“Go and tell the Navajo people that education is the ladder. We should send our kids to school despite what they (the white man) did to us.” – Chief Manuelito (1818-1893)

Introducing Eve’s Fund’s 2020-2021 scholarship awardees. This year’s eleven scholarship winners attend the Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, New Mexico. For each of these young people, a 2020-2021 Eve’s Fund Scholarship is helping them pursue their educational goals and aim for a brighter future. Learn how an Eve’s Fund Scholarship is transforming lives and creating future Native American leaders !

These young students, against many obstacles, are working hard to graduate from high school and advance to higher education. Many will be the first in their families to do so. They all embrace Navajo Prep’s motto of “Yideeskaago Naat’aanii – Leaders Now and Into the Future.” The students were chosen for the Eve’s Fund Scholarship based on demonstrated financial need, scholastic potential, and leadership skills. Each Navajo Prep scholarship recipient receives $1,000, which fully covers the school’s required fees for Navajo students.

For the past ten years, in memory of Eve Erin Crowell, for whom Eve’s Fund was created, Eve’s Fund has provided financial support to students in need attending Navajo Prep School. Many come from small, rural Navajo Nation communities, where good academic resources are not generally available. During normal times, the majority of Navajo Prep students stay in dormitories on campus during the week and are transported back home on weekends to be with their families. During the coronavirus pandemic, however, the dormitories have been closed for the most part. This year, thanks to the increasing generosity of our Eve’s Fund donors, we were able to provide $11,000 to two new students and nine continuing scholarship students.

Meet these motivated, empowered and grateful Navajo Prep Eve’s Fund Scholars:

Joshua Begay, ­Junior

I am Joshua Begay. My clans are the Mud People Clan and the Red Running into Water Clan. My maternal grandparents are from the Sleeping Rock People Clan and my paternal grandparents are of the Red House Clan. I come from a small community called White Rock, which is very isolated and quiet. It is a very tight-knit community and we all know each other. While my community is very small with few resources, we make the best of it and help each other out whenever we can. Community members will always have each other’s back, no matter what. I am very proud of my community because, though we are small, we have a big impact on one another, which has helped us stay strong during this pandemic.

My family works hard to provide me with the tools that I need to succeed in life, but I know that as life goes on I must become independent and find ways to get things done on my own. This scholarship helps me get the best education I can, expand my knowledge, help me achieve my career goals, and will help me to succeed. The pandemic has hit my family very hard, so the Eve’s Fund scholarship is especially helpful this year. While this year has been very hard for me, I know that in order to be a leader you must be strong and pull through. I am grateful to Eve’s Fund for believing in me and investing in my education and my future.

Uriel Benally, Sophomore

Hello, I am Uriel Benally. My clans, translated into English, are: “The Mexican people,” “The Zuni clan,” “The Ojibwe people” and the “Mountain cove people.” I come from an area called Upper Fruitland, New Mexico, in San Juan county. The community with which I mainly associate are the students and staff at my school, but I also identify with my people’s community. I find the Navajo Prep community to be very lively, and we make sure to incorporate many of the teachings of our people and culture most of the time. I am determined that the educational path I pursue will have a positive effect on my life and further help my people’s way of life. I plan to become an environmental scientist or engineer to focus on the battle with climate change. I believe by accomplishing this dream I can build a cleaner path for future generations to follow.

Jaren Greene, Senior

My name is Jaren Greene. My clans are: Ta’neeszahnii nishli, Hashtlshnii, bashichii, naakai dasacheii, and Kinyaa’anii dasanali. I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Both of my parents are from Torreon, which is located on the Navajo Nation. While I did not actually grow up on the Reservation, my parents transferred their learnings from the Rez to me in order that I be balanced and focused. The influence of my mom and dad are a big reason that I have become the student that I am today.

I grew up attending public school in Albuquerque before I was accepted to attend Navajo Prep. I travel about 180 miles each way to attend this school. I do the things I do each day in order to inspire my younger sister. I think I’m doing a good job at it because my sister is doing a lot better than I was doing at her age. I keep trying to excel in school because I believe it will help me become successful in college and find my future career path. Thank you, Eve’s Fund, for supporting my education and helping me to attend Navajo Prep.

Orion King, Freshman

Hello, my name is Orion King. I am Tangle Clan Born for Red Bottom Clan. My Maternal Grandfather’s Clan is Towering House. My Paternal Grandfather’s Clan is Bitter Water Clan. I am from Rock Point, Arizona, where my mother is also from, and my father is from Naschitti, New Mexico. I love my community because everyone knows one another and the community is rich in traditional teachings. My family is related to almost everyone in Rock Point. I always say Rock Point has the most beautiful, picturesque surroundings, full of scenic sandstone rock formations and the most vivid, bright blue skies. Another source of pride in my community is that it recently won their first State championship in girls basketball.

Growing up, my mother would tell me that if I do it right, education will get me far in life, but I didn’t understand what she meant at the time. Now, growing older, I realize what she meant and what it will take for me to get to where I want to be. Seeing, firsthand, my Cheii (grandfather) go thru a lot health-wise, I’ve realized that I want to help people by working in the medical field. Being chosen as a recipient of the Eve’s Fund scholarship has made me believe that I truly can do this! It has lifted my spirits and added more fuel to my fire and intensified my desire to do as much as I can to further my education. I want to be able to help my family, my relatives, and my people through the medical field. I know it starts with determination, focus, a strong support system, and people such as Eve’s Fund to encourage me to be better, to keep striving, and keep up the good work.

Isaiah Morris, Senior

My name is Isaiah Andrew Morris, but my family call me Duzzhie. I am 17 years old.  My clans are Bitter Water and Big Water Clan. My parents are DeAndra Wagner and Olyne Morris. I am from Sheep Springs, New Mexico, which is a small community located at the bottom of the Chuska mountains between Newcomb and Naschitti, New Mexico.

Being a student at Navajo Prep is challenging, and I’m glad I’ve been able to experience it. After high school, I’m looking forward to play basketball at the college level like my older brother Lance Morris, who was one of the scholars for Eve’s Fund last year. Being a student at Navajo Prep has motivated me and helped me plan for college. Thank you, Eve’s Fund, for my scholarship award to attend to Navajo Prep. I am extremely grateful and it has relieved some of the financial burdens during this challenging time.

Jaden Shirley, Senior

Hello, my name is Jaden Shirley. My mother’s clan is the Red Bottom Clan and my father’s clan is the Red Running into Water Clan. I am from Sanostee, New Mexico, a rural community with distant neighbors. I hope the education I will receive will benefit my community. I want to go into the STEM field, and I would like to have an impact on my community by becoming an advocate for Native youth. I would do this by encouraging and inspiring them because, apart from going to Navajo Prep, I am just like them. I come from a low-income home and an unstable household, but I don’t let these factors dictate my life. I will become my wildest dream, and this is possible for anyone. That’s because no matter what anyone tells you, the only opinion that should matters is yours and your determination and motivation will carry you far in this life.

Alana Smith, Junior

Hi, my name is Alana Smith. I am 16 years old and I am a Junior at Navajo Prep. My four clans are, Ashįįhí (The Salt People Clan), nishłí, Kinłichiinii (Red House Clan), bashishchiin, Hashtłishnii (Mud Clan) and dashicheii, Honágháani (The One Who Walks Around Clan). I am originally from Shiprock, New Mexico, but I grew up in Farmington, NM. I live in a modern area in Farmington, so I do not have many experiences of being on the reservation like many students at Navajo Prep. However, I do love to learn about our culture, way of living, and traditional teachings at Navajo Prep.

While my family is not traditional, Navajo Prep helps me become part of a family in which we share many characteristics, not only academically, but also culturally, which is very important to me. A few hobbies of mine are playing video games, practicing piano, running track, and traveling to different places.

I would like to attend college at Colorado State University, MIT, or Stanford University, in hopes of becoming a cardiologist or software developer— my two dream jobs. Attending Navajo Preparatory School is helping me prepare for college and my future. I would like to thank Eve’s Fund for making this happen. This has truly been a huge financial relief for my parents and myself. I would not have been able to attend such a great school that challenges their students academically and individually without this support. Thank you.

Kalani Williams, Junior

Ya’at’eeh (Hello). My name is Kalani Williams, and I am full Diné born for the Honeycomb Rock People Clan (Tsénjikiní) from my mother’s family, and the Mud People Clan (Hashłishníí) from my father’s family. I am a 17-year-old Diné woman, who was born and raised in Shiprock, New Mexico. My community is small yet filled with traditions and culture we uphold. I care for my community because it is the foundation of my personality. I always felt that Shiprock has the potential to grow and become a stronger community for my people.

Education is an important factor to every individual around the world because it allows us to expand our minds and obtain a global perspective. It is especially important to me because I want to be able to stand up for myself in the real world. I want to be an independent leader and only knowledge can help me do that. Over the years, I have learned so many things and I don’t plan to stop. I want to expand my knowledge, whether it’s about how people think and act, or about the important subjects we learn in school. I am grateful that I am able to recognize my self-worth and strength in this life.

I want to thank Eve’s Fund for all the effort put into these scholarships. You’ve helped a lot of young people and I am one of them. Your care is deeply appreciated and I am proud to say that I am an Eve’s Fund Scholar. The scholarship enables me to attend Navjo Prep, which is changing my life for the better. Once again, thank you to Eve’s Fund and thank you to everyone who donated money to help fund these scholarships. Ahéhee’(Thank you)

Kimberlynnibah Yazzie, Junior

Hello, my name is Kimberlynnibah Yazzie. My first two clans are Bit’ahnii (the Bitter people clan) and Ashiihi’ (Salt peoples clan). I am from Tuba City, Arizona, but currently live in Standing Rock, New Mexico. Where I live on the Navajo reservation, the horses run through the meadows and over the mesas. I am a Junior this year at Navajo prep and am earning dual credits with San Juan college. My hobbies consist of painting, drawing, riding horses, and roping the dummy. I enjoy participating in school sports year-round, including volleyball, basketball, and track.

Growing up around livestock, I took an interest in working with animals. Since the pandemic began, I’ve developed an even stronger bond with my animals. My career goal is to become a veterinarian and earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. I am also interested in the possibility of becoming an equine specialist. I hope that the education I am receiving from Navajo Prep will help me to achieve my career goal and enable me to help my community. Thank you very much, Eve’s Fund, for selecting me for this scholarship. I hope everyone has a safe holiday and remembers to wear a mask at all times. Thank you!

Isaac Yazzie, Senior

Hello, my name is Isaac Yazzie. My clans are Maii’deeshgizhnii (Coyote Pass), Dzilt’ani (Mountain Cove), Tachinii (Red-Running-Into-Water), and Naakai (Mexican).  I come from Farmington, a town in the northwestern corner of New Mexico.  Farmington has a large percentage of Native Americans, so I am somewhat living in the intersection between Navajo traditions and the modern world.  I believe that the environment has made me more successful in my academics.  The combination of traditional Navajo values and the understanding of the modern world has given me a unique perspective and advantage. More importantly, the people who raised me in this environment have been the most impactful in making me into the person I am today, and I feel that the only way to give back to my community and family is to make them proud by becoming the best person I can be.  Receiving the Eve’s Fund scholarship is another accomplishment that brings me closer to becoming that person who will one day give back to my community.

Natalyn Yazzie, Sophomore

Hello, my name is Natalyn Yazzie. I am a sophomore attending Navajo Prep School. My clans are To’ahani, T[‘ aashchi’i, Ma’ii Deeshgiizhnii, Kinya’aanii. I am from Whiteclay, Arizona, north of Sawmill. My community is small with a small number of people living there. There’s nothing much around there but houses, a store and a chapter house. There was an elementary school, but it closed down a few years back, so the nearest place to go to school at is another community called Fort Defiance. I believe that my education will have an impact on my community because not everyone from there can attend a school like Navajo Prep. With this education and the Eve’s Fund Scholarship opportunity, I feel that I could help by bringing something more into Sawmill. As for my life, and how my Navajo Prep education could impact it, I believe it will provide me more opportunities to pursue. These opportunities will help me be able to do more for myself, my family and community.

Congratulations to these 2000-2021 Eve’s Fund Scholarship Awardees!
Warm thanks to our generous Eve’s Fund donors for supporting this initiative and bringing hope and opportunities to these great young people  for the future.

Would you like to help us in supporting quality education on the Navajo Nation?

In the coming years, Eve’s Fund would like to be able to expand our scholarship program to support additional Navajo high school students in graduating, pursuing higher education and embarking on worthy career paths. We could use your help.

Please support these kids in achieving their dreams!

For this program, we rely solely on the support of donations from individuals and other philanthropic organizations.

Your tax-deductible gift in any amount will enable us to continue this important initiative in 2021 and beyond.

Please help us continue this critical work which is transforming young lives and providing hope for a better future.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution for 2020, please click below to donate through our secure Donation portal or you can send a check payable to Eve’s Fund to us at PO Box 3592, Newport, RI 02840.

Please note that this is our new mailing address. We are grateful for your support and will put every dollar to good use.

T h a n k  Y o u !

We are grateful to the Navajo Times for sharing this announcement in their weekly publication on December 17, 2020. Click here to read the article.