Five recent high school graduates, who triumphed over violence and hardship, were honored this week by the City of Albuquerque during a special ceremony at the Albuquerque Museum.
The students are part of the Albuquerque Community Safety’s (ACS) School-Based Violence Intervention Program (SBVIP), which celebrated their achievements and resilience.
Throughout their high school careers, each graduate received support from SBVIP-trained intervention specialists, navigating challenges such as violence, trauma and systemic barriers. The mentorship program aims to guide youth at high risk of violence and substance use, addressing root causes to enhance safety in schools and communities.
The event brought together city leadership, families, school partners and community advocates to recognize 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,” Mayor Tim Keller said. “The program is helping our youth build safer, stronger futures for themselves and for our city.”
SBVIP intervention specialists work on-site to help students remain engaged in school, manage conflict and build positive futures. The program is a vital component of ACS’s public safety alternative model, which emphasizes 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,” ACS Director Jodie Esquibel said. “SBVIP isn’t just about intervention, it’s about transformation.”
Andrew Sifuentes, a graduate of Albuquerque Talent Academy who graduated a year early and was one of the program’s original students at West Mesa, shared what drove him to graduate.
“I lost three of my friends within the last three years, all from gun violence,” Sifuentes said. “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.”
The ceremony included remarks from city leaders and presentations of certificates and plaques to the students. ACS extended 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 implemented in four high schools: Atrisco Heritage Academy, RFK High School, West Mesa High School and Del Norte High School. Students can be referred to the program by family, friends or school administration.