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- By Native News Online Staff
FARMINGTON, N.M. — Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives announced Monday $12,000 in scholarships for 13 Navajo students attending Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, N.M.
Students were selected based on demonstrated financial need, scholastic potential, and leadership skills. Each recipient’s award covers the school’s required student fees. Ten of the students are receiving the scholarship for the first time and three students are continuing from previous years.
The awardees are: Sophomore Joshua Begay (White Rock, NM), Freshman Uriel Benally (Upper Fruitland, NM), Senior Keonna Hosteen (Standing Rock, NM), Senior Sky Harper (Indian Wells, AZ), Junior Isaiah Morris (Window Rock, AZ), Senior Lance Gilbert Morris (Sheepsprings, NM), Junior Jaden Shirley (Sanostee, NM), Junior Kenny Sloan (Tonalea, AZ), Sophomore Alana Smith (Farmington, NM), Sophomore Kalani Williams (Shiprock, NM), Junior Isaac Yazzie (Farmington, NM), Sophomore Kimberlynnibah Yazzie (Standing Rock, NM) and Freshman Natalyn Yazzie (Fort Defiance, AZ).
The individual biographies of each student can be found at: https://evecrowellsfund.org/2020/02/meet-our-2019-2020-navajo-prep-scholarsleaders-now-and-into-the-future/.
Shawna Becenti, Navajo Preparatory School’s Head of School, commented on the awards: “We are thrilled for the continued support of Eve’s Fund at Navajo Preparatory School. The Eve’s Fund scholarships will benefit thirteen exceptional Navajo Prep students and we are confident that these scholars will continue to take advantage of the opportunities that Navajo Prep provides and become change-makers in their communities.”
Becenti added, “The ongoing support of Eve’s Fund has allowed our students to thrive. Ahéhee' Eve’s Fund for believing in our students and providing support as they strive to graduate from Navajo Prep and pursue higher education.”
The founders of Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives, Robert Crowell and Barbara Crowell Roy, established the scholarship program 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 colleges and among those who do reach college, only a small minority manage to graduate in four years. With support from Eve’s Fund, Navajo Prep helps students beat the odds and prepares them for success in college.
February 24, 2020 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the passing of Eve Crowell and the tenth anniversary of the scholarship program established in her memory. Marking this anniversary, Eve’s Fund President Barbara Crowell Roy said: “We remember Eve’s passion for education and her desire to lead through service to others. The talented students of Navajo Prep, with their motto of ‘Yideeską́ą́góó Naat’áanii” – Leaders Now and Into the Future,’ are truly living out Eve’s legacy and we wish them much continued success.”
Since the scholarship program was established in 2011, Eve’s Fund has awarded $60,500 to 44 Navajo Prep students, some of whom received the scholarship in each of their four years at the school.
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