Latest news with #FarmingtonHighSchool
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nine Arkansas semifinalists named in 2025 Presidential Scholars Program
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The U.S. Department of Education has announced nine Arkansas-based students have been selected as semifinalists for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. According to a letter to Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva, the nine students selected as semifinalists come from a field of 621 students nationwide. The Arkansas students who were selected are: Taylor Matthew Conran – Farmington High School Nideaya E. Fassler – Russellville High School Xavier Christopher Herzig – Alma High School Scarlet Moore Hudgins – Elkins High School Prerana R. Kodakandla – Bentonville High School Siddhartha R. Milkuri – Bentonville High School Aubrey Scherer – Rogers Heritage High School Sylvia Ann Smith – Fayetteville High School East Campus Yahya Younus – Little Rock Central High School Department of Education officials said that the final selection will be made in the coming months for high school seniors who will be named as the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars, and the names will be announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,200 of the nation's top-performing students since its 1964 inception. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislature protects Native students' right to wear regalia at school ceremonies
Bella Davis New Mexico In Depth Native American students' right to wear tribal regalia at school ceremonies could soon be enshrined in state law. The House unanimously passed Senate Bill 163 on Wednesday, sending it to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for her signature. Students who are enrolled in or eligible for enrollment in a federally recognized tribe would be allowed to wear their tribe's traditional clothing and objects of religious or cultural significance, including jewelry, beading and feathers, to important school events, like graduation, without interference from officials. The bill would go into effect immediately so that students graduating this spring are protected. Last year, Farmington High School staff members were recorded confiscating an Indigenous student's beaded graduation cap that had an eagle plume attached, which staff later cut. The video gained national attention and widespread condemnation from tribal and state leaders. Lawmakers this year have heard from other young Native people who had similar experiences at their schools. 'My great grandmother was only able to attend up to the sixth grade, and so when I graduated high school, I shared that accomplishment with her,' Alysia Coriz (Santo Domingo Pueblo), a lobbyist for the nonprofit NM Native Vote, told the House Education Committee last month. 'However, due to restrictions from my high school, I was unable to wear my tribal regalia.' Coriz said she and other students she's talked with were told their regalia was 'distracting and doesn't conform.' But 'our identity is our strength, our culture is our strength,' Coriz told the committee. New Mexico will join over a dozen other states in protecting Native American students' right to wear regalia, assuming Lujan Grisham signs the bill. The Indian Affairs and Public Education departments, which fall under her authority, developed it, according to a spokesperson. This story was originally published by New Mexico In Depth.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Students could legally wear Native American regalia at graduation with proposed bill
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – It drew outrage in May when a Farmington High School grad was told to remove a graduation cap adorned with Native American beads. Now, some state senators are pushing a new law to keep school administrators from doing it again. The bill would codify in state law, that Native American students in public schools can wear tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies or public school events. Story continues below Breaking: Deb Haaland formally announces campaign for governor of New Mexico Don't Miss: Injured pelican found in Santa Fe brought back to health, released into the wild National: New Mexico Attorney General sues Trump Administration over NIH funding cut 'How disrespectful that was, in terms of those of us, and how we as native people look at an eagle plum. You know and what it represents,' said Senator Benny Shendo, (D- Jemez Pueblo). It's a video that still sparks intense emotions for some. A Farmington teen at a May graduation ceremony was told to replace her graduation cap because it was decorated. In this case, it was adorned with Native American beads and a feather. Sen. Shendo is hoping a new state law can make a difference. His bill would make it explicitly legal for Native American students to wear regalia at school graduation ceremonies or events. A specific protection, he says, is needed after the Farmington incident. 'It was kind of unfortunate, I felt almost ashamed that something like this would happen in the state of New Mexico where you know, particularly at a school where a large majority of those are native students,' said Sen. Shendo. In committee on Tuesday, students and Pueblo leaders showed support. 'Our traditional clothing is our strength; it helps us find our connection back to our ancestors and community. Our traditional clothing tells our story,' said Alicia Kreese, bill supporter. 'Senate bill 163 will allow our Indigenous students to wear their regalia at school ceremonies without the fear of being denied participation or being punished,' said Santiago, bill supporter. Some lawmakers are worried the bill doesn't clearly define what regalia would be allowed and could be misinterpreted to include offensive symbols. However, the bill passed with unanimous support. 'I think us knowing what New Mexico is, I didn't think we needed a law you know for our students to you know to present who they are at graduation but for these incidents, here we are today,' said Sen. Shendo. The bill is expected to head to the Senate Education Committee next. Lawmakers also recommended that the bill include an emergency clause so that it would take effect before this year's high school graduation ceremonies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
