Other Student Highlights

Our Students: Cheryl Onsae

Despite the odds of workings full-time and raising two young children, Ashley 11 "Sewa" and Kelsey 7 "Nuva", Cheryl Onsae will earn a Master of Education Degree in School Counseling from Northern Arizona University (NAU) on May 9, 2008.

After earning her Bachelors degree from NAU in Elementary Education/Special Education, Cheryl returned home to Tuba City, Arizona, and began her career as a high school special education teacher at an alternative high school that serves Hopi and Navajo students. Cheryl said her work with at-risk youth inspired her to learn new ways to encourage her students that they can succeed in school and to envision a positive future for themselves and their tribes. She said many of her students are teen parents and come from disadvantaged homes.

Upon graduation Cheryl will seek work as a counselor with the students who inspired her and will continue to advocate on behalf of all native youth. Cheryl added that although her own children may have been deprived of her time, she is certain that they will follow in her footsteps and realize the importance of education in their lives.

Cheryl also said that support from the Hopi Tribe's Grants and Scholarship Program (HEEF funding) was a tremendous help. With out the support, she does not believe she would have gone to school at all, or perhaps may have taken one class per semester, thus delaying her goal. Cheryl also credits her parents Carroll and Debra Onsae for instilling a positive work ethic and valuing education to keep her focused to complete her studies. Cheryl is from the Village of Lower Moencopi and is Tsu-wungwa (Snake Clan).