AYWISTEM Scholarship Recipients

NMOST’s

AYWiSTEM Scholarship Recipients

Current Recipients

This year, the New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network is pleased to award Advancing Young Women in STEM scholarships to 12 incredible women. Their pictures and bios are below in alphabetical order. Congratulations to our awardees!!

Maia Gregson

My name is Maia Gregson, and I am graduating from La Cueva High School, ranked within the top 10 number of graduates. In the Fall, I plan on attending Texas A&M pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on Cell and Tissue Engineering. In the long term, I aspire to pursue graduate degrees and hopefully conduct my own research and advance the field of Tissue engineering. I am a National Merit Finalist, varsity soccer player, and a 2-year Materials Science intern at Sandia National Laboratories. I have been interested in STEM ever since I was young, but really took my first steps in 6th grade under the guidance of my math teacher. She inspired me to pursue a career in engineering, inviting me to various STEM camps across New Mexico, my favorite which was Tech Trek. As one of two female commanders in my MCJROTC program, and a Physical Training Captain who led the La Cueva Female PT team to win 1st at State two years in a row, I also hope to inspire others to be unafraid and pursue their dreams. Besides engineering, I also enjoy the outdoors, dogs, music, and cooking new recipes. I'm very grateful to NMOST for this scholarship that will help me reach my dream and help people worldwide!

Kailey McCann

Kailey McCann is a 2023 graduate of The ASK Academy in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where she grew up. She is currently attending Eastern New Mexico University, pursuing a degree in Forensic Science as well as a minor in Criminal Justice. She is an intern of the Jones Forensic Anthropology Lab and continues to gain valuable experience in the field of forensic science beyond her studies. She would like to thank her mother for always ensuring a rich education and credits her with her passion for science. She is extremely thankful for the NMOST scholarship and the opportunity to continue her education into the field she loves.

Maya-Rae Montana

Hello, my name is Maya-Rae Montana. I’m currently a senior at Amy Biehl High School. I’ve done four years of volunteer work and community outreach through Amy Biehl’s Service Days. I’ve given hundreds of volunteer hours to homeless shelters, animal shelters, food banks, farms, elementary schools and the city of Albuquerque's conservation program. Ever since I was a little girl, growing up immersed in small, local organic farms, I’ve been fascinated and intrigued by science. It has always been my subject of interest, especially biology and chemistry, and now that I have completed my senior project under the mentorship of a farmer in Albuquerque’s South Valley, I have deepened my passion for science with the specialized field of the gut microbiome, especially its relationship with nutrient dense food grown in healthy, microbially diverse soil. I’ve conducted experiments and research on the gut microbiome, and I am eager to continue doing so when I attend UNM in the fall. I am a competitive climber for New Mexico Mojo and I love to run, bike, ski, swim, and backpack whenever I can. I am so grateful to receive this scholarship, and I’m excited to continue being a young woman pursuing STEM as a lifelong career in a male dominated field.

Emmie Navarrette

Emmie Navarrette was born and raised in Carlsbad, NM, where she will be graduating in the top 1% of her class from Carlsbad High School in May 2025. She will be attending New Mexico State University to pursue a degree in Genetics and Genomics, an adventure she is very excited to begin. Emmie has always had a passion for science, however fell in love with genetics after reading Jurassic Park, which sparked an interest in numerous books on the subject. Emmie has been a member of the MESA program since her freshman year in high school where she concentrated on competing in the VEX Robotics competitions in Albuquerque with her team. She has been nominated as the American Association of University Women girl of the month in September, and received an award for outstanding excellence all four years of high school. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and a trumpet captain in the Carlsbad marching band and varsity band. Emmie is very grateful to receive the NMOST scholarship and will put it to good use as she pursues her degree, which she eventually hopes to use in advancing genetic engineering in agriculture and disease research.

Halima Noori

I am originally from Afghanistan and moved to New Mexico in 2021 as a refugee. Coming from a country where many girls and women are denied the right to education, I feel incredibly fortunate to be continuing my studies here in the United States. My experiences have made me passionate about helping others, especially those who face barriers to opportunity. I am currently studying Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting at the University of New Mexico. I’ve worked in customer service roles at Alorica and Concentrix, assisting clients in the banking and healthcare industries. I also serve as a Dari-English interpreter for Lutheran Family Services, helping newly arrived refugee families navigate their new environment. These roles have helped me build strong communication and problem-solving skills.On campus, I plan to join the Student Activities Program and participate in clubs focused on leadership, service, and professional development. I am especially committed to representing women from underrepresented backgrounds in higher education and the workforce. My long-term goal is to become a certified public accountant (CPA) and use my knowledge to support small businesses and give back to my community. As someone who comes from a place where girls are often denied the basic right to learn, being part of this scholarship means everything to me. It’s not just about my own education, it's about honoring those who still don’t have this opportunity and using my voice to advocate for change.

Deana Orosco

Hello, my name is Deana Orosco. I am from Deming, New Mexico and have lived here my whole life. This spring I will graduate from my Early College High School with both my High School Diploma and my Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. I will be furthering my education and will be attending NMSU pursuing a bachelors in biology. Ultimately my end goal is to become a Physician in Pediatrics. I never considered a career in STEM for a majority of my life, I was actually leaning towards going into the art field. But after needing to be hospitalized after a horseback riding accident and was able to witness so many women in healthcare. Witnessing their kindness and drive to their practice inspired me to want to follow in their footsteps. Apart from this I strive to be an active member in my community through National Honor Society and 4-H. I have also been a barrel racer for these past six years and love every aspect of my sport. I also enjoy reading and drawing whenever I can. I am forever fortunate and grateful in receiving this scholarship, and congratulations to all of the other winners.

Alisa Quach

Alisa Quach is a senior from Eldorado High School and an accomplished advocate for women in STEM. As the co-founder of the Women in STEM Club at Eldorado, Alisa has worked tirelessly to create a supportive and empowering community for young women throughout her school who are interested in pursuing careers in STEM. Beyond her leadership in this initiative, Alisa has been an active participant in a wide range of extracurriculars, including String Orchestra, Key Club, National Honor Society, Best Buddies, and Somos Medicos, a medical Spanish club. Through these extracurriculars, Alisa has honed her leadership skills, deepened her commitment to volunteerism, and fostered inclusivity and support within her school community. In addition to her extracurriculars, Alisa also participates on her school’s varsity dance team, La Cuadrilla. With her strong academic background, Alisa has also earned her recognition as a 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate. She will graduate as the valedictorian of the Eldorado High School class of 2025 and will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a degree in Statistics and Data Science in the fall. Alisa plans to specialize in astrostatistics, combining her love for data with her fascination with space, and conduct research in analyzing astronomical data to help advance our understanding of the universe.

Erica Reed

Erica Reed is currently a junior at Navajo Preparatory School and will be graduating in May of 2026. She plans to major in Astrophysics. Since elementary school, Erica has been passionate about astronomy and continues to nurture that interest. Her love for STEM began at a young age, but her fascination with astronomy truly took off during a school project where she researched and wrote about a historical figure. Erica chose scientist Katherine Goble Johnson, who deeply inspired her. As a young Navajo woman, Erica found empowerment in Johnson’s legacy, a woman of color who made significant contributions to the STEM field. Erica eagerly takes part in every STEM-related opportunity. She participated in Robotics during her freshman and sophomore years and is now an active member of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, where she competes in STEM-based challenges. Erica is truly grateful for the NMOST scholarship, which supports her dream of pursuing a career in astronomy.

Alexandra Romero

Alexandra Romero is a graduating 2025 senior at Taos High School. She has an interest in STEM and hopes to obtain a bachelor's degree in a medical field. Throughout high school she has maintained an unweighted GPA of 4.0 and is within the top 10% of her class. Beyond academic achievements, Alexandra is actively involved in volunteering, National Honor Society, Ski Club, and other summer programs. Being in UBMS (Upward Bound Math Science) and HCA (Health Careers Academy) helped Alexandra explore the STEM field by hearing from experts in their field. Combining her hobby of art and interest in STEM, she has taken an Artistic Anatomy class in which her artwork pieces have been displayed at a local art gallery. Being from a rural area many can be unsure if they can successfully achieve a STEM career, Alexandra hopes she can help be an example to others with the help of the NMOST scholarship!

Isabella Romero

Hi, my name is Isabella Romero and I will graduate from Albuquerque Academy in May 2025. This fall, I will be attending Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, on the pre-med track. Since I was a young girl treating my stuffed animals’ “injuries,” I’ve been drawn to medicine. As I grew older and had the opportunity to explore the field through classes, camps, and shadowing healthcare professionals, that childhood curiosity turned into a true passion. My room is lined with anatomy posters and models of hearts and brains. In my free time, I perfect my sutures on a silicone mat and research my persistent questions about the human body. Throughout high school, I’ve taken over 15 STEM-related courses, including four AP and five Advanced classes. I am Captain of both the Girl’s Varsity Track and field team and the Cheer team. I’m also involved in Chargerthon—a club dedicated to raising money for UNM’s children's hospital—additionally HOSA and shadowing health professionals at local clinics. I am incredibly grateful to have received this scholarship from NMOST. It is making a huge difference for my family and me. I hope to continue the legacy of this scholarship in college by empowering other young females and making a lasting difference.

Liyana Yeahia

Liyana Yeahia is a high school senior at the Digital Arts and Technology Academy in Albuquerque, NM. As a dual-credit student, she completed the first year of her computer science degree and plans to double major in computer science and nursing at the University of New Mexico as a Woodward's Scholarship recipient. Liyana gained hands-on experience as an IT technician intern at her school, quickly rising to the role of assistant manager. Her passion for technology extends to her involvement in FIRST Robotics and her commitment to coding programs like Girls Who Code, where she earned multiple certifications in web development, data science, and cybersecurity. Liyana is also deeply engaged in STEM outreach and innovation. She actively participated in programs like the Air Force Research Lab STEM Scholars Camp and Los Alamos National Laboratory's Summer Physics Camp for Young Women. She is determined to inspire other young women to pursue careers in STEM and healthcare, embodying her vision of making a meaningful impact across diverse fields.