The Rojas Family Scholarship honors Louie and Patsy Rojas, longtime residents of Los Alamos
and their six children. Louie and Patsy Rojas were part of the first wave of non-scientists to
arrive in Los Alamos in the early 1950s. Louie worked as an Iron Worker for the Laboratory
for over 30 years and also held the distinction of serving as Los Alamos County Sheriff for 34
years, making him the longest-serving sheriff in New Mexico’s history. Patsy devoted herself
to raising their six children—Lou, Ric, Tom, Christy, Chelo, and Joe—all graduates of Los
Alamos High School in the classes of 1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1977. Each of their
children went on to pursue college degrees. After raising their family, Patsy served with
distinction as the Los Alamos County Juvenile Probation Officer. Running played an important
role in the lives of the Rojas family, with many of the children participating in cross-country
and track during high school, and continuing to value running as a lifelong pursuit. Higher
education was a cornerstone of the Rojas household, and the Rojas Family Scholarship serves
as a lasting legacy to Louie and Patsy Rojas.