Ashley Cruz Solano recipient of 2022 Albuquerque Journal Spirit award, for her contributions to the community. Served as a board member in the Albuquerque adult learning center until June 2024.

Being a former student and success story, providing testimony that no matter the circumstances with the right support and motivation anything is possible. Facing difficulties financially and victim domestic violence, lacking a basic education was able to overcome it all and has been serving the community in multiple capacities to help others achieve their potential. This could not have been possible without the support of her now husband Luis Cruz Ocampo and her children.

Her husband a man how came from El Salvador at the 18 that has worked multiple jobs to help support his family and provide a better future for his now blended family. Now starting a new chapter providing the same opportunities and support to other families like the one Sujay Thakur has done for them.