News Release

May 5 , 2006

Hispanic Employee Organization Awards $26,000 in Scholarships
to New Mexico Minority Students

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

Albuquerque: LLAVE, a non-profit Hispanic employee organization formed by PNM employees, recently awarded 26 scholarships to minority students to help them pursue their college educations.

The need-based scholarships were awarded to students who demonstrated a commitment to community service.

“Students who receive these scholarships have demonstrated through their active participation in community service that as they progress, they will also continue to support their communities and help others succeed as well,” said Vonnie Ulibarri, president of LLAVE. “The scholarships are about more than assisting students with their personal goals, they’re intended to get students to a point where they can help others.”

Each scholarship provides $1,000 to the students to help pay for tuition, books and other costs. Eligible students must be New Mexico residents who are at least one-quarter minority.

In the 11-year history of the LLAVE scholarship program, the group has awarded more than $150,000 to minority students.

The LLAVE scholarships are awarded to various categories of students, including high school students entering college, current college students and non-traditional returning students.

This year’s LLAVE scholarship winners were announced Thursday at an Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The winners are:

• Vanessa Michelle Anaya, Albuquerque, TVI
• Crystal Aragon, Albuquerque, TVI
• Elizabeth Brito, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico
• Mary B. Jiron, Albuquerque, Institute of American Indian Arts
• Matthew L. Sanchez, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico
• Matthew J. Pacheco, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico
• Audrey Ulibarri, Albuquerque, New Mexico State University
• Dina Kabotie, Bernalillo, Institute of American Indian Arts
• Daniel Garcia, Canjilon, University of New Mexico
• Tedoro Rodriguez, Chamisal, New Mexico State University
• LeRoy Romero, Chamisal, Wyoming Tech
• Matthew Vigil, Cundiyo, New Mexico State University
• Consuelo Garcia, El Rito, St. John’s College
• Roberto Valdez, Española, Northern New Mexico College
• Balamie Pick, Fairview, Northern New Mexico College
• Beatrice Martinez, Las Cruces, New Mexico State University
• Monique Young, Las Cruces, New Mexico State University
• Shantelle Quintana, Las Vegas, Highlands University
• Marcella DeAguero, Milan, New Mexico State University-Grants Beach
• Adria Cordova, Questa, University of New Mexico
• Niome Rosales, Ranchos de Taos, Highlands University
• Claudia Lopez, Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University
• Elijah Trujillo, San Juan Pueblo, Northern New Mexico College
• Joaquin Gonzales, Santa Rosa, Eastern New Mexico State University
• Rachel Escarsega, Sunland Park, El Paso Community College
• Juanita Romero, Yeso, University of New Mexico

PNM is a subsidiary of PNM Resources, an energy holding company based in Albuquerque, N.M. PNM provides electric utility service to 424,000 customers and natural gas service to 478,000 customers in New Mexico. The company also sells power on the wholesale market in the West. PNM Resources stock is traded primarily on the NYSE under the symbol PNM. For more information, see the company's Web site at PNM.com.