Los Alamos Alumni Scholarship recipient Isabella (Isa) Manzanares, LAHS Class of 2022. Courtesy photo

Artwork created by Isabella (Isa) Manzanares. Courtesy photo

LAHS News:

This year the Los Alamos Alumni Scholarship has been awarded to Los Alamos High School graduating senior Isabella (Isa) Manzanares Class of 2022.

Manzanares is the daughter of Michael and Sarah Manzanares of Los Alamos and will be attending Fort Lewis College in the fall. Her planned major is Art Education as she would like to be an Art Teacher for K – 12.

Manzanares finds her happiness and passion through her art and said that she wants to help others learn to find their happiness and passion through art as well. Another passion that she has is Cross Country running, which she hopes to pursue at Ft. Lewis as well.

Through high school she has usually worked two jobs while taking honors classes and maintaining a high GPA. Manzanares said that she is eager to continue her education and come back to New Mexico to help students grow and learn.

Manzanares said that she is proud of her New Mexico heritage as well. Before New Mexico was a state her ancestors settled in the northern mountains raising cattle and growing crops. She said that she feels very connected to the land and feels that it harbors both exceptional beauty and cruelty. Her family still clean their acequias and work the fields each year.

The Los Alamos Alumni Association began its scholarship giving in 1994. Since its inception the scholarship has grown in size from $500 to $3,000 for a graduating Senior. In 2019 the Association was able to give two scholarships. The scholarship is given to a senior who shows they have met the standards set by the Alumni Scholarship Committee.

Artwork created by Isabella (Isa) Manzanares. Courtesy photo