SIMCO Education STEM Outreach lead, Dr. Joy James-Foster, recently joined educators, business leaders, policymakers and community advocates as they shared expertise, aligned resources and brainstormed ideas to create sustainable pathways to prosperity for all New Mexico students at the Teach Plus New Mexico’s first Education & Economic Mobility Summit in Hobbs, NM.
The session included data-driven overview of high-need careers from the NM Department of Workforce Solutions:
A student-led panel exploring youth perspectives and aspirations
Sector-specific panels featuring educational and industry partners
Cross-sector working groups that identify shared priorities, needs, and actionable steps
Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO) demonstrated its commitment to education with the recent award of $21,000 in scholarships to 21 high school seniors in Eddy and Lea counties. “SIMCO is committed to investing in our students’ post-secondary education. A college education can have a lasting impact on their lives and we’re proud to play a small part in that journey. SIMCO scholarships are just one way we’re supporting our students and investing in their futures,” said SIMCO Education Outreach Lead, Dr. Joy James-Foster.
Students from Artesia, Carlsbad, Hobbs, and Loving received scholarships. Recipients include:
Carlsbad High School Evan Antiporda, Chistina Pia Bicol, Sean Casey, Rubye Chappa, Hailey Digby, Abbey Dugan, Jesse Fuentes, Kalion Fuentes, Jorge Gonzalez, Aubrey Hernandez, Alyssa Munoz, Emmie Navarette, Taylor Onsurez, Kason Perez, Alexander Sanchez and Gabby Sanchez Artesia High School Morgan Kay Love
Hobbs High School Brock Beaty, Mc Kenzie Porter and Trinity Vasquez
Loving High School Joslynn Abernathy
SIMCO also provided funding for the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund, the Carlsbad Class Act Scholarship Fund, the Hobbs Bash Graduation Night Fund and the Falcon Fest Scholarship Fund.
To be considered for a SIMCO scholarship, students must plan to attend an accredited college or university.
Photographs of scholarship award recipients are available upon request.
SIMCO is the management and operations contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad. WIPP, the nation’s only permanent geologic repository for defense transuranic nuclear waste, began disposal operations in 1999.
During the event, participants enjoyed an engaging engineering lesson that showcased the power of creativity using recycled items found at home. Additionally, they had the opportunity to delve into fun and educational math games that are simple to create.
It was a wonderful experience bringing together learning, innovation, and fun all in one event!
CARLSBAD, N.M., March 1, 2025 – After hours of intense academic competition on Saturday, March 1, student teams proved their knowledge at the second annual Southeastern New Mexico Regional Science Bowl hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
The team from the New Mexico Military Institute was crowned the champion of this year’s competition and will represent the SE New Mexico region at the National Science Bowl in Washington D.C. on April 25, 2025.
Carlsbad hosted the regional competition at Southeast New Mexico College, where 10 teams from Carlsbad Early College, New Mexico Military Institute, Carlsbad and Hobbs high schools participated, with the winner moving on to compete nationally.
Launched in 1991, the National Science Bowl® is a competitive science education and academic event including teams of students who compete in a fast-paced verbal forum to solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math. Each team is composed of four students, one alternate student and a coach.
Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, LLC (SIMCO), WIPP’s management and operations contractor, was the regional event’s primary sponsor and organizer. SIMCO supports the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and is a member of Bechtel National Inc.
SIMCO Awards $20,000 in Scholarships in Eddy and Lea Counties
CARLSBAD, New Mexico — Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO) announced today the company has awarded $20,000 in scholarships to 20 area high school seniors throughout Eddy and Lea counties as part of its commitment to continuing education.
SIMCO’s scholarship program focuses on students pursuing a degree through an accredited technical program. Each student is receiving a one-time, $1,000 scholarship.
“We recognize the time and dedication our local area students have invested throughout their years in school. An education is something that will benefit these students throughout their lives, and we, as a company, are pleased to be able to present them with these scholarships,” said Dr. Joy James-Foster, SIMCO’s Senior Education Outreach lead.
SIMCO also provided funding for the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund, and the Falcon Fest Scholarship Fund.
Artesia High School: Ethan Ramirez
Carlsbad High School: Faith Aragon, Miguel Beltran, Leonela Calanche, Sophia Corder, Arika Cordova, Isabella Fuentes, Syra Jasso, Joy Lasco, Justyn Nevarez, Cruz Otto, Mia Peacock, Ryan St. John, and Aiselynn Whitzel
Loving High School: Paige Davis, Eboney Florez, Calista Torres and Kathryn Montoya
Hobbs High School: Falyn Lackey and Ryan Middleton
SIMCO is the management and operating contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). SIMCO is a single-purpose entity comprised of Bechtel National, Inc. SIMCO utilizes Los Alamos Technical Associates as a New Mexico-based small business teaming subcontractor.
SIMCO awarded scholarships during the April 24, 2023 Carlsbad Municipal School District Scholarship Awards Ceremony.SIMCO awarded a scholarship during the May 23, 2023 Artesia High School Scholarship Awards Ceremony.SIMCO awarded scholarships during the April 26, 2023 Loving Municipal Schools Scholarship Awards Ceremony.
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SIMCO becomes Inspired by Science ‘Community Lab Partner’
CARLSBAD, New Mexico — Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO) recently presented a $10,000 donation to the Inspired by Science organization as part of its community commitment to support local STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education at the elementary school level. Through its contribution, SIMCO also becomes an Inspired by Science ‘Community Lab Partner’ which enables the purchase of new science equipment and materials that are critical to providing a quality experience for ‘young scientists’.
Inspired by Science was established in 2013 by Deena and Mike Antiporda with their three young sons, and it has thrived with the help of many dedicated volunteers who help make the organization successful. Its purpose is to promote STEM education at the elementary school level through hands-on science experiences that are both educational and fun in hopes of inspiring students to pursue education and careers in STEM-related fields.
Deena was inspired to create this program because of the extreme interest her son had in science at a very young age.
“He asked me to do science experiments with him starting in the second grade, and his love of science was so contagious that I found myself looking for more experiments to do,” she said. “It occurred to me that we could create a program that would provide opportunities for our community’s youth to do hands-on STEM activities and learn so much from them. This program is near and dear to my heart because it started as an organization run by my family in our kitchen and has grown to become a 501(c)(3) organization supported by a team of 30 people.”
Inspired by Science’s main event is a summer STEM camp, which is held every year on the campus of Southeast New Mexico College during the first week of June. Volunteers train and prepare for a variety of science activities and ensure that the young scientists have a safe, educational, and fun-filled experience.
The partnership between SIMCO and Inspired by Science helps the young scientists to participate in Inspired by Science events.
Ken Harrawood (right), Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO) President and Program Manager, and SIMCO Education Outreach Lead Dr. Joy James Foster recently presented a $10,000 donation to Deena Antiporda (left) with Inspired by Science. Through its contribution, the company also becomes an Inspired by Science ‘Community Lab Partner’ which enables the purchase of new science equipment and materials that are critical to providing a quality experience for ‘young scientists’.
