Event president predicts event will grow

It’s not a stretch to say the annual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial was losing some of its appeal to people not only from New Mexico and Arizona, but throughout the United States.

The rodeos weren’t what they used to be. Exhibit Hall participation was down. And enthusiasm for the event — which has been one of Gallup’s most popular throughout its 95-year history — was paling.

Not anymore, the event’s current president said.

“We think we can keep growing and growing and making the event as popular and as well-attended as it used to be,” Ceremonial President Dudley Byerley told the Sun this week. “We think we can get the big...

Cultural Showcase invites appreciation of diversity

The Philippines is a country in Southeast Asia made up of 7,600 islands inhabited by islanders with diverse cultural backgrounds.

On Aug. 26, community members experienced a culture very different from that of the American Southwest when citizens who hail from the Philippines hosted a “Filipino Cultural Extravaganza” at JFK Middle School, 600 Boardman Dr.

With over 400 people in attendance, the event presented logistical challenges — from seating to food quantity — for its planners.

While the singing, dancing, and acting performances meant the audience had to stand, in the end, there was enough food and fun for...

Senior Cheyenne Begay shines in win

The Tohatchi High School Lady Cougars withstood several comeback attempts by Wingate and won the Aug. 30 non-conference contest 3-0 in a match played at Wingate High School. Tohatchi improved to 4-0 and Wingate fell to 0-3 on the year.

Both teams went to state last year, but lost in the early rounds. The Aug. 30 outcome was 26-24, 25-17, and 25-17 in favor of the Lady Cougars.

“We just played very good defense and [Cheyenne Begay] was a factor in the win,” Lady Cougars first-year Head Coach Darrell Howard said. “They made moves in each of the three games, but our defense showed up and made stops.”

Begay, who plays outside hitter for the...

More than a week into the 2016-17 school year, few educators in the area had enough time to recall the previous year. School is in session, and there’s much to be done to make sure every student and an entire classroom get off to the right start.

However, Camille’s Sidewalk Café took a moment on Aug. 20 to appreciate last year’s winners of the “Teacher of the Month” awards, as well as to unveil the “Teacher of the Year.”

Leaders of the awards committee considered handing the awards out at the end of May or the beginning of June. The owner of Camille’s, James Rich, however, recognized that many teachers would like to enjoy their hard-earned summer vacation free from...