Tuba City High School celebrates homecoming 'A Nation of Warriors' theme
TUBA CITY, Ariz. - Last week the students at Tuba City High School celebrated homecoming week and chose a theme of "A Nation of Warriors" to celebrate all of the students and staff members from all over the country who live and work in their hometown.
Tuba City, in the Western Agency, is made up of three federally recognized tribes, Hopi, Navajo and San Juan Southern Paiute.
Among the tribal populations are non-Native community members , many of whom are service providers at the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Western Agency, two high schools and at hotels, gas stations, fast food and restaurants that service the town - their children attend the seven public schools run by Tuba City Unified School District.
Students at Tuba City High are from these three tribes as well as other ethnic groups like Hispanic, Asian American, African American, Anglo, and additional tribes mixed into the student population include Sioux, Apache, Ute, New Mexico Pueblo, Cree, Hualapai, Supai and Cherokee.
This mix helps Tuba City High students understand and appreciate other cultures and customs even before they leave for college or explore new places off the reservation. The rich ethnic environment celebrates tolerance and culture - all the culinary, religious and life differences - making their transition to the outside world a much smoother and successful ride.
The theme was also carried out through the annual homecoming day parade on Sept. 25, which shuts down Tuba City's main street and has capacity crowds sitting along Warrior Pavilion Drive in uptown Tuba for most of game day.
Students selected long time Tuba City teacher and Hopi and Navajo tribe member Larry Tsingine as this year's parade Grand Marshall. Tsingine is from the Tobacco Clan of Hotevilla but has lived and worked in Tuba City his whole life. He is a popular, friendly, supportive staff member and was first choice as parade marshall by the student committee.
Tuba City High government teacher Jeremy Williams took on the position of teacher sponsor of this year's week of activities, which included Pajama Day, Western Day, 3 on 3 basketball, float building, bon fire wood gathering, public bon-fire, pep rally and city wide parade, He wrapped up his teacher sponsor duties with royalty court assemblage and halftime crowning.
Winners of this year's homecoming royalty court are senior Shelby Skrelunas from Navajo, Hopi and Lithuanian heritage and senior Cordell Granger, who is Navajo.
Skrelunas and Granger received the most votes from students during homecoming week.
Skrelunas is from the Kinyaa'aanii and Todich'iinii clans from her mother and father's Navajo heritage, Coyote clan from her mother and grandfather's Hopi lineage with paternal Navajo and Lithuanian bloodlines from her father.
Skrelunas' parents are Esther Masayesva and Tony Skrelunas.
Granger is from the Ta'neeszahnii, Nasht'ezhi, Tabaaha, Nakaii Dine'e, Kinyaa'aanii clans from the Navajo Nation.
The remaining royalty court was:
Tuba City Preschool: Peyton Hatathlie and Carter Begay;
Life skills: Cheyanna Shirley and Ernest George;
Freshman: Karlene Piestewa and Adrian Bitsuie;
Sophomore: Meadow Purley and Marison Bilagody;
Juniors: Tia Folgheraiter and Aaron Troglia;
Senior candidates: Reanna Bowen, Kolton Chato, Kaylah Jackson, Iain Manygoats, Shelby Skrelunas, Jarrod Tee, Saria Yellowhair, and Cordell Granger.
A tough football game ended with a Chino Valley win against the Tuba City Warriors. The final score was 31-14.
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