Los Lunas senior Kaiden Reese earns NMAA Foundation scholarship

Kaiden Reese’s senior year at Los Lunas High School just picked up another major honor: the two-sport Tiger earned one of four New Mexico Activities Association Foundation “We Go Above So You Can Go Beyond” scholarships, worth $2,000.

The NMAA Foundation announced the award and Bank of Albuquerque presented it as part of a statewide scholarship class that included 30 students and totaled nearly $100,000. Reese’s selection puts a familiar Valencia County name in the same group as other student-athletes recognized for more than the scoreboard, and it adds to a run that already made him one of the most visible competitors in Los Lunas.

Reese played quarterback for the Tigers’ football team and emerged as a standout pitcher for the baseball program. That combination fits the spirit of the scholarship, which is built to honor student-athletes who make an impact beyond one season or one sport. Reese backed up that profile last spring, leading Los Lunas with seven pitching victories and helping the Tigers reach the 5A semifinals.

The scholarship also arrives at a key turning point. In January, Reese signed with Eastern New Mexico University to continue his baseball career with the Greyhounds. At that signing, Reese said the visit to Portales “felt like family” and called ENMU a “good program” with “good players.” ENMU plans to use him as a pitcher, and Reese said coaches liked that he can spin the ball, bring some velocity and throw left-handed. He also said he will study business at ENMU.

For Valencia County families, Reese’s path shows what stands out in scholarship and college recruiting circles: multi-sport value, a clear position at the next level, and enough consistency to become a leader on a team that advanced deep into the postseason. His recognition also continues a local pattern. Valencia County high school athletes have earned NMAA Foundation scholarships before, including three recipients from Belen, Los Lunas and Valencia in 2025.

Bank of Albuquerque says its charitable giving supports nearly 800 nonprofit organizations each year, and the scholarship branding reflects its “We go above. So you can go beyond.” message. For Reese, the award adds financial support and statewide recognition just as he moves from Los Lunas to Eastern New Mexico, where baseball and business will define the next chapter.