Watch me tell my story...

As a young girl growing up on the Navajo Nation, I vividly remember spending many days with my maternal grandfather.

Shanoa was raised by her single mother and her grandfather.

Since my mother worked full time and attended college, my grandparents cared for my sister and me. I spent many hours with my grandfather, whether it was through horseback riding or helping him with livestock chores. I truly embraced these moments.

Because I was being raised by a single mother, my grandfather primarily took on the role of a father in my life. He provided shelter, food, and lots of love. If there was one message that my grandfather said to me that was the most meaningful, it was "Regardless of not having your biological dad in your life, you are surrounded by many people who love you, including me. Shiyáázh (which meant "my child" in the Navajo language), never feel that you are alone in this world. You have us." Such words of encouragement from my grandfather has given me inspiration and motivation to achieve my goals.

In early spring of 2014, my grandfather began to lose weight and developed persistent cough. Upon getting an x-ray of his chest, the doctors found a large mass under his sternum. Several biopsies of the mass were performed along with multiple blood tests. Yet, there was no firm diagnosis. For the next eight months, my grandfather was in and out of hospitals and his vigor for life begin to deteriorate. Despite, his lack of energy, my grandfather always seemed to find the strength to encourage me. Then on February 13, 2015, my grandfather died of lymphoma. As you can imagine, I was totally devastated. The one man that I considered to be my "dad" was no longer here for me.

Shanoa lost her grandfather to lymphoma in 2015.

Upon his death, I begin to ask my family, "Why was there not a blood test for lymphoma? And with all the scanning technology that Mayo Clinic had available to them, why were the doctors unable to determine the source of the mass that was in my grandfather's chest?" This source of inquiries began to have me think about my career. Then this past summer as an enrolled Freshman within the University of Arizona's New Start Program, I was introduced to a student who was conducting research in cancer. I began to ask her about her project and its potential for cure. The more we talked, the more I became intrigued with finding a cure for lymphoma and providing these treatments as an oncologist to these patients.

Obtaining a great education has always been a priority for me. I graduated from Rapid City Central High School with honors (Summa Cum Laude), May 2017. While I was in high school, I took AP classes as well as college courses at the Black Hills State University. In addition, I lettered all four years in volleyball and was a cellist for my high school orchestra. Lastly, I volunteered for a nonprofit American Indian organization that mentors American Indian middle and high school students. Of note, Native students in Rapid City have among the highest rates of high school drop-outs in the country. In addition, many come from single-parent homes and live in poverty. Thus, the need for mentors became more apparent for me for these students. It is my hope that I influenced some of these students to get their high school degrees and consider going to college.

Shanoa says she is blessed to have many people supporting her.

Today, I am an enrolled freshman at the University of Arizona's Honors College, majoring in Molecular Cellular Biology. In addition, I am a TRIO-ASEMS scholar. As I reflect on my journey to this point, I am so blessed to have many people supporting me, including my mom, my relatives, and mentors. I have also been accepted as a summer intern for the University of Arizona Native American Cancer Research Partnership beginning this May 2018. While becoming an oncologist-scientist is years away, I am focused and motivated as I take each step toward these goals.

In closing, I will remember my grandfather's words fondly and use it for motivation when I am faced with challenges. Ch'ééni'dzííd! Hayoolkaaldii'dighádilyeed. T'ahdii Ilhoshgo Altso Needoolbiil. ("Wake up! Go run and beat the rising sun! If you sleep too much, you will miss out on all the gifts that are being offered to you!") This is how my Navajo grandfather awakened me each morning as he splashed cold water on my sleepy face. There continues to be a critical need for American Indian undergraduates pursuing degrees in the health sciences. Your scholarship will provide much needed financial support as I pursue my education at the University of Arizona. Ahéhee' (Thank you) for considering me.