Growing up on the Navajo reservation in a single-parent, low-income household, mental health was never something we talked about. My mother did everything she could to provide for us, but the emotional weight of poverty, isolation, and lack of opportunity often went unspoken. From a young age, I learned to be strong, but I didn’t always know how to be okay. Without a father figure or role models around me who had gone to college, it felt like there was a ceiling over my life. I didn’t know anyone who had “made it out,” and many people around me had accepted struggle as their future. The silence surrounding mental health made it harder to understand what I was feeling, especially during moments of loneliness, self-doubt, and anxiety about the future. I often questioned if I was enough, if I could ever succeed, or if I was even meant to try. As I grew older, I began to realize that what I was feeling wasn’t weakness, it was a response to difficult circumstances and internal battles that many others face but rarely talk about. That realization gave me the courage to be open about my own mental health. I’ve learned how to recognize the signs of burnout and depression. I’ve had to teach myself how to cope in healthy ways, through basketball, community involvement, and creative outlets like marketing and event planning. One of the biggest turning points in my journey was getting involved in community work. Helping run youth basketball camps and organizing our annual Elders’ Christmas event gave me a renewed sense of purpose. These experiences reminded me that even though I didn’t have a traditional role model growing up, I could become one, for my younger siblings, for the kids on the reservation, and for others who feel stuck in silence. Now, as a college student, I still face challenges, financial pressures, the stress of being a student-athlete, and carrying the weight of wanting to make my community proud. But I’ve learned that asking for help is strength. Being vulnerable is brave. And continuing to push forward is a victory every single day. Receiving this scholarship would not only help me financially, but it would also remind me that my struggles matter, and that by sharing my story, I’m keeping the memory of students like Elijah alive. I hope to be someone who turns pain into purpose, and silence into hope.

As a proud Native American student from the Navajo Nation, I’ve always understood the value of education, not just as a personal achievement, but as a way to uplift my community. I was raised in a single-parent household on the reservation, where resources were limited, but love, culture, and resilience were abundant. College has always been my dream, not only as a means to a better future, but as a critical step toward building something greater than myself. Today, I’m a college student pursuing a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. My goal is to eventually start my own business that directly serves underserved Native communities. I want to use marketing to promote health, education, and entrepreneurship across the reservation. I believe that storytelling, outreach, and accessible resources can change lives, and I want to be the one helping lead that change. However, the path to a college education hasn’t been easy. For the past two years, I’ve balanced being a full-time student and a college athlete, playing basketball while maintaining a GPA above 3.0. Due to recent budget cuts at my school, I now face the burden of covering the majority of my tuition on my own. Like many students across the country, financial challenges threaten to interrupt my education, not because of a lack of ambition or effort, but simply because of the rising cost of higher education. That’s why scholarships like this one are so important. They don’t just fund education; they keep dreams alive. This support would allow me to stay in school, continue building my skills, and stay focused on the bigger picture: graduating and giving back. I’ve already begun that mission by helping organize and market community events on my reservation, such as our youth basketball camp and annual Elders’ Christmas event. These initiatives help improve physical health, bring people together, and foster pride in our culture. College is more than a career move for me, it’s a way to break cycles and create opportunities, not just for myself, but for future generations. No one should have to give up their education because of finances. I’m determined to complete my degree, make a difference, and be an example of what’s possible when passion meets opportunity. Receiving this scholarship would be both a financial blessing and a powerful reminder that I am not walking this journey alone.

My name is Jana Solee, and I am a proud Native American from the Navajo Nation, raised by a single parent in a community where strength, service, and sacrifice are deeply valued. I come from a family with law enforcement and military roots, and I’m pursuing higher education not only to better myself but to give back to those who raised me and supported me along the way. I strive to display strong leadership and communication skills through every area of my life, from academics to athletics to community service. As a student-athlete playing college basketball, I’ve learned how to lead by example, communicate with clarity, and remain composed under pressure. Off the court, I’ve helped organize and market community events such as a youth basketball camp and an Elders’ Christmas celebration on the Navajo reservation. These events require coordination, outreach, and leadership, skills I continue to develop with each project. Resilience is something I’ve carried with me from an early age. Growing up in a single-parent household on the reservation, I faced financial struggles and limited opportunities. But I never let those challenges define me. Instead, they motivated me to push harder and dream bigger. I continue to persevere, even now as I face covering most of my college tuition due to recent budget cuts. Despite the obstacles, I remain committed to my goals. Being unselfish is part of who I am. My passion for community has always come first. Whether it’s running a camp that teaches kids about health and fitness or bringing holiday joy to elders through meals and gifts, I believe in using my time and skills to lift others. Giving back is how I honor where I come from. I am focused and determined in both my studies and long-term goals. I’m currently majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. My goal is to start a business that provides resources and services for underserved Native communities. I want to use marketing not just as a business tool, but as a way to educate, connect, and inspire. A strong work ethic is the foundation of everything I do. From maintaining my grades while playing college basketball to balancing school and community service, I put in the time and effort required to succeed. I don’t expect anything to be handed to me; I earn it through consistency and grit. To me, leadership means serving others with integrity and setting the tone for those around you. It’s about lifting people up, taking responsibility, and leading with purpose. It would be an honor to receive this scholarship in memory of Antonie “Tony” Bernard Thomas, a man whose selfless and grounded nature reminds me of the leaders I admire most.

My name is Jana Solee, and I am a proud Native American from the Navajo Nation. I was raised in a single-parent household on the reservation, where I learned the importance of resilience, service, and community. Despite the challenges that come with growing up in an underserved area, I’ve always believed in the power of stepping outside to learn and grow, then bringing that knowledge back to uplift others. That belief has fueled my passion for business, marketing, and giving back. I’m honored to apply for a scholarship that carries on the legacy of Brandon Repola, a talented young entrepreneur whose creativity, drive, and community spirit continue to inspire. His words, “I’m here to change the world,” reflect a mindset I strongly connect with. Like Brandon, I have a vision not only to build a better life for myself, but to inspire the youth around me and bring positive change to my community through innovation and leadership. My area of focus in college is business administration with a concentration in marketing. I chose this path because I want to combine creativity with strategy to build impactful projects that benefit underserved communities. Marketing allows me to tell stories, reach people where they are, and inspire action. My long-term goal is to start my own business that gives back to the Navajo Nation, providing services, opportunities, and education in areas like health, youth development, and cultural preservation. I plan to continue gaining hands-on experience through internships, leadership roles, and community work that aligns with my mission. So far, I’ve used marketing skills to support several community initiatives. I helped organize and promote our 5th annual youth basketball camp, which had over 60 kids attend this year. The camp teaches exercise, nutrition, and confidence, important values in fighting childhood obesity on the reservation. I also help with our annual Elders’ Christmas event, where we serve over 100 elders a holiday meal, give gifts, and perform a skit. It’s a joyful tradition that brings generations together. In high school, I was active in DECA for two years. I led a public health awareness event on alcohol abuse my junior year, and my senior year, I won at Arizona DECA Nationals with a business plan for a car wash on the reservation. I'm also a college basketball player, but due to budget cuts, I now must pay most of my tuition. This scholarship would be a great help in continuing my education and service. I am committed to honoring Brandon’s legacy by using marketing as a tool for change, living with purpose, giving back, and helping others dream bigger.

My name is Jana Solee, and I am a proud Native American from the Navajo Nation. I was raised in a single parent household on the reservation, where I learned early on the importance of hard work, perseverance, and community. Growing up in an environment with limited resources and many challenges, I developed a strong desire to create a better future, not just for myself, but for those around me. I believe education and service are powerful tools for change, and I’m committed to using both to give back to my people and uplift the place that raised me. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Kalia D. Davis. Her story moved me deeply. As a fellow student-athlete and someone who strives to serve others and rise above challenges, I see parts of myself in the way Kalia lived, with determination, leadership, and compassion. It would be an honor to carry forward her legacy by living with the same passion, kindness, and commitment to making a difference. I’m currently a college student and have played basketball at the collegiate level for the past two years. Sports have taught me discipline, leadership, and how to face challenges with focus and determination. However, due to budget cuts, I am now responsible for most of my tuition this year. This scholarship would mean more than financial relief. In high school, I was involved in DECA for two years. My junior year, I organized a public health awareness event on alcohol abuse, an issue affecting many Native families. My senior year, I won at Arizona DECA Nationals by presenting a business plan to build a car wash on the reservation, an effort to give back by offering a simple, prideful service to our people. Outside of school, my family and I run a free youth basketball camp that promotes healthy habits and exercise. This past year we had 60 kids attend, learning about fitness and nutrition, critical tools in fighting the high obesity rates on our reservation. I also help organize an annual non-profit Elders’ Christmas event with over 100 elders, providing a meal, gifts, and a joyful holiday skit that brings the community together. Kalia lived a life of love, laughter, learning, and legacy. These are the same values I hold dear. I am motivated by service, grounded in my culture, and driven to succeed, not just for myself, but for the community that raised me. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and honor Kalia’s memory by following in her footsteps of excellence, kindness, and impact. Thank you

I’m pursuing a career in sales and marketing because I have a deep passion for helping others and creating positive change in my community. My biggest inspiration comes from my people, the Navajo Nation. I’ve seen the challenges we face firsthand, from high rates of addiction and obesity to a lack of local businesses and resources. These experiences have motivated me to be someone who can bring change by learning from the outside world and using those lessons to uplift my people. During high school, I was actively involved in DECA for two years, my junior and senior year. DECA played a huge role in developing my interest in marketing and business. As a junior, I took the lead in organizing a public health awareness event where I invited a health relations group to speak to students about the dangers of alcohol abuse. This issue is personal to me because alcohol addiction has harmed so many Native American families, and I wanted to educate others to break that cycle. In my senior year, I had the honor of winning at Arizona DECA Nationals. I presented a business plan for building a car wash on the Navajo reservation, a project aimed at giving back to the community by offering a simple, useful service that promotes pride in our vehicles and our people. This experience showed me that business can have heart and impact, not just profit. Outside of school, I’ve been dedicated to giving back through community events. This past year, I helped market our 5th annual youth basketball camp, which my family and I organize every summer. We had over 60 kids attend. The camp is more than just about sports, it teaches kids about staying active, eating healthy, and building confidence. With obesity rates being high on the reservation, we want to make sure our youth grow up knowing how to take care of their bodies and minds. We plan to grow the camp each year to reach even more families. I also help market our annual Elders’ Christmas event, which brings together over 100 elders each year. We serve a full holiday meal, give out gifts, and end with a fun Christmas skit that always brings smiles and laughter. It’s a tradition we’re proud of and one that brings joy to many. All of these experiences have shaped my passion for sales and marketing. I want to one day start my own business, not just to succeed, but to give back and inspire change in the place that raised me.