NW New Mexico News

The Chief Manuelito Scholarship program, established by the Navajo Nation in 1980, aims to honor high-achieving high school graduates. Named after Chief Manuelito, Hastiin Ch’ilhaajiin (1818-1893), an advocate for education and the preservation of Navajo tradition and culture, the scholarship provides $7,000 per academic year to cover direct educational expenses at post-secondary institutions. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 12 or more semester credit hours of college-level graded courses each academic term.

According to Dr. Buu Nygren, Navajo Nation President, the Northern Navajo Agency had the highest number of scholarship recipients this year with 31 students, followed by Fort Defiance Agency with 29 recipients. Listed below are the Central Consolidated School District’s award recipients:

- Kaden Nelson Bee; Kirtland Central High School, San Juan College

- Nevaughn Begay; Shiprock High School, University of Arizona

- Ashton C. Bitsilly; Shiprock High School, University of New Mexico

- Lewis Campbell; Shiprock High School, New Mexico State University

- Octavia N. Morgan; Shiprock High School, Northern Arizona University

- Makayla Shorty; Shiprock High School, University of New Mexico

- Nyah Walter; Shiprock High School, Fort Lewis College