Silver City, NM - Sixth grade student Winter Lewis and her family were surprised with a special scholarship award presentation at Hurley Elementary on Thursday, April 7.

Western New Mexico University officials presented Lewis with a four-year scholarship covering tuition and housing in recognition of her recent accomplishments at the annual Hurley Elementary Science Fair.

Lewis was presented a certificate of acceptance to WNMU and a scholarship certificate by WNMU President Joseph Shepard at an assembly in front of her classmates.

"I was so grateful and happy to know that Western is paying attention to what is going on in the community," said Margaret Kessler, Hurley Elementary Principal. "She's a great student and is very deserving."

Lewis' father Roy Lewis and grandfather Roger Lewis were present at the ceremony. The scholarship will be catalogued in the WNMU Foundation, awaiting Lewis' enrollment in 2022.

"WNMU is excited to be in the community recognizing the talented youth in our local school districts," said Matthew Lara, Director of Admissions. "Winter Lewis is the exact type of student we want at Western."