Celebration of Success Scholarships

The mission of the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation is to enrich the educational experience of our students through community investment. The LAPS Foundation was entrusted with funds by the Los Alamos Community Foundation to give scholarships to Los Alamos High School graduates pursuing college or vocational training from an accredited institution. The Foundation is proud to provide scholarships to six deserving graduates this year. Each of the recipients has chosen an Educator of Distinction. This is a teacher or education professional that has had the greatest impact on them during their time as a student in the Los Alamos Public Schools.

Highlights of the 2009 award winner's accomplishments are as follows:

Kayla Arnone chose Lorraine Martinez, her AP Spanish teacher as her Educator of Distinction. Arnone said of Martinez, "she is not only a wonderful teacher, but also a genuinely kind person". Arnone participated in Key Club, is a founding member of the LAHS Environmental Club whose first efforts were centered on creating a recycling program on campus, National Honor Society member, Group Leader in Juntos, played Soccer, Track & Field, and participated in Advanced Choir. She was involved in the Coalition for Global Peace and Awareness. Arnone says her great accomplishment was her role in Juntos, a program of Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, where she helped to pioneer the Los Alamos/Espanola exchange program.

Desiree Fellers chose her 4th grade teacher at Mountain Elementary School, Donna Schaefer as her Educator of Distinction. Fellers said of Schaefer, "she always had the most creative and fun teaching methods". Fellers was involved in Student Council, participating in the "Every 15 minutes" program aimed at bringing awareness to the devastating effects of drunk driving. She participated on the LAHS girls Basketball team, and served for the last two years as Student Aid at Mountain Elementary School assisting students in achieving benchmarks while helping them feel valued and encouraged. She has worked at the Blue Window, CB Fox and Community Bank.

Kevin McCurdy chose Mick Matuszak, his Sports Medicine teacher as his Educator of Distinction. McCurdy said of Matuszak, "he was not only my teacher, but a mentor and friend". McCurdy served throughout his high school career as the Boys Basketball Manager, a Student Athletic Trainer, JV and Varsity Baseball Manager, participated in the United Way Youth Campaign including the Dinner Over Diamond fundraiser, Key Club and DECA. McCurdy has helped with the Los Alamos and White Rock Little Leagues by preparing the fields and serving as an umpire. McCurdy also operates a small yard work business with his cousin; the business was started after they applied for and received one of the Los Alamos County Young Entrepreneur Business competitive grants.

Adam Nekimken chose Bernadette Ziomek, his 3rd grade teacher at Mountain Elementary School as his Educator of Distinction. Nekimken said of Ziomek, "she gave me the foundations for learning and she helped me develop the way I think". Nekimken, a National Merit Semifinalist, participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, LAHS Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Southwest Honor Band, has also dazzled the community with his Trombone playing skills in Community Winds, Los Alamos Big Band. Nekimken participate in a Mission trip to Honduras, worked as a volunteer for a month last summer with the Student Conservation Association doing trail repair in Grand Canyon National Park, member of National Honor Society, served as part of the Café Scientific Leadership Team.

Benigno Sandoval chose David Thurston, his AP Biology teacher as his Educator of Distinction. Sandoval said of Thurston, "He is always willing to help, and provided constant support for all of his students". Sandoval is the recipient of four Varsity Letters in Track & Field, also a Varsity Soccer player, participant in Student Council & served this year as the Senior Class President, member of Key Club, Los Alamos Teen Court Attorney, Los Alamos Youth Leadership-Group Leader, National Honor Society, Topper Advisory Council-Student Advisor, Los Alamos Medical Center Junior Volunteer, active participant and servant with Immaculate Heart of Mary church and has worked much of his life helping the families of Truchas, NM.

Raul Rodriguez chose Brian Easton, his Ethnic Conflict teacher as his Educator of Distinction. Rodriguez said of Easton, "he has the ability to help students come to their own conclusions while also teaching respect and kindness". Rodriquez Served as the Vice-President of fundraising in the local DECA chapter, Varsity Track & Field- five time State qualifier, played on the Varsity Football team for four years and was named District Player of the year and MVP. Raul participated in Café Scientific as a Youth Leader, enchanted the community with his Magic act in Topper Review, participated in the National Peace Essay Contest, is a Natural Helper, and participated in Young Life. Has worked at Las Salsas, and the Hill Diner, he's currently doing landscape work in the community.

Isaac Schilling chose Emily Baas, his Humanities teacher as his Educator of Distinction. Shilling said of Baas, "she is able to connect with every student and to demonstrate respect for differences of opinion". Isaac set an example of leadership for the youth of our community as a participant in Los Alamos Youth Leadership known as LAYL. He has played Varsity Football and Track & Field. He is a member of the National Honor Society, strives as a Los Alamos Teen Court Volunteer Attorney to help eliminate truancy and keep his peers in school. He has volunteered at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church. Isaac has worked at Film Festival, East Park Pool and presently is working at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a student intern.

Chelsy Smith chose Catherine Puranananda, her AP English Literature teacher as her Educator of Distinction. Smith said of Puranananda, "She opened my eyes to a whole new world of perceptions and taught me to defend my arguments". Smith served as the President of National Honor Society and participated in Varsity Tennis, Cheerleading and was named Rookie of the Year for girls Rugby as a freshman. She served as a United Way Youth Campaign volunteer, is the president of Early Morning Seminary Program with the Latter Day Saints Ward of Los Alamos. Chelsy is a dancer with the New Mexico Dance Theater and plays and teaches Violin. If you saw Dracula, Snow White, Cinderella, or Bye Bye Birdie; you have enjoyed a theater performance by Chelsy.

Asli Unal chose Ryan Ross, her 6th grade teacher at Pinon Elementary school as her Educator of Distinction. Unal said of Ross, "he helps his students to discover who they are and who they want to become". Unal is a member of National Honor Society. She serves a youth representative on the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, is a founding member and leader of Juntos. She is the recipient of three Varsity letters in girls Soccer also played and excelled at Club Soccer. Unal also enjoys swimming, volleyball, basketball and Jujitsu. She has served as the head coach of the Canyon Vista Pool swim team and has worked there as life guard. She is currently working as a student intern at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Elizabeth Wright chose Larry Baca, her Sophomore Literature, and Creative Writing teacher school as her Educator of Distinction. She has been a member of the local chapter of DECA for 3 years and served as Vice-President of Fundraising. She has also served as leader in Café Scientific, been a member of Spanish Club, Young Life and participated on the LAHS Soccer, Swimming and Track & Field teams. She worked and volunteered with Cambodia's Hope, an organization that brings hope and resources to orphanages in Cambodia. Wright worked at the Hill Diner, and the YMCA Summer and School Year Childcare programs. She is presently working as a student intern with the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation where she assists financial operations and marketing efforts.

Cerro Grande Scholarship

The Cerro Grande Scholarship was awarded to graduating seniors of Los Alamos High Schools whose homes were completely destroyed by the Cerro Grande Fire of 2000. The Winners were Susannah Davenport, Marlena Greene, T.J. Kohlrust, Britney Maes, Benigno Sandoval, Riley Sievers, and Elizabeth Wright.

The Foundation encourages members of the community to support the Foundation by growing its endowment through tax-deductible donations for the betterment of Los Alamos Public School district and its students.

To apply for a LAPS Foundation scholarship, pick up an application at the Los Alamos High School IMC or contact Edwina Lieb at e.lieb@laschools.net.

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