Sandia High Graduate Gets National Recognition

Council of the Great City School Awards Scholarships for Math, Science

July 28, 2010

A recent graduate of Albuquerque Public Schools Sandia High School was among the four inaugural winners of the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science scholarship awarded by the Council of the Great City Schools. The award was given to two Hispanic and two African American graduates in some of America’s largest urban school districts to encourage their pursuit of technology-related degrees.

Laura Montoya, who graduated in May from Sandia High, joined two recent public schools graduates from Florida and one from Texas in each receiving a $5,000 scholarship to continue their education in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

The scholarship is named after former NASA astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., who came from humble beginnings to become the first African American to walk in space. The winners were selected from more than 400 applicants and are being awarded on their academic successes and future plans as well as their leadership and civic responsibility.

“We are pleased that a national organization like the Council of the Great City Schools has recognized one of our own bright, talented students,” said APS Superintendent Winston Brooks. “Congratulations to Laura, her family and the faculty at Sandia High who have played important roles in Laura’s education and in the education of so many students like her.”

Montoya plans to study chemical engineering at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology this fall. At Sandia, she was vice president of the Key Club and a member of Science Olympiad, the chemistry club and the science fair, and she interned at Sandia National Laboratory.

"We are proud of the winners of this highly competitive scholarship program," said Council Executive Director Michael Casserly. "These young men and women will be able to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow thanks to the generous support of ExxonMobil and the encouragement of Dr. Harris."

Administration of the scholarship program – including the application process, selection and presentation of awards – was provided by the Council of the Great City Schools. Students from member districts of the Council of the Great City Schools were eligible to apply.

The Council of the Great City Schools is the only national organization exclusively representing the needs of urban public schools. Its members include 65 large city school districts including APS.

Read more about the award and the winners >>