News Release

Aug. 14, 2001

PNM Awards $1,000 Scholarships to 12 Hispanic Students

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

Albuquerque: PNM, Public Service Co. of New Mexico, has recognized the efforts and abilities of 12 Hispanic college students, awarding each a $1,000 scholarship.

The recipients of the PNM Hispanic Heritage Scholarship are all Hispanic New Mexico residents enrolled in or accepted to study at an accredited college, university, community college or vocational school in New Mexico. Many have overcome adversity in order to pursue an education. This year's recipients include:

• Rose Marie Alonzo. Alonzo is working on a bachelors degree in university studies at the University of New Mexico (UNM) Gallup Branch. Her goal is to become an art therapist.
• Michelle Artiaga. Artiaga is working on a certificate in elementary education at UNM's Valencia campus. She plans to use music as a tool to bring together the various people and cultures in her community.
• Danielle Avalos. Avalos attends New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Alamogordo, where she plans to earn bachelors and masters degrees in criminal justice. After graduation, she plans to become a juvenile probation officer.
• Lorenzo Finci. Finci attends UNM, where he is pursuing a double major in biochemistry and physics. He works as a volunteer at UNM's trauma center, and his current plans are to pursue a career in medicine.
• Ivonne Flores-Medieros. Flores-Medieros is a student at UNM, where she is double-majoring in Spanish and speech and hearing services. She plans to work with monolingual and bilingual people who have speech and learning disabilities.
• Amanda Garza. Garza is a graduate of NMSU, where she studied communication disorders and Spanish. After completing graduate school, Garza plans to pursue a career in speech-language pathology.
• Maria Lily Guadalupe Howsman. Howsman currently attends Mesa Technical College to prepare for a career in social work. She has five children, one of whom is a pre-med student at Ohio State University.
• Tania Martinez. Martinez is a graduate of NMSU, where she earned a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences with honors. She returned to NMSU for graduate studies in business administration, with as focus in information technology.
• Stevie J. Plane, Sr. Plane is a senior at NMSU, where he is double majoring in biochemistry and chemistry with minors in Spanish and medical biology. He plans to be a cardiologist.
• Paul Quintana. Quintana, a graduate of Sandia High School, plans to study business at UNM.
• Teresa C. Valenzuela. Valenzuela graduated from NMSU with a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in reading with a bilingual endorsement. She has worked as a bilungual teacher for 10 years and now plans to study for a doctorate in education.
• Veronica Villalobos. Villalobos is a student at the Dona Ana Branch Community College in Las Cruces, where she is working toward an associate's degree in water technology. She plans to transfer to NMSU's main campus to study civil engineering or hydrology.

Scholarships are awarded in four categories: High Achiever, an individual with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; Potential Achiever, an individual with a grade point average between 2.0 and 2.9; Non-Traditional/Returning Student, an individual who has faced major adversity in his or her educational career; and Graduate Student, an individual who is enrolled in a minimum of six hours in a graduate program and has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. 

Each scholarship recipient must meet criteria such as commitment to Hispanic progress and development, involvement in local community groups or organizations, personal qualities and strengths, specific academic standing, and financial need.

"New Mexico is lucky to have such talented and committed citizens," said Pat Ortiz, PNM Executive Vice President. "PNM is proud to help these deserving students pursue their educational dreams. We believe they will continue to give back to their communities and become New Mexico's leaders of tomorrow."

Applications for the PNM Hispanic Heritage Scholarship are evaluated by a panel of Hispanic civic and business leaders. This year's judges included: James Gallegos, local CPA; Margarita Wilder of Univision 41; Bernalillo County Commissioner Ken Sanchez; Christine Trujillo of MANA de Albuquerque; Frances Apodaca-Gandara, LULAC; John Avila, Case de Avila; Miguel Gomez, Albuquerque City Council office; Monica Armenta, KOB-TV; Patricia Chavez, consultant; Larry and Pearlene Garcia, McDonald's and Pam Schneider, Rick Johnson & Co.

"We appreciate the dedication of these community leaders in evaluating the scholarship applications," said Manuel Quintana, a PNM business manager who served as chairman of the scholarship selection committee. 

The PNM Hispanic Heritage Scholarships are donated through PNM's community relations budget, which is funded by shareholder dollars. This is the twelfth year the scholarships have been awarded.