Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient Suzanne Lynne

From LLA:

The depth, breadth, kindness, and compassion in the leadership of our community often goes unrecognized, but Leadership Los Alamos (LLA) strives to bring contributions into clear focus.

The LLA Board of Directors at their May 16 event heralded three leadership categories:

• The Distinguished Alumnus Award;
• The Distinguished Leader Award; and
• The NextGen Leadership Award (for students 13-18).

Three such wonderful people were recognized for their work in our community.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award characterizes leadership activities that exemplify the highest levels of standards and achieved community significance.

This year’s Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient is Suzanne Lynne:

Lynne has been a leader in our community for many years, most notably in her roles as a school principal. Her principal duties have included roles at Chamisa and Los Alamos Middle School, and a stint at Mountain after her retirement, when they found themselves needing a principal as the school year began. Prior to her principal roles, Lynne was a teacher with Los Alamos Public Schools for 17 years.

After her term with Mountain, she was again pulled from retirement to lead a new district mentoring program for teachers experiencing their first year with the district. This new project was designed to assist new teachers with practices to help them acclimate to the district and become successful in their new roles.

Many who know her well, have noticed Lynne’s mastery of leadership skills in action. She is a strong communicator, listening carefully when others speak. It is apparent that she listens intently, not to prepare a response, but to understand the speaker more fully. This ability is seen with people of various backgrounds and ages. Lynne has often had the same passion as a speaker at the LLA Education sessions over the years.

One can imagine that her time has impacted hundreds if not thousands of lives of staff, parents, and students over many years of service. That was echoed in her volunteer efforts with the LAPS Foundation. She has served as a board member for several years and is now vice president of the board. She even takes the time to serve on multiple committees for the organization.

The Distinguished Leadership Award is presented to a group or individual who improves the quality of life for Los Alamos citizens and future generations.

Ken Nebel

This year’s Distinguished Leadership Award Recipient is Ken Nebel:

Nebel of Village Arts was recognized for his work and volunteer efforts throughout the community for decades. He was once described as the “Heart & Soul” of the community. Here are just a few of his noteworthy accomplishments.

He was with the Fuller Lodge Art Center for at least 12 years, keeping it open and relevant during the pandemic. He assisted with the merger of the Los Alamos Arts Center and Los Alamos Arts Council. He facilitated arts camps for youth and adults and today offers classes at Village Arts at a nominal charge.

He worked to kickstart the PRIDE activities in town (in June of 2018) and will continue this June. He wanted to make sure there were safe spaces in town for artists of all ages.

Another nominator called him an extraordinary leader who has significantly improved the quality of life for Los Alamos citizens through his dedication to the arts; his tireless work ethic and his commitment to community-building and leadership has made Los Alamos a better place for all.

A third stated his tireless volunteer efforts on behalf of the County Fair when taking in entries for the town and the County Extension Office. He spent many hours setting up exhibits, being a superintendent and later went on to judge at the County Fair as well.

Finally, The NextGen Leadership Award aims to celebrate young leaders for their achievements, fostering a culture of leadership and community engagement among youth.

Uxue Sansinena

This year’s NextGen Leadership Award recipient is Uxue Sansinena:

Graduating senior Sansinena has served in many capacities during her high school career to include LAHS Key Club, National Honor Society, the youth Kiwanis SW District and was a LAPS Foundation Board Member.

Her volunteer team projects included: a Fentanyl harm reduction event, which distributed 160 doses of Narcan locally while also raising $3,000 for the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board. She worked to help raise $4,000 toward wildfire relief efforts and participated in more than 20 service opportunities.

Sansinena served as a Legislative Intern working toward improving the middle school structure around New Mexico, including authorship of a committee report titled “Middle School: A Student-Centered Analysis”,  which required extensive research of middle school models at state and national levels.

Sanisnena was selected as one of two New Mexico delegates to the US Senate Youth Program, traveling to Washington, D.C. to participate.

She was a three-time Speech and Debate National Qualifier, spoke to a large group of adults at LAPSF’s Taste for Knowledge and ran one of the fundraising efforts. To round out her artistic side, Sanisnena made significant contributions to the arts community as a tenor saxophonist, earning six All-Region Honor Band and two All-State honors.