With the end of our high school careers now surrounding us, the class of 2023 is feeling a diverse range of emotions. From complete sadness to excited anticipation for what is to come, here is what the seniors have to say about their time at Albuquerque Academy, and what is to come.

How do you feel knowing this is our last week of high school?

“I’m a little sad, but you know, it’s exciting, I guess.” – Ben Montoya

“I’m super excited because we won’t have any more work to do, but it’s not like we’re leaving for college yet, so we still can spend time with everyone.” – Riley Forde

“I’m super sad and sentimental and I’m really just trying to enjoy the last week and make the most of it all. However, I feel like so many teachers are piling on a lot of last-minute coursework and busy work that it is sort of making me want the end to come faster rather than relish the time I have left. At the same time though, I know I’m going to miss complaining about my least favorite teachers and being annoyed about stupid high school assignments and gossip that I won’t experience again.” – Maanav Patel

“Sad, relieved, excited.” – Skylar Robinson

“I feel like it’s surreal because we’ve been here for such a long time, and it’s exciting but also really sad.” – Hazel Krinsky

What is one word to describe your feelings of going to college in a few months?

“Excited.” – Ben Montoya
“Excited.” – Sophie Vanecek

“Excited” – Anonymous
“Eager.” – Jenny Blackwell
“Eager.” – Maanav Patel
“Nervy, because I haven’t picked where I’m going yet” – Jayraina Montoya

“I don’t know.” – Kiedis Connell

Are you excited/happy to get out of Albuquerque Academy, or is it nostalgic?

“Both.”– Hazel Krinsky

“Both. I’m ready for the next thing. Academy has been an amazing place. I’ve complained so much about it over the past 7 years, but I am nostalgic, and I have loved it here.” Jenny Blackwell
“I have mixed feelings, definitely going to miss it, but I’m excited for what’s to come.” – Landen Martinez
“I’m excited to leave Academy to start a new year in a different city; I’m sad about leaving all of my friends and memories behind here at Academy.” – Hallie Vigil

What is your favorite Academy memory?

“Beating Pius in football. [And] retreat was fun.” Ben Montoya
“Retreat, even though it was raining.” – Jenny Blackwell
“Senior retreat.” Taya Demianova
“Walking the 6th graders up the path” – Anonymous
“Cade.” – Taya Demianova, Halie Leland
“Senior retreat.” – Halie Leland
“The friendships I made.” – Anonymous
“Definitely football fall training camps and team bondings.”– Michael Hulett
“Walking up the path with a sixth grader this year.” – William Weinstein
“My favorite Academy memory was Senior Retreat; it was fun at all times, my friends and I had so much fun, and the activities were always fun and it was nice to be in the outdoors with everyone.” – Hallie Vigil
“It was when we were playing Bernalillo [in football], and it was the last game of the regular season. We thought that by winning we would knock them out of the playoffs, so we really wanted it. It was a back-and-forth game, and we each kept scoring, and then we went to overtime and won. It was just a good experience and the feeling of winning that game with the boys is unmatched.” – Landen Martinez