From left, Lynn Ovaska, Karyl Ann Armbruster, and far right, Ellen Mills present ceremonial suspenders to Brian Easton Memorial Scholarship recipient Cecilia Pratt honoring the late Brian Easton. Courtesy/LAPS Foundation

Friends of Los Alamos County Libraries Scholarship recipients 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/LAPS Foundation

LAPS Foundation News:

The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation (LAPS Foundation) and the community recognized the many outstanding recipients of this year’s local scholarship awards, honoring graduating seniors for their achievements, aspirations, and contributions, during a special ceremony on Monday, May 18, at Duane Smith Auditorium.

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.

The 2026 LAPS Foundation direct scholarship winners, amount awarded, and Educators 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)

The 2026 memorial scholarship winners and amounts 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 Shepard
• 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 the 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.

Kristin Kosiewicz Substance Abuse Awareness Scholarship recipients from left, Steven Romero, Kayli Murphy, Irina Maiorov, Anna Mata, and Celia Pesiri. Courtesy/LAPS Foundation

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