Help Native American Students Reach the Big Apple

I am a high school teacher based in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. For 30 years, I have worked in various communities in New Mexico; for 22 of those 30 years, I have taught the bright and hopeful Indigenous, Native American students of Jemez Pueblo.

My students have lived their entire lives on the Jemez Reservation, and now, as they are about to graduate and make their way in the world, they have chosen to journey to one of the world's most culturally diverse cities to learn more about all cultures and other Indigenous cultures of the United States: New York City, the Big Apple! I'd like to introduce you to a few of these students, and you can read their own words about why they want to journey to New York City:

Hello, my name is Randolph Padilla. I am currently a senior at Walatowa High Charter School which is located in the Pueblo of Jemez in New Mexico. I have always wanted to travel to different places all over the world, and New York is one of the places I've been wanting to see since I was 8 years old. The history of New York is what I have been wanting to learn more about, and I am excited to have this opportunity to experience an international city.

Hello my name is Logan Tafoya, and I'm a senior at Walatowa high Charter School located in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. It's important to me to go to New York because ever since I was young I've always wanted to go, and I want to travel the world. I also want to learn more about New York's Jewish community and history, Harlem history, urban immigrant history, and Chinese history, but mostly the outside world and experience the sights and smells of New York.

Hi, my name is Ella Gachupin, and I am a senior at WHCS. I want to travel to NYC for our trip because I want to explore the world outside of my pueblo, to learn about many more cultures. I want to experience new things because where I live, it is a very quiet and small community. I’d like to travel to a different part of the country and get to feel like I'm on an adventure because I don't travel often. As an older sister, I often get tied down to staying home and only focusing on my family and homework. We don't have time to be traveling all the time because we have important cultural activities going on, but I want this to be the opportunity to expand my knowledge in a new environment with my classmates.

Hi, my name is Arlis Casiquito, and I am a senior at Walatowa High Charter School. This trip is important to me because I want to learn about the many different immigrant and Indigenous cultures and communities in New York, and also learn about their history. I'm also excited for this trip because I have never been out of state before and this could be a good opportunity for me to go and finally explore and see new things and learn new things.

Hi, my name is Justine Chinana. I am a senior at Walatowa High Charter School in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. I am excited about this trip because it will be an amazing experience for me. This will be my first time ever traveling on a plane! This will also be a good opportunity to learn about other communities and different cultures in one of the most multicultural cities in the world: New York!

My name is Asia Yepa and I go to Walatowa High Charter School in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. I really want to go on this trip to New York City because I would love to learn more about the city and its history. I have also never been out of my home state before, and I have always had love for New York City.

Hello, my name is Jaime Shendo, and I am a senior at Walatowa High Charter School in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. I want to experience a big city where I can learn and connect with other cultures. Going to different cultural museums and learning about other cultures will help me widen my views on different people. I will learn about black, Chinese, Jewish, Italian, and many other immigrant cultures along with learning about other Indigenous cultures like my own. Also, it will be fun as I have never gone as far as New York before!