The "Heart of a School"
St. Michael Indian School's gym grand opening, in photos
Bishop James S. Wall, architects, school administrators, staff, and donors officially cut the ribbon at the gym’s grand opening.
“I remember when I came here 11 years ago and everybody said ‘we need a gym,’” said school president Dot Teso. “God truly knows what we need. We are here because of prayer and community and being together as a family. But most importantly, because we believe that what we ask from God, He will deliver.”
“Education and sports go hand in hand. There's so much stuff you learn from being on a team sport. I was very active when I was in school. I played volleyball, softball, basketball, and it taught me how to be a leader. It taught me how to be a team player. It taught me to respect others' rules.”
Sharon Sandoval, Chief of Staff for the Office of the Navajo Nation President and Vice President, spoke to the gathered students and families.
“I'm a previous Emergency Management Director and currently active duty military. I think about the safety that this building is gonna provide, the shelter that it may provide in the future for the community, for families, and for our beautiful children over there. Some of the other beautiful ceremonies that are gonna be held here, maybe graduations, gatherings, it's so wonderful to think about, it's what helps keep our community together.”
Medicine man Ricky Reeder blessed the gym according to the traditional Navajo way, and Bishop James Wall gave a Catholic blessing.
School president Dot Teso thanked God and the community: “People ask me all the time: ‘How did [the gym] happen?’ I asked God. My belief is, if you can't do something, if you know you can't do it, then you ask God and He will take care of you.”
The gym can now serve as a hub for sports camps and leagues for basketball and volleyball, and for dances, graduations, and many other community events.