Meet Grant and Shayla from St. Michael Indian School
August 26, 2024
Meet Grant and Shayla Meyers from St. Michael Indian School (SMIS) located on the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona. Shayla Meyers and her younger brother, Grant Meyers, have thrived at St. Michael Indian School (SMIS). Shayla graduated this June and Grant is beginning his Junior year. Raised by their grandparents, Dorothy and Jefferson Plummer, Shayla and Grant have always been motivated to achieve academic success. Their grandparents chose the school for its excellent educational reputation, impressive alumni, and strong recommendations.
Grant shared with us a little bit about their involvement with St. Michael’s, “We both enjoy volunteering at school events alongside our grandma, Dorothy, who encourages us a lot. She loves to volunteer, and I often find her chatting away with other families while helping at concession stand. She sure loves to promote our school. As a family we appreciate our school and the opportunities we are given. The teachers and my fellow peers play a big role when it comes to my studies and have had a positive impact on me. The environment at St. Michaels is a positive influence that has kept us on a good path being around other students who are striving for similar goals. St. Michaels is the best choice when it comes to schooling in our area.”
Renee Tsinnie, the Director of Advancement at SMIS, summarized some additional details about the siblings with the Arizona Leadership Foundation. “Shayla deeply appreciates the relationships she has built with her teachers. She particularly enjoys English and is actively involved in the National Honor Society and the softball team. She also plays the guitar and spends time with family and friends. Shayla will attend Central New Mexico in the fall with a career goal in radiologic technology. Following in his sister’s footsteps, Grant enjoys the close-knit and engaging environment at SMIS, where communication is accessible and there is a positive overall atmosphere. His favorite subject is English, thanks to his inspiring teacher, Mr. Carriere, and he excels in writing. Grant maintains a GPA of 3.7, participates in baseball and basketball, and aspires to join the student council. Outside of school, he enjoys sports, cooking, baking, and traveling. Grant plans to attend college at Central New Mexico or the University of New Mexico for his prerequisites before transferring to a more prominent university for medical school, aiming for a career in radiology.”
SMIS explained how the Arizona Leadership Foundation Scholarship has significantly impacted both Shayla and Grant by easing financial burdens for their grandparents, who emphasize the importance of dedicated study. Together, Shayla and Grant’s journey at SMIS, under the guidance of their grandparents, showcases their dedication and the solid educational foundation they have built, paving the way for their future successes.
About St. Michael Indian School:
St. Michael Indian School (SMIS) is accredited by Cognia and WCEA for quality assurance and school improvement. SMIS is a National Catholic Education Association member and the Diocese of Gallup Catholic School System. Some statistics about the school, 95% of students continue onto a college or university with the others joining the armed services or going into the workforce. While 47% of teachers are Catholic and 42% of teachers are alumni. All teachers are local from the surrounding communities. The school is a non-profit 501(c)3funded through private donors and grant funds with annual support from the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament of Bensalem, PA. Scholarships are available in the state of Arizona through school choice programs. Students are not required to be Catholic (45% Catholic enrollment), and other students practice other faiths/denominations, including traditional Native American beliefs.
In 1902, Saint Katharine Drexel founded the school providing education opportunities, spiritual growth, empowerment, self-determination, and overall, a better quality of life for Native Americans. Saint Katharine met with Navajo leaders in 1900 whom had visited Saint Catherine Indian School and agreed to support the school in hope that the school would help the Navajos toward improving their living conditions. In March of 1902, the school began construction and on December 3 of that same year, the school opened. By the next year, 76 students were enrolled. In 1950 the school held its first high school commencement. The preschool opened its doors in 2015 and expanded to a two-year-old classroom in 2021. To find out more about St. Michael’s visit stmichaelindianschool.org.
