Hopi High royalty crowned during HHS 'Indian Week'

Miss Hopi High, Junell Puhuyesva (Photo by Stan Bindell).

Miss Hopi High, Junell Puhuyesva (Photo by Stan Bindell).

POLACCA-Hopi Jr/Sr High School kicked off Indian Week with its pageant Sept. 17 as four royalty were selected for this school year.

Junell Puhuyesva was crowned Miss Hopi High, Samuel Acevedo took Mr. Hopi High honors, Donna Brooks was selected as Miss Hopi Junior High and Drew Lomayaktewa took home the Mr. Hopi Junior High crown.

Junell Puhuyesva, a 17-year old senior, said it felt good to win the crown because it was an amazing experience.

"There was a lot of competition and all the competitors were great. They are all winners," she said.

Puhuyesva, who is Hopi, said she didn't expect to win because she mispronunced a few words during her speech given in the Hopi language.

For her traditional talent, Puhuyesva sang a song about making the traditional Hopi food soomviki.

Puhuyesva said she is looking forward to representing Hopi High at pageants and parades.

"I can do great things by being a role model for kids," she said. "I want to tell them, 'don't do drugs or alcohol,' and 'keep up their grades,' and 'keep positive.'"

Her message to her classmates is "keep your head up and be strong."

Puhuyesva, an honor roll student, runs cross country and plays basketball.

Puhuyesva plans to major in pediatrics at the University of Arizona.

She sends thanks to her mom, dad, uncles and everybody who helped her throughout the contest.

She is the daughter of Craig and Nona Puhuyesva of Shungopavi.

Samuel Acevedo, a 14-year-old sophomore, said he was also excited to win even though he expected to win.

Acevedo, who is Hopi and Puerto Rican, made a Puerto Rican dish for his traditional talent.

His message to his classmates is to encourage people to run for Mr. Hopi High next year. He said the crown is important to him because he is proud of his culture.

"I take the crown seriously because I feel like a role model," he said. "I want to tell them not to use drugs and alcohol, 'don't be a bully' and 'get good grades.'"

Acevedo, who maintains an A/B average, is in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and graphic arts.

He is the son of Jose and Aretha Acevedo.

Donna Brooks, a 13-year-old eighth-grader, said she was excited about winning the crown because it's a new experience for her.

Brooks, who is Hopi and San Carlos Apache, said she didn't think she would win the crown because there was another contestant, but the other contestant dropped out before the night of the contest.

Brooks sang a Hopi song by Anita Poleahla and the late Ferrell Secakuku. The song is about how "our body is made up of Hopi food," she said.

Brooks also said she is glad she won the crown because she wants to promote the Hopi language and tradition.

"I want to promote the Hopi language and tradition because it's dying out," she said.

Brooks said some Hopi youth don't want to learn the language because when they say it wrong the elders laugh at them before correcting them.

Brooks, an honor roll student, is the daughter of Denise Lomatska of Hotevilla.

Drew Lomayaktewa, a 13-year-old eighth-grader, said he was excited to win the crown of Mr. Hopi Junior High.

"Winning is pretty good," he said. "I want to represent the school as good as I can so the school will get more publicity."

Lomayaktewa, who is Hopi, sang a deer song for his talent.

He plays football, basketball and runs track. He is also into art, as he loves to draw.

"I want to tryout for Mr. Hopi High next year," he said.

He is the son of Carol Ovah and Clyde Lomayaktewa of Polacca.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For photos of Miss Hopi Jr. High Donna Brooks and Mr. Hopi Jr. High Drew Lomayaktewa, please click on the "Photos" link.

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