Los Alamos Awards $93K in Scholarships to Graduating Seniors

Dozens of Los Alamos high school seniors received life-changing news this month when their community handed out $93,000 in scholarship awards. The money came from local families, organizations, and individuals who believe in investing in the next generation.

On May 18, the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation celebrated graduating seniors who earned recognition for everything from academic excellence to community service to career technical education. Some students are heading to four-year colleges, while others are pursuing alternative paths that match their unique goals and talents.

What made the ceremony extra special? Students receiving Foundation scholarships got to name an "Educator of Distinction" from their years in Los Alamos schools. They publicly honored the teachers who made the biggest difference in their lives, turning an awards ceremony into a celebration of mentorship and connection.

The scholarships included both new awards and renewals. The Future Teachers Scholarship offers $2,000 annually for four years to students like Matthea Fung and Cara Gauss who plan to return to education. The Irene Boone Memorial Scholarship provides $3,000 each year for four years to Trenity McCloskey and Dayja Fellers.

Six brand new scholarships launched this year, expanding opportunities for more students with different dreams and circumstances. The Foundation administered these awards on behalf of community members who wanted to make a lasting impact.

The Ripple Effect

When a community invests $93,000 in its youth, the returns multiply far beyond the dollar amount. These scholarships remove financial barriers that might have forced talented students to abandon their dreams or take on crushing debt.

The students receiving awards this year represent diverse paths forward. Some earned recognition for substance abuse awareness advocacy, others for golf achievement, and still more for their dedication to helping neighbors through volunteer work. The variety of scholarships sends a powerful message: every student's contribution matters.

Los Alamos has now given over $2 million through the Foundation to fund opportunities students and teachers wouldn't have otherwise. That ongoing commitment creates a cycle where today's scholarship recipients become tomorrow's donors, lifting up the next wave of dreamers.

The ceremony brought together multiple generations united by one belief: young people deserve support as they launch into their futures. When students succeed, entire communities benefit from their talents, compassion, and innovation for decades to come.