Outstanding Graduate Award and Principal’s Leadership Award

Mia Kroeter

Using the motto of St. Pius X, “Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge,” St. Pius X faculty select a student whose life truly embodies these traits to name Outstanding Graduate. This is the highest award presented each year at the St. Pius X High School Senior Honors Convocation.

The Principal’s Leadership Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in school, community and campus ministry activities and has grown as a person academically, spiritually and in their love for St. Pius X High School.

Senior Choice Award

Alexandra Fiedler and Sean Pinon

Each year the seniors choose a young woman and a young man who represent the best of their class. Seniors are asked to vote for the two students whom they most respect and admire as good people and as good Christians, and are asked to consider the following qualities in nominating a peer from their class who represents the all-around ideal St. Pius student: intellectual integrity, respect and caring for peers, sensitivity, congeniality and leadership.

Academic Awards

St. Pius X Class of 2020 Top Ten

These students are honored for earning the best grade point averages in their class over four years of high school.

National Merit Scholarship Program

Tyler M. Johnston, winner; Monica T. Pareja, finalist; David Stotzer, semifinalist

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Approximately 1.6 million high school students, typically juniors, enter the program each year through the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).

National Hispanic Scholars

Awarded by the National Hispanic Recognition Program and sponsored by the College Board. Entry for the award is based on the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) taken as juniors.

Manuel Lujan Excellence in Education Scholarship

Heber Rios

As a twenty-year member of the United States House of Representatives, Manuel Lujan, Jr. saw the need to help young people with their college costs. A fund was established in his honor and an award of $500 per year renewable over four years is awarded to 24 graduating seniors from central New Mexico attending a New Mexico four-year college or university.

Academic Decathlon

Samuel Valenzuela and Logan Hooks

Seniors recognized for their commitment to and performance with the St. Pius X Academic Decathlon Team.

Excellence in Social Studies Award

D’Andra Leyba

For excelling in the St. Pius X social studies program and exhibiting a passion for history and government.

Renaissance Award

Samuel Valenzuela

Awarded to a student who has excelled in multiple areas of the visual and performing arts.

Service Awards

Marcita Marek Award

Amber Baker

The award is given to a young lady who embodies the qualities of athletic leadership and service valued by Marcita Marek, a physical education teacher at St. Pius X for many years.

Primo Contreras Award

Mia Kroeter and Logan Hooks

The award is given to students who have demonstrated joy in serving others on campus as well as outside the school community, a love of St. Pius X High School, and exemplary character.

Liturgical Choir Pin

For exemplary service to the St. Pius X High School Liturgical Choir and Orchestra.

DECA Scholarship

Vanessa Coriz and Jasmine Rivera

$1,000 scholarships for contributions to the St. Pius X DECA program for two or more years.

Chi-Rho Yearbook Award

Francesca Bell and Kaeley Chavez

For superior writing and organizational skills, maturity in solving problems, strong work ethic, and professionalism to help produce this important piece of school history.

Native American Leadership Award

Celeste Lucero and Vanessa Coriz

Awarded to members of the St. Pius X Ambassadors for Indigenous People club who demonstrate leadership in school and in their communities.

National Honor Society Officers

Athletic Awards

St. Pius X Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Miranda Pluemer and Ryan Schwaner

The recipients excel equally in both academics and athletics. The requirements for this award include being an honor student (3.5 GPA and above) and a varsity multi-sport athlete or a year-round varsity athlete of exceptional leadership and performance.

Athlete of the Year

Alexandria Esparza and Hayden Walker

The male and female recipients demonstrate the highest skills, leadership, teamwork, coachability and work ethic of athletes in all sports.

Danny McKay Memorial Manager of the Year

Amber Baker

The award is given to an individual that most resembles the character and work ethic of Danny McKay.

Outstanding Sports Medicine Student of the Year

Mason Ashcraft and Sierra Saenz

The award is given to students who best represent what the SPX sports medicine program is about.

Military Commitment

Logan Garcia, Army