NMAA Foundation to award $93,000 in student scholarships

The New Mexico Activities Association announced the recipients of the 2025-2026 NMAA Foundation Scholarships.

The NMAA Foundation recognized most of the students receiving these scholarships during the Nusenda Credit Union State Basketball Championships. Some will also be honored during the NMAA State Spirit or Spring Championships.  

Close to 650 scholarship applications were received, with a total of $93,000 being distributed through 67 different scholarships. It was the inaugural year for the Sally Marquez NMAA Extraordinary Participation Scholarship – Presented by Nusenda and the Mike Phipps Never, Never, Never Give Up Scholarship.

There were 29 scholarships offered, with one being the special Together We Rise Scholarship that was created in 2020-2021 due to the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic and continued indefinitely by the NMAA Foundation Board of Directors.

Here is a list of local student athletes honored by NMAA: 

Sally Marquez NMAA Extraordinary Participation Scholarship - Presented by Nusenda Credit Union ($2,000)

Sofia Amato, Las Cruces

Charlotte Dennis, Mayfield

Gary Tripp NMAA Extraordinary Participation Scholarship - Presented by Nusenda Credit Union ($2,000)

Olivia Zamora, Hatch Valley

Dan and Lucille Wood / Grey Gladiator Athletic Scholarship - Presented by Dion’s ($1,000)

Luke Matherly, Centennial

We Go Above. So You Can Go Beyond. Scholarship - Presented by Bank of Albuquerque ($2,000)

Ava Drew Gonzales, Las Cruces

Compete with Class Sportsmanship Scholarship – Presented by Nusenda Credit Union ($1,000)

Gavin Findley, Silver

Austin Denton Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Annabella Romero, Alamogordo

Bloom Where You Are Planted – In Memory of Dr. Karen Trujillo Scholarship ($1,000)

Marfyll Alcala Cisneros, Hatch Valley

Together We Rise Scholarships ($1,000), presented by New Mexico Sol

Jacie Caldwell, Mesilla Valley Christian

The NMAA Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was set up in 2007 to support the many students that participate in high school athletic and activity programs across New Mexico. The funds raised by the Foundation are used for student scholarships and school grants/support.