My name is Raeannon Benally I affiliate myself as part of the Navajo Tribe. I grew up on the reservation all my life and as I grow up I learn that I have learned my greatest lessons by surrounding myself in the tradition and culture that’s been with me since birth. My heritage has taught me to be resilient and to believe that anything can be accomplished with hard work and dedication because that’s what our ancestors did to preserve future generations to achieve big things in this world. Pursing my goal to become a Registered Nurse generated from being able to help my indigenous people in the healthcare industry. I’m motivated daily by the desire to accomplish this goal. As an indigenous student I have faced many challenges and obstacles though they have all prepared me to work hard to reach where I want to be. Being a nurse and helping my community is a big long term goal for me. I can’t wait to come back educated and ready to give back to my people. Teachings and encouraging words of my elders and my heritage is the fire that keeps me determined to keep working toward my goal. It’s what makes me unique.

My name is Raeannon Benally I am an indigenous student located on the Navajo Reservation. I am the eldest daughter of 5 kids as well as being a first generation college student. The first two sentences tells it all my motivation on a daily basis is becoming a role model to my siblings and other youth on the reservation. As well as achieving my goal of becoming a registered nurse so I can help my tribe and people in the healthcare industry. My motivation strives from working hard on the days I want to give up. I get reminded by my culture and tradition that we are warriors and if things shall be accomplished it’s through hard work and dedication, because in the end it’s the work you put in that leads to success.

Everyone has their views of college. I have always decided since I was young that I would get a traditional college education and earn my bachelors degree. I’m he thought of college to me is important and essential in pursing my goals. If I was to persuade a peer to attend college even if they didn’t plan to in the beginning would be to use words of encouragement or strategic planning that would make their college experience worthwhile and beneficial. College doesn’t always have to be a strict four year plan, one can obtain a well established associates degree in two years which could be helpful and useful to attain more experience in your desired field of work. You could take some college classes as a refresher down the road when you want to change things up in your current field. Although I see why college could not be option for some peers. The cost is one alone, but if we worked together we could push and motivate each other to reach out and apply for scholarships and ask questions. As well as planning it ahead and saving effectively. That is my thought in how I would convince a peer to attend college if it wasn’t there first thought.