Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren reads the legislation to allocate $2.2 million for summer youth employment at the Chief Manuelito Scholarship Award Ceremony before signing it into law. (Courtesy Navajo Nation)
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren reads the legislation to allocate $2.2 million for summer youth employment at the Chief Manuelito Scholarship Award Ceremony before signing it into law. (Courtesy Navajo Nation)

On Friday, Navajo Nation President, Buu Nygren, recognized graduates from several agencies who received the Chief Manuelito Scholarship at the Tsaile Diné College campus.

Of the five agencies, 32 are students who attended school in the greater Farmington area.

Nygren said the financial award is not the only honor bestowed on the recipients.

“It recognizes your hard work, dedication and commitment to academic excellence,” he said. “Congratulations to all 119 of you!”

To earn a Chief Manuelito Scholarship, students must have taken Navajo history and language courses, maintained a high- grade-point average and a minimum composite score on the ACT or SAT, according to the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance.

Local Students

Landon Succo, Navajo Preparatory School, Fort Lewis College. Taliah Velarde, Farmington High School, Oral Roberts University. Leila Escobar, Bloomfield High School, University of New Mexico. Amya Hillis, Farmington High School, Columbia University. Kandis Antonio, Navajo Preparatory School, San Juan College. Synessa, Atcitty, San Juan High School, University of Utah. Kaden Nelson Bee, Kirtland Central High School, San Juan College. Daryus Begay, Navajo Preparatory School, Penn State University. Nevaughn Begay, Shiprock High School, University of Arizona. Tatum Begay, San Juan High School, Brigham Young University. Ashton Bitsilly, Shiprock High School, University of New Mexico. Lewis Campbell, Shiprock High School, New Mexico State University. Maleah Charlie, Farmington High School, Lamar Community College. Natalie Cly, Navajo Preparatory School, San Juan College. Anthony Done, San Juan High School, University of Utah. Kyra Joe, New Mexico Connections Academy, San Juan College. Dakota Johnson, San Juan College High School, University of New Mexico. Sierra Johnson, San Juan College High School, University of New Mexico. Makaila Lee, Piedra Vista High School, University of New Mexico. Santiago Long, Farmington High School, Lamar Community College. Noah MoXett, Farmington High School, New Mexico Highlands University. Octavia Morgan, Shiprock High School, Northern Arizona University. Shaylin Nez, San Juan High School, University of Utah. Allen Rader, Farmington High School, Fort Lewis College. Jason Rodriquez Brown, Farmington High School, University of New Mexico. Makayla Shorty, Shiprock High School, University of New Mexico. Brianna Singer, Piedra Vista High School, Fort Lewis College. Jazmin Smiley, Farmington High School, University of New Mexico. Jude Thomas, Navajo Preparatory School, Rice University. Nyah Walter, Shiprock High School, Fort Lewis College. Nalanaya Austin, Navajo Preparatory School, Arizona State University. Ronin Hathale, Navajo Preparatory School, San Juan College.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren speaks at an award ceremony Friday to recognize Diné graduates spanning over several agencies that received a Chief Manuelito scholarship. (Navajo Nation Facebook)
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren speaks at an award ceremony Friday to recognize Diné graduates spanning over several agencies that received a Chief Manuelito scholarship. (Navajo Nation Facebook)

Since its inception in 1980, hundreds of scholars have carried forward Manuelito’s vision to become beacons of knowledge and progress, a Navajo Nation news release said.

According to the release, Headman Manuelito is well known for encouraging Diné to learn the white man’s ways through education.

At the awards ceremony, Nygren shared his academic journey that included a bachelor’s of science in construction management and technology from Arizona State University and doctorates in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California.

A goal of the Nygren administration is to retain talent within Navajo communities, Nygren said.

Nygren used the term “brain drain” to refer to educated Navajo youths who leave the are to pursue opportunities in urban areas.

“We need your vision, leadership and skills to help our Navajo Nation thrive,” he said. “Your contributions are essential to address the challenges we face and to build a brighter future for all Navajo people.”

Legislation was also signed that day by Nygren allocating $2.2 million for summer youth employment at local chapters or within the tribal government this winter and next summer.

The Navajo Nation Council approved the funding during its summer session from July 15-19, according to the Navajo Nation release.

“This initiative is crucial to develop practical skills, gain work experience and ensure that our brightest minds contribute to our community’s growth and development,” Nygren said.

Amya Hillis, graduate of Farmington High School, will be headed to Columbia University this fall in New York.

“It is an honor and a privilege to even have this significant scholarship,” Hillis said. “It is a definite testament to hard work.”

Hillis will be studying financial economics and will put the awarded scholarship money toward her studies.

“We are incredibly proud of these young scholars and are excited to see the bright futures that await each of them,” Farmington Municipal Schools said in a news release.

Having a curious mind is vital to finding solutions, she said.

“Her goal is to end economic inequities in the Navajo Nation,” the Navajo Nation release said.