From L TO R: Kayden Williams, Co-Salutatorian; Grace Belgarde, Valedictorian; Chiara Holgate, Co-Salutatorian Photo courtesy of St. Michael Indian School
Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives sponsored college scholarships awarded to the top three graduates of Saint Michael Indian School during the 71st commencement of its high school on Saturday, June 5, held on the school campus. The annual legacy awards, were given to graduating seniors Grace Belgarde, Chiara Holgate and Kayden Williams.
Class of 2021 Valedictorian, Grace Belgarde, received the Saint Katharine Drexel Award, a $1,000 scholarship, which is given to a student who honors a commitment to personal dignity and respect for the rights of others. Grace will attend the University of Denver where she will study psychology and continue to pursue her interest in the rescue and fostering of stray animals. Chiara Holgate, Co-Salutatorian, received the Sister Katharine Barrett Award, a $500 scholarship which recognizes a student for their service and loyalty to the school community. Chiara will attend Northern Arizona University to study health sciences, with a focus in fitness and wellness, and she aspires to a career in sports medicine. Co-Salutatorian, Kayden Williams, received the Sister Mary Honora Award, which includes a $500 scholarship, and honors a student who is reverent of the traditions and culture of the Navajo and other peoples within the school community. Kayden will study biomedical engineering at Northern Arizona University, where she will pursue her interest in prostheses and artificial implants and organs.
“Saint Michael Indian School is grateful to Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives for its generous sponsorship of these scholarships. Eve’s Fund shares our commitment to promoting student leadership, service to others and reverence for Native culture and traditions – values embodied in these three exceptional young women graduates,” said Dot Teso, the school’s president. “We join the Saint Michael Indian School community in wishing Kayden, Grace and Chiara, and all the 2021 graduates, continued success,” said Barbara Crowell Roy, Eve’s Fund president. She added, “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we look forward to being able to sponsor these scholarships for many years to come.”
We are grateful to the Navajo Times for sharing this important news in its weekly publication on June 17, 2021. Click here to read the article.
“Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
–Martin Luther King, Jr
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About Saint Michael Indian School
Saint Michael Indian School was founded in 1902 by Saint Katherine Drexel, foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, to serve Navajo children. Today, St. Michael Indian School, located in Saint Michaels, Arizona, provides students from local Native American communities with a quality education that is rooted in Catholic values, is sensitive to Native heritage, teaches leadership skills, and enables students to contribute in a culturally diverse world.
About Eve’s Fund
Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives is a community-based non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that promotes hope and wellness for Native American youth. The late Robert M. Crowell, MD and Barbara Crowell Roy founded Eve’s Fund in 2005 in memory of their daughter, Eve Erin Crowell. Since that time, the organization has developed strong community partnerships and created literacy, injury prevention and education programs impacting over 60,000 Native children and young adults. The organization operates ThinkFirst Navajo, one of 162 ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation chapters in the U.S., and the only one serving a federally recognized Indian Reservation.
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