Marie Booth and Avery Herrera
08/15/2025 –
NM MESA has selected recipients of the 2025 Dr. Arthur H. and Joan Guenther Advisor Achievement Award. Marie Booth and Avery Herrera are this year’s outstanding MESA advisors. Each of these two fine educators will receive $100 from MESA, which will be presented to them by MESA’s Guenther Award Committee and representatives from the Guenther Family.
Marie Booth has been a teacher at East Mountain High School for 11 years, and has also spent those years as a MESA advisor. She says “MESA has been the springboard for bringing additional STEM Clubs and teams to our school, which I am also facilitating, including VEX and FRC robotics, Envirothon, NM Governor’s STEM Challenge, and National STEM Honors Society, which began a 4th Grade STEM Outreach with San Antonito Elementary last year.” They also plan to mentor Rt. 66 Elementary students this year in their science fair. EMHS Assistant Principal, Margi Miranda says that the success of the math and science programs, courses and afterschool clubs is a result of the vision Marie has for students’ capabilities when they are given the opportunity. Marie is looking forward to applying for National Boards, and in 2022, was the recipient of the Air Force Research Lab High School STEMy Award. She also spends time with hybrid physical fitness training and is currently preparing for her first Hyrox competition. She lives in Edgewood, NM with her husband and five girls (ages 19, 17, 13 and 8).
Avery Herrera recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and is a second year teacher at Holloman Middle School, having previously served for four years in Alamogordo Public Schools as an Educational Assistant. She teaches STEM and Computer Science, and this year will mark her second year as the MESA advisor at Holloman. “I have worked really hard to expand the STEM program over the last year and in doing so, our high school donated industrial hydroponic systems to my classroom. The program also just received a grant in May for a new greenhouse for our campus with plans to one day sell our produce at our local farmers market.” Holloman Middle School Principal, Anna Weaver says, “From the beginning of the school year, Mrs. Herrera’s enthusiasm has been evident in everything she does. Her commitment to student success and innovation has helped elevate our MESA and STEM programs to new heights. She consistently goes above and beyond to provide meaningful, hands-on experiences that inspire students to explore new possibilities and challenge themselves academically.” Avery and her husband Ryan have two children, and love hiking and spending time with their families. She says “I also just want to say thank you to my students. This award is not only for me, but also for them. Everything I did was for them and nothing accomplished was without them. They made my first year so memorable and for that I am ever grateful.”
About the Dr. Arthur and Joan Guenther Advisor Achievement Award
Dr. Arthur H. Guenther loved science…He loved education…He co-founded New Mexico MESA in 1982. As a research professor of electrical and computer engineering, professor of physics and astronomy at UNM, and Chief Scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory, he was an advisor and mentor to hundreds of graduate students, and advisor to the Governor of New Mexico. He wanted to influence the lives of high school students in New Mexico who were interested in a bright future in STEM careers, so he worked with university representatives and state and federal government officials to bring the MESA program to New Mexico. He subsequently spent many years working as a MESA Board Member and Board Member Emeritus. His wife, Joan Guenther supported MESA in countless ways over the many years she was involved and played an important role in the success of the organization and its staff.
NM MESA and the Guenther family have established the Dr. Arthur H. and Joan Guenther Advisor Achievement Award with the expressed goal of honoring the legacy of Dr. Guenther and his wife, while simultaneously recognizing the wonderful and important work done by MESA advisors who perpetuate Dr. Guenther’s vision each year. The Guenther offspring continue to support NM MESA, including their oldest daughter TK O’Geary serving on the NM MESA Board of Directors and youngest daughter Wendy Gallegos supporting NM MESA events.
Past recipients include: Rina Viramontes, Janice Badongen-Patal-E (2024) Kate Sanchez, Misty Torres (2023) Celena Miranda, Monica Rodriguez Hudson (2022) Leah Olivas, Lynn Schuler (2021) Mariejune Abergos, Alysyn Merrill (2019), Luisa Castillo, Aleli Colon (2018), Deb Haggerton, Rina Viramontes (2017), Alysyn Merrill, Serri Grube (2016).
