Lakota Scott, outstanding TCHS Senior

TUBA CITY - Just hearing about Tuba City High School student Lakota Scott's average school day is enough to tire anyone out.

Up at 6 a.m. finalizing any homework she didn't get done the night before, showering and then off to school by 8 a.m. for any morning club meetings. Following this busy morning, a full day of class begins promptly at 8:40. When lunch hour hits Scott can be found at her National Honor Society meetings, but then she's back to class, out at 3:40 and on to football practice.

Immediately following practice (around 6:45 p.m.) and dependent upon the day of the week, she has any of her 7 p.m. evening student club meetings; then she returns home to eat some quick dinner and starts on her homework which sometimes takes her until around 11:30 p.m. to complete. Then she finally gets to bed, but knows she'll be waking early again to start the succession of events all over again.

Lakota Scott, with her infectious laugh, easy smile, student drive and discipline that any corporate adult would envy, is hoping to attend Dartmouth College in New Hampshire next year as a pre-med student majoring in psychology.

It's her drive and ambition that has taken her this far - along with her supportive parents, Mary and Patrick Scott behind her all the way. This Tuba City native, born and raised in this small Western Agency town, sees no limits to what she can accomplish.

Added to her list of playing varsity football defensive tackle for the TC High Warriors, she also has an avid interest in two-dimensional artwork, which was inspired by her father, also an accomplished artist.

Lakota has grown so adept at painting and drawing that she has managed to win a student award every year for the past five years in the Santa Fe Indian Market's student division. As most aspiring young student artists know, this is a major accomplishment in itself.

Added to Scott's list of achievements, she is also a member of many major U.S. high school academic achievement organizations.

She is currently TC High senior class president, a co-founder of the Diné Youth Federation, and a member of the National Honor Society, National High School Scholar Honor Society, Who's Who in American Students, and Who's Who in American High School Sports. She also won an award for student leadership and service and has served as both the vice president and president of the Student Council for Tuba City High School in the past two years.

In addition to these honors, Scott maintains a wonderful sense of humor and is extremely supportive of her fellow Warrior high school student population; she expresses much gratitude to her TC High teachers for encouraging her and supporting her dreams, which she is hoping will result in a full scholarship to Dartmouth based on her academic achievement.

Interestingly, Scott was encouraged to play football by some of the male members of the Warrior High School varsity squad, because they could tell she was a determined player and took offensive strategy seriously.

Even though her parents were afraid she might get hurt on the field, Scott has played smart and managed to get through this season without much physical injury, she explains.

"At first, even though I had training this past spring, the biggest challenge was to understand all the offensive plays, which can be confusing, but it was also fun and I really enjoyed playing with a whole team concept focus," Scott said.

A full-blooded member of the Navajo Nation, Scott encourages all students, male and female, to go after a healthy substance-free lifestyle, take some career risks and do something out of the ordinary.

"I hope that my fellow students will have the confidence in their own proud Native culture and abilities to go after all that they want, in academics, art and sports. It has worked for me, so I know it can work for them," Scott said.