Marcindy Succo

2^nd-semester nursing student, University of New Mexico, Gallup, NM, branch college, Spring 2008.  “My clan is Running Water Together, and I was born for the Mountain Cove People.  I would like to express my gratitude to the ANA program for granting me a scholarship.  This scholarship couldn’t have come at a better time because I live 30 miles east of Gallup in a little community call Thoreau, NM, and I commute back and forth at least four times a week with classes and clinical rotations.  I intend to use the money for gas as the price of fuel has gone up tremendously, and your scholarship will help defray those costs.  I will be working in rural healthcare.  So, once again, I thank you, and I appreciate your generosity.

Racquel Medicinecrow

2^nd-semester nursing student, University of New Mexico, Gallup, NM branch college, Spring 2008.  Hello my name is Raquel Medicinecrow and I would like to say that I am very grateful for this scholarship.  I am from Bluewater Village, I was born and raised there.  I come from the T[‘ogi (Weavers-Zia Clan) and the Tobaazhni’azhi (Two-Who-Came-To-Water Clan). I want to eventually become a certified nurse midwife and work in one of our Indian hospitals.  I see there is a great need for workers in these places, and I would like to give back.  The scholarship that I receive will be going toward my tuition.  I work part time to pay for school and this is a blessing to get help. Again I would like to thank you for your generosity.

Michael Davis

4^th-semester nursing student, University of New Mexico, Gallup, NM, branch college, Spring 2008.  “I would like to send out a big thank you for this scholarship.  I received notice of this blessing when my daughter was literally down to her last pamper.  I have five children.  They are 12, 10, 7, 5 and my baby is 2.  I am Navajo, and my maternal clan is Salt Clan born for (paternal) He Who Walks Around Clan.  I am currently living in Pinehaven, NM.  My journey in nursing school has not been an easy one, and your generosity eases my burden.  At one point during nursing school, I lived in my grandmother’s house with the leaking roof.  With the demands of school, it was hard to be there for my kids.  I wasn’t able to be home for them after school, to do homework and to cook for them.  Instead of helping me, my neighbor called Social Services on me.  It’s been a hard road for me and at times I’ve felt like giving up.  My mother-in-law made room for us in her house.  So, we moved and thanks to my children’s resilience during this journey, and now to you for your generosity, I will be able to finish the program and work here in Gallup, NM, and help other people just like me…to give them better healthcare and to show them that anything’s possible if, like me, they have the determination and commitment to make a better life for themselves and their families.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Shanna Downey

2^nd-semester nursing student, University of New Mexico, Gallup, NM, branch college.  My name is Shanna Downey. I am Navajo which is a matrilineal society. This is how we introduce ourselves. My maternal clan is Honágháahnii meaning One Who Walks Around Clan. My paternal clan is Bilagana meaning Anglo People. My maternal grandfather’s clan is Kinyaa’nii meaning Towering House People. My paternal grandfather’s clan is Bilagana meaning Anglo People. I was born and mostly raised in Gallup, NM. However I have also lived in Arizona and Georgia. Now that I have completed my obligation to the US Army, I intend on maintaining my residency in Gallup. This will help facilitate my goal of giving back to my Native community.  First and foremost I would like to say thank you for selecting me as a recipient of your generosity. I intend to use my scholarship to aid in achieving my goal in becoming a Registered Nurse First Assistant. I would be trained to do the same duties that the second surgeon would do in the operating room to summarize what an RNFA does. I have a long way to go but am dedicated and persistent in achieving my goals. Again, thank you for your kindness and consideration. I appreciate it!!!

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Raquel Casuse

2^nd-semester nursing student, University of New Mexico, Gallup, NM branch college.  Ya’a’teeh!  My name is Raquel Casuse, and I am of the Ta’nees’zahnii clan, born for the Kin’li’chii’nii clan.  I am a single mother of three beautiful, young daughters who have persevered with me to this wonderful point in our lives.  We live in Window Rock, Arizona on the breathtaking Navajo Reservation where, unfortunately, the odds are against us.  We have been struggling for a long time, but now we see a light at the end of the tunnel.  My daughter’s faces light up with hope and love each time I talk about how nursing school is going.  I am in my second semester of nursing school and anxiously await the conclusion and my final walk down the hall to take the State Boards.  I am focused on making a better life for me and my family.  The scholarship I receive will help alleviate some of the financial burden that goes along with traveling 70 miles a day to get to school and back.    On behalf of me and my daughters, thank you!

Yvonne Bowie

3^rd -semester nursing student, University of New Mexico, Gallup, NM branch college.  I’d like to express my gratitude and say “thank you” to ANA; I appreciate the scholarship that I have been chosen to receive.  I did not expect this and I’m very surprised.  I’m a Native American of the Navajo tribe.  I’m a single mother of two beautiful girls, ages 10 and 7.  I’m from a small community called Vanderwagon, NM, approximately 30 miles south of Gallup.  To distinguish ourselves within our tribe, we have kinships called clans.  I was born into the Red Cheek People clan (mother’s clan), born for the Black Streak People clan (father’s clan).  I’m a 3^rd semester nursing student, and I’m graduating in December of 2008.  After graduating, I plan on going into trauma nursing or Labor & Delivery nursing.  I plan on using the scholarship to fix my car so I can get to classes and clinicals without worrying about breaking down and to buy a couple more nursing books that I still need.  Again, thank you very much.