Three local high schoolers receive NMAA Foundation scholarships

RIO RANCHO – On Mar. 7, the New Mexico Activities Association announced the 2024-2025 recipients of the NMAA Foundation’s student scholarships.

According to a news release from the NMAA, nearly 350 students submitted applications to 26 different scholarship categories. In total, 66 New Mexico kids received scholarship money totaling over $79,000.

The list of winners included two students from RRPS and one from Bernalillo. They received $3,500 total.

Rio Rancho’s Abigail Beam received a $1,000 scholarship thanks to the Austin Denton Memorial Scholarship, which honors local sports broadcasting star Austin Denton, who passed away in 2022. Beam is a star swimmer and athlete, which is just icing on the cake for the “A” student.

Cleveland’s Joaquin Armijo’s leadership on the soccer pitch, where he manages to command the field from back in the goalkeeper’s net, is matched only by his dedication in the classroom. He received the $1,500 Corey Tolle Memorial Opportunity Scholarship.

Bernalillo High School’s track & field star, Gabriel Montoya got a $1,000 scholarship thanks to the Trade/Technical School Scholarship from Por Vida Tattoo.

Additionally, two students received scholarships thanks to the Gary Tripp NMAA Extraordinary Participation Scholarship. Sandia’s Ian Casas and Socorro’s Sky Sessions each received $2,000. Tripp is a life-long education advocate and sits on the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education.

The NMAA Foundation was set up in 2007 for the specific purpose of supporting New Mexico student-athletes. According to the NMAA, all funds raised by the Foundation are used for student scholarships and grants. The organization distributed over $220,000 in that time.