Los Alamos High School senior Maia Cannon. Courtesy photo
Los Alamos High School senior Isaac Gao. Courtesy photo
BY BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Champions of Youth Ambitions
The family of Mikey Aslam lost a light in their lives with his death in October of 2022. Once again, faith, friendship, community, education, commitment and service return to fan the flames of fellow students, as their spark is ignited with the Mikey Aslam Scholarship.
“The support for the scholarship has been incredible,” said the Aslam family. “It means so much to the entire family to see support from so many people that were touched by Mikey’s life. While the scholarship continues to grow for another year, the first recipients have been chosen by the family.”
Los Alamos High School seniors Isaac Gao and Maia Cannon rose to the top, each meeting different hallmarks for the family, that seemed to resonate after such an incredible loss. It felt right that incredible loss could be slightly lessened, by others succeeding in the wake of grief.
“Maia has overcome incredible challenges in her life and still she wants to strive to help others as a neonatal intensive care nurse, “said the Aslam family.” We hope the scholarship can help in a small way.”
“Isaac is hoping to become a physician. As an Eagle Scout we are confident he will keep true to the scout oath ‘to help other people’,” the family said.
How do the students feel in receiving this for the next chapter of their lives?
“I am honored and super appreciative to be one of the first to receive this scholarship. It’ll greatly help me in my next step,” said Cannon. ‘My family and friends have helped me so much. The support and love I have received from them has carried me throughout my life. Thank you again for this scholarship it means so much.”
“It feels absolutely amazing, being able to receive this scholarship in its first year,” said Gao. “I feel incredibly honored to have the Aslam family read my story on how Boy Scouts has impacted me. I hope more students will be able to share their stories with the scholarship committee in the future!”
Donations to the scholarship are still being accepted by Champions of Youth Ambitions, PO Box 4741, White Rock, NM 87547. Please write “scholarship” in the memo line.