“My Grandchild, education is the ladder. Tell our children to take it.” -Chief Manuelito (Navajo)

Eve’s Fund is pleased to announce and introduce this year’s sixteen scholarship awardees who attend the Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, New Mexico. For this academic year, a record sixteen Navajo Prep students have been awarded an Eve’s Fund scholarship, based on demonstrated financial need, scholastic and leadership potential. Nine of the students are receiving the scholarship for the first time, and seven students are continuing from previous years. Each recipient’s award covers all of the school’s required academic and residential fees for the 2021-2022 school year. Since the scholarship program was established in 2011, Eve’s Fund has awarded $87,250 to fifty-seven individual Navajo Prep students. The total of $16,000 awarded for the current school year represents a 45% increase over last year, to address the additional need among families impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Eve’s Fund Scholarship Program

Barbara Crowell Roy and the late Dr. Robert M. Crowell — founders of Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives—established this scholarship to honor the memory of their daughter, Eve Erin Crowell, and to address the significant educational needs of high school students on the Navajo Nation. Native American youth are the least likely of any demographic group to graduate from high school. Among those who graduate, few go on directly to four-year college. With support from Eve’s Fund, Navajo Prep students are beating these odds. Approximately 90% of Navajo Prep students graduate successfully and, of these, over 90% go on to matriculate at a four-year college or to serve in the military, including some accepted to the highly competitive military academies.

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

Thanks to the growing generosity of the Friends of Eve’s Fund, with special acknowledgement to the Andrew Delaney Foundation for its unstinting support of this educational initiative, we are delighted to introduce the following impressive young men and women scholars:

Joshua Begay, ­Senior

Ya’at’eeh, I am Joshua Begay. My clans are Hashtł’ishnii (Mud People Clan) and born for Táchii’nii (Red Running into Water Clan). My maternal grandparents are Tsenabahiłnii (Sleeping Rock People Clan), and my paternal grandparents are Kin ł ichii’nii (Red House Clan). I come from a small community called White Rock, NM, which is very isolated and quiet. As it is a very tight-knit community, we all know each other. While White Rock is very small, we try to make the best of it and we all help each other out whenever we can. We will always have each other’s back, no matter what. I am very proud of my community and despite its small size, we have a big impact on one another. We have been able to stay strong and do our best during this pandemic. This scholarship will positively impact my education very much. My family works as hard as they can to provide me with the tools that I need to succeed in life, but I know that as life goes on, I must do things on my own and find ways to get things done on my own. The Eve’s Fund scholarship will help me get the best education I can, expand my knowledge, and help me find my way to my career goal and succeed. The pandemic hit my family very hard, and this scholarship with help us very much. It has been very hard for me to get things done this year, but I know that in order to be a leader you must be strong and pull through and I’m confident I’ll do just that. Thank you so much Eve’s Fund for believing in me.

Uriel Benally, Junior

My clans from my culture in 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, which is in San Juan County. I appreciate the Navajo Prep community, students, and staff. I also associate myself with my people’s community. I find my culture to be important to me and make sure to incorporate many of our teachings with our people or culture into my life. I am determined that the education I pursue will have a positive impact on my life and allow me to 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, just as I did. Thank you to Eve’s Fund and to all of your generous donors.

Genesis Clark, Sophomore

I’m a sophomore at Navajo Prep and it’s my first year here. I am from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and I’m Hunkpapa Lakota. Before I came to New Mexico, I lived in North Dakota, which is far away from here, and the community there wasn’t the greatest. Since I’ve moved, I’ve found the environment and community at Navajo Prep very welcoming. I’ve made some new friends and have been becoming more comfortable at school. I am very happy to have been selected for the Eve’s Fund scholarship which pays all of the fees to attend Navajo Prep. Thank you, Eve’s Fund, for helping me, I am very grateful! The scholarship will help boost my path in a positive direction and help me get a good education. I want to have a good education so that I can get into an excellent college. I also want young people from my community to see me an example and believe that they can also get a good education. Again, thank you for the scholarship for me to attend Navajo Prep.

Luke Damon, Sophomore

I am currently a sophomore at Navajo Preparatory School. My clans are, Red Running into Water, the Mud clan, The Hairy Ones, and the Coyote Pass clan. I am the middle child out of my five siblings, and I come from a small town named Crownpoint on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. I currently live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Many from the community I come from don’t have goals for themselves and also don’t believe in themselves and what they are capable of doing. Many young people also don’t have the support they need from their families. After high school, I plan to move to New York City to attend New York University where I’ll major in business and marketing. Education plays a big role in my future, and it will be the gateway to my success. Though others may not take it very seriously, education is a huge priority for me. I believe that it takes a lot of discipline to achieve your goals and that we are responsible for our own actions and success. I would like to give a big “thank you” to Eve’s Fund for this scholarship and the opportunity to attend Navajo Preparatory School.

Wallen Descheeny, Sophomore

I am a sophomore at Navajo Prep and this is my first Eve’s Fund scholarship. My clans are Bitter Water clan and born for Red Running into the Water People clan. Blacksheep clan (éí dashícheii) and Chiricahua Apache are my grandpa’s clan. I was raised in and currently am from Klagetoh, Arizona. The area where I live is a very sad setting as there are a lot of alcohol- and drug-addicted people around the neighborhood. My family and I do not support any of that and we try to set an example by living alcohol- and drug-free. My main goal is to obtain my education and help my community heal in any way I can. Education is very important because, today, one cannot succeed without an education. Education allows us to grow and learn intellectually. As a kid being raised within all of the negativity in my community, I find it important to not give up and to give it my all at one of the best high schools in the Four Corners area. Thank you, Eve’s Fund, for giving me this opportunity! The scholarship is going to change my academic year in a positive way.

Jillian Garcia, Senior

Daanzho’ my name is Jillian Garcia, and I am an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation. My mother is Shaleen Tafoya, and I come from the Ollero Clan. I come from the Jicarilla Apache Nation located in North Central New Mexico. I am from Dulce, NM which is located at border with southwestern Colorado and has a small population of roughly 4,000 people. My reservation has evolved from unoccupied terrain into a vast fruitful community. It is surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes, and pine trees and is renowned for its majestic wildlife. Navajo Preparatory has enabled me to think critically, to ask questions, and to seek solutions. By furthering my education, I will be able to build on this foundation and help my community innovate and thrive, utilizing my experience and knowledge. It is important to find balance in all aspects of life so that you can carry yourself in humility, especially if you work within your home community. Preservation is essential of not only my reservation but, more importantly – my people. To be able to preserve both, education is essential. Thank you for selecting me as a recipient of the Eve’s Fund Scholarship. Iheedn’

Lucius Hale, Junior

I am of the Zuni clan, born for the Red Bottom People Clan, my maternal grandparents are of the Sleeping Rock People Clan, and my paternal grandparents are of the Towering House Clan. Originally, I am from Lake Valley, New Mexico which is on the eastern border of the Navajo Reservation. But, I grew up in Kirtland, New Mexico, which is a small town located in between Shiprock and Farmington, New Mexico.  My hobbies consist of riding horses, Team Roping, and being around my family and friends.  I also enjoy participating in school sports year-round which includes basketball, football, and baseball. Being a student-athlete at Navajo Prep is challenging and rigorous;  however, I am thankful I have had the opportunity to experience it and it has prepared me for the college level. After graduation, I look forward to playing at the next level in any of my sports that I have played throughout high school or attend a college or university to further pursue my academics in Engineering or Landscape Agriculture. Navajo Prep has allowed me to be more communicative, responsible, independent, and to “think outside the box”.  Establishing these strong individual assets for myself will allow me to be successful at the college level.  Along with the help of my Family’s life teachings, traditional ceremonies, and their words of wisdom.

I would like to thank the Eve’s Fund for making this scholarship available for my Native peers as well as for myself.  I appreciate this scholarship greatly because it allows my financial costs to be taken care of.  This award makes me want to continue to work hard and do the best I possibly can. This award will be a huge financial relief for my parents because it will help pay academic costs that need attention during this hard-challenging time.

Orion King, Sophomore

Ya’at’eeh, my name is Orion King. I am 15 years old and currently a sophomore at Navajo Prep. I am Ta’neeszahnii, born for Tl’aashchi’I, Kin Yaa’aanii da shicheii, and Oozei Tachii’nii da shinali. I am from Rock Point, Arizona with paternal roots in Naschitti, New Mexico and my nalis (paternal grandparents) are from Cove, Arizona. I come from a close-knit family including my three brothers, my parents, my grandparents, and aunts, who are all very supportive of me This is the second year I have been awarded the Eves Fund Scholarship, for which I am truly grateful. My first year at Navajo Prep was an eye-opener because I come from a small community and the standards in education aren’t as rigorous as at Navajo Prep. I had to study a lot to fill the gap in my education. I enjoyed my first year at Navajo Prep and all the wonderful experiences, plus the awesome educators at the school who truly helped me. My parents encourage me to make the best of my schooling at Navajo Prep and I really believe Navajo Prep is the place for me. Eve’s Fund is a blessing to me and my family and I all that I have prayed for is slowly coming to fruition. Being the recipient of an Eve’s Fund Scholarship makes me want to do my best because I want to make the donors and Eve proud of me. I also want to make my family proud, reach my highest potential, and enjoy my four years at Navajo Prep. Thank you, Eve’s Fund, for the continued support in my educational endeavors, seeing that I am worthy of this prestigious scholarship, and providing this affirmation that I am doing the right things to keep me on track to reaching my goals in life.

KayDence Low Dog, Sophomore

Greetings all, my name is KayDence Low Dog. My clan is The Towering house people (Kinyaa’áanii) and I am born for the Assiniboine Sioux (Naałání). My maternal clan is the Salt people clan (‘Áshįįhi), and my paternal clan is Assiniboine Sioux (Naałání). My parents’ names are Marsha Wiley and Alaric Low Dog, Sr. and I was born in a town called Glasgow, Montana. I currently live in a community called Casamero Lake (Tséta’ tó’alk’olí) New Mexico, where we have our livestock roaming around and neighbors at a distance. I am a sophomore at Navajo Preparatory School where I participate in softball and the MESA program. Thanks to this scholarship, I will be able to continue to pursue my studies at Navajo Prep throughout my high school years. Being a student at Navajo Prep will give me a better chance of going to an excellent college. I plan to go into the medical field so I can help my community. There is a shortage of doctors on the reservation, and I would like to help.

Winni Morgan, Sophomore

I am the Red Running into the Water People, born for the Over Hanging Ledge Rock People. My maternal grandparents are the Mexican People, and my paternal grandparents are the Bitter Water People. I am from Crownpoint, New Mexico, which is a small community in the middle of which, is Navajo Technical University, which provides opportunities to learn more about my native heritage. Even though it’s small, my community has brought me big opportunities to gain the knowledge I have now as a young adult. I hope my education might impact my life for the better as well as  for my community. I hope that my education can lead to future generations earning their high school or college degrees, that businesses grow in Crownpoint, and that I have a chance to help the people in my community. I hope that my diploma in both high school and college, in whichever major I wish to pursue, will enhance the advancements in my hometown. So, I thank the Eve’s Fund scholarship for providing the financial assistance that enables me to attend Navajo Prep, which will provide me with more opportunities in life.

Naomi Peshlakai, Senior

Yá’át’ééh (Hello), my name is Naomi Peshlakai. My clans are Naakai Diné’e (Mexican people), born for Ma’ii Deeshgiizhnii (Coyote Pass), Bit’ahnii (Under the Sheaves) and Kiisʼáanii Ayahkinii (Hopi tribe). I am from Counselor, New Mexico, which is located within the eastern region of the Navajo Nation. The population of my community is about 800 voters. My community lies in a rural and isolated area, so all the people within the community are either related or know one another. Attending Navajo Preparatory School is preparing me to continue my studies at the University of New Mexico within the medical field, where I’d like to be able to be of service to others. I hope my career choice will allow me to positively influence the people of my community, especially youth. The career that I am pursuing will present many difficult challenges, which I am willing to face. It is rare for young people in my community to receive a good education, so coming from a college-prep high school such as Navajo Prep, has helped me focus on my future career goals. I am familiar with the students from my community who have incomplete education, which is a hardship for them and our community. Thank you, Eve’s Fund, for the scholarship support of my education. I am very grateful to be selected, and on behalf of my family, it is a relief of financial worries. I am grateful to experience the academic challenges here at Navajo Prep, especially as a Senior. Again, Ahéhee’ (Thank You).

Alana Smith, Senior

Yá’at’eeh, my name is Alana Smith. I am 18 years old and I am a Senior 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 plan to attend University of Denver or Occidental College in Los Angeles to major in Kinesiology. I will pursue a career in sports medicine to become a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and/or soccer and track coach. I will also minor in business in hopes of owning my own physical therapy practice. This has been a financial relief for my family and myself, I thank everyone who has donated and the Eve’s Fund Organization for giving me the opportunity to continuing my education to a higher level.

Madison Smith, Senior

I am 16 years old and a Senior here at Navajo Prep. I am Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House clan) and born for Maii’deeshgizhnii (Coyote Pass Clan).  I am from Sosela, Arizona near Crystal, New Mexico. I come from a very beautiful area with mountains and forests that is a small but close community made up of my family members. It is really the only place I can be myself and enjoy myself because I have moved around the world often due to my father being in the military. I hope my education impacts my community positively because not a lot of people from my community have had the opportunity to receive an education like this. And I really hope I can inspire my younger siblings, cousins, and Native youth in general, to keep our culture, environment, and people hózhó. I am truly grateful for receiving this scholarship as it will give me hope and remind me that I am getting closer to achieving my dream of becoming a zoologist or marine biologist.  Ahéhee’ (Thank you) Eve’s Fund, for supporting my education through this scholarship!

Kalani Williams, Senior

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 16-year-old Diné woman, 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’s the foundation of my personality. I’ve always felt that Shiprock has potential in terms of becoming a stronger and growing community for my people. Education is hugely important for anyone on Earth, because it allows us to expand our minds and perspective on the world. 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 lead throughout my life. I have learned so many things and I don’t plan to stop. I want to obtain more knowledge, whether it’s how people act or the important subjects in school. I am grateful that I am able to recognize my self-worth and strength in this life. Once again, Ahéhee’ (thank you) to Eve’s Fund and thank you to everyone who donated money to help fund these scholarships.

Kimberlynnibah Yazzie, Senior

My first two clans are Bit’ahnii (the Bitter people clan) and Ashiihi’ (Salt peoples clan). I’m from Tuba City, Arizona, but currently live in Standing Rock, New Mexico. I live on the Navajo Nation, where the horses run through the meadows and over the mesas. Growing up around livestock, I took an interest with working with animals and since the pandemic began, I have developed a stronger bond with my animals. My hobbies consist of painting, drawing, riding horses, and roping the dummy. I participate in school sports year-round, including volleyball, basketball, and track. I’m a Junior this year at Navajo prep and I’m taking dual credits with San Juan College. My career goal is to become a veterinarian or equine specialist and earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. I know that the education I’m getting from Navajo Prep will positively impact my career goal and enable me to help my community. Overall, I just want to say thank you very much to Eve’s Fund for this scholarship. I hope you all stay safe and wear your masks at all times. Thank you, again!

Natalyn Yazzie, Junior

I am a Junior at Navajo Prep. My clans are Near the Water Clam, born for the Red Bottom People, Coyote Passing, and Towering House People. I come from a community called Fort Defiance, which is located in Arizona. The community is pretty small, but still has many people who live in the area. It was also a place where Navajos lived before the Long Walk happened. As I’m getting older and receiving this education, I hope that it helps me fulfill my goals and dreams by making me a better-educated person. I also want it to make a positive impact by taking action within my community. Without the Eve’s Fund scholarship to attend Navajo Prep, I wouldn’t be able to start my future. Thank you, Eve’s Fund!

Congratulations to these 2021-2022
Eve’s Fund Scholarship Navajo Prep 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 are grateful for outpouring of generosity from our donors, as there is an increasing need to assist more students every year, particularly in light of the ongoing pandemic.

Please help these kids in achieve their dreams and become leaders in their communities!

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

Your tax-deductible gift in any amount will enable us to continue this important initiative in 2023 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 2022, 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.

We are grateful for your support and will put every dollar to good use.

P.S. If you are on Facebook, you can make a donation to us directly on our Page and where all transaction fees are waived. Here is the link to our Eve’s Fund Page: https://www.facebook.com/EvesFund/.  Also, many companies support causes that are important to their employees by matching employee charitable contributions. Find out if your company will match, double, or even triple your gift to Eve’s Fund.

T h a n k  Y o u !