Just two miles away from the excitement of the state basketball tournament being held in The Pit, 16 student-athletes were awarded not just for their athletic prowess, but also for their efforts in the academic world.

They were the recipients of the New Mexico Activities Association's Foundation Scholarships for the 2009-10 school year. Among the winners were Capital's Isaiah Bustamante, West Las Vegas' Linda Esquibel, Daniella Montoya from Las Vegas Robertson and Kim Chacon of Peñasco.

Bustamante and Montoya were two of 14 students who won $1,000 "Pursuing Victory with Honor" scholarships, while Chacon and Esquibel earned $2,500 awards provided by sponsor Farmers Insurance Group.

All were given plaques in honor of their achievement during their respective class' state championship games on Friday and Saturday.

The scholarships are funded through the NMAA Foundation, a non-profit umbrella of the organization that raises money through sponsorships and fundraising.

The NMAA awarded 16 students, up from the 12 from previous years. This was the fifth year for the scholarship.

Esquibel, who played volleyball and basketball and is competing in track and field, was shocked that she received the larger award. She had no indication prior to the announcement at a banquet at the Embassy Suites that she had won it.

"I was really thankful and honored to receive that," Esquibel said. "They only gave out two in that amount and that was even more overwhelming. I had worked really hard, but I was just really surprised that I got it, and thankful, too, because every little bit helps."

Esquibel was the winner of the "extraordinary" scholarship, one of five categories created by the NMAA The categories did not differentiate the amount of the award, except when it came to the two who showed exemplary performance.

Chacon has been a part of the Lady Panthers volleyball, basketball and track and field teams. She helped Peñasco advance to the Class AA State Volleyball Tournament and the AA state semifinals in basketball last week. She also has taken up the role as parent in her household, since her father is doing a tour in Iraq.

Esquibel was impressed with what Chacon has had to go through.

"I am psyched she got it," Esquibel said. "Her story really touched me, with her father in Iraq and the fact that she does things on her own. I felt that she deserved it, too."

Not that Esquibel's story is not as interesting. She is the ninth of 10 children in her household, and she will be the ninth to go to college.

Bustamante felt that her story and Chacon's were quite moving to hear.

"You see one girl (Esquibel) where she has 10 family members and another (Chacon) who has to help support her family. You see it's well worth it," said Bustamante, who was encouraged by Foundation committee member Ralph Ortiz to apply.

The scholarship process began in September, with the NMAA's announcement for the scholarships.

Applicants had until Feb. 12 to submit their paperwork, which includes transcripts and letters of recommendation from teachers, administrators and coaches as well as essays from the students.

Winners were contacted after a Feb. 25 meeting, and Esquibel had a hard time convincing her mother she had won.

"I told her I got the 'extraordinary' scholarship, and she was like, 'No, no, you're lying,' " Esquibel said. "When we finally got the fax, she was like, 'You're not lying. That's really, good!' "

Contact James Barron at jbarron@sfnewmexican.com or 986-3045. Read his blog at thereadbarron.com.