This is an email we received from our assistant principal. She had one
of the Native Elders come to talk with the students who needed to stay
after school.<bold>
</bold><excerpt>
Nome Native Elder, Jacob Ahwinona, spoke with the group of students
who stayed after school with me today. I just wanted to share his
message with you.
He said,
Do what your parents tell you to do. Do what your teachers tell you
to do. Don't ignore education, don't fool around. You need an
education to get a job. If you don't have it, you're out. Education
is a must. If you don't have an education, you're out.
You have an opportunity now. All you have to do is your part.
Listen to your teachers. Don't talk back. It's a bad habit.
We care about your education. If you do what you're told, you never
go wrong in life. Don't just listen to your teachers, do what they
say.
Life is a learning process. You're never too young or too old.
Everyday you learn something. Take life seriously.
Now, our young people get in trouble with alcohol and drugs. If
anybody offers you alcohol and drugs, say no. Nobody shoves it down
your throat. Even if you have to stand alone, you don't have to do
it. You can always say, no.
Put that in your mind. Someday, you'll stop to think, that one-eyed
old man, that's what he said.
Take education seriously. You can go to High School. You can go to
college. You can make something of yourself. All you have to do is
believe in yourself.
When anyone drops out of school, it hurts me, it bothers me. If you
believe in yourself and you know your limits, you can do it. You
might think it's a waste of time now. Later, you'll be sorry.
You've got to cooperate with your teachers. Don't talk back. Obey
your parents.
(P.S. Jacob's photograph is in the hall outside Holly's classroom.)
</excerpt>
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