The Navajo Mountain High School Class of 2025 is ready to face the world with courage and purpose. On May 23, 11 graduating students lifted their tassels from left to right, conferring that they are officially graduates of the San Juan School District.
In her salutatory address, Alonnah Holiday shared how the Class of 2025 gathered today to “Shoot for the Stars” and to follow their dreams. She also shared wisdom about being kind to each other because life on earth is a precious time.
In small communities like Navajo Mountain, where classes are tight-knit and opportunities sometimes feel distant, our youth are too often discouraged from dreaming big.
But today, we witnessed a shift in mindset—a collective celebration of ambition and hope.
Surrounded by family, mentors, and younger students such as second graders from Naatsis’áán Community School, who sang the National Anthem and led the Pledge of Allegiance, these graduates now step into the role of leaders and role models.
Valedictorian Jaylynn Atene spoke of her honest story of battling depression, which resonates deeply and reminds us of the silent struggles many of our Native youth face. Her strength, drawn from music, community, and faith, is a testament to the resilience that defines our people.
Similarly, keynote speaker Nelson Yellowman reminded the students that success is not measured by comparison.
“I have come here to encourage you to further your education and shoot for the stars, “said Yellowman. “Stars light the night from the darkness around us. Sometimes you will be in places you don’t want to be, and that’s okay because not all stars travel the same distance. Your light brightens on your own time.”
Each of the students listened with open minds and open hearts, a trait I know the Naatsis’áán community values and passes on to their future generations.
Ahe’hee and congratulations, Navajo Mountain High Jaguars Class of 2025!
-Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.
