Bernalillo County honors about 17 ‘Selfless Seniors’ from Albuquerque Public Schools

Bernalillo County and Albuquerque Public Schools on Thursday recognized roughly 17 students as part of the county’s Selfless Seniors program, an annual award presented in partnership with Frank Frost Photography that spotlights student volunteerism across the district.

The awards ceremony, described by event organizers as the program’s 19th year of partnership with Frank Frost Photography, highlighted student projects ranging from veterans outreach and food-bank work to menstrual-equity initiatives and advocacy for changes to college-entrance testing policy.

“I'm selfless senior from Valley High School,” Walter Bradford said, recounting his volunteer work and advocacy. He told the audience he lobbied the legislature and “helped pass the bill… to get students to be able to take the PSAT their junior year instead of their sophomore year,” so students could qualify for National Merit and other scholarship programs; the transcript does not specify a bill number.

Other students described hands-on community service. Lillian Cochran of Albuquerque High School said she volunteers with Ronald McDonald House and the Roadrunner Food Bank and often “steps up where it's needed.” Naomi Peters said she volunteers out of personal motivation, not for recognition: “I wasn't really trying to like volunteer to like ‘volunteer.’ I wasn't trying to do it performatively.”

Hector Cabrera of West Mesa High School described regular work with an intensive support program for students with disabilities and a student-teaching internship at Lava Land Elementary. Emanuel Salazar said he leads his school’s Mecha and New Mexico Dream Team clubs and helps organize community food distributions. Angela Chavez, a DECA participant from Manzano High School, said she brings attention to local nutrition and food-desert issues.

At the ceremony, Saba Cossenport described an APS-funded Metro equity project that provided tampons, pads and liners to their school to address menstrual inequity. A Del Norte High School student and member of the school’s Space Force JROTC spoke about visiting veterans and volunteering at the Roadrunner Food Bank. Lucia Quani said she serves as a New Mexico youth ambassador and as a state officer and secretary for the Technology Student Association, where she helps plan state conferences.

Students on stage thanked county officials for the recognition. “It's an honor to be here and being recognized by the Bernalillo County,” one student said, adding that the spotlight made them feel seen and motivated to continue serving their communities.

The event emphasized local youth leadership and volunteerism rather than formal policy decisions; no votes or formal actions were recorded during the ceremony.