LAPSF NEWS RELEASE
The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation administers several memorial scholarships to graduating seniors each year. The following are the winners from the Class of 2023:
Baca Scholarship, Nyla Lee/Photo by Jessica Booton Photography
Nyla Lee is the winner of the Larry Baca Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a
student who has participated in track or cross country at Los Alamos High School. The
scholarship is named for Larry Baca, a renowned coach in Los Alamos for 30 years and member
of the Los Alamos High School Hall of Fame and New Mexico Coaches Hall of Fame. He was a
tremendous athlete at LAHS participating in baseball, basketball, wrestling, football and track. A
role model to youth in our community, Baca’s humility, determination and sportsmanship
enabled his track teams to achieve numerous district and state track titles. Nyla is the daughter
of Richard and Pamela Lee. She will attend Montana State University and major in chemical
engineering.
Boone Scholarship, Kelly (Isabelle) McTeigue/Photo by Jessica Booton Photography
Aria Mair and Kelly (Isabella) McTeigue are the winners of the Irene Boone Memorial
Scholarship. This scholarship, awarded to students pursuing a two or four-year degree at a
college, university or technical-vocational program, is made possible through the generosity of
long-time Los Alamos resident and pediatrician, Dr. Irene Boone and her husband, Zanas “Slim”
Boone. Aria is the daughter of Anna Yarrow and Herschel Mair. She will attend the School of
Visual Arts NYC and major in animation. Isabella is the daughter of Jolyn McTeigue. She will
attend the University of New Mexico and major in business.
Feldman Scholarship: from left, Yunseo Kim, Logan Perez and Pippa Fung. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography
Pippa Fung, Yunseo Kim and Logan Perez were selected for the Sophia Feldman Memorial
Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded in memory of Sophia Feldman, a Los Alamos High
School student who passed away in September 2019. Sophia was passionate about helping and
supporting people. She had many interests, including dance, music, and speech and debate. In
Sophia’s honor the scholarships are awarded to students for their exemplary academic and
personal conduct combined with participating in mentoring, anti-bullying, social justice, or
related activities. Pippa, daughter of Elizabeth-Sharon and Jimmy Fung, will attend Arizona
State University, majoring in journalism and international relations. Yunseo, daughter of
Hyunjoo Kang and Yongho Kim, will attend Columbia University and major in political science
and human rights. Logan, son of Erin and Antonio Perez, will attend New Mexico State
University to study psychology.
Sims Scholarship: Rebeca Rocha, Becky Sims, center, and Carter Watkins. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography
The Jim Sims Memorial Engineering Scholarship has been awarded to Rebeca Rocha and Carter
Watkins. This scholarship was created to honor long time Los Alamos resident and LANL
engineer Jim Sims. Sims worked for 34 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a design
engineer and leader of project engineering teams. He was a gifted mechanical engineer with a
distinguished career, essential to the success of highly visible programs that have enhanced the scientific and engineering reputation of the Laboratory. Sims was also committed to mentoring
young engineers, designers, and students, generously sharing his knowledge and experience.
Rebeca is the daughter of Fran and Reg Rocha. She will attend Texas A & M University to study
mechanical engineering. Carter Watkins is the son of Alison and Heath Watkins. He will attend
Colorado School of Mines to study mechanical engineering.
The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation is an independent organization which serves as the
connection between our community and school district, evaluating needs and investing
resources to improve the quality of public education in our community. To learn more about
the LAPS Foundation, visit http://www.lapsfoundation.com.