NMAA FOUNDATION TO AWARD OVER $50,000 IN STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico Activities Association is excited to announce the recipients of the 2022-2023 NMAA Foundation Scholarships.
The NMAA Foundation will recognize most of the students receiving these scholarships during the Nusenda Credit Union State Basketball Championships. Some will also be honored during the NMAA State Spirit or Spring Championships.
Approximately 200 students were nominated or submitted applications, with a total of $51,500 being distributed through 45 different scholarships. There were 17 scholarship categories, with one being the special Together We Rise Scholarship that was created in 2020-2021 due to the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to support even more kids during these difficult times.
The following list details those students who were selected for each scholarship category:
Garry Tripp NMAA Extraordinary Participation, presented by Nusenda Credit Union ($2,000)
*given to students excelling in athletics, activities, and academics in Class 3A-5A schools
- Santiago Casaus – Cuba
- Lauren Ocampo – Centennial
Mario Martinez Memorial NMAA Extraordinary Participation, presented by Nusenda ($2,000)
*given to students excelling in athletics, activities, and academics in Class A-2A schools
- Chanelle Jaeger – Academy for Technology & the Classics
- Hailey Apachito – Alamo Navajo
“Compete with Class” Sportsmanship, presented by the NM National Guard ($1,000)
*given to students that exemplify the ideals of sportsmanship & the Compete with Class initiative
- Elijah Lujan – Pecos
- Heaven Velasquez – Atrisco Heritage Academy
- Mackenzie Echave – Los Alamos
Dan & Lucille Wood/Gray Gladiator Athletic, presented by Dion’s ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in athletics and academics
- Ellary Battle – Alamogordo
- Cayden Walton – Raton
Activities, presented by Realty One of NM and the NB3 Foundation ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in activities and academics
- Fredrick York – Fort Sumner
- Alyana Cordova – Clovis
El Richards/Frances Walsh Spirit, presented by Varsity Spirit ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in spirit (cheer/dance) and academics
- Reiylee Stewart – Clayton
- Makayla Zamora – Centennial
Trade / Technical School, presented by Baca NVS and Por Vida Tattoo ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in sports/activities and academics with interest in trade/technical programs
- Angel Armenta Torres – Moriarty
- Celina Flowers – Mosquero
Pedro & Mateo Sandoval Strong Family ($1,500)
*given to students excelling in athletics and academics
- Royal Page – Moriarty
Coach Dick Shelley St. Michael’s HS Basketball ($1,500)
*given to students excelling in basketball and academics
- Morgan Crisp – Clayton
Ralph Ortiz BPOE Elks Club of Santa Fe ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in athletics and academics
- Brycelyn Martinez – Escalante
Mike Mittelstaedt Memorial ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in cross country and/or track & field and academics
- Savannah Ames – La Cueva
- D’Shaun Vinyard – Magdalena
Lt. Col. Cecil Lynn Jr. Memorial ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in athletics and academics
- Isabelle Sena – Melrose
Tom Drangmeister Memorial ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in athletics and academics
- Cooper Beggs – Eldorado
Joey Montano Memorial ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in athletics and academics
- Erica Ho – La Cueva
- Torrance Burdex – West Mesa
Austin Denton Memorial ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in athletics, academics, and community involvement
- Ava Lowe – Cleveland
- Kathryn Montoya – Loving
Mike Danoff Memorial ($2,500)
*given to students excelling in athletics and academics
- Kennedy Gibbons – Ramah
Together We Rise Scholarship ($1,000)
*given to students excelling in athletics, activities, and academics
- Scott Hofmann – East Mountain *presented by the Pell Family
- Sophia Marez – Moriarty *presented by the Pell Family
- Samantha Baltz – Rio Rancho *presented by Mr. Bruce Cottrell
- Lacy Lesly – Melrose *presented by various NMAA & NMOA Hall of Fame Members
- Malia Dumlao – Roswell *presented by ZeroEyes
- Yisel Palacios – Hobbs *presented in memory of Hobbs HS student-athlete Kooper Davis
- Benjamin Thieman – Mayfield *presented in memory of 1967 Mayfield grad Robert T. Wheatley Jr.
- Aaron Ortiz – Sandia *presented in memory of 1968 Sandia grad Gary G. Dubrock
- Adam Pacheco – Pojoaque Valley *presented by Mr. Ben Lucero & Dr. Wendy Fronterhouse
- Andres Madrid – Santa Rosa *presented by Por Vida Tattoo
- Trinity Romero – Rio Rancho *presented by New Mexico Sol
- McKenna Sahd – Cimarron *presented by New Mexico Sol
- Ian Sanchez – La Cueva
- Jacquelyn Gorman – St. Michael’s
- Jasmine Kennedy – Capitan
- Leah Tapia – Las Cruces
- Matthew Romero – Moriarty
- Park Strong – Logan
The Together We Rise Scholarships are presented in part by the NMAA Foundation and other sponsors/donors as listed above.
The NMAA Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was set up in 2007 to support the many students that participate in high school athletic and activity programs across New Mexico. The funds raised by the Foundation are used for student scholarships and school grants/support.
For additional information pertaining to this announcement, please contact Dusty Young, NMAA Associate Director at (505) 977-5385 or dusty@nmact.org.
