A young woman X3 intern holds her baby on her hip and smiles.
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Youth Voices

When students lead, innovation follows

By centering student voice, Future Focused allows students’ needs and ambitions to guide us towards a more dynamic and inclusive educational future.
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X3 Internship Stories

  • A day in the life of X3:
    Construction/
    Engineering

    X3 intern Marcos, a student at CNM, worked with local construction firm Bradbury Stamm, and got new insights into what that career path looks like, gaining professional skills and new network connections along the way.

  • A day in the life of X3:
    City Governemnt/
    Administration

    Take a day-in-the-life tour with Amarisa Barboa, an X3 intern at the City of Albuquerque Office of Equity Inclusion.

  • A day in the life of X3:
    Outdoor Recreation/
    Conservation

    Follow along as Sarah Joy Randall gives us a day-in-the-life tour of her outdoor recreation internship with the Friends of the Organ Mountains.

  • "First Steps"

    Liset never imagined a future outside of fast food. Through her X3 internship, she now has the work experience she needed to create a new career path for herself and her family.

  • X3 Testimonials: Cheyeanne Frazier

    How does the X3 experience affect a student's future? X3 internships helped show Cheyeanne her areas of passion.

  • X3 Testimonials: Marcus Arellano

    Being an X3 intern can radically change a student’s confidence and career path. Listen to Marcus’s testimonial.

  • X3 Testimonials: Mariana Grajeda

    X3 internships can change the trajectory of a student’s life. Listen to Mariana Grajeda’s story—a young mother and X3 intern with an incredible journey.

  • A Day in the Life of X3: Healthcare

    Cesiah Gonzales, a senior at Health Leadership High School, became an X3 intern at the University of New Mexico Hospital as a medical assistant. She fell in love with the profession and is now pursing a career in nursing thanks to her exposure and experience via X3.

Capstone Stories

  • Guiding Questions: How capstones are transforming New Mexico education

    Follow the story of two New Mexico students—Lakin of Zuni High School and Grace of Siembra Leadership High School—as they complete their Senior capstone projects. Learn how capstones engage students in deeper, transformational learning that better prepare them for their futures.

  • Lexy Aragon: A Capstone Success Story

    Meet Lexy Aragon, a student at Del Norte High School who participated in a capstone program focused on serving unhoused individuals in Albuquerque. Her experience not only provided valuable career skills but also made a significant contribution to the community.

  • Preview: Grace's Capstone

    "Guiding Questions" is a documentary short that follows New Mexico student Grace Frey, a senior at Siembra Leadership High School, as she completes her senior capstone project. *Stay tuned for the full documentary coming soon.*

  • Preview: Lakin's Capstone

    "Guiding Questions" is a documentary short that follows New Mexico student Lakin Epaloose, a senior at Zuni High School, as he completes his senior capstone project.

  • Guiding Questions: How capstones are transforming New Mexico education

    Follow the story of two New Mexico students—Lakin of Zuni High School and Grace of Siembra Leadership High School—as they complete their Senior capstone projects. Learn how capstones engage students in deeper, transformational learning that better prepare them for their futures.

  • Preview: Grace's Capstone

    "Guiding Questions" is a documentary short that follows New Mexico student Grace Frey, a senior at Siembra Leadership High School, as she completes her senior capstone project. *Stay tuned for the full documentary coming soon.*

  • Preview: Lakin's Capstone

    "Guiding Questions" is a documentary short that follows New Mexico student Lakin Epaloose, a senior at Zuni High School, as he completes his senior capstone project.

Student Voices Articles

I would rather set my own goals and expectations and take initiative to develop my own project, rather than have someone come in and give me these numbers and prompts that have no connection to my identity or culture

—Lakin Epaloose,
Zuni High School capstone student

Photo of Lakin Epaloose, Zuni High School capstone student
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Photo of the “if you ask me..” exhibit backdrop.

“If You Ask Me…” Exhibit

The “If You Ask Me…” student gallery is an interactive, augmented reality exhibit that brings student interviews to life through any smartphone.

It is the culmination of a 1,000 mile road trip, visiting districts across New Mexico. We asked students directly: “How do you learn best?” and “What would you change if you were in charge?”

Two ways to experience the galleries:
In person: viewers scan the exhibit walls with a smartphone camera to make the portraits come alive.
Online: viewers can play the interview videos to hear each student's story.

For more visit the “If You Ask Me…” Educator Edition on our Resources page.

  • If you ask...
    Ben

  • If you ask...
    Jacob

  • If you ask...
    Lily

  • If you ask...
    Olivia

  • If you ask...
    Akeylah

  • If you ask...
    Knickeligh

  • If you ask...
    Rocio

  • If you ask...
    William