MVHS seniors awarded variety of scholarships

MONTE VISTA— Several students from Monte Vista High School’s class of 2017 were awarded scholarships and other academic awards last Thursday night at Central Auditorium. All of the staff and presenters expressed their pride in the accomplishments of the class and their determination to get the most out of the academic careers.
Ray and Colette Skeff spoke first, announcing it was the 15th year that they were awarding $1,500 to one student in Monte Vista and one student in Center. Ray joked that they were originally looking at life insurance policies but didn’t see the point in something that could only be used if one of them was dead. (See related story below.)
The Kane Family Scholarship is awarded to excellent scholar athletes—one male and one female graduating athlete with the highest GPA in their class. Danielle Chacon and Noel Heredia were this year’s recipients. Vicente Jaramillo was also recognized for deciding to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. After serving in the Corps for 36 months, Jaramillo will be eligible for up to $180,000 of his tuition, fees and books to be paid for at a college of his choice through the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Superintendent Robert Webb awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award to Elizabeth Doyle. Gary Wilkinson with the Monte Vista Education Foundation awarded the Jean Ritchey Memorial Scholarship to Noel Heredia and D’Anna Widger. According to the Monte Vista Education Foundation, “Ritchey graduated from the Rio Grande County High School (now Monte Vista) in the late 1930s, and she enlisted in the Navy, serving as a nurse during World War II retiring in 1966 to work at a civilian hospital until her second retirement” and left a large sum of money to be used for scholarships. The awards are for $2,500 per student and are renewable for up to four years.
Ron and Carol Martinez spoke about their beloved late son, Sargent Glen Martinez. He was a 1995 graduate of Monte Vista High School, who wrestled, played baseball, was in the band and maintained a 3.49 GPA. Martinez graduated from Ottawa University in Kansas before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He was killed in action on May 2, 2008. His parents honor his academic and athletic excellence by giving annual scholarships to students who excel at both and want to attend college. Before honoring Moises Juarez and Danielle Chacon with their scholarships, Carol told the audience Glen’s motto, which still hangs on his bedroom door, “Believe in yourself and nothing can stop you.”
Peg Schall did not speak for a long time about the Don Schall Memorial Scholarship, but proudly said “I know at least two good things about the recipient: One, he is going to be a diesel mechanic and two, he is going to stay in the San Luis Valley.” Austin Brown will be using the scholarship to attend Trinidad State Junior College.
Steven Valdez was honored with the first annual Gerald Vigil Memorial Scholarship. More about the award and Mr. Valdez can be found in the May 17 edition of the Monte Vista Journal. The John Scholarship was presented by Counselor Lara Gordon. Anika John graduated early from MVHS in 2008 and created a non-traditional scholarship to enable students to “travel outside their comfort zone” and “learn more about oneself.” John, a lover of art and dance, was enthralled with the winner’s application, a collage, and awarded the scholarship to Tyesha Keever.
Janet Noble presented the Kiwanis Scholarships to Key Club members Patricia Koester and D’Anna Widger. These scholarships are for $1,000 each, partially fundraised from the crane quilt proceeds. Noble also presented Steven Valdez with the $1,500 Tony Perea Memorial Scholarship. Valdez was also awarded the Sunflower Bank Community Ambassador Program Scholarship, which presenter Maria Aguilar stated was designed for students who want to learn about local government and economic development.
Dr. Matt Nehring presented Adams State University’s CAMP awards. Recipients were Benito Villalobos, D’Anna Widger and Pedro Ortiz. Nehring also presented other Adams State scholarships, including the Grizzly Partner Scholarship, the President’s Scholarships ($1,500 renewable), the Vice-President’s scholarships ($1,000 renewable) and the SLV Promise award for the full cost of tuition, fees and books. Alexis Gonzales, Jovanny Garcia and Elizabeth Doyle won the SLV Promise award. Danielle Chacon was awarded the Vice-President’s award. Noel Heredia was awarded the Grizzly Partner and President’s award; Tyesha Keever was awarded the Spud Bowl Scholarship; Brock Martin received the Vice President’s, SLV Promise and Grizzly Partner awards; Aspen Pauley received the Grizzly Partner scholarship; David Samora received the Grizzly Partnership, SLV Promise and Vice-President’s awards; Alexis Stolp received the Grizzly Partnership award; Steven Valdez was awarded the Grizzly Partnership, and Jacob Vigil won the SLV promise award and the Vice-President’s scholarship.
Tracey Medina presented the Band Boosters Scholarship to Noel Heredia, noting that the boosters have worked hard to bring the award back. Lara Gordon presented Brandon Atencio with the TSJC Learn Local Scholarship award. Gordon also took the time to recognize students who completed concurrent enrollment courses and certifications: Aspen Pauley completed accounting courses, and Marisa Garcia is already a certified nail tech after completing her classes and passing the board exams. Stephanie Saenz, Alyscia Arellano, Alexis Gonzales, Yazmine McCormick, Shanesa Sanchez and Shaunae Sanchez are all Certified Nursing Assistants. Tyesha Keever and Savanna Villagomez have completed EMS certifications.
The students were then presented with academic awards and academic letters. In total, the Monte Vista class of 2017 earned over $480,000 in scholarships including all of the ones outlined in addition to Cortnie Hunter’s $6,000 award for West Texas A&M and Leah Yanez’s $97,500 award to a Texas institution. That amount does not include the CAMP awards and other similar awards which are based on the financial need of the individual recipient.