LAPS Foundation Recognizes 2025 Scholarship Winners, Educators Of Distinction

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on July 29, 2025
- 7:26 am

Uxue Sansinena and Margo Batha. Photo by Jessica Booton

Michael Bane and Jovita Mowrer. Photo by Jessica Booton

LAPSF News:

The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation proudly awarded four different types of scholarships this year to graduating seniors from Los Alamos High School. Among them is a newly established scholarship recognizing the senior who has previously served as a student member on the Foundation’s board. The Foundation also continued its tradition of awarding Community Service Scholarships to students who have made meaningful contributions to the schools and the broader community of Los Alamos.

Additionally, one scholarship was awarded to a student pursuing a career in a technical field. Another new offering this year is the Future Teachers Scholarship, created to support a senior planning to enter the field of education.

As part of each of the Foundation scholarships, the student recipient names an Educator of Distinction, someone who has had a positive impact on the student during their time in Los Alamos Public Schools. The Foundation celebrates the Educators of Distinction along with the scholarship recipients.

Congratulations to Uxue Sansinena, the LAPS Foundation Student Board Member Scholarship recipient.

Uxue is the daughter of Virginia Olazabal and Jose-Maria Sansinena and will attend Columbia University, majoring in political science and pre-law. Uxue served as a student member of the LAPS Foundation board from spring 2023 until spring 2025. Student board members serve an important role on the Foundation board, not only participating as a volunteer for the many projects and programs of the Foundation but also providing feedback and expressing ideas from the student perspective about how the Foundation can positively impact the school district. Uxue selected Margo Batha as her Educator of Distinction.

Congratulations to the following four Community Service scholarship winners and their Educators of Distinction:

Michael Bane is the son of Michelle and Scott Bane. Michael will attend the United States Air Force Academy and major in aeronautical engineering. Michael selected Jovita Mowrer, LAHS physics teacher, as Educator of Distinction. Michael wrote “Beyond her skill as a teacher, I was acutely aware that Ms. Mowrer loved her students and her job. . . Ms. Mowrer’s passion for education, individualizing her instruction when needed, and skill in meeting the needs of all learners was evident in each lesson. . . As her student-intern, I was able to hone my skills with organization, time management, grading, tutoring, and giving feedback. She prepared me with valuable on-the-job skills.”

Isabella Blair is the daughter of Michael and Melissa Blair. She will attend Fordham University and major in political science and pre-law. Isabella chose Lynn Ovaska, AP Psychology teacher, as Educator of Distinction. Blair wrote that Mrs. Ovaska “is someone who goes above and beyond to make her students feel loved, supported, and worthy. . . She created opportunities that forever changed my perspective on the world. . . I aspire to be as giving and compassionate as she is. I will always be grateful for the way she has changed my life and, more importantly, for showing me that I am worth it.”

Xiarin “Jonathan” Chen is the son of Yang Jin and Yue Chen. He will attend Rice University to study electrical and computer engineering. Jonathan selected two Educators of Distinction, Michela Ombelli and Michelle Rosette. In his essay about Ms. Ombelli Jonathan wrote that she “is an educator whose passion for teaching transformed my understanding of learning. . . From her, I learned that school is not merely a place to accumulate grades, but a platform for expanding one’s mind, overcoming setbacks, and cultivating resilience. Her unwavering dedication to nurturing critical thinking and academic growth has forever altered my educational journey.” In his essay about Ms. Rosette, Jonathan wrote, “A mentor’s true legacy is written in their students’ courage. Ms. Rosette’s greatest gift has been her unwavering faith in the unseen. She taught me to measure success not by comparison to others, but by refining my own voice. This mindset—of using myself as the only competition—has become my compass, guiding me through auditions, academics, and even moments of self-doubt. In a world eager to define us by rankings and labels, she showed me that growth is a quiet, relentless act: one note, one step, one day at a time.”

Hyunoo “Hayden” Kim is the son of Minsung Chae and Seungjun Kim. Hayden will attend the United States Naval Academy and study nuclear engineering. Hayden chose Chief Aron Ayers, his NJROTC instructor as Educator of Distinction. He wrote, “Getting to know and learn from Chief Ayers was an experience that solidified the meaning of many important virtues, such as integrity, honor, and discipline. . . Chief Ayers showed me that while a leader is tasked with meeting multiple goals, the well-being of their people sits at the core of their priorities. . . Chief Ayers is my Educator of Distinction because of his enormous positive impact on my aptitude as a leader and a person of character.”

Congratulations to the following Career Technical scholarship winner and Educator of Distinction:

Elijah Duran is the son of Bernadette Gutierrez. He will attend Santa Fe Community College and major in culinary arts. Elijah selected Melinda Atkinson as Educator of Distinction. Elijah wrote, “Ms. Atkinson emphasized the importance of mastering the basics. She didn’t just hand us recipes; she taught us the ‘why’ behind every technique. . . Ms. Atkinson has been more than an educator to me; she’s been a mentor who helped shape my path in culinary arts. Her lessons in technique, her endless encouragement, and her dedication to teaching have all played a huge role in where I am today. I am deeply grateful for everything she’s taught me, and I carry those lessons with pride every time I step into a kitchen.”

Congratulations to the following Future Teachers scholarship winner and educator of distinction:

Harmony Gutierrez is the daughter of Francine and Daniel Gutierrez. She will attend New Mexico Highlands University and major in education. Harmony selected Ellen McBee as Educator of Distinction. Harmony wrote in her essay, “Ms. McBee was a nice role model for me. With her help, I never gave up on school. She has been there for me since I was a Freshman and she has always helped me throughout my school years. She believed in me so much I’m just really thankful I could have a teacher like her.”

LAPS Foundation is honored to award scholarships to these outstanding graduates and to recognize the teachers who have made such an important impact on their lives.

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.

Isabella Blair and Lynn Ovaska. Photo by Jessica Booton