2026 Chief Manuelito Scholars

BÉÉSH HÁÁT’I

The Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance honored 186 graduating high school seniors July 31 at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort after they earned the Chief Manuelito Scholarship, the Navajo Nation’s highest academic award.

‘Find your rhythm’ Chief Manuelito Scholars prepare for college

A

Dineh Blackhorse Abreu
Shiprock High School | San Juan College

Adrian Bryan Acothley II
Paradise Valley High School | Arizona State University

Kylie Acuff
San Clemente High School | University of California San Diego

Ayaina Rose Aho
Holbrook High School | Tulane University

Desiree Helen Angulo
Westwood High School | University of Arizona

Aspen Archuleta
Farmington High School | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Jeremy Dalin Arviso
Navajo Preparatory School | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

B

Joaquin A. Baca
Early College Academy | University of New Mexico

Jacob M. Badonie
Chinle High School | Northern Arizona University

Alanna Barton
Hiroshi Miyamura High School | University of New Mexico

Brady Beau Becenti
Holbrook High School | Northland Pioneer College

Melanie J. Becenti
Rehoboth Christian School | Northern Arizona University

Talen Keithlyn Becenti
Thoreau High School | Northern Arizona University

Mya I. Beck
Farmington High School | Texas Tech University

Aamya Sage Whitehair Begay
Desert Vista High School | Arizona State University

Jayden D. Begay
Piedra Vista High School | Northern Arizona University

Kyle Ashtin Begay
San Juan High School | Brigham Young University

Leia Begay
Tucson High Magnet School | University of Arizona

Noah Sean Begay
San Juan High School | Brigham Young University

Neimeia Denet Begaye
Many Farms High School | Coconino Community College

Ozlynn Vaughn Bleu Begaye
Page High School | Northern Arizona University

Benjamin Michael Lee Benally
Valley Lutheran High School | Dartmouth College

Luke T. Benally
Monument Valley High School | Dartmouth College

Tayler Ray Bennett
Gallup High School | University of Arizona

Hunter Billie
Raymond S. Kellis High School | Illinois Institute of Technology

Taylor Brody Billiman
Gallup High School | New Mexico State University

Olivia Lynn Bishop
American Fork High School | Utah Valley University

Caitlynn Emma Black
Coconino High School | Northern Arizona University

Piper Blackgoat Diehl
Juneau-Douglas High School | Northern Arizona University

Anne Marie Breeze
Winslow High School | University of Arizona

Jade Buffalohead-Ashcraft
Hiroshi Miyamura High School | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

C

Colin Campbell
Hiroshi Miyamura High School | University of New Mexico

Julianna Candelaria
West Brook High School | Lamar Institute of Technology

Ciera E. Charley
Navajo Preparatory School | Arizona State University

Jobryant Charley
Piñon High School | Ottawa University Arizona

Mikayla Charley
Ganado High School | Northern Arizona University

Javonte Chee
Farmington High School | San Juan College

Laela Brooke Chee
Piñon High School | Northern Arizona University

Angel Clauschee
Farmington High School | San Juan College

Mykayla Lynn Clitso
San Juan College High School | University of New Mexico

Kylie Rose Colliflower
Coconino High School | Stanford University

Benjamin Shonota Bitsyé Collins
Farmington High School | San Juan College

MacAllen Cousens
Navajo Preparatory School | University of California, Berkeley

Katerin Báhózhóní Crank
Monument Valley High School | Grand Canyon University

Anthony E. Cunningham III
Westside High School | Kennesaw State University

Natyus Antwon Curley
San Juan College High School | University of New Mexico

D

Avianna Damon-Showalter
Xavier College Preparatory | George Washington University

Adriana Dean
Harker Heights High School | Texas Tech University

Alana Valeria Dean
Thoreau High School | University of New Mexico

Skylar Corrinna Dean
Chinle High School | Mesa Community College

Damion Vance Dedman
Chinle High School | University of Arizona

Josiah Benjamin Dineyazhe
Navajo Preparatory School | University of Arizona

Zackary Cody Dodge
Piedra Vista High School | New Mexico State University

ShaShia Dugi
Tuba City High School | Utah State University Blanding

E

Deswood Nataani Nez Edison
Greyhills Academy High School | Northern Arizona University

Brandt Edwards
Piedra Vista High School | New Mexico State University

Marlo Mae Ellis
Central High School | University of Colorado Boulder

Rayonna Eskeets
North Thurston High School | University of Washington

Jazzlee Yazzie Esplain
Flagstaff Christian School | Northern Arizona University

Wyatt Estenson
Casa Grande Union High School | Arizona State University

Gessalyn Etsitty
Piñon High School | Grand Canyon University

Hailey Lynn Etsitty
Monument Valley High School | GateWay Community College

Kateri C. Etsitty
Xavier College Preparatory | Santa Clara University

Rayne Etsitty
Valley High School | Northern Arizona University

F

Nizhoni Fleg
Albuquerque High School | University of Colorado Boulder

Kymberli R. Fowler
Monument Valley High School | Northern Arizona University

Gavin Marshall Francis
San Juan College High School | University of New Mexico

Maya Lynn Francisco
Holbrook High School | Northern Arizona University

Kyla Tegan Franklin
San Juan College High School | University of Colorado Boulder

G

Deja R. George
Navajo Preparatory School | Colorado State University

Peyton Rae Gishey
Corona del Sol High School | Northern Arizona University

Desmond Goldtooth
Page High School | Arizona State University

Ernest Bahe Greyeyes, Jr.
Greyhills Academy High School | Southern Utah University

Noah Nelson Grinde
Marcos de Niza High School | South Mountain Community College

Khyran Guerro
Tohajiilee High School | University of New Mexico

Joaquin Gullatt
Monument Valley High School | Arizona State University

H

Keilila Hamren
Flagstaff High School | University of Arizona

Dayna Harvey
Chinle High School | University of Arizona

Olivia Harvey
Ganado High School | Diné College

Melody F. Hasdale
Desert Christian High School | Vanguard University

Shawndae J.K. Haungooah
San Juan College High School | University of New Mexico

Alexia Rae Heaton
Perry High School | Brigham Young University

Avery Wren Himmelreich
Navajo Preparatory School | Northeastern University

Daniel Zakk Holgate
Corona del Sol High School | Northern Arizona University

Layla Eartha Holmes
Horizon High School | Arizona State University

Jordin Mae Holyan
Newcomb High School | University of Portland

Lucas Houston
Hiroshi Miyamura High School | University of New Mexico

Josiah Howard
Hiroshi Miyamura High School | Arizona State University

Micah Chace Hunter
Chinle High School | Fort Lewis College

Gavin Hurley
Tuba City High School | Northern Arizona University

J

Paizlee Jean Jackson
Richfield High School | Utah Valley University

Lukus James
Piñon High School | Eastern Arizona College

Vivian Julia James
Cortez High School | Northern Arizona University

Starr R. Joe
Window Rock High School | Stanford University

Ian Sebastian John
Navajo Preparatory School | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Caitlyn Jones
Hiroshi Miyamura High School | New Mexico State University

K

Aspyn Amira Sage Kaskalla
Navajo Preparatory School | Yale University

Joshua J. Keeto
McKinley Academy | University of Oregon

Wyatt Russell Keith
San Juan High School | Utah State University Eastern

L

Dylan Lansing
Navajo Preparatory School | University of New Mexico

Halia Parker Lansing
Explore Academy | University of Colorado Boulder

Jaymie Virginia Larney
Desert Vista High School | Western New Mexico University

Haley Noelle LeBlanc
Maple Mountain High School | Utah Valley University

Adam Lee
Piedra Vista High School | University of New Mexico

Aimee Stella-Lynn Lee
Chinle High School | Southern Utah University

Dakota Love Lee
Volcano Vista High School | Arizona State University

Elijah R. Lee
Farmington High School | Fort Lewis College

Shelby Mya Lee
Ganado High School | Diné College

Maela Skye Little
Monument Valley High School | Northern Arizona University

Liani Alyssa Lopez
McKinley Academy | Arizona State University

Sierra Tapaha Luna
Xavier College Preparatory | University of Arizona

M

Haley A. Manygoats
Navajo Preparatory School | Arizona State University

Symond Haskell Hawk Martin
Page High School | Northern Arizona University

Wachaykeah Rosemarie Martin
Whitehorse High School | Utah State University Blanding

Kyliana Nizhoni Massey
Camelback High School | Arizona State University

Cuyler N. McDonald
Kirtland Central High School | University of New Mexico

Tierra Rose Meyers
Ganado High School | Lincoln College of Technology

Kaidence Nathelle Mitchell
San Juan High School | University of Utah

Kylie M. Montaño
Hiroshi Miyamura High School | Fort Lewis College

Iris Renai Morris
Holbrook High School | Northern Arizona University

Jayden R. Mustain
McDonald County High School | University of Missouri

N

Alesia Morningstar Nabahe
Santa Fe Indian School | San Juan College

Navani Yanaha Nakai
Snow Canyon High School | Utah Tech University

Angelo Arellano Nez
Troy High School | University of California, Santa Cruz

Zhin Ross Nez
Crownpoint High School | University of New Mexico

Cody Nockideneh
Holbrook High School | Brigham Young University-Idaho

P

Jeremias P. Paddock
Winslow High School | Northern Arizona University

Madisyn NiaCohn Parker
San Juan College High School | Northern Arizona University

Hughstin Jake Pelt
Whitehorse High School | University of Utah

Aydan Royal Peralta
Coconino High School | Northern Arizona University

Rasia Maree Perkins
Corona del Sol High School | Penn State

Makenna E. Pete
Farmington High School | Northwestern University

Kynlie Lantana Platero
Piedra Vista High School | University of Wyoming

Marc Nakai Platero
Skyridge High School | University of Utah

Alaina Joy Plucker
Holbrook High School | Northland Pioneer College

Leota Angel Poneoma
Winslow High School | Diné College

Adam Pozernick
Hiroshi Miyamura High School | New Mexico State University

Paige Tiana Preston
Tuba City High School | Arizona State University

R

Bradley I. Redhouse
Navajo Preparatory School | University of Denver

Lostah Marie Rivas Johnson
Explore Academy | Fort Lewis College

Nizhoni A. Rivera
Rio Rancho High School | University of New Mexico

Savanna Robinson
Gallup High School | University of New Mexico

Delane Little Rodriguez
ASU Preparatory Academy | Arizona State University

Aayden D’Wayne Roland
Winslow High School | Northern Arizona University

Austin Romero
Durango High School | Arkansas State University Mid-South

Jamieson Rope
Camp Verde High School | Arizona State University

Hailey Russell
Greyhills Academy High School | Coconino Community College

Georgia Linn Ryals
Kirtland Central High School | University of New Mexico

S

Lanell Rena Salaba
Piñon High School | Northern Arizona University

Addyson Michelle-Raine Salazar
Navajo Preparatory School | Gonzaga University

Chylynn Sam
San Juan High School | Weber State University

LeDannon Schenally
Richfield High School | Snow College

Justyce Nikia Scott
Navajo Preparatory School | University of Chicago

Markayla Claire Shirley
Chandler High School | Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Emilee Hadassah Spencer
Window Rock High School | Colby College

Mihkayla Stevens
Richfield High School | Southern Utah University

Sydney Noella Symonette
Langley High School | Florida State University

T

Eithan Trey Tachine
Piñon High School | Northern Arizona University

Hunter Cole Tallsalt
Holbrook High School, University of Arizona

Aubrey Raine Taylor
Mountain View High School | Northern Arizona University

Madeline Mae Thomas
ASU Preparatory Academy | Arizona State University

Jonah Brian Thompson
Fayetteville-Manlius High School | Arizona State University

Colten David Thursby
Tombstone High School | LIU Brooklyn

Rashaad Toledo
Farmington High School | University of New Mexico

Colby Lee Tsosie
San Juan College High School | University of New Mexico

Oleshia Alana Tsosie
Ganado High School | Arizona State University

Landon Jackson Tyler
Wingate High School | Fort Lewis College

U

Brandin Naabaahii Upshaw
Navajo Preparatory School | University of San Diego

V

Maelen van Dam
Jefferson Academy High School | Stanford University

Julianne Mikaela Vega
Dolores Senior High School | University of Colorado Boulder

Dineah Marie Velasquez
Cleveland High School | University of Oklahoma

Faith Ann Vicente
Rehoboth Christian School | Arizona State University

W

Christian Walker
Phoenix Preparatory High School | Arizona State University

Keely C. Welch
Tuba City High School | Paradise Valley Community College

Patricia Whalen
Millennium High School | Arizona State University

Caleigh Autumn McKenna White
ASU Preparatory Academy | Arizona State University

Jayanna Nolyn White
Ganado High School | Foothill College

Caleb Matias Whitehorse
Verrado High School | Stanford University

Elysse Woods
San Juan College High School | Florida Institute of Technology

Marchie Woods
Coconino High School | Northern Arizona University

Logan Wooten
Silver High School | New Mexico State University

Y

Bella Hunter Yazzie
Farmington High School | University of Southern California

Braxton Yazzie
San Juan College High School | University of New Mexico

Ethan R. Yazzie
Navajo Preparatory School | Weber State University

Shale Yazzie
Native American Community Academy | University of New Mexico

TyVaughn Yazzie
Monument Valley High School | Northern Arizona University

 

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