2 minute read
Class Acts
CLASS ACTS
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ORTHODONTICS WITH EMPHASIS ON THE HEALTH OF THE JAW JOINTS.
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With the start of school just a few weeks away, Isabel Gomez says she’s excited about the next chapter in her life.
“I’ll be in the seventh grade at Highland East,” said Gomez. “I’m looking forward to my classes and getting involved in sports.
Gomez says she currently stays active by skateboarding but hopes to participate in softball and basketball in junior high. She says her favorite subject is math, and she’s passionate about reading.
“I’ve been reading the Harry Potter novels right now,” said Gomez. “I’m on the third book. And I also like anime a lot.”
Gomez is Ponca-Kiowa-Lakota-Zuni. One of the most important things about her life is her Native American heritage. She takes great pride in celebrating that heritage by participating in Pow Wows, which are Native American people’s way of gathering, dancing, singing, renewing old friendships, and making new ones. Gomez has been dancing at Pow Wows since she was three years old.
“The grand entries are great,” said Gomez, “I also have participated in gourd dancing, buckskin, fancy shawl, and I even used to do jingle when I was younger. My parents felt it was important to my heritage, and I love doing it.”
Gomez says in addition to the dancing, she loves the chance to connect with other Native Americans and develop those relationships. This past June, she and some classmates supported Dr. Kandace Robertson, their physical education teacher, at the Annual Ioway Pow Wow. Robertson served as Head Lady for the Pow Wow. Gomez represented in her official role as the Moore JOM Princess.
JOM stands for Johnson O’Malley, a federally funded program designed to promote academic achievement and understanding Native American culture in Oklahoma public schools.
After high school, Gomez plans on heading off to college. “I plan on working in coding,” said Gomez. “I’m also hoping to get another JOM princess title before I go to college.”
That means Gomez will get plenty more opportunities to celebrate her Native American heritage and dance to her heart’s content at future Pow Wow’s.
