Gift to HEEF: Hopi Jr/Sr High School National Junior Honor Society
By Stan Bindell

POLACCA, ARIZ.---The Hopi Jr/Sr High School National Junior Honor Society finished the school year by donating $500 to the Hopi Education Endowment Fund.

HEEF helps Hopi students with scholarships and other educational expenses.

LuAnn Leonard, executive director of HEEF, said this gift is special because it came from students.

“They are investing in their future,” she said.

Vernon Kahe, resource development manager for HEEF, noted that the donated funds will go into HEEF’s interest bearing savings account so it will continue to grow.

Leonard said the donation is an inspiration to honor societies. Hopi Junior High Principal Albert Sinquah took it a step further challenging the National Honor Society at Hopi High to match them in coming years.

“I’m honored and proud that there are kids out there who can see into the future. This gives us great hope for the future,” he said.

Rita Keith, advisor for National Junior Honor Society, said donating to HEEF is a worthy cause.

“It’s great that the students are able to use their fundraising skills to assist students,” she said. “It’s a great benefit that might one day be used to help our NJHS members.”

Keith said the NJHS students looked at all the causes that need help throughout the world before deciding to help students in their own backyard. She noted that one of the characteristics of NJHS is scholarship, so it made sense to use the funds toward scholarship.

Keith said fundraising is getting harder each year so they will have to do more fundraising next year in order to donate the same amount.