NMAA FOUNDATION TO AWARD $93,000 IN STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

The New Mexico Activities Association is excited to announce the recipients of the 2025-2026 NMAA Foundation Scholarships.

The NMAA Foundation recognized 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.

Close to 650 scholarship applications were received, with a total of $93,000 being distributed through 67 different scholarships. It was the inaugural year for the Sally Marquez NMAA Extraordinary Participation Scholarship – Presented by Nusenda and the Mike Phipps Never, Never, Never Give Up Scholarship. There were 29 scholarships offered, 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 continued indefinitely by the NMAA Foundation Board of Directors.

The following list details those students who were selected for each scholarship category:

Sally Marquez NMAA Extraordinary Participation Scholarship – Presented by Nusenda Credit Union ($2,000)

1. Sofia Amato, Las Cruces
2. Charlotte Dennis, Mayfield

Gary Tripp NMAA Extraordinary Participation Scholarship – Presented by Nusenda Credit Union ($2,000)

1. Ava Platt, Highland
2. Olivia Zamora, Hatch Valley

 

Mario Martinez Memorial NMAA Extraordinary Participation Scholarship – Presented by Nusenda ($2,000)

1. James Hawkins, Texico
2. Addison Medina, Raton

 

Activities Scholarship – Presented by Realty One of New Mexico and the NB3 Foundation ($1,000)

1. Ilynne Gutierrez, Volcano Vista
2. Cayla Miranda, Eldorado

 

Dan and Lucille Wood / Grey Gladiator Athletic Scholarship – Presented by Dion’s ($1,000)

1. Judah Daffron, Taos
2. Luke Matherly, Centennial

 

El Richards / Frances Walsh Spirit Scholarship – Presented by Varsity Spirit ($1,000)

1. Sophia Sisneros, Los Alamos
2. Gracelyn Tatum, Clovis

 

Lt. Col. Cecil A. Lynn, Jr. Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

1. Emma Gurule, Eldorado
2. Nicholous Jones, Taos
3. Desta Rose, Logan

 

Trade / Technical School Scholarship ($1,500)

1. Maxwell Sena, Melrose Presented by Havana Banana LLC
2. Zach Redd, Des Moines Presented by Por Vida Tattoo
3. Ashdyn Urban, Ruidoso Presented by B.E.W. and N.E.C.A.
4. Jacob Dodson, Cloudcroft Presented by Commercial Door Manufacturing

 

We Go Above. So You Can Go Beyond. Scholarship – Presented by Bank of Albuquerque ($2,000)

1. Ava Drew Gonzales, Las Cruces
2. Henry Newcomb, Atrisco Heritage
3. Kaiden Reese, Los Lunas
4. Donny Santistevan, Questa

 

Compete with Class Sportsmanship Scholarship – Presented by Nusenda Credit Union ($1,000)

1. Gavin Findley, Silver
2. Kathleen Johnson, Socorro

 

Austin Denton Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

1. Gary Chavez, Grants
2. Gauge Perez, Del Norte
3. Annabella Romero, Alamogordo

 

Billy Richards Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

1. Brennan Shock, Cliff

Bloom Where You Are Planted – In Memory of Dr. Karen Trujillo Scholarship ($1,000)

1. Marfyll Alcala Cisneros, Hatch Valley

 

BPOE Elks Club of Santa Fe Scholarship ($3,000)

1. Rebecca Neal, Highland

 

Bruce Cottrell Tennis Scholarship ($1,500)

1. Michael Witkowski, Los Alamos

 

Coach Dick Shelley St. Michael’s HS Basketball Scholarship ($1,500)

1. Quinlan Gwyther, East Mountain

 

Coach Joe Bailey Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

1. Cassie Hawkins, Melrose

 

Corey Tolle Memorial Opportunity Scholarship – Presented by Mack Energy ($1,500)

1. Brooklynne Ivans, Artesia
2. Joaquin Rose, Taos
3. Zachary Sedillos, Artesia

 

Joey Montano Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

1. Liam Brown, Pius
2. Amelia Caldwell, Taos

 

K & K Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

1. Eva Ortiz, Michael’s

 

Larry Trepland Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

1. Aiden Erickson, East Mountain

 

Mack Chase Memorial Scholarship – Presented by Mack Energy ($1,500)

1. Andrea Dominguez, Albuquerque
2. Dakota Jones, Dora
3. Clay Kincaid, Artesia
4. Emily Soto, Artesia

 

Michael Danoff Memorial Scholarship ($2,500)

1. Shayan Childers, Manzano

 

Mike Mittelstaedt Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

1. Rochelle Lopez, Peñasco
2. Mitchell Wall, Logan

 

Mike Phipps Never, Never, Never Give Up Scholarship ($1,500)

1. Hailey Ulibarri, Santa Rosa
2. Holly Ward, Des Moines

 

Pedro & Mateo Sandoval Strong Family Scholarship ($1,500)

1. Vivian Wiseman, Albuquerque

 

Pell Family Scholarship ($1,000)

1. Olivia Burton, Springer
2. Lucy Schreiber, Taos

 

Phil Schroer Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

1. Joshua Cordova, Santa Rosa
2. Logan Jacobson Waldrep, West Mesa
3. Ava Parra, West Mesa
4. Marisa Salazar-Muniz, Cibola

 

Together We Rise Scholarships ($1,000)

1. Jacee Armijo, Vaughn Presented by select NMAA/NMOA Hall of Fame Members
2. Bryson Blakley, Floyd Presented by New Mexico Sol
3. Jacie Caldwell, Mesilla Valley Christian Presented by New Mexico Sol
4. Clover Jade Joe, Tse’Yi’Gai Presented by First National 1870
5. Jonas Saiz, Oak Grove Classical Presented in Memory of Sammy
6. Major Johnson, Santa Rosa
7. Aloria Luna, Clayton
8. Landon Marquez, Hobbs
9. Jennifer Mattorano, Raton
10. Tawny Platero, Newcomb

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.