Socorro County athletes Hailey Apachito and D’Shaun Vinyard have been recognized with scholarships from the New Mexico Activities Association Foundation.

Alamo’s Hailey Apachito received the Mario Martinez Memorial NMAA Extraordinary Participation scholarship.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain photos

Apachito plays basketball and volleyball for Alamo Navajo, and she received the Mario Martinez Memorial NMAA Extraordinary Participation scholarship, a $2,000 award from the Nusenda Credit Union.

The scholarship is awarded to athletes excelling in athletics, activities and academics in Class 1-2A schools.

Magdalena’s Vinyard is known for his flashy basketball and football moves, but the senior has the speed to burn, and track and field may very well be his college future.

Magdalena’s D’Shaun Vinyard received the Mike Mittelstaedt
Memorial Scholarship.

Vinyard’s Mike Mittelstaedt Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) is awarded to students excelling in cross country, track and field, and academics.

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

Approximately 200 students were nominated or submitted applications, with $51,500 distributed through 45 scholarships. There were 17 scholarship categories, 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 to support even more kids during these difficult times.

Russell Huffman | Assistant Editor