Youth - Breaking Bad Habits

Oluchi Akwani

Senior, Volcano Vista High School
Albuquerque, NM

Oluchi Akwani applied for the Young Ambassadors Program because she wants to make a positive impact in her community, and she resonates with the program’s goal of making New Mexico even more beautiful. She is driven by a compassion for others and wants to serve those around her in any way she can. In the future, she plans to become a researcher of cognitive diseases and attend law school to become a policy maker focused on public health. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks with her dog, listening to music, and playing the guitar.

Sahba Ghasempour

Early College Academy
Albuquerque, NM

Sahba Ghasempour is a dedicated student with a strong interest in STEM and medicine. Passionate about both science and leadership, she has excelled academically while taking the initiative to lead and create opportunities for others—most notably by founding and captaining her school’s Mock Trial class. Outside of school, she enjoys interning at local clinics, volunteering at hospice homes and nonprofits, reading murder mysteries, and going on hikes. She hopes to pursue a career in forensic pathology, where she can bridge her love of science and medicine with her commitment to helping others.

Kate Watkins

Junior, Albuquerque High School
Albuquerque, NM

Kate is passionate about artistic expression and environmental protection and is thrilled to be a Young Ambassador.

Oluchi Akwani

Senior, Taos High School,
Carson, NM

Flora is interested in environmental sustainability and hopes to major in Zoology. She is the Team Lead and Founder of her school’s Eco Club and a Team Captain of her school’s Envirothon. The Young Ambassadors program will give her more resources and opportunities to improve her community. She hopes to collaborate with her peers and members of the community to carry out beautification measures to make Taos County a more beautiful place.

Evangeline “Vange” Duran

Junior, Mora High School
Chacon, NM

Evangeline “Vange” Duran stays active in Student Council, BPA, MESA, track, and volleyball. She was born and raised in Mora NM, and loves being involved with her school and community. Giving back is important to her, and she is honored to represent her hometown.

Madalynn Casey

Clovis High School
Clovis, NM

Growing up in Clovis, Madalynn Casey developed a deep appreciation for her community and the state she calls home. She serves as Vice President of her FFA chapter and as a section leader in the Clovis High School band, roles she says have strengthened her leadership and teamwork skills, as well as her dedication to service. Becoming a Young Ambassador gives her the opportunity to protect the places she loves while encouraging others to do the same. She is passionate about creating lasting change and believes that keeping New Mexico clean is a responsibility everyone can share.

Susonia Nezwood

Junior, San Juan College High School
Farmington, NM

Susonia is 16 years old and currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in Chemistry. She is set to graduate in May 2027 with both her high school diploma and associate’s degree. After graduation she plans to attend the University of New Mexico to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and apply to medical school. She is extremely grateful to be a Young Ambassador and looks forward to working with the team to make a difference and beautify the state.

Reilly Burress

Junior, Grants High School
Grants, NM

Reilly Burress is passionate about environmental sciences and preserving the beauty of the state. She hopes to help clean her community but also implement recycling efforts into her school. She is involved in multiple sports and clubs like soccer, cross country, powerlifting, Anchors Club, and SkillsUSA. Reilly can’t wait to make her community and state cleaner for current and future generations.

Kenn Dejan

Senior, Jemez Valley High School
Jemez Pueblo, NM

Kenn Arnel Dejan serves as the Grade 12 Representative and a STEMarts Lab Youth Ambassador. He is passionate about leadership, art, technology, and a dedication to making a positive impact in his community. As a Youth Ambassador, Kenn hopes to inspire others to keep New Mexico clean and beautiful.

Breanne Lucero

Junior, Socorro High School
Lemitar, NM

Breanne is passionate about caring for animals, supporting agriculture, and giving back to her community. Through FFA, 4-H, and the Young Ambassadors Program, she promotes keeping New Mexico clean and protecting the wildlife that makes the state unique. She hopes to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, where she can help care for animals, support sustainable agriculture, and protect the environment that sustains them all.

Sophia Royo-Begueria

Senior, Goddard High School
Roswell, NM

Sophia holds a 4.43 GPA, excels in AP and Dual Credit courses while serving as Senior Class President and a National Honor Society member. Fluent in English and Spanish, she plans to earn the State Seal of Bilingualism and Biliteracy and pursue higher education. A State SkillsUSA Entrepreneurship Champion, she also interns with Future Focused Education on statewide youth mental-health initiatives. She is also a varsity athlete in soccer, basketball, and track, and an active participant in leadership programs. Inspired by her educator family and close bond with her sister, she leads with purpose, compassion, and determination to make a difference.

Elise Gutierrez

St. Michael’s High School
Santa Fe, NM

Elise serves as student body president and is passionate about leadership and community involvement. She worked for the NM House of Representatives during the legislative session, gaining valuable experience in public service and government. She also serves as Chair of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board in Santa Fe, where she helps represent the voices of young people in her community. Outside of leadership, she enjoys golf, singing in choir, and volunteering. She is dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring others to do the same and hopes to continue creating meaningful change before attending college.

Jordyn Campion

Junior, Centennial High School
Vado, NM

Jordyn is the Junior Class Vice President, Varsity Swim Captain, and a member of National Honors Society. Outside of school she participates in scholarship pageants, currently holding the title to Teen Miss Earth USA. She developed her own social initiative, “Love Your Mother Earth,” where she teaches others how to care for the planet through her actions. Her focus is cleaning up illegal dump sites; she’s removed 154 tires from New Mexico deserts and keeping the Land of Enchantment beautiful.

Benito Armijo Jr.

Senior, Wagon Mound Public Schools
Wagon Mound, NM

Throughout Benito Armijo Jr.’s teen years, he has become passionate about being a helping hand whenever he can. When he saw the opportunity to help his beautiful state maintain its cleanliness, he knew he had to try. He is incredibly grateful to have this opportunity and says it’s an honor to be one of the first participants of a program that will teach younger generations the importance of maintaining a clean environment.

NMDOT announces Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors

Ambassadors were selected by a committee based on their demonstrated life skills and teamwork developed through participation in clubs or events, their strong interest in leadership and project management, their genuine passion for environmental issues, and their eagerness to take on leadership roles that contribute to enhancing the beauty of New Mexico.

The ambassadors represent communities from across the state, reflecting New Mexico’s diverse voices and shared commitment to keeping the Land of Enchantment clean and beautiful.

This marks the first year of the program, which will continue through the 2025–2026 school year.

Each ambassador committed to a 9-month program and will organize a beautification event in their district and complete a capstone project designed to create sustainable solutions to litter and graffiti issues in their communities. Students will receive a $3k stipend upon completion of the fellowship and projects.

2025-2026 Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors

The New Mexico Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Office of the Governor, has named 14 high school students as the 2025–2026 Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors, a new statewide leadership program focused on preventing litter and graffiti while promoting community pride. The Young Ambassadors initiative is part of NMDOT’s Que Linda program and the Governor’s youth-focused #KeepLitterOut campaign and aims to empower youth to lead local beautification efforts across New Mexico. More than 150 students applied for the inaugural program, which builds leadership, project management, and civic engagement skills.

Click the profiles below for more information.

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

Take the Pledge

New Mexico’s stunning landscapes and vibrant communities are treasures worth protecting. By taking this pledge, you commit to doing your part in keeping our state beautiful, clean, and sustainable for future generations. Whether it’s picking up litter, recycling, or conserving resources, every small action makes a big difference. Join us in preserving the beauty of New Mexico—together, we can make a lasting impact.

Take the Pledge

First Name(Required)

Last Name(Required)

Email(Required)

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I pledge to take action and keep New Mexico beautiful!(Required)

Pick Up Litter: I pledge to pick up litter whenever I see it and dispose of it properly.

Participate in Community Clean-Up Events: I pledge to participate in local or statewide clean-up events to help maintain New Mexico's natural beauty

Recycle Regularly: I pledge to recycle paper, plastic, glass, and metal products to reduce waste in our landfills.

Reduce Single-Use Plastics: I pledge to reduce my use of single-use plastic products and opt for reusable alternatives whenever possible.

Dispose of Hazardous Materials Properly: I pledge to safely dispose of hazardous waste, such as batteries and chemicals, at designated disposal sites.

Plant Trees or Native Plants: I pledge to plant trees or native plants to help combat climate change and support local ecosystems.

Avoid Littering: I pledge to never litter and encourage others to do the same, ensuring our landscapes remain pristine.

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Oluchi Akwani

Senior, Volcano Vista High SchoolAlbuquerque, NM

Sahba Ghasempour

Early College AcademyAlbuquerque, NM

Kate Watkins

Junior, Albuquerque High SchoolAlbuquerque, NM

Oluchi Akwani

Senior, Taos High School, Carson, NM

Evangeline “Vange” Duran

Junior, Mora High SchoolChacon, NM

Madalynn Casey

Clovis High SchoolClovis, NM

Susonia Nezwood

Junior, San Juan College High SchoolFarmington, NM

Reilly Burress

Junior, Grants High SchoolGrants, NM

Kenn Dejan

Senior, Jemez Valley High SchoolJemez Pueblo, NM

Breanne Lucero

Junior, Socorro High SchoolLemitar, NM

Sophia Royo-Begueria

Senior, Goddard High SchoolRoswell, NM

Elise Gutierrez

St. Michael’s High SchoolSanta Fe, NM

Jordyn Campion

Junior, Centennial High School Vado, NM

Benito Armijo Jr.

Senior, Wagon Mound Public SchoolsWagon Mound, NM

NMDOT announces Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors

2025-2026 Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors

Oluchi Akwani

Sahba Ghasempour

Kate Watkins

Flora Mack

Evangeline “Vange” Duran

Madalynn Casey

Susonia Nezwood

Reilly Burress

Kenn Dejan

Breanne Lucero

Sophia Royo-Begueria

Elise Gutierrez

Jordyn Campion

Benito Armijo Jr.

Take the Pledge

Take the Pledge

Senior, Volcano Vista High School
Albuquerque, NM

Early College Academy
Albuquerque, NM

Junior, Albuquerque High School
Albuquerque, NM

Senior, Taos High School,
Carson, NM

Junior, Mora High School
Chacon, NM

Clovis High School
Clovis, NM

Junior, San Juan College High School
Farmington, NM

Junior, Grants High School
Grants, NM

Senior, Jemez Valley High School
Jemez Pueblo, NM

Junior, Socorro High School
Lemitar, NM

Senior, Goddard High School
Roswell, NM

St. Michael’s High School
Santa Fe, NM

Junior, Centennial High School
Vado, NM

Senior, Wagon Mound Public Schools
Wagon Mound, NM