'I try to keep our tradition alive'
By Sherese Nez
Miss White Cone High School

(Courtesy photo)
Sherese Nez, Miss White Cone High School
Ya'at'eeh, my name is Sherese Nez. My clans are Totsohnii' Niish lii' Kii' yaa' aanii' Ba' shish' chiin' Todich'ii'ni' Daa' chi' chei' 'Ashiihi Daa' chi' Naa' li'
My clans are Big Water, born for the Tower House Clan. My grandpas are Bitter Water People and my paternal clan is the Salt People. My grandparents are Cecil Begay, that is my grandfather. He is from Dilkon, Ariz., and my grandmother is Anita Begay. She is from Rock Black, a little valley between White Cone and Greasewood.
My parents are Bruce Nez, he is my father. He is from Horse Standing, past Dilkon and Winslow. My mom is Lavina Nez, she is from Rock Black, same place where my grandmother is from. That is my grandparents and parents. I mostly stay with my grandparents.
I go to school every single day, except on weekends and holidays, at White Cone High School. I am 16 years old and a junior this year. I was born on Jan. 22, 1993, as a newborn into a beautiful new world.
Last year, I was wearing Navajo jewelry to school because I am proud of who I am as a Native American and I try to keep our tradition alive. But I am also trying hard in school and doing my duty as Miss White Cone at White Cone High School.
I go to ceremonies every season, sometimes I participate in them too. I mostly respect them and our elders. I listen to my grandparents talking about our (Dine) people. My family, we mostly talk in Navajo, and very little English. But it is a gift from the gods that they gave us this language. So it is wonderful and beautiful, the Navajo language.
I like the beauty of our culture, how our tribe dresses with all of the beautiful jewelry we have. The amazing hairstyles, like the Navajo hair bun. Also the beauty we walk in our moccasins on Mother Earth.
But I like the way I am as a Navajo, and I listen to my elders, who teach me. I respect everyone wherever I go.
We eat tasty traditional foods such as corn and all different ways to cook with corn. My grandmother teaches me how to grind corn and many other things.
I'd like to say thank you to her, my family members and relatives. I will do my best to go on. Have a wonderful year with happiness in your hearts.