In her introductory remarks to her classmates, which achieved a remarkable 90% graduation rate, senior Kiera Brown shared ‘Three Be’s’ with them: “Be Active. Be Kind. Be You.”
This advice from Kiera, under a bright firework display and the voices of the Holbrook High School Show Choir, is summed up best as the “Roadrunner Way” and this year’s class motto.
I’m very proud of the 138 Roadrunners, who invited me to their commencement before more than 3,000 family, relatives, and friends. It was a beautiful evening, especially for a high school that is one of the top-performing schools in Arizona, which serves a high density of Native students.
‘The Roadrunner Way’ is more than a motto for this year’s seniors, but a reflection of the countless stories of perseverance. Like their mascot, expressed as a guardian against negative energy, the roadrunner brings healing to our communities.
Moreover, I congratulate our parents, guardians, grandparents, and relatives who helped each of these Roadrunners achieve their diplomas. Because our students will need them when the going gets tough.
Holbrook High School has a strong history of producing barrier-breaking graduates, including Aaron Yazzie, a mechanical engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Daelyn Nez, Miss Native American 2025-2026 at the University of Arizona, and my senior advisor, Justin Ahasteen, 2017 Marine of the Year and considered the youngest executive director for Navajo Nation Washington Office.
Many of Holbrook High’s graduates come from humble beginnings, but they come with grit.
You are the future. You are the next builders, protectors, role models and leaders. So be bold. Be humble. Be proud. And always think for the future.
In the words of Mufasa, “Remember who you are.”
God Bless and congratulations to this extraordinary Class of 2025! Go Roadrunners!
-Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren
