Tip a Royal gives voice to students in Special Olympics

Posted by Stacy Thacker | Feb 12, 2015 | People |

Ann Bella Sagoney, 4, from Kirtland, N.M., gets help from mom Vanessa Sagoney as she puts some money into the donation jar as Special Olympics athlete Nathan Begay, right, from Gallup, looks on, Saturday morning during the Tip-A-Royal fundraising event held at Earls Restaurant in Gallup. According to Miss Indian New Mexico Nicole Johnny, the fundraising efforts raised a total of $1,135. (Times photo – Donovan Quintero)

GALLUP

Medals made tiny clinking sounds as Miss Ramah Navajo walked. Attached to the end of her sash belt were two of her brother’s Special Olympic medals.

Eric Nelson, left, from Tohajiilee, N.M., gives a donation to a Special Olympics athlete on Saturday during the Tip-A-Royalty fundraising event held at Earls Restaurant in Gallup. (Times photo – Donovan Quintero)

Miss Ramah Navajo is 15-year-old Natana Begay. She said she was at the event to raise awareness and show support for the program her brother and cousin participates in.

Twenty-four royals descended on Earl’s Restaurant in shifts for the Tip a Royalty event, each one there to help give the students in the Special Olympics a voice and raise community awareness and involvement.

Miss Navajo Nation McKeon Dempsey estimated that this was the eighth year of the event and is always held by the current Miss Navajo Nation, the only difference this year was the location and the partnership with Miss Indian New Mexico XLVII Nicole Kahbah Johnny.

Dempsey said the Tip a Royal event is an opportunity for the community to support a good cause and an opportunity to learn about the Special Olympics and what it means to the students who participate in it.

Special Olympic athletes Alton Yazzie, 19, and Kevin Charley, 17, said they like the program because they get to participate in their favorite sports and for Yazzie, being able to compete helps his self confidence.