The Del Norte AlumKnights® awarded 2019 Drawbridge to Success Scholarships of $1,000 to seven students, Skilled Trades Scholarships of $1,000 to two students, and one Diane Riley Erickson Nursing Scholarship valued at $10,000, with students receiving $1,000 in the first year and increasing amounts in years 2-4 if they continue pursuing their nursing degree. All are graduating seniors from Del Norte High School with a history of service to their school and community.
Drawbridge to Success Scholarship
The Drawbridge to Success Scholarship provides one year of support to graduating seniors who are interested in pursuing postsecondary education at a New Mexico institution of higher education and are able to demonstrate an extensive record of service, as exemplified by their participation in both school-based and community-based activities. One of the 2019 scholarships honors long-time Del Norte teacher, coach and administrator Frank Love.
Lauren Dao
Attending UNM
What was your most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School?
My most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School is during my senior year when I became even more involved in clubs and community services. I met so many amazing people and bonded even more with the people I already knew. I was the treasurer for two clubs and it was an honor to be an officer for those clubs. Overall, so many memories were made during my senior year and I’m glad I was able to experience it at Del Norte High School.
What do you intend to study at your college or university?
I intend to study medicine in pre-pharmacy.
What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
After I graduate from college, I plan to attend pharmacy school. After pharmacy school, I hope to pursue my career as a pharmacist.
Monalisa Garcia
Attending UNM
What was your most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School?
I received the honor of being the first female captain in my JROTC unit. This is most memorable because it has taught me about responsibility and management skills. This has prepared me for the future as an adult.
What do you intend to study at your college or university?
I plan on studying criminal justice for my first degree and my second degree will be in nuclear engineering after my third active duty deployment.
What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
My plans are to serve in the United States Army on a full-time basis. My intentions are to serve 31 years, which will allow me to retire at age 49.
Mariam Hameed
Attending UNM
What was your most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School?
My most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte was when I got invited to join the National Honor Society because it was my first club/organization to join and I didn’t know what it meant at that time.
What do you intend to study at your college or university?
I want to major in biomedical to prepare me to get accepted into medical school and become a pediatrician.
What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
After I graduate from college, I will work in my career and keep my promise of working with the AlumKnights members to help DNHS students.
Zarafshan Popal
Attending UNM
What was your most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School?
My most memorable experience as a Del Norte High School was learning English. I started learning English slowly when I came to the United States. But Del Norte High School made the experience of learning English even better with all the amazing teachers and wonderful staff, and my classmates.
What do you intend to study at your college or university?
I would want to pursue a career as a doctor. Precisely a pediatrician. So in the University of New Mexico I will be intending to study a medical major.
What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
After I graduate from college I would like to finish my masters and PhD. And get a job in a medical field. I would like to also help with all the knowledge I got while studying a four-year degree.
Cristian Portillo
Attending CNM
What was your most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School?
My first memorable experience was finishing my junior year with a 3.00 GPA and above with a First Team – All District patch and varsity letter in baseball.
What do you intend to study at your college or university?
I want to study for a degree in marketing/business.
What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
After college I wish to become a market research analyst with a bachelor’s degree.
Matthew Romero
Attending UNM
What was your most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School?
My most memorable experience at Del Norte High School was running for the cross country team under coach Fred Polich and being able to run in the Nike Cross Regional Race in Phoenix, Arizona.
What do you intend to study at your college or university?
I intend to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico.
What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
After I receive my Bachelor’s degree I plan to continue my education with a postgraduate degree and get a job with one of the national labs or at a university.
Michelle Soto Saavedra
Attending UNM
What was your most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School?
My most memorable experience at Del Norte High school was joining tennis and becoming friends with a lot of students, especially exchange students. I met one of my best friends Kiki, she is from Japan. We enjoyed playing tennis with each other and comparing our cultures.
What do you intend to study at your college or university?
I intend to study Psychology at CNM and then transfer to the University of New Mexico. After my bachelor’s in Psychology, I will go to law school.
What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
After I graduate with my bachelor’s, I plan to continue working with my community. I plan to take a year off to be more active in helping the immigrant and refugee community and do some research about the trauma that happens when children transition from one country to another and are separated from their loved ones. Then, I plan to attend law school and serve oppressed communities.
Skilled Trades Scholarship
The Skilled Trades Scholarship provides one year of support to graduating seniors who are interested in pursuing a career-oriented, technical, or vocational program of study at a community college or trade school and are a able to demonstrate a commitment to working in a relevant career field.
Joshua Maddox
Attending CNM
What was your most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School?
My most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte is the moment I walked through the front doors and realized that I was starting a new chapter of my life at a great school, and same place my dad went to.
What do you intend to study at your college or university?
I intend to study welding for two years at CNM, and may go to Avondale, Arizona to attend UTI’s diesel mechanics program and specialize in Cummins motors.
What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
I hope to work for the City of Albuquerque or go to Farmington to work for OIC Rigs by welding pipelines.
Dianne Riley Erickson Nursing Scholarship
The Dianne Riley Erickson Nursing Scholarship provides up to four years of support to graduating seniors who are interested in pursuing a four-year post-secondary degree in Nursing anywhere in the United States and are able to demonstrate an exemplary record of service, academic achievement, and commitment to the Nursing profession. In college year one, the student receives $1,000 followed by increasing amounts in their college years two, three and four. The scholarship honors 1966 graduate Diane Riley Erickson who worked at numerous area hospitals.
Lizbeth Rios
Attending CNM
What was your most memorable experience as a student at Del Norte High School?
My most memorable experience as a Del Norte student was being part of the Spanish Honor Society. I had the honor of being the president of the club during my senior year. I loved helping others and doing different activities for the club. Most of the activities ended up putting a smile on someone’s face which was a great feeling to me. Another memorable experience was being one of my class’s top ten students which is a great honor.
Why do you want to pursue a career in the nursing profession?
I want to pursue a career in the nursing profession because I really enjoy helping others and I would love to be able to make a difference in someone’s life some day. This profession has many fields you can work in which I’m really looking forward to. I’m excited to learn new things each day and help others in need.
Donation Information
If you are interested in supporting future AlumKnights Scholarship awards, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to AlumKnights, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
To donate, simply press the “Donate” button below.
You can also mail us a check. Just make the check payable to “AlumKnights, Inc.”, complete our AlumKnights Donation Form and mail it and the check to:
AlumKnights, Inc.
P.O. Box 93056
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87199
When you purchase either a small or large brick for the Del Norte Legacy Brick Garden, the proceeds go to the scholarship fund. A portion of the cost is tax deductible. For more information, visit our Brick Garden Fundraiser page.
Send inquiries to treasurer@alumknights.info