3 minute read
Holbrook Indian School
Shawnewa, pictured third from left in this family photo, has been adopted by the Pathak family since graduating from HIS in 2020.
Where Are They Now? Shawnewa
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Shawnewa is a Navajo and Hopi native about to begin her freshman year in college at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She graduated from Holbrook Indian School (HIS) as a member of the Class of 2020. For the past few months, she has been living in Orlando, Florida, with Elena Pathak (KTH Architects), a Senior Project Designer and HIS partner, while preparing for her undergraduate studies.
Due to the Florida state school requirement mandating students have two years of a foreign language for admission, Shawnewa pushed to complete Navajo Language I and II virtually at Dine College. She started these prerequisite classes while still in Arizona, living with her grandmother, which presented a series of unfortunate obstacles.
Moving to live beyond state or even reservation borders is not common among our students and alumni, much less attending college. Elena, who has partnered with HIS on campus building projects, decided to do her part in curbing this reality. This eventually led to Elena’s now close mentor relationship with Shawnewa, helping her move beyond the horizon.
Recently, I had a Zoom call with Shawnewa and Elena. It was wonderful to connect with both of them and learn more about this special connection.
“It’s been going pretty good so far,” Shawnewa said. “I have been getting a lot of help from loved ones in the transition process.” Shawnewa plans to become a doctor, though she is not sure exactly which path she will take in her undergrad studies.
“One of the things Shawnewa didn’t mention were the obstacles she
had to face leading up to and after graduation,” Elena shared. “While still living with her grandmother back on the reservation, she had no internet to be able to take the language courses.”
“She then lost her grandmother to COVID in July. That was a challenging process for her, as her grandmother was like a best friend to her.”
That was when Elena flew Shawnewa to Orlando to provide support and help her move forward with her education. She has now passed both of her Navajo courses and has been successfully admitted to UCF, planning to start in the spring of 2021.
At HIS we strive to give hope to our students. For 75 years, HIS has been connecting Native American youth to people and opportunities like these. For some of the students, getting on an airplane is a first; being outside of Arizona is a big deal. When you support HIS, you give students like Shawnewa the chance to pursue their dreams.
____________________ By Chevon Petgrave
Shawnewa (right) and Elena in Flagstaff, Arizona, during Elena’s visit in 2019. Elena was visiting from Florida to gain feedback from students on the new gym building project.
Holbrook Indian School (HIS) is a first- through twelfth-grade boarding academy operated by the Pacific Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. HIS also manages a first- through eighth-grade day school on the Navajo reservation in Chinle, Arizona. Eighty percent of funding comes from individuals who have a desire to support Native American ministries and Christian education. Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of our students, their families, and the communities they serve.
Thank you for your support.
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
P.O. Box 910 I Holbrook, Arizona 86025-0910 (928) 524-6845 (Ext. 109) I Development@hissda.org HolbrookIndianSchool.org
