CHINLE, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren told the 2024 graduating class of Chinle High School that completing a task is more important than where or when its finished.
“No matter if you are first or last, what matters is that you finished,” he told the 108 graduates here Saturday. “Today is an accumulation of 12 years of hard work. Waking up in the dark to get to school, traveling long distances, studying long hours, practicing sports into the evening and then traveling back home again, only to start it all over again, year after year.”
Amidst cheers and applause the ceremony marked the classic milestone for students, parents and their community. The graduates collectively received more than $2.4 million in scholarships as they move toward college and trade schools across the country.
President Nygren was joined by Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley, Council Delegates Shawna Ann Claw, Carl Slater and Germaine Simonson to honor the graduating Wildcats at the Wildcat Den.
Among those President Nygren acknowledged with Superintendent Quincy Natay, Chinle High Principal Raymond Andrade and the Chinle Unified School District Governing Board were the district’s many school bus drivers who drove thousands of miles to help make this day possible for the youth of the Navajo Nation.
Principal Andrade spoke of the difficulties students encounter in their educational journey, quoting Dieter Uchtdorf who said, “It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.”
Chinle High School teacher and cross-country running coach Shaun Martin took the stage as the keynote speaker. Martin’s outstanding contributions to the school’s athletic programs boasted 14 state titles in cross country, 19 individual state champions and helped secure 49 scholarships for student-athletes.
“Wherever you go from here,” President Nygren said, “take the principles of respect, discipline and high expectations for yourself with you.”
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