Ryleigh Silva
School: Miyamura High School
Name: Ryleigh Silva
Sport: Volleyball
Grade: Senior
Ryleigh is being nominated because of her play in the Aug. 31 game against Grants, where she led the team defensively. She ended up with 15 digs on the night and was the heart and soul of the team’s defensive effort as the libero. Her overall hustle and determination was paramount to the team’s success. Her serve receive rating of 2.4 was massive as well.
Isaac Bear Eagle
School: Thoreau High School
Name: Isaac Bear Eagle
Sport: Football
Grade: Senior
As the quarterback, Isaac had a solid performance on Sept. 1 against Kirkland Central with over 200 yards passing. On Aug. 25 in the game against Tucumcari he also had a standout performance throwing for a touchdown and rushing for another. He is also an all-star student maintaining over a 4.0 GPA while attending the McKinley Academy.
School: Tohatchi High School
Name: Merisa Denesto
Sport: Volleyball
Grade: Senior
Marisa has a 3.7 GPA. She has been on the varsity team as a starter for four years. Last year she was first team all-district. She is the team’s outside hitter and setter as well as a defensive specialist and co-captain. Overall, she has a great attitude and is extremely coachable and is a tremendous leader for the rest of her team.
Kairi Etsitty
School: Ramah High School
Name: Kairi Etsitty
Sport: Cross Country
Grade: Senior
Kairi led the Ramah Cross Country girls team in the meet at Tohatchi on Sept. 1, completing her 5K in just over 25 minutes.
Kairi also leads the girls and boys teams in practice. She is very energetic and actively encourages all the cross country runners to work hard and push themselves. When Kairi completes her practice runs, she will run back to the next runner and run back with them pushing them to finish strong. When they finish, she will go back and get the next.
The teams look to her as a leader for encouragement and guidance.
School: Tse’ Yi’ Gai High School
Name: Taysen Begay
Sport: Cross Country
Grade: Freshman
Taysen repeatedly sets personal records at every meet and works hard to improve during every practice. He also achieves excellence in his academic classes. He is a great example of a Diné Warrior.
