City Recognizes Student Resilience and Achievement Amidst Adversity
ALBUQUERQUE – Five recent high school graduates were honored by the City of Albuquerque for overcoming violence and hardships. Albuquerque Community Safety’s (ACS) School-Based Violence Intervention Program (SBVIP), celebrated their remarkable achievements and resilience during a special ceremony Monday night at the Albuquerque Museum.
Each student was supported by SBVIP trained intervention specialists throughout their high school journey, navigating challenges related to violence, trauma, and systemic barriers. The mentorship program guides youth at high risk of violence and substance use, addressing root causes to improve safety in schools and communities.
Last night’s event brought together city leadership, families, school partners, and community advocates to recognize the graduates from Albuquerque Talent Academy, Atrisco Heritage Academy, RFK High School, and West Mesa High School.
“These students have overcome incredible odds to earn their diplomas, and their success shows the real impact of SBVIP,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “The program is helping our youth build safer, stronger futures for themselves and for our city.”
SBVIP trained invention specialists work on-site to help students stay engaged in school, manage conflict, and build positive futures. The program is a key part of ACS’s public safety alternative model, which prioritizes care, connection, and interventions.
“These graduates are living proof that with the right support, mentorship, and belief in their potential, young people can overcome even the toughest circumstances,” said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. “SBVIP isn’t just about intervention, it’s about transformation.”
“This is probably the most unique and probably the most proud I’ve been sitting at a graduation,” said Albuquerque Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Marco Harris while addressing the students at the ceremony. “You’ve had some adverse moments in your life that have taken you on one path and somehow, someway, you found individuals around you that sparked some excitement about education again.”
“I lost three of my friends within the last three years, all from gun violence,” said Albuquerque Talent Academy graduate Andrew Sifuentes who graduated a year early and was one of the original students to start with the program at West Mesa. “Seeing my mom hurt with what I was doing at the time--those were my main two motivations to get right and figure life out.”
He also took the time to reflect on the impact SBVIP Intervention Specialist Michael Parra has had on his life.
“He was the only one that was really there for me; he has been through the kind of situations that I was (in) so I felt he had the place to tell me where I was messing up,” said Sifuentes. “I didn’t have a father figure in my life so I think it was a big benefit having Mike in mine.”
“These students have shown what’s possible when we invest in healing, not punishment,” said Deputy Director of ACS’s Violence Intervention Program Jasmine Desiderio. “This ceremony was not just about certificates—it's about hope, transformation, and believing in our youth.”
The ceremony included remarks from city leaders and presentations of certificates and plaques to the students. ACS extends its appreciation to the City’s Arts & Culture Department and staff at the Albuquerque Museum for providing a meaningful space to honor these graduates.
SBVIP is currently in four high schools: Atrisco Heritage Academy, RFK High School, West Mesa High School and Del Norte High School. Students are referred to the program by family, friends or school administration.
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Albuquerque Community Safety is the City of Albuquerque’s third branch of public safety. Responders take calls for service involving behavioral health, substance use, and other non-criminal and non-medical issues. Request an ACS Responder by calling 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergencies.