Education

'I will not burden my mother with high costs'

8 Monument Valley High students win prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship

KAYENTA, May 5, 2011

Eight Monument Valley High School students earned Gates Millennium scholarships from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The coveted scholarship covers any expenses that a student's family can't cover, all the way through graduate school.

Established in 1999, the scholarship is intended to provide African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students with the opportunity to get a college education.

The Mustangs who received the scholarship offer the following statements.

Cedric Begay

I am of the Mexican People Clan, born for the Towering House Clan. My maternal grandfather's clan is Black Sheep Clan and my paternal grandfather is of the Water Edge Clan.

My parents are Johanna Keith and the late Cedric Begay Sr. Kayenta is my hometown. I am a nadleeh and am proud to announce that I am a Gates Millennium Scholar.

Attending California State University to pursue a bachelor's degree in marine biology is my plan for use of my scholarship.

One day I hope to return to the Navajo Nation to show my people how success is measured by effort and that I am living proof of that.

Samuel Black

Yaateeh, I am of the Towering House Clan, born for the Salt People Clan. My maternal grandfather's clan is the Black Sheep Clan and my paternal grandfather's clan is the Bitter Water People Clan.

My father is Robert Kee Black Jr. and my mother is Sandra Carl-Black. I am from Shonto, Ariz.

In the fall, I will attend Dartmouth College and major in Native American studies with a pre-med track.

Receiving the Gates Millennium Scholarship is one of my greatest achievements. Knowing that I can now afford college is a great relief to me and my family.

Applying for the (scholarship) was a very daunting experience and required many hours of hard work. There were definitely many times when I nearly decided to quit, but due to the unwavering support of the MVHS faculty and my family, I persevered.

This scholarship is much more than just free money, it is a way for me to assert my role as leader in my community. This scholarship will provide me the tools I need to bring pride to my family and people, through the power of higher education.

After I have completed my undergraduate studies and medical school, I will return to the Navajo Reservation and help my nation live healthy lives.

I strongly recommend every eligible student to apply for this scholarship. The Navajo Nation needs more young, educated citizens to lead our people into the future.

Shaandiin Parrish

Yaateeh, I am 16 years old and a senior. My parents are Shelly Parrish and Timothy Begay. I am of the Towering House Clan (and born for). The Bitter Water Clan is my maternal grandfather's clan, and my paternal grandfather's clan is the Edge Water Clan. My cousin-brother is Preston Parrish, another GMS scholar.

At a young age I knew I wanted to surpass expectations. I am a three-year graduate and student body president of MVHS. Receiving the Gates Millennium Scholarship is a complete blessing and signifies leadership. I represent my family, MVHS, the Navajo Nation among thousands
One day I hope little Navajo boys and girls will look up to me with a drive to succeed. I am very thankful for Bill and Melinda Gates for paying my higher education at Arizona State University where I will major in astronautical engineering.

Preston Parrish

Hello, I am 18 years old and a senior. My mom is Pam Parrish. I am of the Tobacco Red Running into the Water Clan, born for the Red House Clan. My maternal grandfather is of the Bitter Water People Clan, and my paternal grandfather is of the Reed People Clan. Shaandiin Parrish, another GMS recipient, is my cousin-sister.

Growing up with a single parent is an interesting life. From this experience I learned that you have to work for what you get, nothing ever comes easy.

With me receiving the Gates Millennium Scholarship, I will not burden my mother with the high costs of a college education. My future financial needs for college will be met.

I am excited about studying criminal justice and criminology at Arizona State University. I am going to make something of myself.

Florisa Peshlakai

Yaateeh, I am originally from Black Mesa, Ariz. I am of the Bitter Water People, born for the Black Sheep people. My maternal grandfather's clan is the Mexican People Clan, and my paternal grandfather's clan is the Mexican People Clan.

My mother is Esther Lake Salt and my father is the late Wilson Lee Peshlakai.

Receiving the Gates Millennium Scholarship is a great opportunity and honor on my part because I worked my entire four years of high school participating in the National Honor Society, student council, Future for Agriculture and being ranked in the top 10 of my class.

I advise everyone to start early on the application packet for a greater chance of becoming a GMS scholar.

With this scholarship, I am going to pursue undergraduate degrees in social work and sociology and graduate degrees in family psychology.

I plan to begin my initial studies at Mesa Community College for a year to become adjusted to college life and then complete my degrees at either Arizona State University or the University of Arizona. I am undecided as to where I will pursue a Ph.D. in family psychology.

Kalestinia Sullivan

Hello, I am the daughter of Leslie and Aileen Sullivan. I am the granddaughter of Clyde and Betty Johnson of Tall Mountain, Ariz., and Sam Sullivan Jr. and the late Shirley Sullivan of Red Rock, Ariz.

I am of the Coyote Pass-Salt People Clan, born for the Reed People. My maternal grandfather is of the Bitter Water People Clan and my paternal grandfather is of the Manygoats-Red House Clan. My sister, Lestinia, and I are Gates Millennium Scholars.

Graduating in three years and being a GMS recipient is a huge accomplishment. Graduating early was not easy. I dedicated my whole summer taking college courses and prepared myself for higher education.

Earning this amazing scholarship was very time-consuming and stressful. Even though my family is important to me, I sacrificed time away from them to focus on my application. I give thanks to my family, teachers and my faith for their support.

In the fall, I will be attending the University of New Mexico to major in bio-chemistry/pre-med in the hopes of returning to the Navajo Nation as a licensed anesthesiologist.

Thank you, Bill and Melinda Gates, for making this possible and turning my dreams into reality.

Lestinia Sullivan

Yaateeh, I am the proud daughter of Leslie and Aileen Sullivan. I am of the Coyote Pass-Salt People Clan, born for the Reed People. My maternal grandfather is of the Bitter Water People Clan and my paternal grandfather is of the Manygoats-Red House Clan. My maternal grandparents are Clyde and Betty Johnson.

My paternal grandparents are Sam Sullivan, Sr. and the late Shirley-Leslie Sullivan. I am originally from Tall Mountain, Ariz., and Red Rock, Ariz.

Coming from a family of six, three of us are graduating from Monument Valley High School next month. My younger sister, Kalestinia, and I are 2011 Gates Millennium Scholars. We are proud and honored to share this prestigious scholarship together.

My sister and I are headed to an out-of-state university and my older brother, Cordell, will be attending Tulsa Welding School.

Having three high school graduates who want to further their education all at once in our family could have been a tremendous burden upon our parents, but receiving this scholarship is a big relief.

Writing and sharing my personal life, teachings and experience with complete strangers is something I never thought of doing, however it helped me with being awarded this scholarship.

I would like to thank my family, teachers, and Christa Moya of the American Indian Graduate Center for their support and encouragement.

Most of the credit is due to my religion - the Native American Church - and my traditional values for my faith gave me the strength, courage and guidance to complete the rigorous scholarship process.

Coming back to the reservation to help my people and our animals is what I always dreamed of doing and the University of New Mexico will help me achieve this dream.

Lastly, I would like to thank Bill and Melinda Gates for providing me the funding I need to complete my college education.

Orrin Whaley

Yaateeh, I am from Kayenta. I am of the Red House People Clan, born for bilagçana. My parents are Ollie and Aneta (Talker) Whaley.

I am so thankful for the Gates Millennium Scholarship because it will help fund my higher education.

This coming year I will attend Brigham Young University and major in nutrition dietetics. I believe that poor nutrition is a big cause of many of today's illnesses and that good nutrition is a cure for most illnesses.

One day I hope to return to the Navajo Reservation with more knowledge and with a greater capacity to help my people become healthier.

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