06/03/2026
Congratulations to Tevita Funaki, recipient of the "Be There for Los Alamos" JoAnn Johnson Community Involvement Memorial Scholarship. đź’™
This scholarship honors JoAnn Johnson’s decades of leadership and service to the Los Alamos community. From youth leadership to public service, her commitment to giving back helped shape Los Alamos for more than 60 years. The award recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a strong vision for future community involvement.
In a meaningful moment before the ceremony, JoAnn Johnson’s son, Mike Johnson, gifted Tevi an original piece of artwork by Cuban-born artist Max Rodriguez in honor of the occasion. Tevi’s scholarship essay reflected on his experience with Cuba, creating a special connection to the artwork and its story.
At his former gallery, Mike represented Max Rodriguez, who immigrated to the United States from Cuba alongside his identical twin brother, Felipe, when they were young boys. Mike and Max once collaborated on a gallery show titled Through My Eyes, a series of paintings inspired by memories and reflections of their homeland. As part of this special recognition, Mike presented Tevi with one of those original paintings alongside the scholarship award.