Senior Banquet Honors Native American Graduates!

On May 14, Marana Unified School District’s Native American Education Program (NAEP) hosted its final event of the school year: the 2025 Senior Banquet, a heartfelt evening dedicated to honoring the achievements of 19 Native American senior graduates from across the district.

The celebration began with a traditional blessing and prayer led by Ray Molina of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, setting a meaningful and respectful tone for the evening. Each graduate was presented with a beautiful Pendleton stole, handmade by Navajo artist Cynthia Trujillo, as well as a thoughtfully prepared gift basket filled with snacks, gift cards, and other celebratory items.

The success of the event was made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of NAEP parents, student volunteers, and Indian Education Committee members, who generously gave their time to help plan, cook, and serve a meal for more than 70 guests.

Adding to the evening’s special atmosphere, Jocee Wolf Photography was on hand to capture professional photos of the graduates and their families. The night concluded with a high-energy live performance by Gertie & the T.O. Boyz, leaving attendees with joyful memories and a strong sense of community pride.

MUSD is incredibly proud of the Native American graduates and grateful to everyone who contributed to making this event so meaningful. Congratulations, Class of 2025!

• Czarina Ahkeah
• Samuel Ahkeah
• Ethan Bahe
• Maxwell Bolton
• Noah Buchanan
• Asencion Carpenter
• Rana Cox
• Jerry Flores
• Braden Howell
• Jamarey Hunter-Williams
• Jeffery Leon-Pryor
• Julian Lopez
• Noah MacLeod
• Aiden Olsen
• Alicia Pequeira
• Michele Tapia
• Alicia Toledo
• Zoey Tso
• Dominque Washington