DAVIS SCHOL ARS
Kaylene Loretto
SCHOLARSHIP ENABLES 200 NEW MEXICANS TO EARN DEGREES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS BY SAM RITTER, DIRECTOR OF DAVIS NEW MEXICO SCHOLARSHIP
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nder the guidance of philanthropist and former Santa Fe Prep Board of Trustees member Andrew Davis, the Davis New Mexico Scholarship has become the largest private scholarship in the state for students who will be the first in their families to earn a college degree. Hosted at Santa Fe Prep, the scholarship is entering an ambitious phase of growth, propelled by Mr. Davis’s $20.5 million pledge, which will enable 200 New Mexicans to earn their degrees over the next three years. The heart and soul of the Davis New Mexico Scholarship is, of course, the scholars, whose passion for learning and creating a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities is what motivates them every day. Davis New Mexico Scholars are graduating college at an unprecedented rate—currently over 98% of our scholars have graduated on time—and coming back to New Mexico to drive our state forward. Aided by local photographer Brandon Soder, the Davis New Mexico Scholarship has been creating portraits of our students in order to showcase their promise, dedication, and hopefulness for the future.
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KAYLENE LORETTO SANTA FE HIGH ’16; LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY ’20
A McNair Scholar, Kaylene’s research focused on the distortion of history in the Fiestas de Santa Fe. Kaylene is also the founder and board member of the Indigenous Student Union on campus at LMU. “Through the research I’ve done,” writes Kaylene, “I’ve gained a deeper understanding as to how history and settler colonialism impact communities, and especially communities of color. What happened in the past is not static but instead has transcended through time and has real consequences. Gaining these understandings, I realized how important it is that students receive an education and curriculum that are holistic and representative of all voices, people, and cultures.” RAYANA BONNELL SANTA FE HIGH ’16; LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY ’20
Rayana is a biochemistry and theology double major. Deeply involved with the Bioethics Institute on campus, “Ray” has also mentored younger students through a variety of programs throughout her time at LMU. Ray shared her thoughts on how
PHOTO: BRANDON SODER
Checking in with Current Davis New Mexico Scholars