Winning essay honors grandmother

Jan. 18 started like any other day for 9-year-old Emerald Begay of Coal Mine Mesa, Ariz.

But once she got to class, the Eagle's Nest Middle School student received a surprise visit from Miss Navajo Nation Winifred Jumbo.

"I knew it was me that she was looking for when she came in my class," Begay said of Jumbo, who was wearing her silver-and-turquoise crown, a white satin dress and was carrying a Pendleton blanket.

Begay had submitted an essay to the Miss Navajo Nation Pendleton Drive: Benefiting Our Navajo Elderly essay contest last month and when Jumbo appeared at Eagle's Nest, Begay knew she'd won.

The contest was for school-aged children to write about how their grandparents influenced their lives. The winners each received a Pendleton robe to give to or commemorate their distinguished elder.

Last week Jumbo drove throughout the Navajo Reservation, from Tuba City to Torreon, N.M., delivering Pendletons to the nine contest winners. Jumbo said she received more than 100 essays and chose the winners herself.

The competition was broken into three age groups: third-fifth grade, sixth-eighth grade and ninth-10th grade.

But Begay's essay stood out from the rest.

"Emerald's was more compelling for the reason being that she was the only in the fourth grade and she had a lot to express about her grandma," Jumbo said.

Begay wrote about Mable Sellers, or "Gramma Mable," and all the teachings she passed on before her death in 2008.

Gramma Mable taught her granddaughter about traditions such as keeping a clean house so the Holy People will bless it in the early dawn hours, and how to butcher sheep.

"She kind of expressed her heritage as more of a blessing because she was Navajo," Jumbo said about the essay.

Begay said she wrote the essay in one sitting and stayed up until midnight to complete it.

"I'm proud of her for what she did because she has a lot of memories of her grandma," said Begay's mother, Eva Manymules.

For Manymules, 35, the fact that her daughter has so many memories provides solace and the knowledge that family traditions will be carried on to the next generation.

"She has a lot of cousins that are following behind her. She is an example for her generation," Manymules said.

Begay added that she plans on becoming writer when she grows older.

And she may have another chance at winning an essay contest.

Jumbo said she is planning to hold perhaps three more essay contests. One would be for Mother's Day, another for Father's Day, and another would focus on family history. She said she was pleased with the response to the contest.

"It was a really cool project," she said.

Besides Begay, the winners and the grandparents they wrote about are:

• Beradine Clauschee, 14, eighth grade, Chinle Boarding School, Ruth Clauschee;
• Nathaniel Smiley, 15, eighth grade, Chinle Boarding School, Roger Nelson Sr.;
• Bryanna Armstrong, no age given, sixth grade, Montezuma Creek Elementary School, grandfather's name not given;
• Cherona A. Begaye, 12, sixth grade Na'Neelzhiin Ji Olta, grandmother's name not given;
• Alette L. Begay, 13, seventh grade, Tohatchi Middle School, Janyce Marshall;
• Damon Bahe, 13, seventh grade, Lukachukai Community School, Kee White Sr.;
• Leilani Begaye, 13, seventh grade, Albert R. Lyman Middle School, grandmother's name not given;
• Lesley Gravett, 15, 10th grade, Winslow High School, Peggy Scott.

Jumbo thanked the sponsors for their contribution of a shawl or robe to the essay contest winners, including T & R Pawn and Market; Navajo Nation Office of the President; Betty Ojaye, executive director of Navajo Preparatory School; Perry Null Trading Company; Miss Teen Navajo Christine Lewis; Roberta Diswood; Myron Tsosie, and the Office of Miss Navajo Nation.

"In conclusion, students please attend school regularly and never give up on what you set your mind and heart to," she added. "I strongly believe that every student has the potential to accomplish great successes in the future, therefore always take pride in your Navajo history and language.

"Please continue to listen to the teachings of your grandparents and parents. I wish everyone many blessings and take care of one another."

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