NMAA HONORS THREE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD WINNERS
On Thursday evening, the New Mexico Activities Association honored three individuals for their service. The NMAA recognized Joe Abeyta, Mary Hahn, and Karen Nouges with a 2024 Distinguished Service Award during the 2nd Annual New Mexico High School Sports Award Show and Dinner at the Albuquerque Convention Center. “The New Mexico Activities Association is blessed to have these three individuals serve the students of New Mexico,” said NMAA Executive Director Sally Marquez.
Joe Abeyta, Sport Primo
Joe is co-founder/owner of Sports Primo with his brother Aaron and cousin Amado. Joe served in the U.S. Navy and later received his Television and Film Degree from San Diego State University in 2001. He started broadcasting Northern New Mexico high school sports in 2004 on the radio and later streaming in 2008 on NMAA FILMS and ProView Networks. He currently works as the Executive Director of Communications for Santa Fe Public Schools. He lives in Rio Rancho with his wife Claudia and their two dogs.
Mary Hahn, New Mexico Association of Student Councils
Mary Hahn has been an educator for over 30 years. Since 2011, Hahn has served as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Association of Student Council. She has also served on the NMAA Activities Council and NMAA Commission. Hahn was the Activities Director at Del Norte High School for 20 years and was also a classroom teacher at Rio Grande HS, West Mesa HS, Del Norte HS, and Valley HS, teaching Health Education, NM History, and Home Economics. Hahn was the National Association of Student Councils Advisor of the Year Region 6 in 2024, earned the Earl Reum Excellent Teachers of Teachers Award – Region 6 in 2015 and 2022, the NMASC Advisor of the Year in 2023, received the ABQ Chamber of Commerce Educator Award in 1989 and the West Mesa HS Teacher of the Year in 1986-87. Hahn and her husband Keith have been married 45 years and have a daughter, Rylee.
Karen Nouges, Gadsden ISD Athletic Director
Karen Nougues, an educator with over 30 years of experience, currently serves as the Director of Athletics at Gadsden ISD. Born and raised in California, Karen developed a passion for sports at a young age, excelling in softball during her high school years. She attended New Mexico State where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
In 1993, Karen began her career as a PE teacher at Chaparral Middle School, where she coached multiple sports. Wanting to expand her impact, Karen pursued a Master’s degree in school Administration from New Mexico State University. Karen began her administrative career as an Assis-tant Principal at Chaparral High School in 2009 where she spent four years. In 2013, she became the Athletic Director at Gadsden ISD, where she expanded the athletic program and oversaw a significant movement to-wards the use of technology within the athletic programs.
