Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation Recognizes Scholarship Winners and “Educators of Distinction”


Victoria Nisoli chose Whitney pomeroy, her 10th year pays homage to her English teacher, as an educator emeritus. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /www.jessicabootonphotography.com


Logan Black has chosen his Grade 7 English teacher Dana Kline and Katie Nelson, Grade 9 English teacher, as his educators of distinction. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /www.jessicabootonphotography.com

News from the LAPS Foundation:

The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation (LAPS) awarded scholarships to eleven outstanding students in the Class of 2021 for their demonstrated service contributions to the students and community of Los Alamos Public Schools.

Each student received a scholarship and was invited to write an essay about an educator of distinction – someone who positively impacted the student during their time in Los Alamos public schools.

The Foundation held an outdoor reception at the high school in May for distinguished students, their families and educators. Congratulations to the following eleven students and their educators:

Victoria Nisoli is the daughter of Donatella Rivoltella and Cristiano Nisoli. A future mechanical engineering major heading to the University of New Mexico, Nisoli was selected from this already impressive group of students as the Most Deserving recipient, and she received the Rynd Prize. This award is made possible by a significant bequest left to the LAPS Foundation by Ed and Betty Rynd, a couple passionate about community service and our schools.

Nisoli chose Whitney Pomeroy, her Grade 10 Honors English teacher, as an educator of distinction. About Pomeroy, she wrote: “I am so grateful that I had a teacher who made me learn and enjoy him… for the first time, I felt a real urge to learn, a which placed little emphasis on notes and more on the process of my work. Ms. Pomeroy sparked my interest in English literature and made me the passionate writer that I am today.

Logan Black is the son of Cindy and Justin Black. He will be attending St. Cloud State University and majoring in secondary education. Black chose Dana Kline (Grade 7 English Teacher) and Katie Nelson (Grade 9 English Teacher) as his Educators of Distinction. In his essay, Logan wrote, “These two teachers helped me become the person I am today… throughout elementary school I struggled in school because I struggled to read and these two teachers helped me both academically and personally. I don’t think I would have followed the same path of being an English and History oriented student without their guidance.

Filippo Delzanno is the son of Cristina Rinaudo and Gian Luca Delzanno. He will go to the University of California at Santa Barbara in the fall, majoring in physics. Delzanno chose Mike Montano, his high school government teacher, as his educator of distinction. Delzanno wrote: “By challenging myself to think critically about the world around me and to question my own opinions, Mr. Montano encourages me to become a more complete student, ready to enter the world. and have a lasting impact. . . Mr. Montano teaches me that we must above all spread the truth and learn from each other in order to take the first steps towards a more just and egalitarian society.

Jaxson Martines is the son of Kristen and Jason Martines. He plans to study business and sports management at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. Jaxson chose his mother, Kristen Martines, as an educator of distinction. He wrote: “I was lucky [in third grade] be in class every day for reading and writing lessons. Over the years, I have witnessed his dedication, hard work, understanding and compassion for his students. My mother’s compassion and knowledge helped her students gain confidence in their own abilities, allowing them to soar in the learning process. After nearly 18 years in the profession, I still see her working hard at home on lesson plans, correcting copies, and communicating with parents who have children in her classroom. I used these qualities to lay the foundation for becoming a better student, classmate, and person.

Isabella Martinez Pruet, daughter of Elizabeth Martinez and Jason Pruet, plans to study biochemistry at the University of North Texas. Pruet chose Catherine Puranananda, his AP literature teacher, as an educator of distinction. She wrote in her essay: “Of all my school years, she was the only teacher I really connected with. Not only is she the funniest teacher I know, but she also makes an effort to really understand her students. She notices the little things. . . she saw me not as a simple student who is there to work and to be graded, but as a human being who struggles sometimes and who has feelings. She also has a passion for community service and has motivated me to work even harder to help people.

Christine Mathew is the daughter of Kattathu Mathew and Liby Mathew. She will be attending Texas A&M University, Blinn College and majoring in nuclear engineering. Christine chose Debbie Grothaus, her specialist physics teacher, as her emeritus educator. She wrote: “Ms. Grothaus instilled in me a love for science which I will deepen in my future educational endeavors. Most importantly, Ms. Grothaus taught me to never be discouraged or ashamed of struggling, but to be proud to engage in my work, especially when it is difficult. It is a lesson that I have applied to all the difficulties I have encountered, inside and outside the classroom, and that I will always appreciate and share with others.

William McTeigue is the son of Jolyn McTeigue. He will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he plans to major in biology. He named Carter Payne, principal of LAHS, as an educator of distinction. Guillaume said, “Mr. Payne wants students to get involved and feel valued in our community. His willingness to work with the Student Council to implement our ideas motivates me to thoroughly plan the activities of the student body. I was shown an example of how to build my community as a leader with fairness, encouragement and a sense of calm, like Principal Carter Payne.

Audrey Nolen is the daughter of Steve and April Nolen. She plans to major in sociology and pre-law at Baylor University. Audrey chose Carol Hermes, her sixth grade teacher at Pinon Elementary School, as the educator of distinction. She wrote: “Ms. Hermès will always remain in my mind as what every teacher should strive to be. She was a constant source of support, jokes and passion for what she did. She made all of us students feel like her own children… She made me feel normal in my love of school, learning and other cheesy things. Ms. Hermes encouraged me to use my powerful personality to encourage others and change the world. I hope I make her proud.

Rachel Rivera is the daughter of Christine Hipp and Melvin Rivera. She will be attending the University of Washington and majoring in Anthropology. Rivera has named Annette Sehorn, her reading teacher at Mountain Elementary School, as her educator of distinction. In her essay, Rachel wrote: “Since taking Ms. Sehorn’s class, I have gained a lot more confidence in myself and my reading skills. This confidence drove me to take much more difficult lessons than I might not have had if I had not gained confidence in my abilities as a student… To this day, I am very grateful to Ms. Sehorn, his class and Mountain School to have a program like this that I could benefit from. Without Ms Sehorn’s class I don’t think I would be where I am today and as I prepare to go to college I can’t help but reflect on this experience and how well I am grateful to have someone to help me get over this. obstacle.”

Isaac Romero is the son of José Romero and Albinita Romero. He will study biochemistry at the University of New Mexico. Isaac chose Don Davis who teaches robotics and engineering courses at LAHS as his educator of distinction. He wrote: “Mr. Davis is not only an exceptional teacher, but also a teacher whom I consider a friend… He encouraged me to pursue a college education and helped me choose courses to explore my interests. Part of my inspiration for pursuing a career related to STEM is due to him. During my time in his classes, I discovered programs such as CAD and information technology that I can continue to use for the rest of my life.

Andrew West is the son of Katie Bruell. He will attend Yale University this fall. Andrew chose Christine Engelbrecht as an educator of distinction. “My honors and my AP Lang classes with Ms. E. were without a doubt the classes I had to work through the hardest, but also without a doubt the most rewarding. I feel ready to tackle any writing assignment and ready to make a strong rhetorical point on any topic. I am extremely grateful for the time and effort that Ms. Engelbrecht has devoted to making each of her students (including me) more capable writers, readers and individuals.

About the LAPS Foundation

The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that helps the local community provide extraordinary education to students in Los Alamos. Los Alamos has given over $ 1.5 million to fund opportunities that students and teachers otherwise wouldn’t have. To find out more about the LAPS Foundation and how to get involved and / or donate, visit lapsfoundation.com or call 505.500.6501. Donations to the LAPS Foundation, a 501 (C) (3) organization, are tax deductible.


Philippe Delzanno chose Mike Montano, his high school government teacher, as his educator of distinction. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /www.jessicabootonphotography.com


Jaxson Martines chose her mother Kristen Martines as an educator of distinction. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /www.jessicabootonphotography.com


Isabella Martinez Pruet has chosen Catherine Puranananda, her AP literature teacher, as an educator of distinction. Photo by Jessica Booton

Photography/www.jessicabootonphotography.com


Christine mathieu has chosen Debbie Grothaus, her specialist physics teacher, as an educator emeritus. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /www.jessicabootonphotography.com


William McTeigue chose LAHS Principal Carter Payne as Distinguished Educator. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /www.jessicabootonphotography.com


Audrey Nolen chose Carol Hermes, her sixth grade teacher at Pinon Elementary School, as an educator of distinction. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /

www.jessicabootonphotography.com


Rachel Rivera chose Annette Sehorn, her reading teacher at Mountain Elementary School, as an educator of distinction. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /www.jessicabootonphotography.com


Isaac Romero chose Don Davis who teaches robotics and engineering courses at LAHS as his educator of distinction. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /

www.jessicabootonphotography.com


Andrew West chose her honors and AP language teacher Christine Engelbrecht as an educator of distinction. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography /

www.jessicabootonphotography.com

About Mark A. Tomlin

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