09/21/2022
** Lois Reynosa-Qumyintewa Memorial Scholarship **
The Campaign is please to announce our first recipient of the Lois Reynosa-Qumyintewa Memorial Scholarship, Nevaeh Lomavaya!! Congratulations and all the best to you at Fort Lewis College.
"My Name is Nevaeh Lomavaya, I am Kookyangwungwa or Spider Clan from the village of Tewa My Hopi name is Kokotsmana, which means fire stick girl, taking an ember from one fire to start another fire. My parents are Troy Lomavaya from Kykotsmovi, and my mother is Lisa Lomavaya from Tewa Village. I am attending Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and majoring in Sports Administration, my goal is to graduate in 2026 with a Bachelor’s degree. My career goals are to come back home to Hopi and become the Athletic Director at Hopi Jr/Sr High School to continue to facilitate and manage the athletic programs such as hiring of coaches, promoting programs and events, order equipment and schedule games. Another career goal of mine is to promote and coordinate summer youth camps at Hopi such as basketball, tackle or flag football, volleyball, and baseball. It’s important we educate our children about sportsmanship, getting good grades, be responsible, stay out of trouble, don’t use drugs and alcohol, be a role model within your family, school and community, and learn game fundamentals so when they enter the junior high and high school level of competition, they are prepared to play.
I am Tewa and Kookyangwungwa, and what it means to me is family, stability, be humble and respect. The Hopi way of life and the Fourth World we live in can be hard and difficult at times, however through prayer and having a strong, independent work ethic that are in line with the values and needs of our community will provide a long and good life. By practicing Sumi’nangwa, Nami’nangwa, Hita’nangwa and Pasi’nangwa benefits and makes our family, villages, and community stronger. Family means everything to me. Family means to love unconditionally, support one another, to inspire, feel secure, and to confide in and trust each other. Family is one of the most important and valuable gifts of our life. I love my family very much!
COVID-19 has affected my family and I in different ways. First, was the shock of the pandemic and how it would affect our livelihood, our family and community. The second part was the anxiety and stress as my parents work in healthcare and had to work longer hours for testing patients, providing test results to patients, and educating the community of the signs and symptoms and when to get tested. Lastly, it affected my brother and I during the 2020 and 2021 school years as we had to do online learning from home. We understood why but the pandemic took us away from our friends, being on campus, learning in class and not able to participate in sports.
