2024 Winners
Congratulations to the five Apprentices for the apprenticeship program in 2024. Atma Budd Ramirez (Taos), Savanna Romero (Vadito), Zion Flores (Eagle Nest), Kylie Alvarez (Los Alamos), Raziah Ko (Taos). Photos by Kyle Julinski.
2023 Winners
Congratulations to the five Apprentices for the apprenticeship program in 2023. Claire LeGate (ABQ), Destiny Prescious Jaramillo (MesaVista), Serina Martinez (Chimayo), Sirena Quezada (Chamisal), Sophia Bates (Taos). Photos by Kyle Julinski.
Alyson Martinez
Alyson Shannon Martinez has joined the STEMarts Lab team as a Director’s Assistant Apprentice, funded through the Taos Pueblo Education and Training Division Apprenticeship program. Now in her second year she is serving as Apprentice Mentor, Ambassador and Workshop Instructor for the Apprenticeship program.
“Coming from Taos, New Mexico, I am half Native American and half Spanish. Growing up in this beautiful town surrounded by not only a family of artists, but a town of creative and imaginative minds, I learned the value of art and how much power it holds. I graduated from an online high school called Pecos Cyber Academy. I will be attending a couple years in the Taos branch of UNM and transferring to Highlands in Las Vegas, New Mexico to pursue counseling, psychology, and art therapy. As an artist I look for new ways to help youth understand their mind in order to help better themselves and their community.”
Sophia Bates
My name is Sophia I am a freshman at Taos high school. Growing up in Taos has given many interests as diverse as my community. I particularly enjoy art and expressing myself through as many mediums as possible. On the other hand, I also have a passion for science and answering questions that haven’t been asked yet. The intersection of these two ideas is my main interest because science and art are more intertwined than most people know. I hope to gain experience and new perspectives on the world from this program so I can go and show the world all the wonders of STEM and arts.
Go to WebsiteSerina Martinez
My name is Serina Martinez, I am a junior at Pojoaque valley high school. I live in Rio chiquito, Chimayo. I do Woodworking and weaving. I love learning to code and working with anything technical. In my church I am learning to work the sound system while putting the words on the screen for the praise and worship team. I have also won a lot of awards for my weaving. I have 2 sisters and 6 brothers. 5 of my brothers are older than me and one of my sisters is older than me. In my free time I play games and work on my carvings.
Sirena Quezada
My name is Sirena Quezada, I grew up in Espanola New Mexico. I am currently a freshman at Espanola High School. Growing up I have always wanted to be someone who inspires others. Currently I am a part of the student council and am a part of two other programs to better my future and the future of those around me. I enjoy, playing my keyboard, drawing, animating, writing stories, reading, roller skating, and swimming. My interest are mainly engineering, astrophysics, computer science, and chemistry. I hope to meet more fantastic people and develop more skills.
Go to WebsiteDestiny Prescious Martinez Jaramillo
Hi! My name is Destiny Precious Martinez Jaramillo, I am one of the 2023 Apprentice. I am from a small town (El Rito) in northern New Mexico. I love science and art and growing up I loved astronomy and always doing DIY science experiments. Now that I have this opportunity it will help me grow in STEM and the arts.
Claire LeGate
My name is Claire LeGate and I am a senior at Cibola High School in Albuquerque. I have a deep interest in science and the arts. I have had a love for space since I was little and love learning new things about the stars. I enjoy playing video games and have been interested in the science behind VR for a long time. I love the experience it gives and what you can do for the experiences in it. I have always loved the art work that’s been able to be done in video games.
Go to Website2022 Winners
Below are the five Apprentices that won and participated in the apprenticeship program in 2022 and are now serving as mentors and instructors.
Dominique Vigil
My name is Dominique Vigil and I grew up in Taos, New Mexico. As a student, I hold a state Speech and Debate championship title, participate in several extracurriculars, and represent the Native American student body as the IEC student representative. In addition, I have helped engineer various systems to help combat climate change, including an anaerobic digestive system that manages waste production and reduces hydrocarbon emissions. I enjoy participating in volunteer programs, developing my musical technique specific to the violin, and playing softball. My interests include astrophysics, neuroscience, oncology, regenerative medicine research, engineering, astronautics, mathematics, epidemiology, and computer science. I hope to build upon my moral excellence, academic maturity, and artistic talents.
Megan Odom
My name is Megan Odom and I am a freshman student at New Mexico School for the Arts. As a young female in STEM and a theater major, I have a strong passion for both the arts and sciences alike. Growing up in Santa Fe, the artistic community has been a constant influence in my life and has shaped my artistic personality and outlook. Another amazing thing Santa Fe has had to offer is a massive sky full of stars which sparked my love for astrophysics. This lead me down a discovery for passions within other fields of science. In my free time you’ll often find me hanging out with friends, skiing, and stargazing. With a particularly strong interest in community building and upcoming advancements in technology I plan to work hard to achieve something great with this wonderful team and program. Megan Odom website
Go to WebsiteSvetlana Backhaus
My name is Svetlana Backhaus and I am a high school sophomore from Hernandez, New Mexico with a deep interest in mathematics, particle and quantum physics, programming, and Flamenco. I currently work at Moving Arts Espanola in Ohkay Owingeh as a dance teaching assistant in both Folklorico and Flamenco, and tutor mathematics for students from Northern New Mexico College. I also take Dual Credit classes from Northern New Mexico College, studying higher level mathematics and programming.
Go to WebsiteAmelia Martinez
My name is Amelia Martinez from Questa, New Mexico and I am a freshman attending Taos Academy. I thoroughly enjoy working with machines and learning how to code, and living in Taos means that I’ve also seen many great examples of art that have shown me how people can use science and art to create beautiful STEAM based projects. Other examples of STEAM I’ve done is working as a Space Messengers student ambassador in 2021, participating in Tech Trek New Mexico, and going to several science fairs. In my free time I like to play video games and draw.
Go to WebsiteFeliciana Mitchell-Gonzales
My name is Feliciana Mitchell-Gonzales (she/they). I am a Hispanic/Latina that lives in Peñasco, NM and go to Peñasco schools. I enjoy doing activities outside, such as biking, hiking, skiing, climbing trees, roller skating and swimming in the river. I like playing video games, reading graphic novels and manga, theater/acting, drawing, and baking. I plays the vihuela, run cross country, make murals, do aerial fabric, stilts, trapeze and the lira. I am interested in coding, VR, chemistry, and digital art. I am an activist for gender, race and climate change.
Zelo-Jade Rael
APPRENTICE MENTOR: My name is Zelo-Jade Rael and I am a tribal member of Picuris Pueblo and a high school graduate from the Santa Fe Indian School located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Now attending UCLA, the University of California – Los Angeles, I am majoring in Human Biology & Society. I strive to educate others on the connections between mental wellness and creative expression with the intentions of enabling struggling youth to take control of their initiatives. Sponsored by Taos Pueblo Education and Training Division.