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| Certificate of Merit Recipients 2002 |
June 10, 2002 |
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Education is one of the most critical and rewarding gifts we can give ourselves, and therefore, I feel it is crucial that I recognize those students who have demonstrated their ability to succeed in any situation. Every year, I award the Congressional Certificate of Merit to outstanding high school students in the First Congressional District of New Mexico. These are young men and women who have excelled during their academic careers and proven themselves to be exceptional students and leaders with their scholastic achievements, community service, and participation in school and civic activities. It is my pleasure to be able to recognize these outstanding students for their accomplishments. Their parents, their teachers, their classmates, the people of New Mexico and I are proud of them.
Certificate of Merit Award Winners 2002
Stacey Atma
New Futures High School
Emily Arzate
West Mesa High School
Jonathan Berg
Temple Baptist
Sean Blackshear
Mountainair High School
Nathan Bogue
Menaul School
David Cooper II
Cibola High School
Patrick Furlong
St. Pius High School
Leroy Garley Jr.
Moriarity High School
Sean Gill
Freedom High School
Eva Gonzales
Rio Grande High School
Anthony Herrera
Bernalillo High School
Kelsey Jackson
Del Norte High School
Heather Kaiser
La Cueva High School
Russell A. Ligon
Manzano High School
Julia Maccini
Sandia Prep High School
Katie Marconett
Albuquerque High School
Sonia Marinelarena
Career Enrichment
Eric Miller
Evangel Christian Academy
Jordan Miller
School on Wheels
Mitchell Eric Nelson
Hope High School
Chelsea Perino
Sandia High School
Joni Pinckard
Mountainair High School
John Reidy
Albuquerque Academy High School
Daena Richter
Eldorado High School
Solomon Romney
Valley High School
Brenda Solano
Evening High School
Each of these students is unique and has proven his or her ability to achieve far beyond the expectations granted to ordinary high school students. Take for example Sean Blackshear from Mountainair High School. Not only has Sean overcome learning disabilities to hold a 3.0 grade point average, rank 13th in his class, and excel in challenging courses such as physics and chemistry, but he gives back to his community as a volunteer firefighter. He has been involved in this program for the past five years, and is currently a first responder, providing basic life support to victims prior to the arrival of more advanced life sustaining means. Sean has demonstrated his ability to take his skills and talents beyond the classroom and use them to reach out and benefit those in his community.
Another such student is Julia Maccini, a senior from Sandia Preparatory School. “Julia is outstanding in everyway,” writes her counselor. She has a B average in challenging coursework and has served as class president twice. She aspires to be a professional writer, and has a deep interest in nature exhibited by the active leadership role she takes in her school’s Camping Associates. Julia lost her younger brother to cancer, and has devoted herself to helping others suffering the same pain and loss through her volunteer work at Camp Enchantment, a camp for children with terminal cancer. She is another student who has used her strength and gifts to help others in an extraordinary way.
Also, we desire to honor students who have succeeded against great hardship and odds. When Brenda Solano immigrated to the United States from Guatemala at age 14, she spoke no English. Now she is graduating first in her class at Albuquerque Evening High School. And she has accomplished this while raising six children as a single mother and working two jobs. Although this alone may seem overwhelming, Brenda has still found ways to give back in the classroom and in her community. She is a teachers’ aide, assisting other students with their homework and encouraging them to stay in school. Outside of school, Brenda volunteers at the San Felipe Pantry and Catholic Social Services, helping the elderly, disabled, and low-income families. She is truly an example of dedication, scholarship, and success, as are all these students.
I wish that I could include all their stories here, as each stands as a powerful testimony to the talent and motivation of the people that will become our nation and state’s future leaders. Not only do these students have remarkable academic records, but every one demonstrates a deep sense of compassion and responsibility for those around them. I am truly honored to present them with this award. |
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