Emphasizing education…
Miss Navajo Nation 2009-10, Tashina Nelson, addresses students of Grand County High School at a school-wide assembly Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 17. The 19-year-old Nelson, a native of Round Rock, N.M., told of her heritage and her role as an ambassador for the Navajo culture. Nelson said that unlike other pageants that have swimsuit competitions, the contestants vying for the Miss Navajo title must do things such as make fry bread, mill corn, and butcher a sheep. Nelson, who is currently studying nursing, encouraged the Moab students to say no to drugs and alcohol, and to make education a priority. She advised those in the audience to stay in school until they graduate, and to further their education beyond high school. GCHS principal Stephen Hren recently noted that 83.3 percent of the school’s Native American population passed all their classes during the first trimester. “That is the highest passing rate we’ve had since we began utilizing Title VII funds for our Native American students,” Hren said in an email. He commended the students for their hard work, and praised the efforts of educators and advisers Richard Jenkinson and Cora Shonie for their work with the students. Photo by Jeff Richards