Meet our 2019 Scholarship Winners…Positive, Grateful, Empowered

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. – Nelson Mandela

Want to see what a difference an Eve’s Fund Scholarship can make? Want to learn how we are changing the world by transforming lives and creating future Native American leaders? Meet this year’s 11 scholarship winners attending Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, New Mexico. For each of these young people, an Eve’s Fund Scholarship is helping them pursue their educational goals and aim for a brighter future.

These young Navajo students, against many obstacles, intend to graduate from high school and advance to higher education. Many will be the first in their families to do so.

For the past eight years, in memory of Eve Erin Crowell, for whom Eve’s Fund was created, we have been able to provide financial support to students attending Navajo Prep School.  Many come from small, isolated communities across the Navajo Nation where good academic resources are not always available. Students stay in dormitories on campus during the week and are transported back home on weekends to be with their families. This year, thanks to the increasing generosity of our donors, we were able to provide our largest award yet of $10,500 to ten new students and one continuing student.

Ceceilia Tso, the school’s development director said: “We are grateful to Eve’s Fund for their ongoing commitment to our students—many of whom come from rural areas and extreme poverty—and would not be able to attend our school without financial assistance. The scholarship is making a huge difference in their lives.”

The students were chosen based on demonstrated financial need, scholastic potential, and leadership skills. Each recipient received $1,000 to cover the school’s required student fees.

Meet these positive, grateful and empowered scholarship stars attending Navajo Prep School

 

I am Florinda Attson  from Saint Michaels, AZ. My clans are Táchii’nii, Tó ‘áhani, Tséńjíknií, and Naakai Dine’é. Last year I was on the honor roll throughout my last year of middle school. While I know plans can change, I am thinking I want to go to Diné College for my first two years of basic studies after high school and then I plan to go to Tulsa Welding School to start a career in welding. But, I also have a dream to become an OB/GYN doctor. I am so proud to receive this scholarship. I never thought this amazing thing would happen to me. It is a big honor.  It has also been a big relief off my and my parents’ shoulders. Thank you so much Eve’s Fund.

 

 

My name is Irvilinda Bahe. I am Diné and am born for the Red Running Into the Water People (Táchii’nii). My mother is of the Bitter Water clan (Todichii’nii), my maternal grandfather is of the Under His Cover clan (Bit’ahnii), and my paternal grandfather is of the Coyote Pass clan (Ma’ii Deeshgeezhnii).

I come originally from Many Farms, Arizona, but I currently reside in Chilchinbeto, Arizona. Both places are rural communities on the Navajo Nation reservation. I am a senior at Navajo Preparatory School, where I attended all my previous years of high school. In school, I have interests in mathematics and visual arts. Within these two classes, my curiosity is unlimited, and my knowledge only expands evermore.

I have a passion for exploring the unknown and seeing the beauty in it all. It is with this passion that I am challenging myself to major in applied mathematics at Utah Valley University. I enjoy outdoor activities and nature itself, so I feel like UVU’s campus is very suitable to my interests and goals.

I am Joshua Begay from White Rock, NM. My clans are Mud clan, born for Red Running Into the Water clan. My maternal grandparents are Sleeping Rock People and my paternal grandparents are the Red House clan. I was notified that I received a scholarship from you, and I am very appreciative of the scholarship. I can be sure that the money you have given me will not go to waste and that I will push myself to do better and greater things.

My goals are to graduate from Navajo Prep and to get into Fort Lewis College or New Mexico State University. I plan to become an engineer, mechanic, jeweler, and a welder. Then with the skills I learned, I will come 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 pursue my future goals. By granting me the Eve’s Fund scholarship you have lightened the financial burden on my parents. 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. I do not even know what I would have done if this program 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. Getting accepted is so awesome because this helps my family a lot and they too are happy and grateful.

Hello my name is Adinidiin Davis. My clans are Tsin’naajinii nishłi kinyaa’aanii bashishchiin tohtsoni da shi nali dził tadin da shi cheii. I was born in Gallup, NM but I currently reside in Thoreau, NM.

The field of study that I would like to go into is Sports Science. The College I will be attending in the Fall of 2019 is University of New Mexico.

The degree I am seeking is a PhD in Sports Medicine. A special hobby of mine is Mixed Martial Arts.

Thank you Eve’s Fund for awarding me this scholarship. It has helped my family greatly. With this support, you are giving me an opportunity to enhance my education and I am grateful.

 

My name is Hannah Dayzie and I’m a sophomore at Navajo Preparatory School. I am 15 years old and live in Shiprock, NM with my mother, father, brother, dog and two cats. I am Water Edge, born for Bitter Water, my maternal grandparents are Streak People and my paternal grandparents are Reed People. When I received news that I was one of the recipients of your scholarship, I immediately realized I was very fortunate for being helped because it relieves some of the financial stress of my parents. I plan to continue to apply for this scholarship until my senior year at Navajo Preparatory School.

My future academic plans are to finish high school at Navajo Preparatory School and continue onto a university. My professional dream is to become a surgeon or a veterinarian and come back to the Navajo Nation because there is a very great need here for both fields. As a recipient of the Eve’s Fund  scholarship, you are helping me achieve my academic dreams. I will work hard to maintain my grades so I can continue to apply and receive this award. Attending Navajo Preparatory School is helping me prepare for college and I want to thank Eve’s Fund for making this happen. Without this support, I would not have been able to attend this challenging school.

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Originally, my family is from Indian Wells, Arizona.

The Eve’s Fund Scholarship has already helped me and my family in so many ways. For one, It has taken the financial stress off of my parents. They are relieved. It has also made me ever more thankful for being at Navajo Prep. It is a privilege that I will not take for granted.

As a student, I feel very drawn towards the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) field. As of right now, I am interested in becoming a pharmaceutical researcher.

The degree I am seeking is either in medicine or mathematics. Because with either degree, you can pursue many degrees.

For hobbies I read books, write short stories, cook, and look for arrowheads on my grandparent’s land.

Thank you so much to Eve’s parents for starting this program. I am grateful and thankful.

My name is Keona Hosteen. My clans are Red Running Into the Water, Red Bottom People, Zuni People, and Water Edge. I come from Crownpoint, New Mexico.

In school, I enjoy math, science, and art. I Would like to go to school at Virginia Tech, Purdue or Stanford University. I hope to seek education in the form of a master’s or doctorate in engineering or medicine.

For hobbies, I like hands on activities that involve medicine and engineering, trying new things, meeting new people, watching international movies, taking naps, and listening to music.

Thank you Eve’s Fund for giving me the best education possible.

 

Salutations! My name is Caitlan Nockideneh, and I am from Page, Arizona. My clans are Kinyaa’aani, Naakai Dine’e, Todich’iinii, and Naakai Dine’e.

Following graduation, I plan to attend a private university and major in cognitive or neurosciences.

I am very honored and grateful to be named a recipient of the Eve’s Fund Scholarship. Knowing that others are willing to support my academic endeavors has been a huge relief to my family and to me. My motivation to pursue a higher education has been greatly impacted and again I would just like to express my sincerest thanks to Eve, and her family. Although the circumstances of Eve’s death are unfortunate, the work done in her name has had and continues to have a positive effect on those receiving the scholarship in her name.

I enjoy indoor activities like literature and the arts. I also enjoy reading and writing as well as painting and drawing. Recently, I have also acquired quite an interest in digital arts. However, living in Page also presents the perfect opportunity to be outdoors exploring. I also enjoy horseback riding, hiking, and backpacking around the Horseshoe Bend, Marble Canyon, and Zion area!

Yá’át’ééh. My name is Keanu Reed. My clans are Naakai Dine’é (Mexican People Clan), born for Tł’ízí łání (Many Goats Clan). My maternal grandpa is Honágháanii (One Who Walks Around  Clan) and my paternal grandpa is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into The Water Clan). I am from Round Rock, Arizona.

I would like to say thank you very much for this scholarship. It truly means a lot to me and my family. I know it will take stress off my mom, because with this, it’s one less thing to worry about.

Being a senior this year and graduating soon, I plan on going to college out of state. I want to attend either Cornell University or Oregon State University. There, I plan to go into the STEM field and major in Civil Engineering. If not, I plan to major in Architecture.

Aside from school, I like to participate in sports. This year I am playing basketball and football. I’d say my hobbies are playing basketball, playing the guitar, listening to music, working outside, building things, and being with family. My special interests include my interest in nature. I love seeing different landscapes while doing anything that involves being outdoors like fishing, camping, and hiking.

 

Hello my name is Kyla Watchman. My clans are Nashtazi Dzilclani (Zuni adopted by the Mountain cove clan) nishli, kiya’ani bashishchiin (towering house clan), tsenahbili (sleep rock people) dashicheii and nakaii dine’e (Mexican clan) dashinali. My family is originally from the Kimbito area but then we moved to Farmington two years ago.

Academically, I enjoy art, music, and math the most. They are my major strengths school wise. As for school I don’t know where I want to go as of right now, but I do know that I don’t want to go to a college close by. I want to go to a university that seems more challenging. I would like to either become an animator, an architect, or start working in computer designs and animations.

During my free time I enjoy drawing, reading, spending time with family, and keeping myself busy. I enjoy sports. Right now I’m in soccer, but I enjoy other sports.

Thank you Eve’s Fund for giving me this funding. It will help both me and my family a lot.

Hi, I am Keithen Dean Woody, a senior at Navajo Preparatory. I am a resident in Kirtland, NM. I am half Navajo and Acoma, but my maternal clans are Red Bottom and The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water.

Growing up so close to Farmington, and with so many relatives, I obtained a general interest in many things. My uncles love movies and sports, so I follow suit. I always thought that cooking was a vital skill for general independence, so I watched my aunts and watched tutorials from time to time. I always wanted to make my family proud of the child that stayed so close to their mother, my grandma.

The Eve’s Fund scholarship will provide vital funds that my parents can utilize to relieve the financial stress of my younger brother and me. My younger brother will graduate in 2020 and I want to support my mother and father in any way possible.

This scholarship will provide me the important funds to pursue my dreams of becoming a police officer. I plan to attend University of Utah or Arizona State University for this, so I can protect and serve the people that need help. Navajo Prep showed me that everyone needs help and even if the vocalization is not there, the signs are there. I want to be the support that everyone needs. I am very thankful for Navajo Prep, the staff and students all provided for me a great education and a focal point in my life. The Eve’s Fund scholarship will support me greatly in the next step of my career.

Simple words cannot express the massive help this scholarship will provide. With the ever-growing dread of college finances looming, this boost will help me as I need every advantage. My mother gives thanks as well, since my brother will graduate soon after me.

Group Photo

It was almost impossible to gather all of the students at one time, but here are 7 of the 11 Eve’s Fund Scholarship recipients.

You can read more about this year’s award program here: https://evecrowellsfund.org/2019/02/eves-fund-awards-10500-in-scholarships-to-11-navajo-prep-students/

Thank You!