Education standouts
On May 20, Liana Espey Woodward of Santa Fe received a Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s College in Santa Fe.
Two area students graduated in May from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. Coleman Chandler of Santa Fe earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and English; Sharifa Lookman of Santa Fe earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and College of Letters. Lookman received high honors in art history and honors from the College of Letters. Lookman also was recognized this spring with the Beulah Friedman Prize, which recognizes work of outstanding achievement by a student in the history of art. The prize is awarded to a member of the senior class. Wesleyan University is a private, liberal arts school.
Quinn Basso, a student who is finishing his junior year at St. Michael’s High School, has been selected to represent Santa Fe as a National Youth Correspondent at the 2017 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University.
Quinn is the son of John and Daysi Basso. He joins a select group of students from all over the country for an intensive study of journalism and media. Basso was chosen based on his academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies. National Youth Correspondents participate in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media.
When Quinn returns to St. Michael’s in the fall, he’ll be the senior class president.
The Santa Fe-based nonprofit Rising Stars in the Southwest recently celebrated the achievements of four local students with its 2017 Rising Stars Scholars awards. The recipients of the group’s scholarships were:
Flora Gallegos, the 2017 valedictorian of Capital High School, who plans to attend The University of New Mexico and study medicine. She was the 2017 president of the school’s National Honor Society and received several other scholarships from local organizations: Los Alamos National Bank, Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
Yaneth Irigoyen, a Capital High graduate who will attend the Santa Fe Community College and study nursing. She received the New Mexico state bilingual seal on her diploma.
Cheyenne Garcia, a Santa Fe High graduate who plans to attend New Mexico State University and will be on the school’s swimming team. She was named a Super Scholar through a program sponsored by Century Bank and was named Outstanding Athlete for girls swimming. She also was senior team captain of her school’s swim and dive team.
Charles Garcia, a Capital High graduate, will attend SFCC and study sustainability and fine art. His career dream is to become a forest ranger because he loves the outdoors and animals. He has moved around for much of his life because his father is in the military and currently is serving the Middle East.
The Rising Stars each had to write an essay focusing on an education plan that would lead to their career dream. The program, co-sponsored by New Mexico Bank and Trust, teaches teens leadership skills and awards them with $1,000 scholarships.