Rez high school students learn the ropes in Prescott<br>

At the Promised Land, six students from Kayenta’s Monument Valley High School learned the basics of rock climbing, including rope management and safety skills. Using mock-belay stations and outfitted in helmets, harnesses and special rubber-soled climbing shoes, the Prescott College undergraduates facilitated the lesson, guiding the Kayenta students through a mock climb.

The Prescott College students are all enrolled in Adventure Education, the only class they take this quarter, and have been preparing to teach outside groups since January. The course, which has taken them to Joshua Tree National Park, Big Sur in Northern California and Baboquivari Peak west of Tucson, emphasizes leadership skills including group process and facilitation, expeditionary planning and safety/emergency procedures.

For the high school students, the two days of climbing were about more than just fun.

“The [Prescott College] students went out of their way to continue to challenge us to stay focused on our goals,” said Monument Valley High’s Kylandre Johnson.

At Granite Basin, many of the 14 high school students from Tuba City made personal connections with the Prescott College undergraduates.

“I would say [the best part] was getting to know these Prescott College students,” said Derrick Pooyouma, a Tuba City High School senior. “At first I was a bit intimidated by them, but I was very surprised how they opened up to all of us and really helped us out.

“They helped me throughout a lot of my challenges and helped me achieve my goals.”

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