Meet the 2001 Young Women of Promise

It is such a joy to read of the hopes, dreams, and accomplishments of young women! We are thankful for the reminder that life is wonderful, magical, hopeful, and bursting with possibility.

This year's Young Women of Promise are noted for their love of learning; their commitment to their families, friends, and communities; their appreciation of arts and nature; and their desire to have fun. It's wonderful to see how very different, yet alike, they are. We look forward to seeing what their and our futures will bring!

I would like to nominate Mindy Elaine Atkinson to be a Young Woman of Promise. Mindy is an exceptional teen. She has dedicated and shown during her high school years strong academic performance, outstanding leadership skills, high moral character, and Christian fellowship. Mindy is a well-rounded, sincere, helpful, and fun young lady. Mindy is well liked by both peers and teachers I know I will see more from Mindy in the future. She has shown that she has the character and will be a very upstanding, involved, and productive woman in the future.

-Rene McCoy

Mindy Elaine Atkinson, 18
Roswell, New Mexico
Parents: Herb and Marla Atkinson
School: Lubbock Christian University (Freshman)

Do you belong to any clubs or organizations?
I plan to join a Christian sorority in January. During high school, however, I was vice president of the ambassador singing choir, Satellites. I was also the Student Body parliamentarian my senior year and vice president of my junior class.

What is your favorite:
Food? Mexican
Magazine? Mode and People
Movie? The Wedding Planner
Singer? Lee Ann Womack and the Dixie Chicks

Do you have any work or volunteer experience?
During high school I was in a community service group called Assisteens of Chaves County. I gave 80 or more hours of service by the time I completed high school. Our projects furthered the beauty and cultural prosperity of our community.

Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy hunting and singing. Hunting is important to me because it is something that I do with my family. Singing is the other hobby that I really enjoy. I have been singing all my life, and I find that it is a good way for me to release stress as well as a way for me to worship God.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
I have several things that I am proud of in my life. I am proud of my grades; they haven't always come easy, but I work hard at them and it pays off. And I am thankful for the talent that God has given me of being able to sing.

Who is the woman who has most influenced your life?
Probably the most influential woman in my life is my mother. She has shown me that you can be a mom and work if you need to. She has taught me more about God and spiritual matters than anyone has. She is not just a great mom, but a great friend. Everything I have done in life, she has been there supporting me all the way.

The saddest thing in the world, to me, is to live a day without the knowledge of Christ's love for us. Reflecting on the recent events in our nation drives me to think a whole different way about what I feel needs to be changed. I can be a part of this change by praying for our nation and its leaders, as well as making sure that I, too, keep my eyes on Him.

I am proud to know Nicole Deller. She is a kind, generous, well-rounded young woman. She has many hobbies and interests including biology, soap box derby, and dog training. Nicole plays on a premiere soccer team while maintaining academic excellence. She is active in 4-H and involved in many community service projects. I know that Nicole will continue to be a person of great character!

- Cheryl Waddy

Nicole Deller, 13
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Parents: Ryan and Leslie Deller
School: Home school (8th grade)

What is your favorite subject in school?
Science/biology. I like animals and like learning about nature and wildlife.

Do you have any hobbies?
Training dogs, playing competitive soccer, drawing.

Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have many pets. Currently, I have three dogs, two guinea pigs, one bird, and two tanks of fish. Canyon is a male golden retriever. I primarily train him obedience and agility. India is a female yellow Labrador retriever, and Kaiser is my new 6-week-old Border Collie puppy. My guinea pigs, Havoc and Pacific, are about 3 years old. They both live outside and like to eat the grass. Jester is a female gray Cockatiel. She likes to whistle whenever she hears someone ring the doorbell. I take care of all of the animals at my house, because they're all mine.

What is your favorite:
Food: Salad and Taco Bell tacos
Color: Blue
Book, Movie: The Harry Potter series
Magazine: Sports Illustrated for Women, Twister

Do you belong to any clubs or organizations?
Sandoval County 4-H (treasurer); Rio Rancho Clovers 4-H Club (treasurer); and Rio Vista Samba, premier soccer team, (co-captain).

Do you have any work or volunteer experience?
Here is just a short list: In the last year, I planted a butterfly garden and worked on a pond at the Albuquerque Christian Children's Home with my home school group. I also completed a two week, working Junior Ranger's Camp at the Rio Grand Nature Center, where we studied how native plants are better for the animals and environment than non-native plants and weeds. We planted native plants such as buffalo grass and ring muhly. I also worked with the Parks and Recreation Assistant Superintendent to plan the playground at a local park. I am currently providing input on a second park in Rio Rancho that will have the largest play structure in the state, when it is complete.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
Selected to ODP and YOP (Olympic Development Program and Young Olympians Program) for New Mexico Youth Soccer Association.

Who is the woman who has most influenced your life?
My mom and my grandma. They both inspire me to do my best and what is right, no matter what anyone else might think.

What are your dreams for the future?
I would like to make the Women's National soccer team, be a professional animal trainer, and get a degree in science.

What changes do you believe are needed in the world?
Save the rainforests! Currently, I am working at the local level to improve our environment. When I get older, I will try to help stop rainforest destruction.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself, your family, your teachers, or your friends?
My family is very athletic, competitive and caring. My parents would like for all three of us (my brothers and me) to be well-educated, have a good job that we like, a good life, and a family in the future.

I hope that you will consider Clarisa for this award. The one word that stands out when I speak of Clarisa is "balance." She is a very well-rounded and poised individual who demonstrates maturity with common sense, incorporating that into her academic achievements while maintaining a positive attitude. She is aware that life is not always pretty and comes with obstacles, but no matter what may occur to discourage her, she always puts forth her best effort. Most importantly, she shows caring for others (both people and animals!). I am so very proud to be her mother and her friend.

- Clara Gallegos

Clarisa "Ris" Nicole Gallegos, 16
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Parents: Louis & Clara Gallegos
School: Rio Grande High School (Junior)

What is your favorite subject in school?
English-it gives me the opportunity to express myself in my writings.

What do you like to do for fun?
Hunting, dirt bike riding, skateboarding, music, playing pool, spending quality time with my boyfriend, James.

What / who is your favorite:
Food: Manicotti (Italian food)
Color: Black
Book: No specific book (I enjoy poetry by Edgar Allan Poe)
Singer: Tori Amos

Do you have any pets?
One dog, Siberian Husky (her name is D'arcy) - excellent personality, great temperament, gets along well with Dachshunds. Two Ducks (Pukie & Squeaks) - fun, but Squeaks can be loud. Two Red-Bellied Pacus (related to Piranhas).

What characteristics do you look for in a best friend?
Someone who I can depend on, thoughtful, considerate, intelligent. Also, someone who is truthful and down to earth, who I can really relate to.

Who is the woman who has most influenced your life?
The woman who has most influenced my life in my mother, Clara. For as long as I can remember, she has always been there for me. Not only is she my mom, but she is a great friend as well. We have a very close relationship She has brought me up to have high goals and expectations, so I may later on in life become very successful Not only has she greatly influenced my life, she's my hero!

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
In five to 10 years, I can see myself graduating from college with a Master's degree in psychology, while earning my Ph.D. and hopefully getting married I also would like to create a shelter for abused and lost dogs.

What changes do you believe are needed in the world?
I feel people need to learn how to treat others properly. It seems like common sense, yet the majority lacks it. I rarely run into friendly people. If I could, I would teach some type of seminar to help individuals with their people skills, in hope of it spreading to others.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself, your family, your teachers, or your friends?
I really want to thank my parents, Louis and Clara, for all the support they have always given me, as well as their guidance. I also appreciate all the efforts of my grandparents, Clovis and Florence Padilla (who are deceased), and Tony and Juanita Gallegos. Thanks to my sister, Stefanie, who will always be a true friend to me. Because of them, I am who I am

I heard about the Promising Young Women award on the radio and wanted to nominate my sister, Lauren Fisher, for the award. Lauren is a graduating senior at Santa Fe's Capital High School. She will be attending Hamilton College in the fall on a full scholarship. While in high school, Lauren was in the top 10 percent of her class, active in the CAPA arts program, the drama club, debate club, National Honor Society, government, and other school programs. She is also very involved in the Santa Fe community. In addition to holding jobs both at the GAP and Girls, Inc., Lauren also volunteers as a big sister at Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Lauren is a determined, conscientious, and goal-driven student, and she deserves this award.

-Travil Maril (Lauren's brother)

Lauren Fisher, 18
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Parents: Andrea Fisher Maril
School: Hamilton College (Freshman)

What is your favorite subject in school, and why do you like it?
Literature. I love to read and discuss novels.

What do you like to do for fun?
I like to play rugby and write.

Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy snowboarding because I love the view from high up in the mountains and I enjoy getting to know new people.

What / who is your favorite:
Food: Homemade lasagna
Color:Dark Red
Book, Magazine: Fox & Socks by Dr. Seuss. Newsweek

What characteristics do you look for in a best friend?
Honesty, integrity, a fun loving spirit, and a sense of humor.

What are your dreams for the future?
I want to graduate from Hamilton College and go on to law school. I'd like to work in the juvenile court system. I want to have a job that I love and be happy in everything I do.

Who is the woman who has most influenced your life?
My mother. She has been an incredible inspiration and has shown me that I can have it all: a family and a successful career. She perseveres through her own hard times and still manages to be there for me. She has always shown me that I can be and do anything that I want.

What changes do you believe are needed in the world?
The distribution of wealth needs to be changed. There are too many people that are raised to believe they deserve the position they are in, whether high or low. By mentoring kids, I can present an example of how determination can present opportunities to higher education and eventually a better-paying job.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10 years?
What will you be doing? I am not concerned at the moment with a 10-year plan. I hope only to live in the moment and to let the good things I do guide me to whatever future is meant to be mine.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself, your family, your teachers, or your friends?
I love my mom, my sister, and my brother very much. Even though I am far away, they remain in my thoughts every day. Thank you to Ms Ruth Holmes, Mr. Jay Pierson, and Mr. Andrew Rendon for making my years at Capital High successful and providing me with the opportunity to spread my wings.