Scholarship winners from left, Anastasija Draganic, Samantha Levings and Desere Martinez. Courtesy/Jessica Booton Photography

LAPSF News:

George and Joan Bjarke were longtime residents of Los Alamos and staunch supporters of education. A scholarship in their name is awarded annually to students who demonstrate good citizenship and the ability to successfully complete their selected degree or program.

This year’s winners are Los Alamos High School students Anastasija Draganic, Samantha Levings and Desere Martinez.

• Draganic will attend Portland State University in the fall where she plans to major in Economics;
• Levings is the daughter of Daniel Levings and Brandy Land. She will study Biology and Forensics at Eastern New Mexico University in the fall; and
• Martinez is the daughter of Santiago and Esperanza Archuleta. She will attend California State University in the fall where she will major in Biology.

The Bjarkes moved to Los Alamos in 1954 and raised six children, all of whom graduated from LAHS. George worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and served several terms on the School Board. George and Joan both believed every child deserves a chance to further their education.

The George and Joan Bjarke Scholarship is administered by the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation, an independent organization that that supports, challenges, and invests in a successful future for all Los Alamos public school students. Learn more at www.lapsfoundation.com.