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[l] at 3/28/24 6:00am
Jacks Toon March 28, 2024 Select a thumbnail below to launch a gallery of Jacks recent work: The post Comics by Jack Ahasteen appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Comics]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:33am
By Jan-Mikael Patterson Navajo Times LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. – When Shynelle Joe completed spelling the word “rankles,” she was puzzled. “I was like, ‘That’s all?’ Where’s all the fireworks, celebration music and confetti like they do in the movies?” she said. Navajo Times | Jan-Mikael PattersonTsaile Public School sixth grader Shynelle Joe looks toward the spelling bee pronouncer at the Office of Diné Youth-Fort Defiance on March 21. The moment was surreal as Shynelle was named the Navajo Times/Office of Diné Youth Final Regional Spelling Bee on Thursday. Joe, 12, is a sixth-grade student at Tsaile Public School. Her clans are Tó’aheedlíinii born for ‘Áshįįhí. Her cheii is Táchii’nii and nálí is Todích’íi’nii’. Her mother is Sherri Joe, and her elder brothers are Nehemiah and Shelby Joe. “It was nerve-racking,” Sherri said after she watched her daughter compete. “I had butterflies in my stomach the entire time.” Sherri remembers the moment her daughter was named the winner. “I was so proud I was in tears,” she said. “My son took my hand and brought me back to the spelling bee. I wanted to jump up and scream.” “You should have,” Shynelle responded. Preparing for this past spelling bee was a family effort. Before Shynelle’s school excused students for winter break, she was told about the spelling bee competition. “My teacher, Ms. (Koty) Jim, came (into our classroom) and asked us if we wanted to do the spelling bee,” Shynelle said. “A bunch of my friends in class, they said they would do the spelling bee, too. “I decided to do it for fun, just to see how far I could get,” Shynelle said. She was given a blue book with nine stapled pages. Her mother and brothers took apart the booklet and decided to help. “Her brothers and I took certain pages (each),” her mother said, “and we all put the pronunciation on the left side of the listed vocabulary terms and the definition on the right side. This wasn’t Shynelle’s first rodeo when it came to a spelling bee competition. In first grade, she took second place. She lost to her classmate Koen Harvey, who won first place. Her nephew, Wiley Joe, took third place. Both students were also in the school competition but ended up not placing. The first stage of this year’s competition took place in Shynelle’s school, Tsaile Public School, on Jan. 29. Shynelle remembers her expectations at the time. She said, “I just told myself to make it past the first round.” Shynelle didn’t want to lose initially because she expected more from herself. So, her motto regarding the bee was “get past the first round.” Shynelle advanced to the first round of the school competition. In the second round, she was given the word “forgeable,” which she misspelled. Luckily for Shynelle, the rest of the competitors also misspelled their words. This was a second chance, and she won the school competition. Next was the Central Agency Dine Youth Spelling Bee competition on Feb. 21 in Chinle. Shynelle finished as the runner-up for the sixth graders at Chinle, making her eligible for Thursday’s final competition. Studying and practicing with family helped as they moved away from the provided list and took on more challenging vocabulary. Shynelle smiled and pointed toward her mom when asked what kept her motivated. “Her!” she exclaimed. “She’s the one that said to me, ‘I’m killing myself for you, so you better win.’” Sherri just smiled and said, “She made me so proud. I knew she could do it. Now we get to go to Washington, D.C.” Her mother believes reading helps Shynelle learn vocabulary terms. “She’s always reading something,” she said. “Everywhere we go, she has a book with her.” “It’s because of my grandma,” Shynelle said. “When I was small, we used to go to Gallup a lot, and my grandma would tell me, ‘Take a book to read.’ “She had a shelf full of books. I don’t remember what they were about, but I remember they were interesting,” she said. “And my grandpa drives slow, so I needed something to do.” Her cheii and másání are Anslem and Maria Joe of Lukachukai. Her paternal grandmother is Lillian Begay of Dennehotso, Arizona. “I believe that she started (reading) at a young age because of her older brothers,” her mother said. “They had quite a collection of books they read and a collection of Disney books. “So, she would read those princess stories, and she was so into that, reading at a young age. I tried to read to her when she was small.” Sherri also used books from the Salina Bookshelf of Flagstaff to read to Shynelle. “One thing to mention about her is that once she got into kindergarten with the Chinle School District,” her mom said, “she’s been a ‘Career Ready’ student every year.” “I mean, I do like school, but it’s just that sometimes I need a break,” Shynelle giggled. She meant a break from other students and teachers. These breaks are part of a benchmark testing program for high-achieving students called “College and Career Ready,” where they are tested quarterly during the school year. Earning the highest grade and achievements in school every year earns her and many other students the chance to be included in the career-ready circle, which comes with perks like attending a Chinle Wildcats home game or a field trip during Kid’s Day to the Navajo Nation Fair. “Now that she is in sixth grade, I think she likes the privileges and the rewards of going on outings with the school,” her mother said. When asked what privileges or outings she liked best, she grinned, “Getting taken away from class.” Shynelle’s favorite subject in school is math, but she likes the teaching style of Ms. Jim, her English and language arts teacher. She is preparing “to get past the first round” at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The post C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N: Lók’a’ch’égai girl Shynelle Joe wins Navajo Times/Office of Diné Youth Final Regional Spelling Bee appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: News]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:32am
WINDOW ROCK – The Navajo Nation Judicial Branch will celebrate its 65th anniversary with Justice Day events across the Navajo Nation in April. The events are for the public and for them to learn more about the Nation’s courts. On behalf of Chief Justice JoAnn Jayne, Karen Francis, the Judicial Branch’s acting administrative director, said members of the Judicial Branch are looking forward to Justice Day, which celebrates the creation of the Navajo Nation’s court system on April 1, 1959. Before the Nation had a court system, Francis, who had been with the Judicial Branch for 13 and a half years, said the Navajo Tribe was under the federal government. According to Francis, in the 1950s, a proposal was introduced in Arizona to take over the Navajo courts using the then-newly enacted federal Public Law 280. This allowed the Navajo Tribal Council to approve a resolution to abolish the Navajo Courts of Indian Offenses, which were courts of the Department of Interior, and acknowledge the existing courts as courts of the Navajo Tribe. The resolution became effective April 1, 1959. The Navajo people had their own form of dispute resolution: they discussed matters with leaders selected by community consensus. “Hózhǫ́ǫ́ji nahat’á” is the process recognized today through the Judicial Branch’s Peacemaking Program. There are 11 judicial districts with district and family courts and offices for the Peacemaking Program and Probation and Parole Services. Judicial districts included Window Rock, Tuba City, Kayenta, Aneth, Shiprock, Crownpoint, Pueblo Pintado, Dilkon, Chinle, Dziłíjiin, Ramah, and Tó Hajiileehé/Alamo. The Supreme Court hears appeals and sits in Window Rock. Navajo Nation sovereignty The values extend profoundly because justice and law are embedded in the Diné cultural context. Former Chief Justice Herb Yazzie said the idea of Justice Day is a time to reflect. “Justice is being provided, and what’s the best way for justice to be provided?” asked Yazzie, who served as chief justice from 2005 to 2015. The Navajo government provides justice to the Nation and its people; it is more than a celebration. Former Chief Justice Robert Yazzie said striving to balance law and justice is appropriate and worth discussing. “It’s important because it’s when the Navajo Nation took responsibility rather than having outside law,” said Robert, who served as chief justice from 1992 to 2003. “We do have inherent power to run our own judicial system and to have our courts to have power to make decisions to our own law.” Today, he refers to it as the Navajo Common Law. “April first is a real special day that we are a sovereign nation and (should) act accordingly,” Robert said. “What if one day we wake up and see that we no longer have a Navajo court system?” Robert asked. “What if our courts were placed under the complete authority of the state and federal court system?” He added it is an inherent power that the Navajo Nation continues to use Navajo values and knowledge to provide stability, order, uniformity, and teachings through the legal system to the Navajo Nation and its people. During his time as chief justice, Robert expressed that the Peacemaking needed to be revived. Dempsey Harvey, the Peacemaking Program coordinator at the Judicial Branch, said the purpose of the Peacemaking Program is to alleviate contention, and its peacemakers encourage people to work together to resolve conflict in a peacemaking session. The program uses the Diné Fundamental Law, comprising traditional law, natural law, customarily law, and custom law, according to Harvey. This allows all leaders and educators to approach matters with involved parties to restore and resolve issues and concerns through traditional values. The Peacemaking Program and its practices and values were woven into Diné teachings before the Long Walk, Hwéeldi, which Harvey suggests not forgetting because although it was a time of removal, the Navajo people were told not to forget about their language and cultural traditions. “People say, ‘Well, that’s the old way of doing things. You need to get up to par on the future,’” Harvey said, adding that Diné Bizaad and the Diné traditions are still being carried on. “We are unique, and when we invoke sovereignty, that’s a big thing of the natural law,” he added. “The Navajo Nation is big on saving our sovereignty. It is who we are as Diné, as the five-finger beings,” said Harvey, who has been with the Peacemaking Program for three years. “The Peacemaking Program is a modeled entity,” Harvey said, meaning that other tribes are implementing their own Peacemaking Program with the help of the Navajo Nation. Upcoming Justice Day events: April 1 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Supreme Court, Window Rock District Court, Peacemaking Program, Administrative Office of the Courts, Judicial Conduct Commission, Window Rock, Arizona April 2 TBA Alamo Court April 3 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dziłíjiin Judicial District, Piñon, Arizona April 5 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuba City Judicial District 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chinle Judicial District, Chinle Judicial Complex Building A 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ramah Judicial District TBA Kayenta Judicial District April 8 TBA Tó Hajiileehé Court April 12 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Aneth Judicial District, Aneth District Court at Aneth Chapter House The post Judicial branch celebrates 65 years appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: News]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:31am
TWIN LAKES, N.M. – For over 30 years, the Iyanbito community has faced inconsistency because railroad tracks block emergency services, hindering its one-way access. The issue arose when a brush fire started on March 3. An individual put hot ashes outside during a windy evening, and the ensuing blaze covered 300 square feet of land. When emergency personnel were contacted, their vehicles were halted by the railroad crossing because a train was passing by. This incident sparked concerns about community safety and accessibility. Reyaun Francisco, the chair of the Iyanbito Chapter’s CLUPC, said emergency personnel took a while to arrive at the scene, partly due to the singular arterial crossing of railroad tracks. “We really struggle with the entrance,” said Eugene Marshall, the facility maintenance specialist at Iyanbito Chapter. Roughly 300 trains are heavily trafficked in the western part of the U.S., and the Southern Transcon railway allows Amtrak and BSNF trains to chain through New Mexico, transporting cargo and people. In the 1880s, the Southern Transcon railway was constructed from Chicago and trails through to Southern California, according to the Southern Transcon website. Freight trains bypass the small community of Iyanbito, which is in Eastern Navajo Agency 15 miles east of Gallup. “(There’s) only one way in and only one way out,” Marshall said, regarding the only entrance of Iyanbito. Secondary routes are not optional nor drivable as they involve off-roading into a wash and are eroded. On March 7, the railroad crossing was closed due to one of the track rails breaking. That created a three-inch gap, which triggered the barriers to come down. That day, the Gallup McKinley County School and BIA buses were among the backed-up traffic. They ultimately turned around because they had to wait an hour for the track rail to be fixed. “The buses didn’t pick up students, and others were late for work,” Marshall said. “Some of them had appointments to get to, and they were upset.” Read the full story in the March 28, 2024, edition of the Navajo Times. The post Iyanbito residents reveal concerns about safety and emergency response appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: News]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:30am
By Stacy Thacker Change Labs TUBA CITY – Albert Haskie may not have a computer science degree, but it didn’t stop him from starting his own business, Nyzhon Studios, or creating his first mobile app, Adoone’é. Haskie describes his business as a developer start-up working to create an innovative way to blend the Navajo language and cultural teachings with technology. This is exactly what he’s done with Adoone’é, an app designed to teach the Navajo clan system and language. Courtesy | Alexander SimpsonThe Adoone’é app teaches the Diné clan system and language. It was created by Albert Haskie of Lukachukai, Ariz. With the Navajo clan system being complex and made up of groups of individual clans, Haskie had to find a way to make it understandable and user friendly, all without any training on how to design or program apps. “I always wanted to develop and code but I didn’t have a computer science or engineering degree. So, a lot of it was just imposter syndrome, thinking I’m not cut out for this field,” he said about building the mobile app. Haskie is ‘Áshįįhí and born for Tó‘aheedlíinii. His maternal grandfather is Tł’ízíłání, and his paternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii. Clans are used by Navajos to introduce themselves. An introduction includes four clans — your mother’s first clan, your father’s first clan, your maternal grandfather’s first clan, and your paternal grandfather’s first clan. Not only are clans an individual identifier but it’s also a way for Navajos to see how they are related to each other and a way to share where they are from. It’s part of ké, a Navajo teaching that emphasizes interconnectedness with nature, community, and ancestors, and reinforces a sense of belonging and unity among Navajo people. The app is recommended for users of all ages who are interested in learning more about clans, what the different groupings are, and for those who want to connect with others that may share the same clan. Although the app launched in the middle of 2023, Haskie is continuing to improve features and make the app more customizable for the user. “Although it’s not as in depth as I want it to be, it’s still better than nothing,” he said. “This is a resource that anyone can get at any time right now and that’s what my goal was for this app.” Haskie said he hopes he can help elders and other adults who weren’t able to learn their language or practice their culture when they were growing up. He also hopes it helps parents who want their kids to learn about clans. “It’s a teaching tool for a parent as well, to showcase to their kids who they are and where they come from and how their clan systems works,” he said. Haskie relied on resources from local schools such as Diné College and Chinle Unified School District, where he found clan sheets and experts in the Navajo language to develop the app. He also utilized websites, books, elders, and community members. “We’re incorporating our Navajo teachings into everything we do. Coding, programming, application, even customer service,” he said. Haskie credits a lot of his love of language and desire to teach it coming from his former school Tséhootsooí Diné Bi’Óltá an elementary immersion school dedicated to teaching the Navajo language. The rate of decline of Navajo speakers over the decades alarms Navajo educators. Preserving the Navajo language is critical for passing down traditional knowledge, maintaining cultural identity, and fostering communication within Navajo communities. Apps like Adoone’é are still rare, but an essential tool for cultural preservation. Haskie is also proud to use the app to show students that they have the potential to achieve big things and support community resilience. “I’m a product of the school and I want to show them ‘Don’t stop what you’re doing, keep doing what you’re doing’,” Haskie said. “I’ve always seen the need for next generation technology and new ways to lead our people into teaching our own language and culture through technology,” he said. “I’ve always been fascinated in learning the language myself. I’ve always found challenges along the way with there not being resources available. I just want to provide that service to people who are on that same journey of learning the language,” Haskie said. Adoone’é is available for Android and iPhone users and costs $9.99 to download. The post Leveraging tech to link the next generation to Navajo heritage: Diné entrepreneur uses technology to teach the Navajo clan system appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Business]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:29am
By Jan-Mikael Patterson Navajo Times FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. – Ada Bernal, 11, a student at Kaibeto Boarding School, sighed in disappointment as she looked at her cellphone Thursday at the Navajo Times/Office of Diné Youth Final Regional Spelling Bee at ODY’s multi-purpose building here. “I’m bummed,” she huffed. “They didn’t call my name because I didn’t pass the vocabulary test.” Before the bee began, all contestants were called to the main floor to be seated in the chairs placed before the judges. Then those called by name were told to stay, while others were to return to the bleachers. Some students left the room emotional. There were 50 contestants in total, but only 19 stayed seated. Before spellers are permitted to compete, a vocabulary test is conducted. Each agency spelling bee contest conducts a vocabulary test to participate in the bee. The test is printed and has 25 multiple-choice questions for students to answer. Per Nathanial Natonabah of ODY-Fort Defiance, the percentage of students who pass fluctuates depending on the number of competitors. For Thursday, the percentage was 60%. Bernal and a fellow schoolmate, fourth-grader Peyton Holmes, 10, didn’t pass. “I was too nervous,” Holmes said, about competing, so she was relieved. “I didn’t understand most of the questions (on the test),” Bernal said. “I didn’t even know what ‘jambalaya’ meant.” “Oh, I thought that was an instrument,” Holmes giggled, responding to Bernal. Bernal and Holmes traveled with eighth-grader Joaquin Gallegos. Dedra Begay, a business technician, and Marie Jensen, a seventh-/eighth-grade teacher at Kaibeto Boarding School, chaperoned them. Part of Bernal’s disappointment was also the fact that she woke up early to get ready and left her school at 3 a.m. with her chaperones. “I got up at 2 a.m. and drove in from Tuba City to the school (in Kaibeto, Arizona),” Jensen said. “Same, but I came in from Navajo Mountain,” Begay said. “That’s about an hour for the both of us to get to the school.” Since the two were not competing, Jensen and Begay were hopeful Gallegos would win. “He studied a lot,” said Jensen, his teacher. “He’s been working at it, so I hope he does good.” Sighs of relief Once the spelling bee began, the two onlookers were visibly nervous, clasping and clenching their hands. Each time Gallegos spelled a word correctly, there were two sighs of relief. Many of the chaperones and families who were in attendance were also nervous, so they had to maintain their excitement when their speller did well. “Ugh, my stomach was in knots,” Jensen said. Then came the 6th round. Ding! Gallegos was rung out for misspelling “hoagie.” Jensen, Begay, Holmes, and Bernal were silent as they watched him sit in the back row of chairs. When the round ended, everyone applauded the contestants for their best efforts. “Now, we have to go get him a hoagie,” chuckled Begay and Jensen, both nearly saying it simultaneously. This would have been Bernal’s first time participating. Holmes competed last year and learned to hate the word “maturity.” “That was the word I misspelled,” Holmes said. “The reason why I joined was because of my bestie, Audrianna Hoschain,” Bernal said. “She’s been my best friend since kindergarten. But she got out in the second round (at the Navajo Times/Office of Diné Youth’s Western Navajo Regional Spelling Bee). “I was like, ‘Dang!’” she recalled. It’s safe to say that Bernal has her reasons to be disappointed—her best friend was not at her side, and she had to wake up early to make the drive out from Kaibeto only to fail the vocabulary test. But then there’s the upside: she and Holmes missed a day of school and took a day trip. “You have two more early morning trips to get ready for the next spelling bee,” Jensen said to Bernal. “You got time to get ready. You, too (Holmes). You have four more years of early mornings left for the upcoming spelling bees.” Final four As the spelling continued, the number of contestants dwindled from 19 to the final four top spellers by round five. They were Shynelle Joe, a sixth grader from Tsaile Public School; Ava Nez, an eighth grader from Tséhootsooí Middle School; Russell Weber, a fourth grader from Mesa Elementary School; and Taya Hosteen, an eighth grader from Tsaile Public School. In the seventh round, two remained from the same school: Joe and Hosteen battled it out intensely until round 21, when Hosteen misspelled “foozle,” which means a clumsy or botched attempt at something like a golf shot. The level of intensity was like watching a basketball game where each team scored, earning one point, until one shot was missed. Joe won with the final word — “rankles.” She was shocked and speechless. When asked what was going through her mind when she was alone with Hosteen, she said, “Give me an easy word. Please, give me an easy word.” Her mother, Sherri Joe, was gleaming with pride. “It was tough,” Sherri said. “Especially with her back to us. I was nervous the whole time. There were all kinds of (emotions) going on. It was intense, especially since I couldn’t see her face. Her back was to us, so I couldn’t see if she was doing OK.” The Joes live in Lukachukai, Arizona. The champ has been studying vocabulary since being given a list of words from the school and challenged herself. “She studied harder words,” her mother said. “I knew she was capable of this because she does well in school.” Still visibly shocked by the outcome, Shynelle didn’t have much else to say because the moment was still surreal. The post 50 students face off in Navajo Times/Office of Diné Youth Final Regional Spelling Bee appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Education]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:28am
March is colorectal cancer awareness month By George Joe Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation TUBA CITY – March is colorectal cancer awareness month, and if you’re over 45, this month is a good time to get screened for colorectal cancer. According to the latest cancer report compiled by the Navajo Department of Health, cancer is the second leading cause of death, and colorectal (colon) cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed among Navajo males. But if it is caught early, it can be cured. Tuba City Regional Health Care physician Dr. Myles Stone says that most early colorectal cancers do not produce symptoms. “This means that many people miss the opportunity for treatment when it is most effective,” Stone said. “Screening can even identify pre-cancers (polyps) so they can be removed before they ever cause problems.” The Navajo Health Department cancer report also said cancer screening among the Navajos is low, particularly for colorectal cancer. But there is now an at-home test product that is available for patients, said Stone. The other option for colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy. “It’s a great choice for certain patients,” Stone said, “but it’s much more involved. The at-home tests let people get screened whenever it’s convenient for them.” The test kits work by checking the stool for small amounts of blood. That is often the earliest sign of severe problems like colon cancer. “Our goal is to screen as many people as possible and having a variety of options lets patients choose the right approach,” said Dr. Matthew Daab, Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation’s chief of family medicine. Stone said all one has to do is visit any TCRHCC clinic and see a provider. “We can even do the initial meeting through telehealth, meaning that we can call you and ask a few questions. “Then a kit will be mailed to you,” he said. “There is no cost, and it’s a simple procedure with clear instructions. You then mail the kit back, and we will contact you in a few days with the results.” Stone said, “The technology behind at-home colon cancer tests was invented about 20 years ago.” Over that time, multiple studies have shown how effective it can be in increasing access to accurate, safe screening. “We highly recommend everyone out there to get screened. Tell your family and friends,” he said. The post March is colorectal cancer awareness month appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Health]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:27am
Education in New Mexico: doing something about it By Patrick McDonough Editor’s note: Patrick McDonough is the Chairman of Excellent Schools New Mexico and the husband of Nella Domenici, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. A dear friend of mine has a standard question for his friends complaining about the state of education in New Mexico. He asks, what are you going to do about it? Well, my wife Nella Domenici and I are doing something about it. We believe this is the social justice issue of our time the lack of educational preparedness that is systemic in underserved, and often ignored communities. We know, based on results being achieved nationally in underserved communities, and at our Excellent Schools New Mexico (ESNM) partner schools, that this can be, and therefore must be remedied. With a bipartisan group of outstanding New Mexicans, we founded ESNM in 2016. ESNM provides start-up capital, zero percent interest loans, facility development, talent recruitment and charter authorization services to new school founders as well as existing top charter school leaders looking for growth capital. Most of our partner schools are located in our underserved communities in the Albuquerque South Valley, south Santa Fe, or near the Navajo Nation. At scale, our partner schools will be teaching close to 9,000 students. Freed from bureaucracy and authorized to enact their own vision for teaching math, reading, writing and other subjects, our leaders recruit and train their teachers, and supervise more in-class hours through the school year. Early results are promising. Our students are outperforming their district peers in math and reading – in some cases substantially. While these results are encouraging, we feel the best is yet to come. We are disproving the myth that the children in these underserved communities can’t achieve the same academic results as the children in our best schools. Mississippi proved it in a short period of time. The Magnolia State went from second worst nationally to the middle of the pack in reading scores. So of course, New Mexicos situation can be fixed. The ESNM partner schools, in addition to other outstanding charter and magnet schools in state, are proving it too. Charter schools are public schools and therefore, free. New Mexicos public schools are generously funded, as compared to the national average. Money is not the problem. The problem is a lack of accountability, especially in underserved communities where parents’ voices are often ignored. It is here, in these communities, that our ESNM schools really thrive and make the biggest difference. The recipe for success is simple to describe but enormously difficult to execute. It all starts with our outstanding school leaders – leaders like the founder and CEO of Mission Achievement and Success Charter School (MAS), JoAnne Mitchell. She says, “I could not have grown MAS from 100 kids to over 2,000 students without the expertise of ESNM.” She considers Nella a “burst of pure energy and light with a beautiful heart.” Leadership is essential for any high performing organization, whether it is a small business or a firehouse or police station. Top performing organizations will be led by outstanding leaders instilling a first-rate culture. Schools are no different, and our ESNM partner school leaders are some of the most impressive leaders I have encountered in any business setting. This is not an indictment of all public district schools. There are many outstanding district schools in New Mexico, but typically they are clustered in more affluent areas of the state. The real failing is in our lower income neighborhoods. It is in these neighborhoods where outstanding charter schools can create options for frustrated parents who want their kids to enjoy the great American dream. Competition is an essential ingredient to the American success story. Nella has never been afraid to compete. Organizations like ESNM will ensure there are high quality schools that offer opportunities for all New Mexican children, irrespective of their zip code. So, to answer my friends question, Nella, I, and many other committed New Mexicans are doing something about it. The post Opinion | Education in New Mexico: doing something about it appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Opinion]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:26am
Navajo Supreme Court and its broken court system By Katherine P. LeBlanc Editor’s note: Katherine LeBlanc is an attorney in private practice in the Navajo Nation since 2002. In the Independents article titled, Jayne misses work session on Navajo Judicial Branch, Report unveils longstanding systemic issues, Chair Eugenia Charles-Newton was quoted as stating that the Law and Order Committee was told 25,000 cases are currently in the system with the judicial branch …. It is unknown if that number includes the 133 cases pending in the Supreme Court at the end of the 1st quarter 2024 (October-December 2023), a number which has risen steadily, or was merely counting the horrendous backlog of trial court cases. These numbers are extremely worrisome. Reviewing the data as to the Supreme Courts own caseload, contained in the Judicial Branch Quarterly Reports for Fiscal Year 2023, spanning October 1, 2022-September 30, 2023, there were a total of 30 cases filed, 23 cases completed, 14 hearings held, 30 orders entered, and no Opinions or Memorandum Decisions entered. The types of proceedings comprising these statistics are civil and criminal appeals, NNBA proceedings such as petitions to swear in new bar applicants, and special proceedings. In fact, a significant number of the actions listed were for NNBA proceedings, rather than appeals. A total of 117 cases carried forward from 4th quarter 2023. It is difficult to get a clear current picture of the trend, as there is no annual report online for 2023, 2021, 2020, or 2019 and summaries must be taken instead from individual quarterly reports. Conversely, there is one Annual Report for 2022, one for 2018, and one for every year prior to that. However, looking at the 1st Quarter 2024 Report, the disturbing trend is increasing: there were 6 cases filed, 1 case completed, no hearings held, 1 order entered, and again, no Opinions or Memorandum Decisions entered. Worse, the pending cases carried forward have increased to 133. I compared these numbers to 2012 statistics, the earliest year reflected in the Reports, hoping I was simply overly concerned. Unfortunately, that was not the case. According to the 2012 Judicial Branch Annual Report, there was only 1 pending case carried forward from 2012 to 2013, compared to the 117 at the end of fiscal year 2023, since risen to 133. I then wondered if there was less work for the Supreme Court in 2012? Again, sadly, that was not the case. In fact, according to the 2012 Annual Report, 92 cases were filed in that year (3.07 times as many as 2023), 89 cases were completed (3.87 times as many), 29 hearings were held (2.07 times as many), 169 orders were entered (5.63 times as many), 10 opinions were issued (10 times as many), and 4 memorandum decisions were entered (4 times as many). For those of us with pending appeals, whether it be the Navajo Department of Justice which relies on these appeals for guidance in areas of importance to the government and the public, or aggrieved litigants needing desperate relief regarding family and other matters, these statistics and lack of function of the Supreme Court are disturbing. It causes one to wonder, why is there no significant writing coming from the Supreme Court, pursuant to its statutory appellate jurisdiction found at 7 N.N.C. § 302? Further, no hope seems to be in sight based on the ghosting of staff in the Supreme Court. According to the 4th Quarter Report, the Supreme Court is missing one Associate Justice, the Supreme Court Law Clerk, the Supreme Court Administrator, and the Supreme Court Administrative Service Officer. The conditions which have recently driven people from Supreme Court employment must be investigated by the Navajo Nation, including but not limited to contacting exiting employees directly. The Law and Order Committee has done its best to request input from the Chief Justice, Honorable JoAnn Jayne, through a work session on March 12, 2024, as well as a prior setting. However, it is a matter of record that the Chief Justice failed to appear on each occasion, leaving the LOC and the public stymied. The post Opinion | Navajo Supreme Court and its broken court system appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Opinion]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:25am
Thomas R. Tracy FORT DEFIANCE — Memorial services for Thomas “Tommy” Raymond Tracy, 65, of Window Rock, will be held Friday, March 29, at 10 a.m., at the Fort Defiance Presbyterian Church. Thomas “Tommy” Raymond Tracy, Dec. 30, 1958 March 17, 2024 Thomas was born Dec. 30, 1958, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away March 17, 2024, in Winslow, Arizona. Thomas graduated from Ganado High School in 1978 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. Thomas is most remembered as being a talented chef, having been the “World’s First Navajo Sous-Chef” while working under the mentorship of Chef Don Carlson. He was most in his element while in the kitchen preparing meals for others. Thomas is survived by his daughters, Tiffany Tracy and Samantha Tracy; son, Keough Tracy; mothers, Lena Ruth Wilson and Dorothy Denny; brothers, Roger Tracy, Kevin Denny and Phillip Denny; and two grandchildren. Thomas is preceded in death by his brother, Louis Tracy; sister, Barbara Woody; and wife, Grace Tracy. A potluck reception will follow in the social hall of the Presbyterian Church. Grace S. Becenti GALLUP — Funeral services for Grace Silago Becenti, 84, of Mariano Lake, New Mexico, will be held Monday, April 1, at 10 a.m., at the Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery. Grace Silago Becenti, May 10, 1939 March 22, 2024 Grace was born May 10, 1939, in Gallup, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan). She passed away March 22, 2024, in Stanford, California. Grace attended Intermountain School in 1956 and retired from IBM as an electronic assembler. She enjoyed attending sports, camping, cooking, and playing bingo. Grace is survived by her son, Nelson Becenti Jr.; and daughters, Loretta Becenti and Lila Becenti. Grace is preceded in death by her husband, Nelson Becenti Sr.; mother, Hasbah Sky Silago; and father, Willie Silago. Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements. Geneva A. Jimmie WINSLOW, Ariz. — Funeral services for Geneva A. Jimmie, 68, of Winslow, Arizona, will be held Friday, March 29, at 12 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1501 N. Kinsley Ave.) in Winslow, with Dennis Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at the Desert View Cemetery in Winslow. Geneva was born Feb. 8, 1956, in Jeddito, Arizona, into the Mąii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her cheii is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House). She passed away March 23, 2024, in Phoenix. Geneva A. Jimmie, Feb. 8, 1956 March 23, 2024 Geneva attended Southwest Indian School and Lamson College in Phoenix. She was employed at Winslow Memorial Hospital for 20-plus years. Geneva enjoyed watching TV game shows and soap operas, sewing, puzzles, board games, scrapbooking, and teaching her grandchildren how to bake. Geneva is survived by her husband, Curtis Jimmie; sons, Sean Jimmie and Brian Jimmie; father, Norman Johnson; brother, Dennis Johnson; sisters, Anita Cordova and Bernita Golding; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Geneva is preceded in death by her mother, Gladys Johnson; sister, Helena Spencer; brother, Nate Johnson; and granddaughter, Hanna Jimmie. Pallbearers will be Marcus Jimmie, Cameron Jimmie, Cedric Jimmie, Bruce Johnson, Alfonso Lovato, and Ronald Jones Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Sean Jimmie, Brian Jimmie, Caitlin Jimmie, Curtis Jimmie, Rhonda Jimmie, Hailey Jimmie, and Makayla Jimmie. A reception will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following services. Greers Mortuary oversaw arrangements. Paul Jumbo CHINLE — Graveside service for Paul Jumbo, 76, of Many Farms, Arizona, will be held Friday, March 29, at 10 a.m., at the Chinle community cemetery with Pastor Benson Kee officiating. Paul was born Dec. 1, 1947, in Many Farms, into the Tłááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan), born for Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan). He passed away March 20, 2024, in Phoenix. Paul Jumbo, Dec. 1, 1947 March 20, 2024 Paul worked in construction and with the railroad before retiring. Paul is survived by his wife, Ella John; daughters, Pauletta, Rebecca G. and Denise; brothers, David Y., Francis Y. and Larry B.; sister, Louise W.; and 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Paul is preceded in death by his son, Jason J.; and daughter, Gwendolyn T. Pallbearers will be Rudy C., Jameson C., Larusso B., and John C. Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be David Y. and Francis Y. A reception will take place at Louise Wagner’s house (1.5 miles south west of Many Farms Chapter) following service. Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements. Clara N. Jesus GALLUP — Funeral services for Clara Nez Jesus, 59, of Gallup, were held March 22 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Eddie Rodriguez officiating. Interment followed in Gallup. Clara was born March 13, 1964, in Gallup, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tł’ógí (Hairy Ones/Weaver-Zia Clan). She passed away March 8, 2024, in Gallup. Clara attended Church Rock Elementary School and Wingate High School. She was self-employed and enjoyed beadwork, watching movies, traveling, playing at the casino, and spending time with her children. Clara is survived by her companion, Ernest Livingston; son, Aaron Martin; daughter, Carmen Livingston; brothers, Anderson Eskeets and Andrew Casuse; and sister, Sarah Castiana. Clara is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Jean J. Nez; sister, Julia J. Smith; brothers, Charlie Casuse and Fred Eskeets; and nephew, Philbert Smith. Pallbearers were Bill Sam, Brandon Sam, Jorey Knight, Tyler Yazzie, Benji Thompson, and Rodrick Eskeets. Honorary pallbearers were Anderson Eskeets, Andrew Casuse and Aaron Martin. Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements. Cameron Carroll GALLUP — Funeral services for Cameron Carroll, 33, of Twin Lakes, New Mexico, were held March 25 at the All Nations Assembly of God Church in Gallup, with Pastor Fred Long officiating. Interment followed in Fort Defiance. Cameron was born May 15, 1990, in Fort Defiance. He passed away March 14, 2024, in Gallup. Cameron is survived by his wife, Stephany Carroll; sons, Cairos Carroll and Cahlil Carroll; parents, Jerrylene Barney and Carolyn Arms; and sisters, Nisha Barney, Taran Barney, Cassie Yazzie, and Chantel Brown. Cameron is preceded in death by his father, Notah Barney; brother, Conrad Nakai; and grandmother, Marjorie Tom. Pallbearers were William Tom Jr., Carl Fragua, Herman Tom, Dewayne Biah, Richard Cheama, and Severan Lee. Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements. Maranda M. Denny LOW MOUNTAIN, Ariz. – Graveside service for Maranda M. Denny, 57, of Low Mountain, Arizona, will be held Saturday, March 30, at 10 a.m., at the family plot in Low Mountain. Maranda was born Sept. 18, 1966, in Keams Canyon, Arizona, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). She passed away March 26, 2024, in Chinle. Maranda is survived by her husband, Francis Begay; sons, Montaque Begay, Corin Begay and Shontaque Begay; daughter, Francelita Begay; parents, Martha Joe and Max Denny; brothers, Melvin Denny and Albert Lee Jr.; and sisters, Matilda Tacheene, Mahalia James and Marquerita Denny. Maranda is preceded in death by her nephews, Marcus Overturf and Richmond Overturf. A reception will take place at Kurt James residence in Low Mountain following service. Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements. The Navajo Times publishes obituaries free of charge as a public service. If you have an obituary you would like to submit, follow this link to the online submission form. We look forward to serving you. The post Obituaries for March 28, 2024 appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Obituaries]

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[l] at 3/28/24 3:22am
ALBUQUERQUE – JaCauy Hale had nothing to lose. The Ganado bull rider had quite the debut in his first appearance at the Ty Murray Invitational over the weekend. Hale received a special invite to the three-day event held at the Pit in Albuquerque by the event’s namesake, PBR legend Ty Murray. “We started this idea a long time ago inviting the No. 1 Native American rider,” Murray said. “Growing up in Arizona and New Mexico, I’ve known all my life what great fans and supporters the Navajo people are with the sport of bull riding and rodeo. “This is a way for me to give back to the best fans,” he added. “You know, if everybody in the world were as big a fan as they are, this would be like the NFL. I feel like we got the best bull riding fan here at this event.” Hale, who earned the invite by virtue of winning last year’s Indian National Finals Rodeo, started the event with a no score aboard bovine I’m Legit Too on Friday night. The following night he felt more at ease after experiencing some early nerves the night before. “I got bucked off really quick, so I was really disappointed about that,” Hale said. “I was feeling a lot of pressure on Friday night, so coming into (Saturday) night I told myself that I had nothing to lose.” Behind that approach the 22-year-old cowboy rebounded in a big way as he went the distance with Texas Rain for an 81.75-point ride that stoked the raucous Pit crowd. “It’s a feeling I can’t explain but the fans were really loud,” Hale said. “They were loud for the intro, too, and I knew that if I stayed on they were going to get louder and louder. “It was a good feeling to get that bull ridden,” he added. “The fans were behind me, and they were electric.” Entering Saturday night’s performance, Hale felt that he was more prepared for his second-round bull as he sought the advice from veteran PBR rider and close friend Cody Jesus. “We were eating dinner and when we got the draws Cody told me that Texas Rain is going to go either way (out of the chute),” Hale said. “He actually went left. And when he jumped back, he went back to the right, so I knew I drew a good bull. “I just told myself to follow what he does, and to keep my hands shut,” he added. On the final day of the three-day competition, Hale rode his third-round bull, Mahan, for his first 90-plus point ride in a PBR event. Hale matched the speed of Mahan to the tune of 90.5 points, which was second-best in the round behind the 91-point effort from Texas bull rider Dalton Kasel. With his two qualified rides, Hale reached his first championship round in the PBR’s Unleash the Beast Tour, a series of top-tier events within the PBR. This year’s tour includes 26 stops with the top 35 bull riders making it to end-of-the-season PBR World Finals, which is set for May 18-19 in Arlington, Texas, inside the AT&T Stadium. (Later this season, the PBR will switch gears and start its third season with the PBR Team Series, which gets underway on July 12-14 with the Oklahoma Wildcatters hosting the first of 12 regular season events.) In the championship round, Hale earned the seventh overall pick, and he chose Dark Thoughts. That trip proved to be tough as Hale stayed on for 3.83 seconds before flying off on the 16th-ranked bull in the world. Still, Hale was elated that he covered two of four bulls at the coveted event as he earned 45 points in the year-end standings, which ranks him No. 47 in the world. “Honestly, I had some confidence in myself to ride and coming in here I had to believe that I could ride these top caliber bulls,” Hale said. “I just had to believe in myself, and it all worked out for me. You know, the indoor venue didn’t bother me as much just because some of the pro rodeos that I’ve been to. It’s a little different, but it’s a lot cooler here.” Of all the bull riding events he’s entered; Hale feels that this is by far the biggest one he’s attended. “I feel really, really blessed to be here,” the Diné bull rider said, who hails from Ganado. “I appreciate it. This was a big opportunity for me and Im just glad to be riding against some of the best guys in the world and against some of the best bulls. “Its just been a dream come true,” he added. “I see myself riding in more PBR events like this. I really want to get with a team, too. The team series is getting bigger and bigger, and the money is bigger there, too. Make a team is going to be a big deal.” The defending INFR world champ considers Jesus a big influence. “Cody has played a big part in my career. He actually taught me how to ride,” Hale said. “Before I started riding bulls, I used to rope a lot and one summer I spent most of my time at Cody’s house. “He was the first person to believe in me,” he added. “He saw something in me, and he told me that one of these days I was going to be riding at this level. What he said really meant a lot to me.” Like Jesus, Murray believes there is a place within the PBR for Hale to harness his talent. “I’ve talked to Cody, and it sounds like he’s been under his wing, which is a good thing,” Murray said. “I think the talent is there. It’s fun to afford that opportunity for JaCauy to compete here and play with the big boys. “That is what you have to do to make any money if you ride bulls,” he added. “You can’t stay at the amateur rodeo level and even in the PRCA, you’re not going to make a really good living. But if he can keep developing his skills riding with the big boys, he has a real chance to make some real money.” Diné bull rider Keyshawn Whitehorse also recognized Hale’s talent. “The potential is there for him,” Whitehorse said. “I only hope the best for him, and I wish that he can keep climbing in the rankings. I want him to be the best. “You know, I’m going to compete against him, but I’ll be a good friend if he needs any advice,” he added. The post Ganado’s JaCauy Hale scores impressive debut at Ty Murray Invite appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Sports]

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[l] at 3/21/24 3:22am
ALBUQUERQUE – Navajo Prep boys basketball entered uncharted territory on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles played in their first state title game, and they came out winners thanks to a knockout blow in the third quarter en route to a 60-50 win over Las Vegas Robertson in the 3A state championship game before a large crowd at the University of New Mexico’s Pit in Albuquerque. Navajo Prep outscored the Robertson Cardinals 23-2 in said quarter, which erased a nine-point halftime deficit. The Eagles made 10-of-16 baskets in that period alone as they rode that momentum to match the Navajo Prep girls’ feat on the previous day. (The Lady Eagles captured the 3A girls state title on Friday, winning 41-26.) The boys state championship game was a rematch of last year’s semifinal when Navajo Prep fell to the Cardinals, 49-36. “It’s amazing,” Navajo Prep coach Matt Melvin said of his team’s state tournament run. “I’m just so proud of this group of guys. This means a ton. The first one is always special, right? “With this group, just the season that we’ve had, the stuff that we’ve gone through,” he added. “The journey is just amazing, and this caps it off.” Navajo Times | Quentin JodieNavajo Prep junior Xavier Nez (left) starts to attack the basket while being defended by Robertson Cardinal Nathan Gonzales Saturday during the Class 3A state championship game at the Pit in Albuquerque. Robertson led 6-0 before the Eagles scored their first basket, a putback from senior post Orion King with 4:31 left in the first period. Navajo Prep later tied the game at 10-10 on a three-pointer from senior guard Tylen Morris with two-plus minutes remaining before Robertson took a 14-11 lead going into the second quarter. In the highly competitive second stanza the lead changed hands two times and there were five ties, but with two minutes left Robertson finished out the quarter on a 10-0 run to go up 31-22 at the break. “We did not finish that first half great,” Melvin said, while adding that his team had a lot to talk about in the locker room. Whatever was said during those 10 minutes lit a fire under the Navajo Prep team. Jude Thomas set the tone in that quarter as the senior guard put in nine of his 16 points to give the Eagles a 45-33 lead after three quarters. “A lot of the guys are seniors, and I didn’t want to go out with the same fate that happened last year when we lost to Robertson,” Thomas said. “I knew that if we wanted to turn the tide, I had to start it. These guys were able to hit some big shots. We got on a big run … and you slowly felt the momentum shift.” Defensively, the Eagles held Robertson to 1-of-7 shooting while turning them over six times in that third stanza. “To put up a two-point defensive effort in the third quarter in a game like this is amazing,” the Navajo Prep coach. “That is what we talked about going into the fourth, which was to keep up with what we were doing on defense.” Navajo Prep picked up where it left off at the start of the fourth with King hitting a pair of inside jumpers sandwiched between a trey by junior shooting guard Xavier Nez. A two-point basket by Jakobie Thomas earned Navajo Prep its largest lead at 54-39 with 3:51 left. Robertson eventually righted its ship late in the fourth, but it was too late as the Navajo Prep student section got louder and louder. “In the last couple years, weve learned a lot in what it takes to get to this point, in what it takes to kind of get over that hump and be the last team standing,” Melvin said. “That was our mission this year to put the toughest strength of schedule we could, but a lot of people dont know as we went through a lot of adversity going into that. We didnt have this group; we lost some guys going into that. We didnt say anything, and we didnt make excuses.” The Eagles had three players in double figures headed by King, who finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Thomas added 16 and Nez chipped in 13. King, who stayed out of foul trouble, played an instrumental role in limiting Robertson’s damage with second-chance points. The Eagles grabbed 36 boards to Robertson’s 19. Of the Eagles’ 36 rebounds, 22 were on the defensive end as the Cardinals did not get any second-chance points. “They have some good guys who are really tall and big,” King said of Robertson players Nathan Gonzales and Mateo Contreras. “The one-and-done is what we talk about in our program, that and pushing the ball in transition … I think getting those defensive stops and having those rebounds was huge for us.” On the other side of the spectrum, Navajo Prep earned 17 second-chance points as it had a 14-5 edge in offensive rebounds over Robertson. “Were never the biggest team so everybody is just a group effort to get the ball,” Melvin said. “But, yeah, when you can find 14 second-chance opportunities with some those are threes, and some are putbacks for (King), man, it’s just huge.” The post Navajo Prep boys capture first state title appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Basketball]

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[l] at 3/21/24 3:21am
ALBUQUERQUE – Two years had elapsed since Kirtland Central girls basketball hoisted a state championship trophy. On Friday the Lady Broncos reclaimed the Class 4A state title by erasing an eight-point, first-quarter deficit against No. 2 seed St. Pius X at the Pit in Albuquerque. The top-seeded KC squad held the Lady Sartans to 10 points in the second half as the Broncos pulled away with a 45-33 win. The latest state championship was KC’s 21st after New Mexico’s most storied program came up short to Gallup in last season’s state title game. “Special is the right word,” sixth-year KC coach Devon Manning said, describing his team. “From last year to now, I looked at myself in what I needed to do to change a little bit for the program. When it came down to it they weren’t really receptive at the beginning. Navajo Times | Quentin JodieKirtland Central’s Zoey Benally (left) dribbles the ball while being guarded by St. Pius X player Catalina Anaya (15) during Friday’s Class 4A state championship game. “But I think they just bought in from the very beginning when we had to go to Page, Arizona, and play in a tournament with three days of practice,” he added. “We just kind of winged it; we had tough competition and after we won that tournament, I knew we had something special.” KC finished the season at 29-3 overall, which tied a school record for the most wins in a season. The Broncos first set that mark during last season’s state runner-up finish. “It’s hard to win that many ball games in a season,” said Manning, whose coach KC to two state titles. “And to have some of these girls to be a part of both teams and be able to do that two years in a row is a pretty remarkable feat. “It takes a lot of spirit, a lot of heart, a lot of dedication,” he added. “These girls just have that go-win attitude. They’re just very hard to beat.” The Broncos were down 14-6 in the state title game after one quarter of play. But in the second stanza KC came alive, outscoring St. Pius 18-9. Eighth-grader guard Allyson Tsosie started the rally with a three-pointer and the Broncos pulled even at 16-16 with 5:45 left following a mini 5-0 run, both buckets courtesy of senior Amber Shorty. The Sartans broke the tie behind an old-fashioned three-point play from senior guard Alyssa Maes, but the Broncos scored seven straight to go up 24-19 after a three-pointer from sophomore Haylee Nocki with 1:14 left before the half. The Sartans, however, used a 4-0 run to close KC’s lead down to 24-23 at the break. “We finally started hitting some shots,” Manning said. “That helps quite a bit with what we wanted to do once we started to score. We were able to get the game going a little bit faster because I thought we played at St. Pius’ pace in that first quarter.” Points were hard to come by after the break as KC outpointed St. Pius 8-4 in the third period for a 32-27 advantage The Sartans cut that margin down to three points, 32-29, following a pair of free throws from Maes at the start of the fourth. Nevertheless, the Broncos got some timely baskets from Shorty and Tsosie as the two helped secure KC another state title by combining for nine points in the game’s final five minutes. Tsosie led the Broncos with 12 points and six rebounds while Shorty added nine markers and Nocki chipped in eight. Senior Emilia Clani added six points and she dished out five assists. “It’s not by design but we just have a lot of girls that can step up at different times,” Manning said. “We never say we’re going to give this girl the ball to score points. We always have four, five girls who can hit buckets at any time because we have shooters everywhere. “Emilia hit a big three-pointer there in the second and Ally hit one late in the game,” he added. “And Amber had that quick 4-0 run in that last minute to close it out for us.” For St. Pius, junior post Macy Freeze led her squad with 12 points while Maes added 11 and junior point Catalina Anaya finished with 10. As a team, the Sartans went only six-deep the entire contest with those three players and senior Desirey Ortiz playing 30-plus minutes. “I thought that played quite a bit in our favor,” Manning said. “We knew we were a bit deeper than what St. Pius had, so we knew that we could get into their legs.” That was quite evident late in the game as KC closed out the game on a 13-4 run. “I thought that if we shot the ball a bit better in the second half, we could have got the separation we needed in that third quarter,” Manning said. “But I think we really got into their legs in that fourth quarter. They didn’t shoot the ball particularly well. They were missing jump shots and I think the wear and tear of having to deal with our press and trying to run up and down the court took its toll on them.” With the school’s 21st state title in tow, the KC program is proving to be in a class of its own. They have set the standard in girls basketball in the state of New Mexico. On a side note, the 1999 Kirtland Central girls state championship team was recognized during halftime of Friday’s finale. “It’s just a testament to the program that we have,” Manning said of the state title haul. “It started back in the 1980s and to this day we continue to be relevant. For the last 40 years, Kirtland has been at least in the state tournament and there have been so many great players, so many great coaches and so many great fans that have helped this program continue to grow.” The post Unprecedented: KC girls capture 21st state title appeared first on Navajo Times.

[Category: Basketball]

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