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COMEDY | ALBUQUERQUE

To the class of 2026

Albuquerque stand-up Zach Abeyta delivers laughs and real talk to graduates

Zach Abeyta is a comedian born in Santa Fe.

Published Modified

Hello graduates, parents, teachers, coaches and tias that bring empty containers just in case there are leftovers at the party.

My name is Zach Abeyta, and I am a stand-up comedian from Albuquerque. I went to school in Albuquerque and graduated from Valley High School in 2008. Yes, that was a long time ago. I am officially “unc” status and I know it.

I went on to the University of New Mexico and graduated with degrees in English and creative writing. I have performed doing what I love all over the country and all over New Mexico — big flex there.

I have gotten to work with some of my favorite comedians. I have won best comedian in Albuquerque and in New Mexico several times. Acquired millions of views online across several platforms. I have accomplished a lot.

But never have I felt more honored than to know that I am a proud, educated New Mexican who gets to live out his passion and teach the wonderful culture of the Land of Enchantment through stories and laughs.

First off, class of 2026. You made it.

In New Mexico that’s impressive. Getting to school and doing the work isn’t the only obstacle. There is hot air balloon traffic, high winds that can carry off a coyote, and the occasional roadrunner ate my homework.

Zach Abeyta and Friends

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30

WHERE: Marble Brewery — Heights, 9904 Montgomery Blvd. NE

HOW MUCH: $18.70 at holdmyticket.com

You can’t even fail privately here. You miss one assignment and somehow your grandma hears about it before you even get home.

“Mijo, why did you get a D in chemistry?”

“How do you know?”

“The lady at Allsup’s told me.”

Some of you are probably leaving town soon. Going off to college. Going off to the military. Moving away from Albuquerque, or even scarier, moving somewhere that doesn’t have green chile.

You’re going to start missing the random stuff about New Mexico that you never realized. The smell of the rain here. Hot air balloons that are a normal sight in our skies. Your uncle grilling while wearing sunglasses at night. The emotional support gas station burrito. That last one got me through some tough times.

Adulthood is weird. This time right now in your life, this is peak.

Nobody tells you that after graduation everybody pretends they know what they’re doing. They don’t.

We are still trying to chase our hopes and dreams while now having to pay bills and support families. Sometimes the dream can get a little lost along the way.

The truth is, nobody has it quite figured out. I know I didn’t.

The trick is learning how to keep going anyway. Life isn’t about what happens to you. It’s about how you handle it.

Don’t panic if your life doesn’t look perfect right away. Some of the smartest people I know change careers many times. Some people find success at 22. Some at 42. And some are still trying to become streamers on Twitch with zero followers, just all heart.

Life moves different for everybody, and comparison can be a thief of joy. Meaning, that if you always compare yourself to everyone you see around you, or on social media, you’ll never enjoy your own journey along the way.

And if there’s one thing I know about New Mexicans, it’s that they know how to survive tough situations.

You can survive college. You can survive military training. And you can survive moving out of your mom’s house — which might be the hardest.

Graduates, be proud of yourself, seriously. You grew up in a place that teaches toughness, humor, culture and community.

New Mexico teaches you how to laugh when things go wrong. How to help your neighbors. How to make something absolutely beautiful out of almost nothing.

That matters.

The world needs people like you. People with grit. People with stories. People who know the difference between red and green is a serious question.

Before I go, I want to give you one final piece of advice:

Don’t let embarrassment stop you from trying things. Get out of your comfort zone as often as possible. That is where you’ll grow the most as a person.

Most of life is just being willing to look dumb long enough to get good at something.

Apply for the job. Start the business. Move to the city. Tell someone you love them. Try stand-up comedy one time and completely bomb in front of your friends and family at your local open mic night.

The point is to go and live your life to the fullest. Because one day you’ll wake up and realize these were the good old days.

I’ve always lived life by this motto. Don’t care what anybody else thinks about you, except for the 18-year-old version of yourself.

And your grandma, of course.

Class of 2026, congratulations.

Drive safe. Hug your moms. And if you move out of state, always be proud to show that you are an educated New Mexican from the Land of Enchantment.