‘It’s going to be you’: Chief Manuelito scholars urged to dream bigger, lead stronger

BÉÉSH HÁÁT’I

Aliyah L. Tsedah didn’t realize it at first, but she was sitting among some of the most influential leaders in Diné government during Friday’s Chief Manuelito Scholarship awards ceremony.

Focused on her phone and dressed in a biil with turquoise and silver jewelry, the recent Piñon High School graduate quietly sat beside Speaker Crystalyne Curley, Interim Chief Justice Eleanor Shirley, hydrologist Crystal Tulley-Cordova, and former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Tsedah, 18, said she never imagined earning the prestigious scholarship named after Hastiin Ch’il Haajiní, the 19th-century leader who urged Diné youth to pursue education while preserving their culture. It was her parents, Anna Charley and Aljerino Tsedah, who pushed her to apply.

“They had a lot of belief, and they told me to ‘Go for it!’ to see if I would get it,” she said. “And I got it.”

 

To read the full article, please see the July 31, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.

2025 Chief Manuelito Scholars

Chinle Agency

Cadence Aria Begaye – Jersey Village High School, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Kirilena K. Begieh – Piñon High School, Arizona State University
Ayla A. Benally – Barry Goldwater High School, Arizona State University
Kiara D. Bia – Corona Del Sol High School, Arizona State University
LaRoy M. Cisco – Miyamura High School, University of New Mexico
Andrea M.D. Denny – Piñon High School, Arizona State University
Savannah J. Etsitty – Piñon High School, Grand Canyon University
Deelilah L. Harvey – Many Farms High School, Arizona State University
Kennedy L. John – Cornerstone Christian Schools, University of the Incarnate Word
Phildeya E. Lee – Piñon High School, University of New Mexico
Lee A. Martinez – Horizon High School, Arizona State University
Angel K. Nazwood – Ganado High School, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Chase K. Salabye – Holbrook High School, Northern Arizona University
Robert James Singer – Middle College High School, University of New Mexico
Payton Sah-Povi Tacheene – Hopi Junior Senior High School, Northern Arizona University
Aliyah L. Tsedah – Piñon High School, Copper Mountain College
Qoah Yazzie – Chinle High School, Central Arizona College

Crownpoint Agency

Haili S. Begay – Volcano Vista High School, Brigham Young University
Treyshawn W. Bia – Middle College High School, Northern Arizona University
Kyli Lynn Burgett – Rio Rancho High School, Texas Tech University
Coral Elsie Chadwick – McLean High School, Brigham Young University
Brenna K. Chicharello – Middle College High School, New Mexico State University
Alyssa Ruby Curley – V. Sue Cleveland High School, University of New Mexico
Matthew Aaron Hansen – Cibola High School, University of Colorado-Boulder
Nicole Ann King – Middle College High School, Northern Arizona University
Matthew Johndavis Lara – Navajo Preparatory School, Utah State University
Krischelle L. Largo – Thoreau High School, University of New Mexico
Nolan E. Morgan – Wingate High School, University of Arizona
McKenzie Rose Notah – Gallup High School, Northern Arizona University
Braydon Leo St. John – Borah High School, Utah State University
Thedeous Brody Tah – Miyamura High School, Stanford University
Lorelai Grace Taylor – East Valley High School, University of Washington
Tiana Louise Tom – Gallup High School, Oklahoma State University-Stillwater

Fort Defiance Agency

Keira Erin Allen – Middle College High School, University of New Mexico-Gallup
Azur River Anderson – Tivy High School, University of Chicago
Natashia M. Anderson – Navajo Preparatory School, University of Denver
Isaac M. Begay – Early College Academy, University of New Mexico
Maven P. Begay – Holbrook High School, Northern Arizona University
Journey D. Burnside – St. Michael Indian School, Fort Lewis College
Keegan J. Butler – The Classical Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Kari S. Chato – Tohatchi High School, University of Utah
Dexter Glenn Clark – Mountain View High School, Utah Valley University
Tionne McKenna Claw – Tohatchi High School, University of New Mexico
Tyler J. Durant – Eldorado High School, University of New Mexico
Devyn Rae Harvey – Middle College High School, New Mexico State University
Hailey N. Haven – Rehoboth Christian School, Northern Arizona University
Robert A. Higgins – Holbrook High School, Northern Arizona University
Evan Z. Hood-Orillie – Tohatchi High School, University of New Mexico
Daivian Rayne Kelley – Holbrook High School, Arizona State University
Amaya Rae Lee – Volcano Vista High School, University of Arizona
Darren G. Mark – Winslow High School, Arizona State University
Angela Rome Miles – Middle College High School, University of Southern California
Heavenleigh S. Miller – Hopi Junior Senior High School, Arizona State University
Haini-Wiragusge M. Morgan – Winnebago Public High School, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nevaeh R. Nelson – Window Rock High School, Arizona State University
Cillian O’Gleason – Window Rock High School, Northern Arizona University
Kevin Pruitt – V. Sue Cleveland High School, University of Arizona
Wesley Dale Reid – Winslow High School, University of Arizona
Erin D. Rivas-Johnson – Explore Academy, Fort Lewis College
Aviana N. Scharfenberger – Coconino High School, University of Arizona
Zackery T. Shoemaker – Vernon Hills High School, College of Lake County
Cyanna V. Stewart – Chandler High School, Arizona State University
Isaac J. Teller – Middle College High School, Western New Mexico University
Madeline G. Thacker – Ganado High School, University of Arizona
Leyton P. Tom – Holbrook High School, Northern Arizona University
Kodi Jace Yazzie – Tohatchi High School, Texas Tech University

Shiprock Agency

Harley James Anderson – San Juan High School, Utah Valley University
Maddox Ryan Andre – San Juan College High School, University of New Mexico
Mckenzi Rose Ashley-Willie – Navajo Preparatory School, University of Washington
Kendra L. Barreto – Bloomfield High School, University of New Mexico
Erin J. Charley – Navajo Preparatory School, Colorado State University
Tatum S. Collins – Flagstaff High School, Arizona State University
Devin A. Deale – Farmington High School, Colorado State University
Skyla-Jinxi E. Dixon – Farmington High School, Haskell Indian Nations University
Dathan C. Esson – Kirtland Central High School, Fort Lewis College
Takarra Neena Fonseca – Sandia High School, Grand Canyon University
Elias Gomez – Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Northern Arizona University
Ashkiilanii K. Hanamaikai – Davis High School, Salt Lake Community College
Aiden Vera Harrison – San Juan College High School, University of New Mexico
Lanticia J. Kee – Farmington High School, University of Redlands
Elena Sol Lucero – Monterey Senior High School, University of Texas-Austin
Mikaela Kai Taylor Mason – Poudre High School, University of Colorado-Boulder
Graciella Lee Miranda – Desert Vista High School, University of Colorado-Boulder
Xavier T. Nez – Navajo Preparatory School, University of New Mexico
Zilong Nez – Explore Academy, University of New Mexico
Sydnee Lynn Patterson – South Sevier High School, Mesa Community College
Dakota James Peshlakai – Navajo Preparatory School, New Mexico Institute of Mining
Kailiah Jo Peters – Shiprock High School, University of New Mexico
Hailey C. Powell – Desert Edge High School, Arizona State University
Kelyssa Mecah Redhorse – San Juan College High School, Northern Arizona University
Kayah Ann Redhouse – Great Oak High School, Stanford University
Seanna N.B. Sylvester – Farmington High School, Fort Lewis College
Aaleah Dinae Tagoai – V. Sue Cleveland High School, Brigham Young University
Joaquin B. Tate – Millenium High School, Arizona State University
Dylon Rey Tso – Farmington High School, University of New Mexico
Megan Tosie – Arizona Virtual Academy, University of Southern California
Caitlin I. Valencia – Rowlett High School, Baylor University
Kalayla Alice Yazzie – Red Mesa High School, Fort Lewis College
Linsey J. Yazzie – Farmington High School, Utah Valley University

Tuba City Agency

Alana L. Begay – University High School, University of California-Berkeley
Chloe N. Begay – Tuba City High School, Northern Arizona University
Jayden M. Begay – Flagstaff High School, University of Arizona
Kavya Begay – Cortez High School, Glendale Community College
Karmine K. Bennett – Page High School, Northern Arizona University
Paige Lynn Bitsoie – San Juan High School, Weber State University
Maelei Ann Bowen – Tuba City High School, Arizona State University
Becynthia O. Bryant – Shonto Preparatory Technology High School, Northern Arizona University
Kanisa F. Bitler – Tuba City High School, Canisius College
Autumn N. Clitso – San Juan College High School, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Tyri C. Cly – Monument Valley High School, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Wes Tyler Colliflower – Coconino High School, Northern Arizona University
Isabella M. Dewyer – Cactus High School, University of Arizona
Sequoia Irisz Dickson – Page High School, Northern Arizona University
Adriana Dominguez – Monument Valley High School, Mesa Community College
Esias Chee Esplain – Coconino High School, Northern Arizona University
Andriella K. Flores – Tuba City High School, Northern Arizona University
Kristin E. Harris – Page High School, Northern Arizona University
Sparrow Kewenvoyouma – Tuba City High School, Arizona State University
Elena A. Klopfenstein – Coconino High School, Stanford University
Jadan Lamar Lewis – Gilbert High School, Arizona State University
Jordyn Darryl Lomakema – Hopi Junior Senior High School, Arizona State University
Adrianna A. Long – Coconino High School, University of Pennsylvania
Keiryn W. Mann – Monument Valley High School, Centralia College
Elijah T. Mountz – Mountz Homeschool, University of Arizona
Julianna W. Nava – Perry High School, Phoenix College
Bryce P. Nelson – Flagstaff High School, Northern Arizona University
Samira Lyla Old Elk – Coconino High School, University of Arizona
Joshua L. Peacock – Tuba City High School, Northern Arizona University
Grace Shandiin Raptis – Monument Valley High School, University of Rochester
Haylei Redhouse – Navajo Preparatory School, Harvard University
Clara G.E. Talker – Verrado High School, Arizona State University
Tynathan N. Tsosie – Sunrise Mountain High School, Arizona State University
Niya N. Turnbull – Arcadia High School, Arizona State University
Mya Maria Willie – Richfield High School, Snow College
Billy Ralph Yazzie – Monument Valley High School, Arizona State University
Madison L. Yazzie – La Joya Community High School, Northern Arizona University
Noble Young Blackgoat – Coconino High School, Northern Arizona University

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