Thanks to our generous donors, Eve’s Fund was able to provide eight scholarships to students at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, NM this year. For these young people, receiving an Eve’s Fund scholarship has helped them continue pursuing their educational goals and planning for a brighter future.
Five of this year’s Eve’s Fund Scholarship Recipients, all of whom are students at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, NM. (Photograph by Robert Johnson)
We hope after reading about what a difference the scholarship has made to the students below, you’ll want to make a donation to our scholarship fund. Every dollar you give can help change the life of a young Navajo student who, against many obstacles, intends to graduate from high school and get an advanced education.
These wonderful young people are just amazing and one of the joys of the work we are doing on the Navajo Nation has been getting to know them on a personal level. We are also happy for the friendships we have made with the Navajo Prep staff. Next year we are planning to partner on some community projects that will involve getting the students engaged in our injury prevention program…ThinkFirst Navajo.
Meet our Scholarship Stars…Positive, Grateful and Future Oriented
Stacey Bia, Sophomore
I am from Chinle, AZ. I am born for Big Water, Coyote Pass, Water Flows Together, and Red Running Into the Water clan. I have received word that I received a scholarship from you and I am very appreciative. I can assure you that your money will not go to waste. I will keep up my grades and will push myself to achieve greatness.
My goals are to graduate from Navajo Prep and continue into a university. I plan to become a nurse practitioner and return back to the Navajo Reservation to help my people. This is why I am so appreciative of the funding you have provided me. Your contribution will allow me to purse my future goals. By granting me the Eve’s Fund scholarship you have lightened the financial burden on my parents, which has allowed me to focus more on school. Not only this, but your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to my community. I hope that one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals like you have helped me. Thank you!
Jennifer Renee Etcitty, Junior
I am from the Tohono O’odham tribe, born for the Navajo tribe Ozeii Tachii’nii (Hopi People Cross Red River clan). My maternal grandfather’s clan is the Giant People clan and my paternal grandfather’s clan is the Towering House clan. I live in Kirtland, NM, but I am originally from Pasadena, CA.
I am happy to be attending Navajo Prep and very thankful for the Eve’s Fund scholarship. I have learned many things throughout my three years here. I know that I have developed so much as a student and as an individual. I hope to continue learning more of my native culture and academics. The Eve’s Fund scholarship will help me reach that goal.
My plan to pursue the field of medicine or veterinary medicine, for I really want to help people along with animals. I am thinking about attending Northern Arizona University or maybe even Colorado State University. I love to read, watch films, listen to music, and write. I have a very wide range of interests. Navajo Prep made me open minded and made me realize the many techniques I can use to improve myself as an individual, such as how to handle difficult times when you feel like giving up, but you keep going strong and think positive. I am really happy that I have many supporters, motivators, and loved ones that care about me. I do not even know what I would have done if the Eve’s Fund scholarship was not in place. That is why I am truly grateful and thankful that I have this wonderful opportunity to accept this scholarship to help me pursue a future of education.
Elisabeth Johnson, Junior
I’m full Navajo and my clans are Towering House, Black Streak of Wood, and Bitter Water. I wanted to attend Navajo Prep because I like to be challenged academically. My interests are in science, languages, and music. I love science because of the theories. I love working with microscopes and looking at cells that are going through mitosis, or mixing chemicals and learning their compounds. I love learning new things about the world around me, and this includes languages. I first was interested in languages when I heard my uncle speak Spanish for the first time. After that I bought a Spanish dictionary and a “Teach Me Spanish” Nintendo game. After I was able to become conversational in Spanish, I started to dive into other languages. While at Navajo Prep I was able to learn conversational Japanese and further learn Spanish.
My goal is to attend college to obtain my doctorate degree in forensic studies, then come back to New Mexico to become the chief medical examiner of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. I first became interested in forensics when I had it as a vocabulary word in third grade. When I learned the definition, I became very interested in that line of work. I’m still researching and asking questions about which college will educate me more in this field. I want to thank Eve’s Fund for the scholarship that is helping me continue my education at a school that accelerates my learning. I am very grateful.
Michelle Gene Laughter, Freshman
I am of the Deer Spring clan, born for Under His Covers clan. My maternal grandfather is the Giant People clan and my paternal grandfather is the Ute People division of the Red Running Into the Water clan. I originally come from a small town on the Navajo Nation in Arizona called Tonalea. Now I live in another small town on the Navajo Nation called Tuba City.
Thank you for offering me the chance to continue to attend Navajo Prep. It means so much to me. The scholarship will give me a chance to achieve the goals I have been planning since I was in middle school. I have real high expectations for myself to achieve in the future. After my senior year, I want to attend one of two universities I have been dreaming about since I was in sixth grade: Arizona State University or the University of Oregon. If that doesn’t work out, my other choices are UCLA, Mesa Community College, or Stanford University.
Geremiah Tallas, Senior
I am 18 years old and I’m from Rough Rock, AZ. My clans are One Who Walks Around, Water’s Edge, Red House, and Caucasian. I have lived on the Reservation most of my life, only experiencing the city for a couple of years. My experiences in both have shaped my interests and shaped who I want to become: an architect.
Thank you very much for the most needed financial contributions that your program has bestowed upon future Native American scholars. Rest assured, your funds will not go to rubbish! I am sure my future is a bright one indeed, as I aspire to become an architect. Thanks to your help, not only my family but others no longer have the burden of worrying about being able to pay for a good education. Now that the financial part of my education has been taken care of, my attention can be directed to my schoolwork and my family. Again, I am so thankful for this.
Nizhoni Tallas, Sophomore
I live in the dorms at Navajo Prep, but on the weekends I go home to a small town in Arizona called Rough Rock. My interests are dancing, singing, and just hanging out with family and friends. I also love to explore the outdoors and try new things I haven’t learned before.
My goal for the future is to go to college and graduate with a degree in environmental science, marine biology, zoology, or another field in science. There is a big possibility that I would like to attend Bible College and get a degree there as well. Both degrees would help in giving back to my community and benefit my tribe, too.
I would like to express my greatest gratitude to you for the Eve’s Fund scholarship. If it weren’t for your assistance, I would most likely be going to a public school near my hometown. It wouldn’t be as challenging and wouldn’t have as many opportunities. Thank you for helping me continue going to school at Navajo Prep, a place I feel will prepare me for college and my future endeavors.
Chantelle Yazzie, Sophomore
I am born for the Big Water clan, Red House clan, Bitter Water clan, and the Within His Cover clan. I am the second eldest of six siblings. Having this scholarship will definitely help me here at Navajo Prep along with my future education.
I plan to graduate from Navajo Prep and attend college. As of now I am still unsure of which college I want to attend. I plan to major in the medical field because I have a strong interest in helping people. I plan to become a general surgeon. This scholarship is helping me get a step closer to my goal. Thank you again for accepting me as a recipient for the Eve’s Fund scholarship.
Leisha Yazzie, Senior
This is the fourth time I have been selected for the Eve’s Fund scholarship. This year as a senior, it has been kind of stressful trying to stay on top of things. Our school became an International Baccalaureate (IB) school so a few things changed and our final senior project became a little more challenging. Just recently I was accepted to Utah Valley University, which has always been my top pick. I was so happy when I got accepted! I am still aiming to be a pediatrician, and trying to bring back knowledge to my tribe.
Both my sister and I received the Eve’s Fund scholarship last year and this year. Because of the scholarship, my mom didn’t have to worry about my senior year or my sister’s sophomore year. Thank you Eve’s Fund for giving me this scholarship again. It has helped me to continue school here at Navajo Prep.
About Navajo Preparatory School
Navajo Prep is the only Navajo-sanctioned, college-preparatory school for Native Americans. It recruits some of the best and brightest students of the Navajo Nation. Over 95% of the graduates continue with a college education. Navajo culture and language is integrated in the school curriculum, both as school wide activities and within individual course content.
The rigorous course offerings, along with opportunities to take courses at local community colleges, allow the students to embody the school’s motto, Yideeskáágoo Naat’áanii—Leaders Now and Into the Future.
The majority of students live on the school’s campus in Farmington, NM during the week and return to their families across the Navajo Nation on weekends.
