Shash Hane’ dóó’ Ádahooníłígíí WHS Student and Family Newsletter

October ~ Ghaaji ’ 2016 Aak’ei – Autumn 1737 Shush Drive, Ft. Wingate, New Mexico 87316 http://www.whs.bie.edu/

,

As we near the end of the first quarter of the school year, it is important to take some time to self-reflect on our experiences. As students and staff at Wingate High School, we are always learning something new each day. I was able to catch up with our 9th grade class to provide them some words of encouragement. We understand it can be a difficult and scary transition from middle school to high school. Ultimately, our 9th graders are doing very well with that transition. I’d like to commend the 9th grade class for being the largest class at Wingate High School in student numbers. We are looking forward to maintaining our numbers so as to have an awesome graduating class by 2020. Our role models, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, continue to work their hardest each day with a positive frame of mind.

As Native American students, we are all considered to be warriors. Warriors among our people have always been individuals with characteristics of high degrees of integrity, honesty, responsibility, and a strong sense of self-identity. I would like to encourage our parents in supporting us by continuing to nurture their student by helping with homework, reinforcing positive behavior, and loving them every day.

Ahe’hee’, Mr. Billie

October Events

October 3rd – Regular School Board Meeting

October 5th – World Teacher Day

October 7th – 1st Quarter Ends Grades Submitted by 4 p.m.

October 10th – NO School

October 12th – ASVAB Testing & Business Tech Mtg.

October 26th – PIC Meeting

October 31st - Halloween

Oct 31st – Nov 4th - Homecoming Week

November 4th – WHS Homecoming Game

November 16th –

WHS 2016 Pageant

St. Patrick’s Day Dance (MP)

School Hours First bell 7:55

Tardy Bell 8:00 School Ends 3:25

Important Numbers School 488-6400 Delay/Closure 488-6400/6486/6488 Attendance 488-6406 Registrar 488-6407 Gloria Arviso, Principal 488-6401 Aaron Billie, Head Teacher 488-6417 Karen Malone, Head Teacher 488-6414 Grace Benally, ESS Head Teacher 488-6456 Margie Long, 11/12 Counselor 488-6415 Marjean Benally, 9/10 Counselor 488-6416 Alta Mitchell, Temp Dorm Supervisor 488-6408

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2016 WHS Wrestling

Anyone interested in joining the wrestling team for the 2016-2017 season, see Coach Lucio.

Art Contest & Class

Good news artists, an Art Contest with Classes will be held in October: Tentatively, over a period of six days. The 18th – 20th and 25th – 27th on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

If you are interested inquire to Mrs. KFC at Room C149.

Dreamcatcher

Jude Schimmel, a Native American basketball star and role model, visited our

students on Wednesday, September 7th

. Jude completed college in just three years,

earned the NCAA Elite Award 89 award in the NCAA basketball championships,

and was named one of the top 10 women in Glamour Magazine in 2014. She played

college basketball at the highest Division I level as a point guard for the University of

Louisville and played in the Final Four. Jude has been an inspiration to many and

serves the Native American Communities through volunteering, being an N7

Ambassador, and motivating young people by sharing her story across Native

America. She also wrote a book titled Dreamcatcher, in which she shares her story in

more detail about her journey to the NCAA that starts from the Umatilla

Reservation. We certainly thank Jude for sharing her wisdom with our students here

at WHS and inspiring them to be successful.

Student Thoughts on Schimmel

“Jude Schimmel talked about Suicide Prevention and told us that suicide not an option. Jude also

talked about her career and accomplishments, and how she persevered while others tried to put her

down and stop her from pursuing her dreams. She has proven to people who had misjudged her

abilities. Jude also told us to follow our dreams and not to let others put us down, and to try our

best at everything we do. Jude Schimmel was very inspirational and motivating to me.”

~ Kiana Kercheva – 10th

“Our guest speaker’s name is Jude Schimmel. She talked to us about not giving up and not to

blow an opportunity for a better future. She told us what she has accomplished and experienced in

life already. She also shared that she met the President of the United States, Barack Obama as an

N7 Ambassador. She motivated us to always do better, and told us that in the real world people

will doubt you, but either way you have to prove them wrong by not listening to the negativity. Jude

gave us good motivational words to help us accomplish something for ourselves and to not give up

on our dreams.”

~Charleston Nez, 11th

grade

WHS Fall Sports 2016

The Fall Sports programs are in full swing. The month of October will begin District 1AAAA play for our Varsity Sports. This year is the beginning of the new District that features Shiprock, Navajo Prep, Thoreau and Wingate. Volleyball and Football will begin district play the second week of October. Cross Country will run the District 1AAAA meet at Shiprock on Oct. 29 starting at 11:00 A.M. Good luck to our Cross Country Boys and Girls teams as they try to qualify for the state meet to be held in Rio Rancho NM. Other highlights include the Soccer team hosting JV Boys matches during the month of September and October. The new program has hosted Miyamura and Rehoboth with more games on the way against Aztec and Tierra Encantada. Continued success and growth for the sport of Soccer is welcomed at Wingate High School

Athletic Director

President Obama Encourages WHS Student

It is with great pride that Wingate High School honors Sean Kinsel, a junior, for his time and work he put into writing a letter to President Barack Obama last spring. The letter he wrote was handwritten and the only copy was sent to the President. Sean was inspired through the lessons from his English class when the topic of President’s Day was taught. He says he thought about our current President and described him as a very busy man who has many things to take care of at the Whitehouse. In his letter he asked the President if he would be the speaker at his graduation in 2018. He also asked if he would send some words of encouragement to his classmates to continue their education to graduate, and requested that the President advocate for money so students could go to college.

Remarkably, Sean received a response from President Barack Obama over the summer. The president sent his words of encouragement, “I want you to keep dreaming big and studying hard. If you stay focused on your education, I know there are no limits to what you can accomplish.”

It is amazing how Sean put his peers above himself by advocating for them. Sean is an incredibly humble young man; we send a thank you to his parents for instilling in him the motivation and compassion for his fellow peers and staff. True to his nature, Sean also credits his past and present teachers for their encouragement and for his accomplishments.

We at Wingate High School are very proud of his accomplishments. The articles about his experience were published in the Navajo Times (09/08/2016) and in the Gallup Independent on 09/22/2016. ~ Grace Benally, Head Teacher

WHS Homecoming Game

“WHS Bears Vs. THS Hawks”

Friday, November 4th

WHS Field at 7:00 p.m.

$5.00 General Admission

$3.00 WHS Students & Children 12 and under

$1.00 WHS Athletes

Pep-Rally –Win the “Spirit Stick”

Tailgate Party

WHS Pageant 2016

Attention students, the Annual Wingate High School Pageant will take place on Wednesday, November 16th. You can pick up an application from the current Mr. Wingate, Adriano Mescal or Miss Wingate, Makenna Livingston. Applications are due on October 21st. Participants are required to hold and G.P.A of 2.5 or better and should have no discipline referrals. As a contestant, you must share a traditional and contemporary talent. For more information, please see the current Mr. or Miss Wingate, or Nettie Yazzie, Pageant Sponsor.

Sean Kinsel, WHS Junior

Ya’t’eeh Shizhi Alta Mitchell Yinishy, Kiiya’aanni Nishli’, To’ahani Bashischiin, ToAheedliinii

Daschicheii, Tachiinii Dashinali.

Greetings parents, guardians and students How time flies when you are having fun! We are almost at the

end of the first nine weeks already. Our Residential Staff has been busy teaching and taking care of your

children. We are working hard every day at providing a safe and comfortable environment for your student.

I just wanted to touch base with you all of you and introduce myself. I am currently detailed to the Home

Living Supervisor position for the school year. I have been at Wingate High School for many years as the

Substance Abuse Counselor. I plan to do the best I can to help our children reach their goals in life. From

experience, I have seen our children learn and graduate from WHS to make their dreams a reality. Many of

our graduates from past years come back and let us know how they are doing living in two worlds,

Traditional and Modern life.

Together, with you and our staff, I hope and dream that we make Wingate High School an even safer

environment for your children so they can learn how to be independent when they get ready to go into the

world that we are preparing them for. My door is always open to meet you as the parents, guardians, and

students. I can be reached at (505) 488-6408 or 6411.

Come and meet the residential supervisors and staff. They have many plans for our children and keep them

safe while being away from home. Dorm 17 – Mr. Tyson Houston

Dorm 18 – Mr. Phillip Smith

Dorm 19 – Ms. Lucy Garcia

Dorm 20 – Ms. Lavaye Begay

Thank you, Ms. Alta Mitchell, LADAC, Social Worker, Detailed HLS

Tickets sales will be announced the week prior to the dance. If you have any questions, please see Ms. Marjean Benally, Laura Mike, Autumn Armijo, or Shiane Henry

Monday – Character Day Tuesday – Star War day Wednesday –

Thursday –

Friday – #SPIRITDAY

If you have any questions, please see Ms. Marjean Benally, Laura Mike, Autumn Armijo, or Shiane Henry

Class Games – Monday

Powder Puff Game – Tuesday

Peach Fuzz Game –Wednesday

Dance – Thursday

Pep Rally - Friday