CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – Grants High School graduate Emily Ramirez recently received the 2021 Steve Bell Athletic Scholarship, which is a $1,000 award. Emily has been involved in sports her entire life. She explained that her participation offered opportunities to develop important leadership skills, which she applies on and off the playing fields.
The lifelong athlete noted that sports provided the motivation to keep her grades up and to maintain her physical and mental wellbeing.
“I have learned to play on a team with and against people who have opposing views …. I can defuse unnecessary conflict to maintain professionalism…. [and I know] winning or losing isn’t about a medal or trophy. It is about accomplishing a goal, showing kindness to an opponent or teammate who may have felt defeated, and being a leader,” she said in her application letter.
Jonnie Head, scholarship committee, commented that the members enjoyed Emily’s essay that ended by saying she considered them “part of her team.”
Head said the committee felt happy that Emily had chosen them for “her team” and that they would be rooting for her as she made her way into the future.
This was the second year that the committee had awarded the scholarship.
Matthew Fletcher was the first GHS graduate to receive the award in 2020. The committee said they were pleased to announce that a female athlete is this year’s recipient.
Steve Bell was an outstanding athlete who grew up in Quemado, Catron County, New Mexico. He relocated to Grants, Cibola County. Steve overcame many challenges including surviving cancer.
He was the first wheelchair bound police detective in New Mexico. Bell served the community as a police officer for many years; he founded the Kids and Cops Rodeo. Numerous area residents remember Bell’s career as a public servant. His dedication to the community included coaching GHS girls’ basketball.
“Steve was an avid supporter of female athletes,” said scholarship committee members.
Bell, who passed away in 2018, is survived by wife Helen and their three children, Darrell, Jackie, and Michelle. Two adult children along with the Bells’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren reside in this area.
Ramirez plans to attend cosmetology school because she says it will give her the opportunity to achieve her goals and “make people feel beautiful and worthy.”