Friends of Los Alamos County Libraries Scholarship recipient, from left, Elaina Trujillo, Ian Sandborgh, Sara Khan, Rocco Del Mauro, Inez Christensen, Penelope Barry-Hoffman, Frank Sheppard, recipient of the June and Harry Ettinger Memorial Scholarship, and Helena Welch. Courtesy photo

Lynn Ovaska, Karyl Ann Armbruster and Ellen Mills present the Brian Easton Memorial Scholarship recipient, Cecilia Pratt, with ceremonial suspenders in honor of the late Brian Easton. Courtesy photo

Pictured are the Kristin Kosiewicz Substance Abuse Awareness Scholarship recipients (left to right) Steven Romero, Kayli Murphy, Irina Maiorov, Anna Mata, and Celia Pesiri. Courtesy photo

The LAPS Foundation is proud to honor all its scholarship winners for 2026. Courtesy photo

On Monday, May 18, the LAPS Foundation and Los Alamos community recognized the many outstanding recipients of this year’s local scholarships, honoring graduating seniors for their achievements, aspirations, and contributions.

Each year, local organizations, families, and individuals come together to offer a diverse range of scholarships designed to support students with varying interests, backgrounds, and future plans. These awards extend beyond academic excellence, also recognizing dedication to community service, commitment to career and technical education pathways, and pursuit of alternative post- secondary opportunities outside traditional four-year college programs.

The total amount awarded in current and renewal scholarships this year reached an impressive
$93,000, reflecting the community’s continued investment in its students and their futures.
The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation awarded multiple scholarships focused on areas such as community service, career and technical education, and the preparation of future educators. Notably, students receiving Foundation scholarships selected an “Educator of Distinction” from their time in Los Alamos Public Schools, honoring the meaningful impact of
educators alongside student achievement.

In addition to its own awards, the Foundation administered numerous scholarships on behalf of community members, including six new scholarships introduced this year.

Here is the complete list of LAPS Foundation direct scholarships winners, amount awarded, and of Distinction, where applicable:

● LAPS Foundation Student Board Scholarship, $1,500
○ Gyasi AttaFynn (Debbie Grothaus)

● Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation Community Service Scholarship, $1,500 each
○ Celia Pesiri (Audrey Juliani)
○ Zachary Sestric (Debbie Grothaus)
○ Tevita Funaki (Tacarra Lake) (Catherine Puranananda)
○ Emily Xu ( Michela Ombelli)

● Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation Career Technical Scholarship, $1,500 each
○ Steven Romero (Catherine Puranananda)
○ Kayli Murphy (Scott Pomeroy)
○ Justin Crane (Carol Bronisz)

● LAPS Foundation Future Teachers Scholarship – $2,000 each renewed annually for 4
years
○ Matthea Fung (Stephanie Abney)
○ Cara Gauss (Stephanie Abney)

Here is the complete list of memorial scholarship winners as well as amount awarded:

● Irene Boone Memorial Scholarship – $3,000 each renewed annually for 4 years
○ Trenity McCloskey
○ Dayja Fellers

● Sophia Feldman Memorial Scholarship – $3,000 each
○ Adia Fortin
○ Alyssa Sun
○ Anabel Irving
○ Noelle Judd

● June and Harry Ettinger Memorial Scholarship – $3,500 renewed annually for 2 years
○ Frank Sheppard

● Kristin Kosiewicz Substance Abuse Awareness Scholarship – $3,000 each
○ Celia Pesiri
○ Irina Mairov
○ Anna Mata
○ Steven Romero
○ Kayli Murphy

● Don Rokop Memorial Golf Scholarship – $1,000 total
○ Malin Eidenbenz
○ Sophia Saunders

● Ross and Lola Ramsey Memorial Scholarship – $1,000 total
○ Anya Seet

● Class of 1970 “Helping Hands” Scholarship – $1,500 total
○ Kayli Murphy

● Philip Walter Pellette Memorial Scholarship – $10,000 total
○ Dayja Fellers

● Rawan Alsaraj Scholarship – $1,000 total
○ Jillian Lewis

● Rojas Family Scholarship – $1,500 total
○ August Ovaska

● Be There for Los Alamos, the JoAnn Johnson Community Involvement Memorial
Scholarship – $2,500 total
○ Tevita Funaki

● Brian Easton Memorial Scholarship – $1,000 total
○ Cecilia Pratt

● Loc Truong Award – $500 total
○ Emily Xu

On behalf of the LAPS Foundation, congratulations to all our students! We are incredibly proud of your hard work and dedication leading up to graduation. Wishing you all the best and continued success in the exciting journey ahead.

About LAPS Foundation
The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that helps the local school district provide an extraordinary education for Los Alamos students. The Los Alamos community has given over $2 million to fund opportunities students and teachers would not have otherwise. To learn more about LAPS Foundation and how to get involved and/or make a donation, visit lapsfoundation.com or call (505) 500-6501. Donations to LAPS Foundation, a 501(C)(3) organization, are tax-deductible.