Young Ladies Embracing Success
Malakah Martinez, Nursing Her
Dreams through Adversity
Anwi Fomukong
Harnessing Star Power
By Eugene Byerly
By Eugene Byerly
Malakah Martinez
is a recent graduate of Del
Norte High School, and next
year she will be attending
Adams State University, in
Alamosa, Colorado, where
she has received an athletic
scholarship in track and
field.
Throughout her high
school years, Malakah has
been very active in athletic competition. In her freshman
and sophomore years she was an accomplished athlete
competing in track and field, basketball, and soccer.
However, during her junior year, tragedy struck,
as Malakah suffered a knee injury during the basketball
season. According to Malakah, not only was it a physical
strain on her, but it was mentally and emotionally draining
as well. After sitting out the remainder of her Junior year,
Malakah had this to say about her return for her Senior
year of competition. “It took me a while to mentally feel
that I could compete after the injury. Although I was
told that my knee was ready for competition, I had my
doubts about being able to accelerate and maneuver as
successfully as I did before the injury. Upon completing a
rigorous basketball season, I gained confidence that I was
completely recovered, and believed I was 100% ready to
compete in the upcoming track season.”
Following her injury, Malakah also decided it would
be a smart move to reduce her athletic workload, so she
dropped soccer from her list of competitive activities.
Then a determined Malakah approached her Senior year
with a vengeance, setting out to prove she was back.
And indeed, she presented a strong case. Malakah was Anwi Fomukong is a
sophomore at Rio Rancho
High School. Last year, she
had the honor of serving
as the Freshman Class
President and will also be
serving as the Sophomore
Class President during the
upcoming school year.
Anwi has enjoyed being
part of the student council
since middle school.
While at Lincoln Middle
School, Anwi was a Representative in her 6th and 7th
grade classes. In 8th grade, she ran for Lincoln’s student
body president and won.
Anwi Fomukong has been a member of the Rio
Rancho High School varsity track team since she
was in the 8th grade. This year as a freshman, she
experienced her first year of competition in the New
Mexico Activities Association State Track Meet. Anwi
competed as a member of the school’s 6A medley relay
where she and her teammates placed 2nd. This is a
great feat for a young lady who has already laid the
groundwork for an outstanding track career. Anwi also
participated in the sprint relays and the long jump. We
expect to witness a future of great accomplishments
from this young lady.
Still, this is not the only arena from which this
young lady’s voice will be heard. Anwi participates in a
variety of activities such as the Rio Rancho Associated
Student Council, Key Club, Science Fair, and she is a
member of the RRHS Student Council that has won
the Platinum Award for the best Student Council in the
state for three years in a row. They plan over 40 events
continued on page 32 continued on page 33
www.oaaa.state.nm.us
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