Other Student Highlights

Our Students: Kwaayesnom (Eagle Nesting) Onsae

In a partnership with the Village of Kykotsmovi Youth Program, the HEEF and the Hopi Foundation hosted Kwaayesnom as a student worker over the summer. Kwaayesnom spent much of her summer learning how the HEEF operates in relation to donors and funding programs. She also learned how the Hopi Foundation uses the Hopi concepts of nami'nangwa and sumi'nangwa in ways that contribute to the community..

Kwaayesnom will attend Flagstaff High School as a junior this fall, and is on the cross-country team. Kwaayesnom said, "A challenge for me is working hard to keep my grades up, and staying on track. It's so easy to get distracted by sports, friends and even boys but the work is important too." She also said, "The best thing about high school is being with friends and the good feeling you get from knowing you are getting an education and doing the best you can."

After high school Kwaayesnom plans to travel and study abroad, then return home and live by the traditions and concepts she was taught to be a Hopi. Kwaayesnom is also interested in art, engineering, nursing and psychology and would like to pursue a degree in engineering or psychology.

After learning about the work of the HEEF Kwaayesnom realizes that the opportunity is available by saying, "Hey, this is what I want to do, and the funding would be there to get me started and give me a hand. The contributions from the donors to the HEEF are really important because that money goes to Hopi students who want to pursue higher education."