AMERICAN GYPSUM COMPANY AWARDS UNM SCHOLARSHIP TO BERNALILLO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE

June 23, 2003

AMERICAN GYPSUM COMPANY AWARDS UNM SCHOLARSHIP TO BERNALILLO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE

The American Gypsum Company has awarded Bernalillo resident Rachel Gallegos a $2,500 scholarship to the University of New Mexico.

The scholarship is awarded annually to incoming UNM freshmen who graduate from Bernalillo High School with a 3.0 GPA or better and demonstrate financial need.

Gallegos was a member of the National Honor Society, served on the Class Committee and graduated with a 4.3 GPA.

Bernalillo High School principal Patrick Lopez informed Gallegos at graduation that he had nominated her for the award, she said.

"I was very happy because I really need the money. My parents were happy, too," Gallegos said.
Gallegos will attend UNM on Bridge and Lottery Scholarships and plans to study business at UNM, she said.

Ray Barnes, manager for the American Gypsum Company plant in Bernalillo, said the scholarship has been awarded for more than a decade "to give something back to the community. We like to help local students attend a good local university."

The company employs about 100 local residents and also operates plants in Albuquerque, Okla. and Colo.

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