2024 Northern Stewards

Mikayla Archuleta. I'm a 17-year-old Espanola Valley High School student. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, gardening, and shopping. 

Sienna Baca. I am from Santa Clara Pueblo, I just finished getting my GED from the High School Equivalency program here at Northern, I am also  in my first year of getting my Bachelor degree in liberal arts in hopes to continue my studies in order to help out my tribe and bring more knowledge to the pueblo youth. 

Ella Downing Olsen: I just graduated from Los Alamos High School and I am planning on going to Colorado School of Mines to major in Chemistry. I took Intro to Cultural Anthropology, Communication Across Cultures, and The Blue Planet at UNM-LA. In these classes I learned a lot about culture and mapping. I'm 18 and am really interested in mathematics, different uses for technology, and the sciences.

Byrne Larsen has lived between Santa Fe, NM, and Cuernavaca, Mexico, for the past 30 years. He has worked as a fine art painter, surveyor, and builder, and has traveled throughout Latin America working with a permaculture NGO and indigenous cultures in Guatemala and Peru. For the last 17 years, he has been a bilingual science teacher in Santa Fe. He holds a master’s degree in business and education, as well as a BS in Conservation Science. He is currently developing a consulting firm focused on institutional organization and structure for New Mexico schools.

Garry Lopez: I am originally from the Philippines and I wanted to widen my horizon and learn more cultures so I decided to apply and was given a chance to teach in America. Before New Mexico, I was first hired as a Math Teacher in Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands and taught there for over 6 years. I am currently teaching mathematics at Capital High School and have been living in Santa Fe for 10 years now. 

George Lopez: I am from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. I started college at 16yo and excited to learn and grow. I have a passion for animals and I’m working towards a future where I can help them better. My community has taught me the importance of caring and respect  which are values I carry with me every day.

Nicholas Lopez: Born native from ohkay owingeh pueblo. Graduated recently and in pursuit of a masters degree in electro mechanical engineering.

Jahn Clarisse Madlangbayan : I am a high school Mathematics teacher at Capital High School in Santa Fe, NM. I just finished my third year of teaching. I grew up in Chicago and came to Santa Fe in 2014 for college. I went to St. John's College both for my undergraduate and graduate school. I travelled to various states for a bit before finally deciding to go into the teaching profession. 

Chelsea Sisneros I’m currently a senior at Española Valley High School and I’ve lived in Española my whole life. I’ve been in MESA since Sophomore year and have participated in many community-based projects in those last 2 years, I also want to be involved in more! After I graduate I’d like to explore my options while Im in college and hopefully in the future I’ll get a chance to travel the world whenever I please! I’ve always been interested in the human mind, STEM/STEAM, and engineering, so I can say I’m extremely ecstatic to start this program because I can learn and be curious while also helping our community to gain more resiliency and structure!

Nicholas Taylor I am a Native American student and a recent graduate of Northern New Mexico College. I now have an associates in film and digital media and am still looking to further my education in the future. I enjoy the outdoors and am looking forward to getting started as a Northern Steward.  

Jesse Thompson I teach Computer Science, Programming/Game Design, 2D Animation, 3D Modeling, Photography+Film, and Yearbook at Taos High School. I was a UNM-Taos Instructor for 5 years, with classes in Animation, Graphic Design, and Visual Effects. I attended Lewis and Clark College in Portand, OR for two years studying International Affairs and Chinese. I returned to NM and completed my Bachelors of Creative Media in Animation and VFX at NMSU. I completed a number of post-grad courses in 3D character, animal and creature anatomy sculpting and modeling for game and VFX production. I have worked previously as an in-house concept illustrator and freelance artist and animator for indie and educational game companies. Last year I was an academic success and enrichment tutor for Native American students at THS in previous years I grew up in Taos and have my home in El Rito (north) and enjoy backpacking, mountain biking and trail running nearby.  

Ramon Trevizo I am a McCurdy Charter graduate. I was born and raised here in Española. While attending McCurdy I have participated in First Robotics, student senate, the football team, and I was an intern at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi. My plans after highschool are to attend NMSU for business and later material engineering.  

Mercadez Trujillo: I’m from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, and I have not graduated yet. I’m trying to get my high school equivalency and I feel like this is going to be a great start. I really want to become a RN and work in the medical/health care industry.

Jeremy Vigil: I am a graduate from Espanola Valley High School and going to attend UNM-Main Campus in the fall. Throughout my time at EVHS I have attended Northern New Mexico College through the dual credit program. I participated in MESA and done an independent study with them and Dr. Steve Cox to develop a glove to help Parkinson's patients . My plan is to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering and help the community as much as possible with my skills. Before I leave, I would like to help my community grow and give a better life to others through engineering and computer skills that i have acquired with my time in MESA and in mentorship with Dr. Steve Cox.

Angel Zavala: I'm a graduate from Evhs. I'm going into mechanical engineering. I'm happy to be a part of this program and to get to work with similar people. I spend my time building cars, riding my motorcycle, and playing my guitars. I love music working on anything mechanical!!