Academics

Odyssey Scholars Program

Anya - Senior

A senior at Sandia Preparatory School, Anja loves spending time with her friends and family, enjoying nature, and creating art with different mediums. For her Odyssey Scholars project, Anja plans to raise awareness for sex trafficking survivors by learning about their resilience and using her passion for fine arts to showcase that. Anja hopes to volunteer to help survivors in recovery, interview workers in the field, and fundraise for nonprofits related to sex trafficking prevention, with the goal of changing the way the Albuquerque community understands this issue. Anja said, “I want to show my community that this isn’t something just in movies or just in other parts of the world; this is important and there are documented sex trafficking cases in every single one of the 50 states. I hope that the more relevance it grows in my community might add a splash of water to the dry pit of unawareness about modern slavery.” Anja is interested in pursuing criminal justice in college, and hopes she “can use her career to help decrease the number of people going through human trafficking daily,” she said.

Benjamin - Senior

In response to current needs around environmental protection as a result of global warming, Benjamin is studying wave energy converters and their impact on the world’s ecosystems. With this knowledge, Ben plans to design and create a prototype of a kinetic energy converter that turns the kinetic energy of ocean waves into electrical energy. He will be evaluating location, wave conditions, and environmental impact with the goal of understanding and improving the gaps in current converters. Ben said, “The global warming crisis is becoming ever more pertinent and we need more efficient forms of clean energy. I've long thought that preserving the environment is of the utmost importance. Without it, we wouldn't have a safe home.” In his free time, Ben likes to visit local restaurants and play basketball with friends. Ben plans to become a mechanical or electrical engineer in the future.

Finnian - Senior

Combining a long history of music in their family and friends, a love of creative writing and musical expression, with a strong passion for human rights, equity, and life, Finn is researching how artists utilize their platform, privilege, and skill to bring voices to those who are oppressed, people who have been silenced, and those without that privilege. As the founder of both the middle and high school Genders and Sexualities Alliances here at Sandia Prep, and a former co-chair of the New Mexico branch of Youth Celebrate Diversity national nonprofit organization, Finn values activism and action and recognizes the importance of giving back to the community. “Throughout my journey through both listening and playing it, I've discovered that music always has more to offer to anyone willing to listen. It’s a voice for when no one else fills the silence and a silence when everyone else has something to say,” Finn said. Finn’s Odyssey Scholars project captures the powerful intersection of literary criticism and social justice through music. 

Jonah - Senior

Combining their love of creative projects, video games, and their wit, Jonah is designing and programming a series of short-form video games using PICO-8 that adapts another one of their passions: theater. Jonah has participated in Prep’s theater program in many capacities and is ready to bring the world of Macbeth to life in a new way. What first began as an idea about writing and directing a play has evolved into the expansive and technical world of video games. Although there are many games that have been adapted into films or theater performances, there are little to no games that adapt a theater performance into a video game. A passionate actor, programmer, and gamer, Jonah shared, “I believe video games can and should be considered works of art, requiring countless time and talent to produce.” One of Jonah’s goals is to create games that are free and accessible. With innovation on their side, Jonah will be exploring uncharted territory through the Odyssey Scholars Program, well-prepared with curiosity and passion. 

Madeline - Senior

Madeline, a junior here at Prep, plays basketball, participates in Outdoor Leadership, and loves to spend time with her friends and family. Ever since Madeline discovered politics, she has been watching the presidential debates, keeping up with elections, and paying attention to headlines. Her parents even have a picture of her “reading” the newspaper in her highchair as a kid. For her Odyssey Scholars Project, Madeline will translate her long-standing interest in news and politics into the creation of her own media. After researching strategies of distributing information, psychology in journalism, and local news, Madeline will work to create her own portfolio of news articles. One of Madeline’s goals is to further understand the significance of local journalism and to help her community access and understand local news. She hopes to encourage her community to draw their own conclusions about the events, political and otherwise, happening in our society, and provide opportunities for them to do so. 

Oliver - Senior

Oliver’s love for all things technology led him to take a computer science class, and ever since, he has immersed himself in exploring programming through classes and personal projects. In addition to his interest in computer science, he has been captivated by AI. “Whatever your opinion, it’s obvious to me that AI is going to play a massive role in my future as a student and entrepreneur. More specifically, I think specialized AI will be what shapes industries such as entertainment, manufacturing, design, and what I want to focus on, education,” Oliver said. Through the Odyssey Scholars Program, Oliver will develop an AI teacher’s assistant, with the goal of allowing teachers to spend more time with students and less on administrative tasks. Oliver hopes to make a difference in education through AI tools. Currently, Oliver also heads the DECA club at Prep, and as a part of his Odyssey project and personal entrepreneurial endeavors, he created and heads an AI-based software company. 

Rylie - Senior

Rylie is a passionate soccer player, artist, writer, and student here at Sandia Prep, and loves animals and family more than anything. Along with these interests, Rylie has been fascinated by the science of criminology for years, and wants to utilize the Odyssey Scholars Program to shape her enthusiasm into something impactful. She is inspired by the work of the world’s renowned special agents and is passionate about exploring the connection between childhood influence and violent criminal behavior. Rylie plans to write analytical essays on a variety of subjects, including education, social media, parenting methods, geographical awareness, astrology, trauma, and mental disorders, and how we use these pathways to inspire criminal behavior. Rylie also wants to research the ways in which victim psychology and recovery affects the world’s perspective on violent crime. Rylie said, “I want to encourage and expand the discussion of criminology to bring it parallel with current-day issues and provide information to show what we can do to prevent raising criminal personalities within our society.”

Analisa - Junior 

Analisa has always been interested in literature, poetry, and writing. She said, “I love to read books and my favorite genres of literature are mystery and dystopian fiction; furthermore, my favorite books are As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson and Legend by Marie Lu.” Her passion for literature, combined with her experience as a member of Sandia Prep’s literary magazine La Chispa as well as recitations at open mics has inspired Ana to spend her time in the Odyssey Scholars Program learning how to develop a story, researching writing techniques and styles, and exploring publication. Ana shared, “Writing a book matters to me because I want to leave a reader with something, such as a new perspective, or an enjoyable story to escape reality, or something to ponder more deeply. I would be able to contribute to the writing and reading world by creating something new that – hopefully – readers will love.” 

Beth - Junior 

Beth will spend her time in Odyssey Scholars researching the adoption and foster care system in New Mexico. Her research will focus on the role of race and ethnicity in the adoption process and how this might influence the process for children of color. She plans to take a holistic look at the diverse pathways, including foster care and adoption agencies, as well as evaluating how to accommodate diverse family backgrounds. Beth hopes to highlight the experiences of adopted children by exploring potential emotional and psychological impact of adoption on children. Beth shared, “I want to contribute to the understanding of adoption by being able to teach people more about both the ups and downs of the process and experience kids have. I also want to show how adoption may affect children of different races or genders or situations (foster care or adoption as a baby) and how their lives may be different. I also want to help teachers to see what happens for kids who have been adopted when they go to school and to understand what they may be feeling even if they were just a baby when adopted - the child may still feel a little or a lot different and stressed by certain assignments.” 

Brazill - Junior

Brazill will spend his time in Odyssey Scholars researching medical science, specifically in regards to the differences between different medical specialties and how new advancements in technology affect treatment. Brazill will research the different types of medical technologies and practices to better understand their function and role in medicine in order to explore potential career pathways. Through interviews and real-life experience, Brazill will investigate how doctors can treat patients effectively through personalized care, empathy, and diverse methods and strategies to produce positive end results. He is looking forward to diving into the world of medical journals and to better understand how common practices have evolved and changed from their initial development. Brazill said, “I feel that this program could be life changing for me since it will not only help me have a much clearer understanding and goal for what I want my future to be but also open several doors for me as a doctor by showing others what I am capable of as both a scientist and one day, a doctor.” 

Eliana - Junior

In Odyssey Scholars, Eliana will study immigration law and how it affects immigrants' pathways to obtain citizenship in the United States. Eliana recognizes the complicated current political landscape, and hopes to engage with it through her research, which will include learning why specific laws regarding immigration have been passed and put into place. She plans to interview professionals and individuals, as she seeks different, diverse perspectives on this complex topic. She said, “this topic interests me because I come from an immigrant family and laws and rights regarding immigrants are important to me. I have always been passionate about the fair treatment of all people.” Eliana plans to use this opportunity in the Odyssey Scholars Program to prepare her for her future career in immigration law and as an advocate for the immigrant community. 

Elsa - Junior

In Odyssey Scholars, Elsa will study the different aspects of ancient and modern philosophy and the newer developments in neuroscience in order to better understand theories of mind and self. As a part of her research, she plans to dive deep into the philosophy of mind that studies mental functions and properties and theories of consciousness asking questions such as How can consciousness emerge from brain activity? and how does brain development influence morals, behavior, and character? Elsa ultimately wants to explore the question Are humans inherently good or bad? Elsa will be utilizing philosophy as a framework to explore neuroscience and its connection to consciousness. She said, “I am so excited to expand my knowledge of the mind and brain and fully dedicate myself to its study. Though I know it will be difficult, I am ready to take on this challenge and learn extensively about two subjects I have passion for.”   

Kennedy - Junior 

Inspired by community stories and her passion for adolescent social, emotional, and physical health, Kennedy will research Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) within adolescents. She intends to apply a combined medical and psychological approach to her research, investigating the environmental, mental, and situational factors that influence or contribute to this disorder. She shared, “As a subcategory, I will be addressing the ubiquitous normalization and desensitization of explicit content.” She plans to evaluate how the media, including social media, contributes to the consumption and development of addiction in adolescents. Kennedy said, “This project is daunting, but I believe this should no longer be an unspoken topic. Awareness must be raised, and those who feel stuck in their silence deserve to know there is a way out.” She hopes to focus on recovery and prevention through education. Kennedy believes this will inform her future career path as a primary care pediatrician, and hopes to bring awareness to and work towards promoting positive change and healthy minds and bodies. 

Linden - Junior 

Inspired by his personal connection to the natural world, thanks to his upbringing in Yosemite National Park, spending summers on the beaches of Rhode Island, and his time living in Alaska,  Linden will investigate how increased temperatures and other forms of climate change affect the population size and behaviors of cold-water fish species in New Mexico, and the implications for future populations. Linden said, “My desire is to come at these issues with a fresh, relieving outlook on the future of fish populations or with a newfound urgency for conservation. Additionally, I want to seek solutions to contribute towards sustainable and healthy fisheries.” Linden identified the correlation between policy and the declining populations of fish as a core element of his project. He believes that “policy has lasting impacts that can’t be quickly muted or changed. We need policies that promote conservation to protect and foster balance in the ecosystem.” Outside of Odyssey, Linden enjoys playing basketball in his free time.