Bobcat Stories

After seeing the social media post calling for Bosque School alumni to speak to current students, Alexandria (Vinyard) Lare ‘13 was the first to reach out! She returned to campus and spoke specifically to our Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) students about her work as an occupational therapist in Albuquerque. 

As a pediatric Occupational Therapist, Alex specializes in sensory integration therapy. Her work centers around children and their families, supporting their ability to engage in everyday activities. Many of her patients struggle with sensory sensitivities, motor coordination challenges, and difficulty with social participation, which can affect engagement in school, community, and home environments. “These challenges, more often than not, also impact the emotional regulation of the child and the family members, leading to burnout and overwhelm. I absolutely love my job, and I am passionate about the work that I get to do every day!” Alex always knew she wanted to work with children and was fortunate to stumble upon occupational therapy. “I fell in love with the field as a whole, applied for OT school, and never looked back.” 

Alex completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of New Mexico and was the vice president of the Student Occupational Therapy Association. Her leadership skills earned her a scholarship during graduate school, and her passion for the job led to several invitations to return to the University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy program as a guest lecturer. She was also given the opportunity to work with her professor on a presentation for the New Mexico Occupational Therapy Association. “I truly believe that Bosque created an environment that allowed me to feel safe and supported, and I do feel like I had a strong foundation that allowed me to succeed in my programs. I was able to experience leadership positions early on, and I have used those skills throughout my adulthood.” 

Alex welcomed a daughter in 2017, which forever changed her life for the better! Enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose fueled her as she completed her undergrad as a single mom and married in 2022 to “the most incredible helicopter mechanic!” Together, they enjoy life in Albuquerque, and her daughter has the amazing opportunity to attend Bosque Summer every year, a true full-circle moment. They have three dogs, two guinea pigs, and a fish. Alex's time with her daughter is a top priority right now, and she is happy to serve as a Girl Scout troop leader for her daughter's troop. She looks forward to partnering with Bosque School and teacher Dan Shaw to bring the troop to Bosque for hands-on learning and the opportunity to earn a badge.