HISPANO CHAMBER HELPS 64 STUDENTS
Hispano Chamber awards $85K to 64 ‘high-caliber’ students
Chamber fundraisers and contributions from sponsors and individuals add up to $85,000 in college scholarships
The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce recently announced $85,500 in its Education Excellence Scholarships program going to 64 New Mexico students. These scholarships are funded through sponsorships by local businesses, organizations and individuals, as well as money raised by the chamber’s Education Committee and annual AHCC Golf Tournament.
“This year, we saw a huge number of high-caliber students applying for scholarships,” AHCC President Ernie C’deBaca said. “Thankfully, our members stepped up to help fund these scholarships at a higher rate than we have ever seen.”
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association sponsored $25,000 in scholarships this year and earned the honor of title sponsor of this year’s awards.
NMOGA Executive Director Ryan Flynn said, “We are pleased to also contribute directly to many of these deserving students.”
Among the 64 scholarships awarded were the Loretta A. Armenta Memorial Scholarship, the Jennifer Riordan Financial Literacy Scholarship, and the new Ken Sanchez Memorial Scholarship sponsored by NMOGA.
There are $1,000 AHCC Scholarships awarded to high school seniors. Nontraditional or returning students over age 19 receive a $1,000 Opportunity Scholarship. The AHCC also awarded five high school seniors multiyear Thrive Scholarships, totaling $5,500 each.
This year’s recognition ceremony was canceled due to COVID-19 health restrictions.
The scholarship winners are Noah Lopez, Maya Uvina, Nathalia Gardea Ceniceros, Isaiah Manzanares, Yeremi Rodriguez, Laura
Mirimaontes, Jae Lijua Salazar, Victoria Alarcon Macias, Heber Rios, Francisco Aragon, Karina Zavala, Gabriela Diaz Arredondo, Melissa Mailboy, Marcela Mendoza, Savannah Garcia, Alondra Reyes, Jessi Rangel, Brisa Perez, Michelle Nevarez, Van Hoang, Daniela Rodriguez, David Martinez, Evelin Estrada, Kylee-Mestas Chavez, Jordan Davalos, Tashina Silversmith, Sierra Bencomo, Irvin Dominguez Chavez, Angelique Glover, Jahir Rodriguez, Andreal Martinez, Karen Guerra Vicente, Sherlyn Ramirez, Marissa Rivas, Steffen Ortiz, Hannah Irons, Mia Roy, Clarizza Morales Chacon, Guadalupe Zarate, Bianca Solano, Ingrid Montoya, Belinda Vargas, Katie Mancilla, Omar Barrientos, Bryce Redd, Karla Ortiz, Valerie Duarte, Isela Rendon, Corina Maynes, Alondra Morales, Edgar Corona Castaneda, Joseline Mendoza, Maria Cruz, Elizabeth Gonzales, Christina Padilla, Fabian Lopez, Kevin Perez Rios, Lorenzo Perea, Rachael Aragon, Maria Rodriguez Madrid, David Ibarra, Diana Laura Ortiz Roldan, Joshua Lara, Marco Nieto.
Sponsoring companies and organizations include the Hispano Chamber, NMOGA, Adelante Development Center, Allstate Insurance — Louie Sanchez Agency, AUI Inc., Brycon Corp., Bueno Foods, Central New Mexico Community College, Compa Industries Inc., Jaramillo Accounting Group LLC, JCE Inc., AHCC board member Joan Tafoya, AHCC board Chairwoman Mary G. Martinez, New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation, Nusenda Credit Union, Perikin Enterprises, Raines & Vigil Family, Ryan True Foundation, Sun Rise Roofing, US Bank and YDI NM.
Additional sponsors included New Mexico Ford Dealers, Modrall Sperling, Public Service Company of New Mexico, New Mexico Gas Co. and Southwest Airlines.