14 APS Seniors honored with 2015 Thunderbird Awards

Awards sponsored by Sandia National Labs provide $1,500 cash to students

Fourteen Albuquerque Public Schools seniors were among 20 area high school students receiving Thunderbird Awards from Sandia National Labs at a luncheon today.

The awards, which include $1,500 cash for each winner, are presented to students who have overcome adversity and are on track to graduate this spring.

Receiving awards and their schools are: Paul Lovato, Albuquerque High; Kayla Lucero, Atrisco Heritage Academy; Deven Peace, Atrisco Heritage Academy; Fabiola Contreras, Cibola High; Meredith Barrows, Eldorado High; Natasha Kreider, Eldorado High; Cassady Leonard, Freedom High; and Hidayatulla Alkozai, Highland High.

Also receiving awards are: Cassandra Wilson, La Cueva High; Lizbeth Beltran-Tadeo, Rio Grande High; Diana Ulibarri, School on Wheels; Bernadette Rodriguez, West Mesa High; and Salome Chavez, West Mesa High.

The students and their mentors were recognized this afternoon by Frederick Bermudez of Sandia National Laboratories.