Recognizing Ndi New Mexico for Its Work Educating New Mexico's Children

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize NDI New Mexico as a leader in excellent educational programming in the performing arts for New Mexico's children.

NDI New Mexico was founded in 1994 in Santa Fe. Over the last twenty years, NDI New Mexico has grown from serving 100 children in one school to reaching almost 10,000 children through in-school, after-school, summer, and advanced training classes in communities across the state. NDI New Mexico's mission is to provide inspirational programming in the arts that have a unique power to engage and motivate children. These programs have lasting effects on developing positive self-esteem and motivating students to learn inside and outside of the classroom. A recent long-term analysis of NDI's programming shows that students have on average a 1.0 higher GPA and higher standardized test score results than their non-participating peers. These results show the incredible impact that NDI has on its students' educational successes.

After-school and outreach programs are an important part of kids' educational opportunities. NDI's program gives students lessons in artistic expression, self-esteem, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to health and fitness. With over 90 programs in 34 communities across New Mexico, NDI works to improve educational outcomes and bridge opportunity gaps for New Mexico's students through the performing arts.

The strengths and impacts of NDI on New Mexico's children has been recognized throughout our communities, as it has been awarded Albuquerque Business First's Non Profit of the Year award in the Arts, Culture and Humanities category and Russell Baker, its Executive Director, was named Top CEO in the Non-Profit category. These awards celebrate NDI's outstanding, distinctive programs that aim to help children develop discipline, a standard of excellence, and a belief in themselves that will carry over into all aspects of their lives.

Once again, I congratulate NDI New Mexico for its quality educational programming, and thank the entire team for its exceptional work for New Mexico's children.

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