High School Students From Across Nation To Compete In Poetry Out Loud National Finals
ART News:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—After months of competitions in classrooms and communities nationwide, the 2026 Poetry Out Loud National Finals will take place April 28–29 in Washington, DC.
Reciting poetry from an anthology that celebrates historic American voices in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, state and jurisdictional champions will compete for the national champion title and a $20,000 cash prize.
Poetry Out Loud is a dynamic poetry recitation competition for high school students that is designed to improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and teach about literary Read More
PEEC Presents ‘Discovering The Wild Bees Of Northern New Mexico’ With Researcher & Educator Olivia Carril
Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) invites the community to a free in‐person and live‐streamed presentation, “Discovering the Wild Bees of Northern New Mexico”, 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, at the Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium. The program will be led by Olivia Carril, a renowned wild bee researcher, educator, and co‐author of The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees.
New Mexico is home to nearly 1,000 species of wild bees, making it one of the most important regions for bee diversity in North America. Many of these species Read More
Stay Safe On The Trails: Living And Hiking Responsibly With Wildlife In Los Alamos County
Bobcat. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Living in Los Alamos County means sharing our beautiful landscapes with a wide range of wildlife. While encounters with animals like bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and rattlesnakes are relatively uncommon, they do happen—especially along trails and open spaces. Understanding the risks and practicing smart habits can help keep you, your pets, and wildlife safe.
Wild animals are not naturally aggressive toward humans, but they may react defensively if surprised, protecting young, or seeking food. Off-leash pets are one of the most common Read More
Environmental Services To Close For Staff Training April 8
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Environmental Services will be closed Wednesday, April 8, for employee development, safety training, certification compliance, and facility maintenance.
This includes operations at the Eco Station and the White Rock Overlook Convenience Center. Trash, yard waste, and recycling collection services will also be suspended. Collection services for those impacted will be provided Thursday, April 9.
Environmental Services will hold one training and certification day per quarter to ensure all employees remain compliant. The quarterly closure is to minimize Read More
High School Students Invited To Apply To FBI Teen Academy
FBI News:
High school students interested in spending time with the FBI in Albuquerque or Las Cruces are encouraged to apply for the agency’s 2026 Teen Academy.
The Las Cruces Teen Academy will take place June 10–12, 2026.
The Albuquerque Teen Academy will take place from July 6–July 10, 2026.
Applications will be accepted through the end of business April 24, 2026.
The FBI Teen Academy allows students who will be in high school during the 2026/2027 school year an opportunity to experience the inner workings of today’s FBI.
The FBI’s Teen Academy program in Albuquerque and Las Cruces allows high Read More
New Mexico Higher Education Summit Draws 300+ Attendees
HED News:
LAS CRUCES — More than 300 educators and policy professionals from colleges and universities across New Mexico attended the third annual Higher Education Technical Summit, the only state-organized conference of its kind in the country.
Attendees engaged in forward-looking policy discussions on financial aid, national trends in state higher education funding and strategic campus capital investments. Presentations spanned academic policy, institutional planning and research, adult education and other emerging priorities shaping the future of higher education.
“Now Read More
Los Alamos High School Astronomy Club To Present Two Student‐Led Planetarium Programs At PEEC
Courtesy/PEEC
Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The Los Alamos High School Astronomy Club will present two student‐led planetarium programs at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center’s (PEEC) Los Alamos Nature Center.
Program 1: Planetary Defense — What Happens When an Asteroid Hits Earth?
- Friday, April 10, 7-8 p.m.
- Lead Presenter: Lydia Davis
What would happen if an asteroid hit Earth? How can we protect ourselves from interplanetary threats? How must we look to the future to avoid the same fate as the dinosaurs? Come to Los Alamos High School Astronomy Club’s presentation on planetary defense Read More
LAHS Softball Plays For The Cure April 11 At Hope Field
By CAMERON DREHER
Assistant Softball Coach
Los Alamos High School
The Los Alamos High School and Española Valley High School softball teams invite the community to our inaugural Play for the Cure softball game, Saturday, April 11, at Hope Field at Overlook Park in White Rock. Opening ceremonies will begin at 9:45 a.m. with the game kicking off at 10 a.m.
The Los Alamos High School softball team will wear blue to raise awareness for colon cancer.
The Española Valley High School softball team will wear gray to raise awareness for brain cancer.
We are excited to bring two communities together through Read More
New Mexico Invests $1.9M To Expand Youth Outdoor Access
Wumaniti Earth Native Sanctuary engages Indigenous and rural youth in traditional horseback riding, archery, mustang rescue and shelter building. Courtesy/EDD
EDD News:
SANTA FE — A $1.9 million investment through the state’s Outdoor Equity Fund will connect over 22,000 youth across 14 counties to 62 programs that promote wellness and expand outdoor access.
Applications for overall FY26 funding surged 141% over the previous year, with 228 organizations requesting $7.8 million in funding against $4 million available.
“This state investment in our youth is amplified by nearly $2 million Read More
Los Alamos JJAB & Teen Center To Partner On Movie Night
C’Ya Hosts Suicide Prevention Classes For LAMC Staff
Attendees at recent QPR suicide prevention class. Courtesy photo
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions
Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) hosted two free QPR suicide prevention classes for Los Alamos Medical Center staff last week. AMC Clinical Educator, Julia Kilcer coordinated the Question, Persuade, Refer presentations which provided staff and certification certificate.
The classes were made possible from a previous donation from 100 Men Who Care. The Women’s Christian Service Society (WCSS) along with a few good men originally sponsored the Read More
LAPS Students Earn Awards At New Mexico MathCounts State Competition
Fourteen students representing Barranca Mesa Elementary, Mountain Elementary, Piñon Elementary and Los Alamos Middle School competed at the New Mexico MathCounts State Competition held at UNM. Pictured are (back row, left to right): Dr. William Tucker (LAMS coach), Jane Lataille (Mountain Coach), James Junghans, Liam Colgan, Evan Cunningham, Norah Whitton, Everett James, and Courtney Smith (Piñon Coach); (front row, left to right): Rishabh Nandy, Evan Fu, Jacub Cincio, Glyn Lo, David Robel, Lyla Lo, Leia Lin, Jane Smith, Alice Chen, and Phuong Nguyen (LAMS Coach). Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS Read More
LANL Foundation Celebrates 14 Educators Achieving National Board Certification
LANL Foundation News:
ESPAÑOLA — Fourteen educators reached a major professional milestone by achieving or renewing their National Board Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, supported by the LANL Foundation.
“We are thrilled to announce this year’s National Board Certified Teachers, Counselors, and Administrators. Each year, it is our privilege to support these educators, and our team is in awe of the perseverance, determination, and commitment that all candidates have for their students,” said Paul LeFrancois, LANL Foundation K-12 Education Read More
LAPS To Host School Board Candidate Forum April 6
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Board has received three letters of interest to fill the vacancy in District 1, which resulted from the resignation of School Board member Dr. Margie Serrato. District 1 includes Piñon Elementary School.
Elisa Baker, Stephanie Galvez and Katie Mussack have submitted their names for consideration to join the School Board.
A candidate forum will be held in the School Boardroom and via Zoom, 6-7:30 p.m., on Monday, April 6. Members of the community interested in hearing more from each candidate may attend or join using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5056632222?pwd=ODd1d3h0Z1dGd1ByT0lVNGU3T2dFQT09&omn=88243842768 Read More
LAPS To Host Community Input And Information Session On 2026-2027 Budget April 7 In School Boardroom
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) invites the public to attend a community input and information session about the LAPS budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
This meeting will take place in person, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, in the School Boardroom at 2075 Trinity Drive.
The session will be a collaborative process to give attendees the chance to identify the best ways to support the school district’s strategic plan and improve outcomes for all of our students.
The budget will be presented to the School Board during the April 14, 2026, School Board meeting. It will then be sent Read More
NMAA Announces Eldorado Student Jackson Simpkins Named NFHS Section 6 Heart Of The Arts Award Winner
Jackson Simpkins
NMAA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) is proud to announce that Eldorado High School student Jackson Simpkins has been named a National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Heart of the Arts Award winner for Section 6.
Simpkins is being honored for demonstrating extraordinary resilience and passion for music in the face of a life-changing diagnosis.
After being diagnosed with Functional Neurologic Disorder, Simpkins lost mobility and began using a wheelchair. Rather than stepping away from school activities, he remained fully engaged. Read More
NM START Program: Clinical Education Training April 13
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/4bJQ2g8 Read More
Four Stops, One Iconic Road: Route 66 Exhibit Brings History To Life In New Mexico Starting April 25
ROUTE 66 News:
ALBUQUERQUE — In celebration of both the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America’s 250th birthday, the “Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” (“Exhibit”) will bring the history, stories and images of the Mother Road to life across New Mexico.
The free Exhibit features nearly two dozen large-scale interpretive panels, audiovisual mini-documentaries, and educational components highlighting the diverse stories of New Mexicans connected by Route 66.
The Exhibit includes four stops in the state:
- Grants, April 25-27;
- Albuquerque, May 6-7;
- Gallup, May 9-Dec. 31; and special
LAPS Foundation Announces Brian Easton Memorial Scholarship
Brian Easton July 17, 1957–March 17, 2026
From the LAPS Foundation:
The LAPS Foundation is honored to administer a new scholarship in memory of Brian Easton, a longtime Los Alamos High School teacher who passed away last week.
Dr. Easton dedicated over 25 years to teaching at LAHS, inspiring countless students with his passion for learning and his commitment to their success. He was not only a remarkable educator but also a deeply respected colleague and mentor within the school community. Consistent with his dedication to others, Brian was an organ donor, providing the incredible gift of Read More
Luján, Kim Introduce Legislation To Support Student Success Through Early Childhood Education
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), one of only two Head Start graduates to serve in the Senate, and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced the Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act, legislation to bolster early childhood education training for school admin and leaders and help them lay the groundwork for our youngest learners’ long-term success.
“As one of only two Senators who attended Head Start, I know firsthand how critical early childhood education is to laying the foundation for lifelong success,” Sen. Luján said. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce legislation Read More
