Mikey Aslam Scholarship recipient Isaac Gao. Courtesy photo
A planting in a garden bed that Mikey Aslam created for his Eagle Scout project will take place 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 at the Betty Ehart Senior Center. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
By BERNADETTE LAURITSEN
Executive Director
LARSO
The family of Mikey Aslam lost a light in their lives with his death in October 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,” the Aslam family said. “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 of 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,“ the Aslam family said.” 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 scholarship 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,” Cannon said. “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,” Gao said. “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!”
Gao is deciding between attending UC Santa Barbara or UC Davis. He hopes to study biology and attend medical school in the future. A teacher that meant a lot to him was AP Psychology and AP European History teacher Lynn Ovaska. Her lesson to work towards becoming intrinsically motivated instead of extrinsically motivated has touched a chord in his life to enjoy the process.
“My family was incredibly supportive throughout this process,” Gao said. “They were the ones that encouraged me to share my story with this scholarship committee and were the ones that introduced me to Boy Scouts.”
He also credits his incredible friends Josh Miko and Ignatius Kuropatwinski for having a huge impact on his life and who he is today.
“I am truly grateful for them and hope to impact the lives of people around me just like how they impacted mine. Just love the people around you and spread a bit of kindness!” Gao said.
A planting in the garden beds that Mikey Aslam created for his Eagle Scout project will take place at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 26 at the Betty Ehart Senior Center. Donations for the scholarship or garden project are still being accepted by “Champions of Youth Ambitions” at PO Box 4741 White Rock, NM 87547, place scholarship or garden in the memo line.
Mikey Aslam Scholarship recipient Maia Cannon. Courtesy photo