Pat Evans Receives Honor At Johnson O’Malley Convention

By Naomi Hatch
   Pat Evans, Indian Education coordinator for Student Services for the Snowflake School District, was honored at the Johnson O’Malley National Convention, which was held in Phoenix this year.
   Evans spoke at three of the sessions, sharing with others what she has done for the Native American students at Snowflake High School.
   Cindy Williams of Special Services introduced Evans at the Dec. 3 governing board meeting. Williams noted that Evans writes grants for Indian Education Funds that are allocated to help Native American students. She has been with the district for 22 years, including 20 in this program. The program is funded by the Title 7 and Johnson O’Malley programs, which totals approximately $13,000 each year.
   “She did an outstanding job with her presentations,” said Williams. Evans received a plaque at the convention, and made three hour and a half presentations that were very well attended, putting the spotlight on the district and its Native American program.
   Evans said her presentation was based on facts, noting, “Programs we have are such small budgeted programs.”
   The number of tribes represented in the district’s student population has grown, with 13 tribes now represented, including Navajo, Hopi, Apache and Omaha of Nebraska. “The tribe that really came up is the Catawba Tribe. There are 206 students, with 167 having a Certificate of Indian Blood. One of their needs assessments is to get the Certificate of Indian Blood for all students.
   Another objective is to have 80 percent of tutorial students achieve one grade level for the school year, and they have 98 percent of students achieving that.
   For the workshop, Evans went back 10 years to put statistics together. “Looking back at each of the years and seeing it on paper was a surprise,” she said.
   Evans said they have two paraprofessionals, Katy Chee at Snowflake Junior High School and Lorene Tsosie at Highland Primary, Snowflake Intermediate, Taylor Elementary and Taylor Intermediate schools. Both are going to school, and Chee will soon have her teaching certificate.
   The program assists parents in paying fees at SJHS and Snowflake High School, and with getting students books through book clubs in the lower levels. They offer instruction supplies and incentives, including a banquet at the end of the school year where awards are given to deserving students.
   Evans expressed appreciation to parents, the community and noted that, “The district has always been there to support us.”
   “Our program also has to have an Indian Education Committee,” she said. Six parents are on the committee, which meets monthly. A monthly Pack Meeting is held where parents and students are invited. There are speakers and singers who teach the Native American culture.
   “We have had student success,” said Evans, noting that students served by the program have graduated from Brigham Young University, the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Notre Dame, Northern Arizona University, Northland Pioneer College, the University of Phoenix, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Diné College, Gateway, Grand Canyon College and Missouri State, to name a few. “I am so proud of these kids who have gone on,” said Evans.
   “They are contributing to the community and eventually their tribe. I didn’t realize how much until I started putting it down on paper and I just really had to beam,” said Evans.
   Superintendent Hollis Merrell addressed Evans, saying, “Thank you for your efforts and for running an exemplary program on a very limited budget.”