be a more dominant voice, I guess, is what I'm really saying. Should we pay more attention, be more involved, and have more of a say so in athletic and activity operations in the NMA? Yes? No? No opinion? All right. Listen, thank you very much. This has been a wonderful show. You've been in Albuquerque if you've been paying attention to this. And I think in the tires state of New Mexico, I can see what bright and capable people we have in Albuquerque, and I'm sure in Carlsbad and Farmington and Gallup and other places. It's a wonderful generation, and I've learned so much from you today. I really appreciate it. It makes me feel real good to be your superintendent. That's it for School Matters. We will see you in one month. Thank you for listening and watching. Thank you.

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