Eight LAHS Native American students received their 2025 sashes during a Sash Ceremony attended by their families and friends as well as dignitaries from the state. From left, Leah Mountain, Secretary Josett Monette, Kaylynn Tapia, Kirah Tapia, Jace Garduño, Aashkíí Nicola Sheppard, Duane Sena, Sydney Luján, Elder Cris Velarde, Christian Peña and Assistant Secretary KatieAnn Juanico. (Not pictured Ariana Star). Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Eight Los Alamos High School Native American seniors were presented hand-woven sashes during the 2025 Sash Ceremony, which was hosted by Los Alamos Public Schools. The sashes were worn by the students during the high school graduation ceremony on May 24.
Members of the Class of 2025 who received sashes during the ceremony include Jace Abel Garduño, Pueblo of Nambe; Sydney Luján, Pueblo de San Ildefonso; Christian Peña, Pueblo de San Ildefonso; Duane Sena, Blackfeet Nation; Aashkíí Nicola Sheppard, Penobscot Nation/Diné/Mi’kmaq/’Malecite/Hopi; Kaylynn Tapia, Ohkay Owingeh; Kirah Tapia, Ohkay Owingeh and Ariana Star, Santo Domingo Pueblo.
This is the seventh year for this event, which was attended by more than 90 family members, friends and supporting staff of Los Alamos Public Schools. LAPS Assistant Superintendent Carter Payne was Master of Ceremony.
Cris Velarde with the 2025 sashes. Courtesy/LAPS
The Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya started the evening with an opening prayer. New Mexico Secretary of Indian Affairs Josett Monette also shared remarks with the students as did KatieAnn Juanico, Assistant Secretary of Indian Education.
Former Pueblo de San Ildefonso Governor James Mountain also spoke during the ceremony, as did his daughter Leah Mountain. Leah, who received her sash in 2020, was integral in establishing this important ceremony at Los Alamos High School.
Cris Velarde and Jovita Mowrer, Native American Student Support. Courtesy/LAPS
Darren Harvey (Navajo Nation) and Native American Parent Advisory Council (NAPAC) president, gave opening remarks. Cris Velarde, Santa Clara Pueblo/Jicarilla Apache, is a traditional belt and rain sash weaver.
Velarde has been designing the sashes for LAHS graduates since 2019 and has designed and woven sashes for many other Native American graduates in Northern New Mexico over the years.
Velarde shares that each year’s sash design is unique and comes into being after careful prayer and consideration.
Sydney Luján and Julie Dare, Liaison for Native American Students and Families. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS School Board members Lauren Coupland, LAPS Liaison for Native American Students and Families Julie Dare and Jovita Mowrer LAPS Native American Student Support were part of the planning committee for the event.