ECA Students Thank You

The 5th annual Early College Academy (ECA) luncheon was a success highlighting student speaker Jenni Pedro-Miguel and a musical performance by Allie Watchman, Diné, Austin Arthur, Warm Springs, Taron Rabbie, Warm Springs, and Cultural Arts instructor Carlos McNair, Klamath and Modoc Tribes. Our culturally-specific Indigenous curriculum supports students with an education that empowers youth to overcome barriers that lead to high dropout rates, attendance and behavioral problems, and low graduation rates. The unique curriculum of the ECA supports student’s cultural identity and celebrates each individual’s heritage. Students helped prepared lunch, support setup and welcomed guests to our school. We also featured student hand-crafted jewelry in the silent auction that they made in Cultural Arts class.  Students learn about the history and story of traditional ways to make jewelry, the materials and the significance of why colors are chosen, the value in trade, and regional as well as tribal design and patterns. Our goal to raise money and provide a learning opportunity for students to interact with the very people that support their school reinforces values, instills pride, and highlights the strength and commitment of community.

This year’s student speaker, Jenni Pedro-Miguel, spoke to her struggles in her freshman year and the lack of support she received from a mainstream education. Jenni came to the ECA her sophomore year and has accomplished a tremendous feat of accumulating enough credits to graduate as a junior. She has been accepted to numerous colleges, and been awarded the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Comcast Leaders and Achievers, and a scholarship from George Fox. To watch Jenni’s video and hear from her teachers the amazing work she is doing at school and in her community, click here.

If you missed this year’s ECA luncheon, you still have a chance to support by making a generous donation today. Your money will directly benefit the ECA by supporting students with a culturally-specific Indigenous curriculum and helping NAYA provide wraparound services to ensure our students succeed in and outside the classrooms. Visit our donation page, and select Early College Academy Luncheon as your drop down designation.  Thank you for your support.