The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), working with the Office of the Governor, has selected 14 high school students from across the state as the first Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors for 2025–2026. This new leadership program aims to prevent litter and graffiti while promoting pride in local communities.
The initiative is part of NMDOT’s Que Linda program and supports the Governor’s #KeepLitterOut campaign, which encourages youth involvement in community beautification efforts throughout New Mexico. Over 150 students applied for this inaugural program, which is designed to help participants develop leadership, project management, and civic engagement skills.
“We have heard the concerns of young people in New Mexico about the impact litter has on our state,” said NMDOT Secretary Ricky Serna. “We saw the opportunity to start this program to support their drive to get involved and make change.”
A selection committee chose ambassadors based on their life skills, teamwork experience from clubs or events, interest in leadership and project management, passion for environmental issues, and willingness to take on roles that improve New Mexico’s environment. The chosen students represent a variety of communities statewide.
This is the first year for the Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors program, which will run through the 2025–2026 school year. Each ambassador has committed to a nine-month fellowship during which they will organize a beautification event in their district and complete a capstone project aimed at finding lasting solutions to local litter and graffiti problems. Students who finish all requirements will receive a $3,000 stipend.
The 2025–2026 Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors are:
- Oluchi Akwani (Volcano Vista High School, Albuquerque)
- Sahba Ghasempour (Early College Academy, Albuquerque)
- Kate Watkins (Albuquerque High School, Albuquerque)
- Flora Mack (Taos High School, Carson)
- Evangeline “Vange” Duran (Mora High School, Chacon)
- Madalynn Casey (Clovis High School, Clovis)
- Susonia Nezwood (San Juan College High School, Farmington)
- Reilly Burress (Grants High School, Grants)
- Kenn Dejan (Jemez Valley High School, Jemez Pueblo)
- Breanne Lucero (Socorro High School, Lemitar)
- Sophia Royo-Begueria (Goddard High School, Roswell)
- Elise Gutierrez (St. Michael’s High School, Santa Fe)
- Jordyn Campion (Centennial High School, Vado)
- Benito Armijo Jr. (Wagon Mound Public Schools, Wagon Mound)
