For Jhuleine Villarmea, an Excellent Schools New Mexico Scholarship is One Chapter in a Much Bigger Story

When Jhuleine Villarmea talks about her future, she doesn’t mention fame or fortune. Instead, she speaks of stories. Specifically, of crafting, capturing, and one day bringing them to life on screen.

“I want to travel the world,” she says, “and tell the kinds of stories that make people feel something.”

It’s a quiet kind of ambition, one that has already carried her far. This spring, as she prepared to graduate from Mission Achievement and Success (MAS) Charter School, Jhuleine was named  one of five students in the state to receive a $5,000 Excellent Schools New Mexico scholarship, funded by the Jack Beaty Educational Scholarship Foundation. The award honors students who embody resilience, integrity and academic excellence, helping them pursue their dreams of higher education.

The recognition is well earned. Since she arrived at MAS as a sophomore in 2022, Jhuleine, who gradated this May as a member of the Class of 2025, distinguished herself not only as a high-achieving student but as a thoughtful, creative force in her community. She’s took dual-credit college courses while in high school through MAS’ partnership with Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), explored her passions in art and video editing, and maintained top grades in a rigorous academic program, all while learning to slow down, breathe, and take pride in small wins.

“The biggest thing I learned in high school,” she says, “was to stop pressuring myself. High school was supposed to be a special time. I had to learn how to enjoy it.”

It hasn’t been all easy. A transfer student from overseas, Jhuleine had to adjust to a new school system and culture while staying focused on her objectives. But with the help of her teachers and her own steady resolve, she found her rhythm. She was named Student of the Month in February of 2025 and earned Student of the Week recognition in November of 2024, both of which spoke to her work ethic and leadership.

Her English Language Arts teacher, Ms. Roxanne Bloomfield, called her “a role model for fellow students,” praising not only her academic talents but her kindness, creativity, and integrity. “What truly distinguishes Jhuleine is her character,” Bloomfield wrote in her recommendation letter for the scholarship. “She goes above and beyond, and she lifts others while doing it.”

The scholarship Jhuleine received was established through a grant to Excellent Schools New Mexico by the estate of Jack Beaty, a businessman, political organizer, and former adviser to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Mr. Beaty believed education was a pathway to both personal fulfillment and public service. Today, the Jack Beaty Educational Scholarship Foundation supports New Mexico organizations and students determined to make a difference both in the state and beyond.

Jhuleine fits that vision. After graduation in May, she plans to complete an associate degree in film from CNM before heading to the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. Her dream is to direct and produce films that speak to human emotion; films, she says, that “connect with people where they are.”

In her spare time, she sings, plays guitar, and reads, activities that help her decompress and boost her confidence. And though she’s soft-spoken, there’s a quiet certainty in her plans.

“Consistency and focus,” she says, “that’s how you move forward.”

While the Excellent Schools New Mexico scholarship is just one step on that journey, for Jhuleine Villarmea, it’s also a reminder that hard work, humility, and heart still matter, and that sometimes, the smallest things can bring the biggest smiles.