Latest news with #Nevaeh
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brooklyn students demand change in fight against gun violence at rally
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (PIX11) — The sidewalks of Brooklyn were ablaze with orange on Thursday morning as students from Launch Expeditionary Learning Charter School led a powerful march through the streets of Crown Heights. Their bright orange shirts stood as a bold statement against gun violence, marking the start of the school's annual walkout and rally. More Local News Hundreds of middle schoolers, local leaders, and community members gathered at Restoration Plaza for the event, held ahead of National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend. The rally was more than a protest—it was a collective call for a safer future, echoing from the voices of Brooklyn's youth. As the crowd settled, 12-year-old Nevaeh, a seventh grader at Launch, stepped onto the stage to recite a poem. Her words moved the audience. 'I thought of my families that I have lost and who I love the most. And I just thought if I stay strong for them and write this, I could come together and stay strong for them. I put my emotion into it, said Nevaeh. Nevaeh's poem reflected a painful reality shared by many in her community. She lost both her uncle and grandfather to gun violence before she ever had the chance to meet them. The rally was not only about speeches. Students performed dances, sang, and shared research on public health solutions to gun violence. Their creativity and determination underscored the urgency of their message. Aubrey Phillip, another seventh grader, shared her personal story. 'This means a lot for me because I was kind of involved with gun violence before because there was somebody following me for several blocks and they had a gun in their hand,' said Phillip. In December, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez reported that 2024 was the safest year ever for gun violence in the borough, with record lows for both shooting incidents and victims, lower even than the previous low set in 2019. Shootings decreased by 15%, shooting victims by 14%, and homicides by 6% compared to 2023. Organizers and educators alike emphasized the importance of student involvement. Asha Haynes, a seventh-grade teacher at Launch, said, 'Students just being able to be aware of the violence that's happening in their community—how can they be agents of change?' Haynes highlighted the value of student voices and partnerships with organizations like Save Our Streets, noting that events like these help spread the message and bring more resources to the community. Through their voices and actions, these young leaders are calling for change—one step, one poem, and one conversation at a time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Two graduations, two empty chairs and the long shadow of a missing Indigenous teen
BENA, Minn. -- The pomp and circumstance of graduation carried somber tones for the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School class of 2025. A dozen seniors graduated last Thursday, and two classmates received honorary diplomas - their absence marked with a pair of empty chairs on center stage in the school gymnasium. As the students walked into the gym, they held framed photos of the two friends they lost in 2021 and who should be graduating with them: Preston White, 14, died by suicide that March, and Nevaeh Kingbird, 15, went missing on a cold October night. In the long shadow of Nevaeh's unsolved disappearance, friends and family continue to search for answers and purpose. Her mother, Teddi Wind, sat in front row of the graduation ceremony. She has never given up hope in finding her daughter but has taken much of the search into her own hands. Wind graduated from the law enforcement program at Leech Lake Tribal College on May 17. That same day, she attended a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) event at Bemidji's Sanford Center, where she spoke in front of supporters. Wind told them she earned her degree in honor of Nevaeh and because she no longer has faith in law enforcement finding her. "In my journey at school, I learned that there were holes that they missed while they investigated my daughter's case," she said. "No parent should ever feel the way that I feel ... not knowing where their child is, having to celebrate their milestones without them." Wind said she is happy for her daughter's friends and wishes Nevaeh - heaven spelled backward - was there for this moment. "She loved school, loved this place," she said. For this small K-12 school in the center of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe reservation in north-central Minnesota, reaching this milestone carries additional meaning given the obstacles they have overcome. In Minnesota, the graduation rate for Native Americans is a little over 60% compared with nearly 90% for white peers. Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig students once had to study in a school that was in dire need of repairs and among the worst in the federal Bureau of Indian Education system. But in 2018, the government finally followed through on treaty obligations and moved them from a leaking pole barn into a new facility. When the pandemic struck, however, these students had to navigate distance learning, only to return to classrooms in 2021 and lose Preston, then Nevaeh. "It's kind of just a lot of emotions today," Kimmela GrayHawk, who was Preston's cousin and Nevaeh's best friend, said as she waited in the library for the ceremony to start. "But overall, I'm proud of myself, happy that I made it. I'm gonna walk with them in my heart because they will always be there, always." An unfinished vision board Teacher Bambi Brown said in her graduation address that memories of Nevaeh and Preston are vivid. He was known for being a talented pow-wow dancer and drummer. She said Nevaeh took his passing hard. An incomplete vision board Nevaeh was working on before she vanished in Bemidji on Oct. 22, 2021, included many quotes about loss. She wore Preston's clothes to feel closer to him, Brown said. Nevaeh had a passion for volleyball. She was artistic and fluent in Ojibwe. She wanted to go to college in Colorado. "You could often hear Nevaeh saying, 'Love you' to her friends as she went down the hall," Brown said. "She felt things real deeply and was extremely sentimental." Brown's classroom door is decorated with Nevaeh's missing person poster and a People magazine article about her disappearance. Posters that students bring to rallies and marches for MMIR hang in the hallways. This spring, the idea was floated to put a red handprint that symbolizes missing Indigenous women on graduation caps. So many seniors were supportive of the idea that they all got the decals, which Wind paid to have done at a shop in Bemidji. A silhouette of Nevaeh was in the center of the handprint. Brown said Nevaeh would be proud of the class showing support of MMIR at graduation. "It's exactly what she would have done if she were in your shoes," she said. "When we find Nevaeh - and we will - she surely will go on to help Native youth in our communities," she said. 'I had to find my voice again' Wind said during the first year of her daughter's disappearance, she couldn't speak and had to relearn how to be a parent. At the time, she was raising a baby. She pursued a degree, held two jobs at the casino and Indigenous treatment center, and raised six children, all while searching for Nevaeh and maintaining her sobriety. "I did what I could to keep going," Wind said, "and then I had to find my voice again." She works closely with Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office, the first office of its kind in the nation dedicated to MMIR. She's planning search efforts for Nevaeh this summer and is seeking employment options to put her new degree to work. Nevaeh's sister, LaKaylee Kingbird, 20, is following her mom's footsteps and will return to the tribal college in the fall to earn the same degree. "[It's] inspirational knowing everything she went through, watching her cry when she couldn't get homework done, and she ended up getting it done anyway," said LaKaylee, who graduated from Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School in 2023. "Just seeing her push through all that and coming out stronger than she was before is very beautiful." Petra Rodriquez is a family liaison at the school who grew close to LaKaylee after her sister's disappearance. "I'm just so proud of how she overcame all that heartbreak," Rodriquez said of LaKaylee. Rodriquez said Nevaeh should be here. She wants recent graduates to not take life for granted, to be grateful and to be careful out in the world. "There's a lot of strong kids," she said. "I just hope they can honor her by reaching their goals." Nevaeh's letter jacket was draped on the empty chair at the ceremony. When Wind retrieved her daughter's diploma, eagle feather and Pendleton blanket gifted by elders, she put on the jacket and glanced down at Nevaeh's name stitched on the front. "She probably would love this more than anything." ____ Anyone with information on Nevaeh's case can call the Bemidji police tip line at218-333-9111, or submit tips by texting 847411. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Cambridge house fire victim Nevaeh Ngamoki-Porter honoured with haka from Rototuna Junior High
Before the Year 10 student's tangi, her schoolmates gathered to perform a resounding and emotional haka as her body was driven by. Video taken by Nevaeh's mother, from inside the hearse carrying her body, showed the column of teenagers standing to attention along the roadside. Nevaeh's coffin was draped in a korowai (cloak) of blue, green, purple, white and black feathers. 'This send-off was done in my daughter's honour as she was quite popular within her school and wider parts of the Waikato,' her mother said. 'Thanks, Rototuna Junior High, for the haka tautoko for our sweet girl.' Nevaeh's school said: 'She was a vibrant soul with a deep passion for Kapa Haka and Te Reo Māori. 'Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she was a valued and spirited member of our Kapa Haka rōpū, Tuna Whakapeke and Raratuna. We will fondly remember her dedication and the joy she found in celebrating her culture. 'She will be dearly missed. During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and aroha are with her whānau and friends. 'We know that this loss is deeply felt by our students and staff. To support our school community, our whare, Te Tuuranga o Koura, is open as a space for us to gather, to grieve, and to process this profound loss together. 'Members of our counselling team, along with senior staff, are available to provide support and a listening ear to anyone who needs it.' When the first firefighters from Cambridge arrived at the Brennan Place property, the fire was well alight and Nevaeh was unaccounted for. Three people were inside at the time of the blaze - Nevaeh, her older sister, and her sister's partner, the Waikato Times reported. Firefighters entered the house to look for Naveah. She was carried out of the burning building badly injured and taken to hospital by ambulance. Police confirmed she was found by a volunteer firefighter who was an off-duty police officer. 'The teen was pulled to safety and crews provided immediate medical assistance,' a spokesman said. Fire investigator Kevin Holmes told the Waikato Times the blaze started in a bedroom. He said the cause had been identified, but would not be announced until the police probe was completed. The fire was not being treated as suspicious. Neighbours told the Waikato Times the fire spread quickly, while one recalled hearing calls for help from inside a granny flat attached to the property.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Leech Lake Tribal College graduate Teddi Wind pushes through hardship
May 16—As graduation season arrives each year, the Pioneer features one graduate from each college and high school in the coverage area. Law enforcement major Teddi Wind is this year's featured graduate from Leech Lake Tribal College, which will host its commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, at Northern Lights Casino and Event Center in Walker. The Pioneer provided Wind with a series of questions to answer: Why did you choose to attend Leech Lake Tribal College? The environment is great and all the staff are caring and helpful. What piqued your interest in law enforcement? I just enjoy learning about criminal justice. Have you had a favorite class? I enjoy all of them, honestly, but Investigations is my latest favorite. What activities have you participated in? I'm the president of Student Senate. Before I became the Student Senate president, I was the tribal liaison. My team has participated in various fundraisers and activities throughout my time at Leech Lake Tribal College. What are your plans after graduation? I am exploring my options. What's been the greatest struggle or hardship you have overcome in your life? My daughter, Nevaeh, went missing on Oct. 22, 2021, from Bemidji. I have had to balance everything in life and relearn life in itself. I have not overcome it, I never will. I want to help others who are going through what my family is. My mission is to bring my daughter home. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Getting my degree from Leech Lake Tribal College. Who is your greatest mentor? My greatest mentors are Frank Homer and Ryan Solee. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Business Wire
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Corvias and Wayne State University Announce Recipients of Annual Scholarships
DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Corvias and Wayne State University are proud to recognize Nevaeh Rogan and Jaafar Aljeraiw as recipients of its annual Wayne State Corvias Endowed Scholarship Award. Both students will receive $12,500 to apply toward their undergraduate education. Seven additional students were also awarded scholarships, which totaled $35,000. All recipients will receive further access to mentoring, internships, and networking. 'We appreciate our partnership with Corvias and their continued investment in our students' success...' Share The scholarship was established in 2018 to support educational attainment while lessening the financial burden. The program is part of a ten-year, $1 million commitment from Corvias, a leader in developing and maintaining residential communities for its partners in the higher education and military sectors. During the partnership, an estimated 80 students will receive a scholarship. 'At Corvias, we are proud to support and invest in the communities where we live, work, and serve,' said Chris Wilson, CEO of Corvias. 'Our demonstrated success, long-term partnership with Wayne State University and our unique Solutions Through Partnerships approach, which provides long-term sustainable value, exemplifies our commitment to our partners and the student experience.' Recipients may apply the scholarship award to tuition, fees, and room and board for on-campus housing. To be eligible, they must enroll full-time, reside in on-campus housing, demonstrate financial need, and achieve and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. 'We appreciate our partnership with Corvias and their continued investment in our students' success,' said Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Wayne State University. 'Students who choose to live on Wayne State's vibrant, urban campus take full advantage of all the opportunities and resources available to them at the university and throughout Detroit. We are so excited for Nevaeh, Jaafar and all Corvias scholarship recipients who call our campus home.' A growing number of students call Wayne State home. Nearly 2,800 undergraduates live on campus, including about one-third of first-year students. Scholarship recipient Nevaeh Rogan, a junior from Warren, Detroit majoring in criminal justice and minoring in law with the goal of becoming an attorney, was eager to live on campus so that she could fully engage with opportunities at the university and in the city. As a lawyer, Nevaeh plans to help those in need and create change in people's lives. Nevaeh shared that receiving this scholarship enables her to focus on her studies and it has already boosted her confidence in both her academic performance and first internship at the Third Judicial Circuit Court. This is the second year she has been awarded the scholarship. 'This scholarship not only relieves me of financial stress, but it also motivates me to fully embrace the opportunities at this university and pursue my goals with more determination,' Rogan said. Understanding how housing rental rates impact student decisions and their experience, at its April meeting, Wayne State University did not raise residence hall or apartment rates to ensure students have access to housing at competitive rates in Midtown. In collaboration with its partners, Corvias strives to enhance the quality of life for its residents, allowing them to grow and thrive. As a full-service housing provider who reinvests in its communities, Corvias has one of the largest on-campus higher education portfolios in the U.S., serving nearly 20,000 students and providing services for 15 colleges and universities. Learn more about Corvias' work in higher education here. About Wayne State Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 375 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 24,000 students. About Corvias Corvias partners with the Department of Defense and higher education institutions to solve infrastructure and energy resiliency challenges and to create long-term, sustainable value through our unique Solutions Through Partnerships® approach. Corvias partnerships enhance the well-being in our communities, including at the largest renewable energy project in Kansas and at resiliency projects nationwide. Our more than 72,000 residents consistently highly rank the courtesy and professionalism of our maintenance and leasing personnel. To learn more, please visit:
