School Board members Lauren Coupland (left) and Sondra Wyman presented the 2024 NMSBA Excellence in Student Achievement Award to Ali Semanision and Morrie Pongratz. Courtesy photo

LAPS News:

It’s time again for the community to submit nominations from the community for the New Mexico School Board Association’s (NMSBA) Excellence in Student Achievement Award. The Los Alamos Public Schools will accept nominations through Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.

This statewide award program, sponsored by NMSBA and presented by local school boards in New Mexico, seeks to promote student achievement and assist local school boards in recognizing school leaders, staff and other individuals who have played an important role in improving student achievement at the district level.

Nominees may include administrators, teachers, staff members, parents, community members or volunteers.

Submit nominations for the New Mexico School Board Association’s 2025 Excellence in Student Achievement Award using the form here.

The Los Alamos School Board will review the nominations and choose the final recipient. Winners will be announced at a School Board meeting in May.

Last year, the LAPS School Board received 52 nominations, over double the number from the year before. Los Alamos Middle School teacher Ali Semanision and community leaders Morrie and Cheryl Pongratz were the recipients of the 2024 New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) Excellence in Student Achievement Award.