District 1 student receives American Indian Education Scholarship

January 20, 2017

Terry Willis

Coolidge High School

Coolidge High School senior Charisma Quiroz received a $400 scholarship from the Arizona Indian Education Association. Students prepared an essay for their scholarship. Charisma’s received the “Make a Difference Outstanding American Indian High School Student” award. She was awarded flowers and a card of congratulations.

On Nov. 29-30, Charisma attended the American Indian Youth Conference at the University of Arizona. The two-day workshop consisted of welcoming, blessing, keynote speakers, a college panel and an evening event film “The Cherokee Word for Water.”

Some of the workshops were Promoting Tribal Sovereignty, Empowering Native Youth, Water is Life and Nation building for Tribal Wellness.

Charisma was selected among over 300 applicants. Her essay was written and was nothing more than inspiring and was geared to student living between a society of cultural heritage in today’s lifestyle.

Some of the highlights of Charisma’s essay included how important it is when you invest your time, you make a good decision of something that you wish to accomplish, whether it is making good grades in school, be a great athlete, being a great person- or just going down to do some community service and help someone who is in need.

Charisma spoke of many people who have inspired her along her journey. Speech Therapist Ann Johnson from Blackwater Community School was one of them, as she states in her essay. She was very inspiring to her and helped her overcome many challenges.    

Charisma is part of the Akimel O’odham Pee Posh Youth Council and has been a Representative for four years. Charisma said her term has ended, but is not the end of my story.

Charisma challenges herself daily. She is involved in many school activities such as FFA, has been a part of JROTC, the National Honor Society, City of Coolidge Youth Council, she has received many awards in her four years of high school including Honor Student, Academic Achievement, Chief Azule Award and also attended the WIOA Program. She is very involved in her community. She attends many meetings for a variety of needs.

She was Jr. Miss Gila River 2015-2016. She is a part of the Akimel O’odham Basket Dance Group. Charisma spends many hours volunteering in her community for event’s including helping the youth and spending time with elders. She has a unique passion for all people.    

I have had the great opportunity to know Charisma for over four years. During that time she has shown a warm and caring positive attitude for all. She is a true role model here on the Coolidge High School campus and has a positive attitude always! She is truly liked by the administration, teachers and her peers.

Charisma will be attending the University of Arizona and majoring in Political Science. Charisma has done an outstanding job through her high school years. I have no doubt she will succeed in all that awaits her in her future.

Charisma is courageous, kind and very consistent. I am confident she will no doubt bring back much experience, growth and a variety of knowledge to her community.

She is a positive asset to all that know her, kind and full of life!   Her story does not end here! Congratulations Charisma for “Making A Difference.”