St. Pius X High School Class of 2021
Presenting the 153 graduates of the St. Pius X High School Class of 2021 and the college choice of those who have decided.
Honoring the SPX Class of 2021
Outstanding Graduate Award
Charlie Woodcock
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.
Senior Choice Award
Felize Sanchez and Aidan Trujillo
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.
Principal’s Choice Award
Monica Penn
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.
Academic Awards
St. Pius X Class of 2021 Valedictorian
Charlie Woodcock
St. Pius X Class of 2021 Salutatorian
Benicio Gutierrez
St. Pius X Class of 2021 Top Ten
These students are honored for earning the best grade point averages in their class over four years of high school.
Gabriela Garcia
Sean Goodyear
Benicio Gutierrez
Marie Kalb
Lukus Lucero
Zachariah Peña
Danny Pham
Joshua Salas
Luke Waddoups
Charlie Woodcock
National Merit Scholarship Program
Luke Waddoups, Certificate of Merit and Advancement to Finalist
Zachariah Peña, Letter of Commendation
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 their scores on the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
National Hispanic Recognition Program
Zachariah Peña
Dominic Sais
Awarded by the National Hispanic Recognition Program and sponsored by the College Board. Entry for the award is based on scores from the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) taken as juniors.
Manuel Lujan Excellence in Education Scholarship
Joseph Sanchez
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
St. Pius X Academic Decathlon Team earned Third Place in National Competition and are New Mexico State Champions for the 20th time in 25 years. These seniors were recognized for their commitment to and performance with the team.
National French Contest
Benicio Gutierrez
Charlie Woodcock
Both earned Bronze medals in National Competition, placing 16th and 18th respectively. In state competition, Benicio placed 1st and Charlie placed 2nd.
Excellence in Social Studies Award
Charlie Woodcock
For excelling in the St. Pius X social studies program and exhibiting a passion for history and government.
Renaissance Award
Jordan Allard
Awarded to a student who has excelled in multiple areas of the visual and performing arts.
Special Recognition
Lukus Lucero
Acceptance into the University of New Mexico BA/MD program
Service Awards
Marcita Marek Award
Cecilia Calvo
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
Charlie Woodcock
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 and Orchestra Pin
For exemplary service to the St. Pius X High School Liturgical Choir and Orchestra.
Native American Leadership Award
Awarded to members of the St. Pius X Native American Club who demonstrate leadership in school and in their communities.
National Honor Society Officers
Athletic Awards
St. Pius X Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Marie Kalb
Zachariah Peña
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
Emma Donlin
Marcus Garcia
Demonstrating the highest skills, leadership, teamwork, coachability and work ethic of athletes in all sports.
Danny McKay Memorial Manager of the Year
Abigail McCoy
The award is given to a sports manager that most resembles the character and work ethic of Danny McKay.
Outstanding Sports Medicine Students of the Year
Given to the students who best represent what the sports medicine program is about.
U.S. Figuring Skating Gold Level Graduating Seniors Award
Rachel Bournias
The U.S. Figure Skating Graduating Seniors Award recognizes the hard work of student athletes who have participated in figure skating throughout high school and have shown continued commitment to succeeding in their athletic and academic endeavors.
