It was an honor to speak at the Northwest High School graduation in Shiprock yesterday evening. With seven graduates total, I was able to share a few words of encouragement reassurance of why our students matter.
Regardless of the small graduating class size, the gymnasium was filled with faculty, staff and family members, where the loud cheers and cowbells made this event lively. Many emotions were shared, but every graduate stood proud.
With this, I encouraged our students to take pride in everything they do, no matter that they decide to pursue and that they are capable to achieve anything. What matters is that they believe in themselves as Navajo citizens and that we are very proud of them.
Shiprock Northwest Fighting Falcons Class of 2025 • Cherrilynn Begay • Allejah Camacho • Isaiah Charlie • Jayden Cleveland • Jonaven McDonald • Dominic Nolan • Martina Peter
The Shiprock Associated Schools, Inc. (SASI) district was deeply impacted from COVID, which caused a decrease in teacher positions. Northwest High School is part of SASI and now has a full staff that are helping students gain dual credits from NTU and Diné College.
“It doesn’t take overnight to build a school back up,” Dr. J Kaibah Begay, SASI superintendent said. “We’re providing a lot more opportunities for our students to be successful in both worlds, within our culture and western society.”
During the ceremony, Isaiah Charlie, Jayden Cleveland and Jonaven McDonald were the three students gifted with laptops by COGNIA Navajo Nation and “Laptop 4 Learning” that represented hope, opportunity and future opportunities for their schooling.
Additionally, Isaiah Charlie, Dominic Nolan, Jonaven McDonald and Martina Peter recognized for taking dual enrollment credit from NTU in welding and Dominic Nolan received a cord for completing the silversmithing dual classes from Diné College.
Martina Peter is the 2025 Honor Senior of the Year.
As each graduated received their diploma, Johnson Blackwater did a water blessing that provided the students protection and strength for their next chapter in life.
Thank you to SASI, faculty and staff for supporting these outstanding students and their accomplishments. To parents, grandparents and relatives, thank you for the care in raising intelligent and resilient individuals from the moment they were welcomed into this world, to now graduating high school.
Congratulations! Go Falcons!
-Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren
