Education standouts
Alexandra Deckoff-Jones of Santa Fe was among a record number of graduates presented with diplomas at UMass Lowell’s 2017 commencement exercises in May. Deckoff-Jones received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Elena Rael, daughter of Carlos Rael and Lillian Montoya of Santa Fe, graduated from Gonzaga University in May 2017. She earned two degrees, a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. This St. Michael’s High School alum is now enrolled in a Master of Social Work program at the University of Southern California.
MANA del Norte, a nonprofit organization that serves as a voice and resource for Latinas in the Northern New Mexico counties of Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, San Miguel and Taos, awarded five $1,000 scholarships to Hispanic women from the area: Diana Baca, Alejandra Calles, Mayra De La Riva, Jenae Romero and Yvette Whisenhunt.
Baca, of Santa Fe County, attends Santa Fe Community College, pursuing a fine arts degree. Calles, also of Santa Fe County, is pursuing a degree in applied science in nursing at SFCC. De La Riva, an immigrant from Aguascalientes, Mexico, who lives in Rio Arriba County, is pursuing her business administration degree at Northern New Mexico College. Romero, of Taos County, plans to transfer from The University of New Mexico to Drew University in Madison, N.J., to pursue a degree in biology. She plans to go to medical school, and then return to Taos to work as a pediatric doctor. Whisenhunt, of Llano Largo in Taos County, attends UNM-Taos and is pursuing a degree in criminal justice. She plans to transfer to New Mexico Highlands University’s criminal justice program in the fall of 2018.