TACS excels at the NE NM Regional Science & Engineering Fair

by | Mar 23, 2025

The Northeastern New Mexico Regional Science and Engineering Fair was held March 22nd, 2025, at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Taos Academy was represented by STEM Research and Development instructor and sponsor Laura Tenorio and eleven students; All first, second and third placers have qualified for the New Mexico State Science and Engineering Fair.

The results are as follows:

Junior Division (Middle School)

  • Tanis Bower – 1st Place, Energy and Transportation,
  • Noah Wodrich – Honorable Mention

Chemistry Senior Division (High School)

1st place:

  • Idania Gutierrez -Environmental Engineering
  • Mario Moraga-Flores – Biochemistry
  • John LeBlanc – Materials Science
  • Kylee Mondragon – Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Evan Pena – Senior Chemistry
  • Eliana Sanchez – Animal Sciences
  • Cash Wodrich – Energy and Transportation

2nd Place:

  • Joel Saltzman – Senior Physics and Astronomy

Special Awards

  • Climate Change Award: Cash Wodrich, Tanis Bower
  • American Chemical Society Award: Tanis Bower
  • *Best in Show* – Trip to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), Columbus, Ohio, May 11-16, 2025. Congratulations Dillan Uphoff!
Highlights of a Remarkable Career
Co-founded Taos Academy Charter School alongside Karin Moulton, c. 2008
Earned Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership
Named NM Charter School Administrator of the Year, 2016 — NMCCS
Championed landmark NM legislation: technology tax revenue sharing for all 70+ state charter schools
Guided Taos Academy to NM Spotlight School designation — top 75th percentile statewide
Students won the Governor’s STEM Challenge six consecutive years
Recognized by U.S. News Best High School Rankings, Clayton Christensen Institute & Evergreen Education Group
Opened Career Technical Education Center, 2023
Earned school designation as an NM Community School, 2022
Unveiled new Wellness Building & outdoor Amphitheater, 2025
Led school through COVID-19 with a nationally noted distance-learning model
About Taos Academy