Manataba Messenger

Page 10 Happy Belated Birthday to my beautiful granddaughter who turned 17 years old on July 10th! Miss Sophia Ann Sevada Happy Birthday My Monkey. Luv, Gramma n’Compa Happy 35th Birthday on August 15th, to my daughter Stormi Ann Flood & Happy 37th Birthday on August 16th to my daughter Rochele Diane Flood! Love always, Mom & and the rest of the family. Happy 5th Birthday on August 27th to my grandson River Cory Flood, Jr. AKA “Monkey Man”! Love, Gamma and your whole family! Daris Laffoon has been selected as the 2020 First Things First Colorado River Indian Tribes Region Champion for Young Children First Things First Press Release PARKER—The award is given to local champions who actively volunteer their time to raise public awareness of the importance of early childhood development and health. Champions spend a significant amount of time volunteering with FTF and building public awareness about the importance of early childhood issues. Laffoon works at the Colorado River Indian Tribes Library, where she promotes the importance of early childhood not only as it relates to reading skills, but a child’s over- all development. She said the first five years of a child’s life are critical to healthy social and emotional health as they grow up. “From birth to age 5 is the most impressionable time in a child’s life and an opportunity to teach coping skills, cognitive and motor skills, and to create a sense of independence and curiosity as they grow,” Laffoon said. She encourages parents and caregivers to read, talk, and play as much as possible throughout the day. Reading sto- ries about their native culture or learning their native language at an early age can also help instill an early connec- tion to their community and a sense of personal identity. While the CRIT Library is currently closed to the public, staff are handing out summer reading packets with read- ing logs, activities, games, and crafts to keep kids reading at home. Parents can call the library to schedule a time to pick up a packet. “We have many programs in our community to help your child’s literacy development, so we hope to see families taking advantage of them,” Laffoon said. “When school is in session, LePera Elementary School, Wallace Elementary/ WallaceJr. High, Blake Elementary School and Parker High School Alumni Hall host monthly literacy nights that include presentations, activities, and free resources, including more books to build a home library.” In addition to her work raising awareness around the importance of early childhood, Laffoon was recognized as Champion for including the community in her efforts, such as recruiting guest readers like law enforcement and community leaders at storytimes and special events such as Read Across America Day. Miss Indian Arizona Association Cancels 2020 Program Miss Indian Arizona Association Press Release The Miss Indian Arizona Association has made the decision to cancel the 2020 Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program until October 2021 due to recent developments with the Coronavirus. The Program was scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Chandler Center of the Arts. The Miss Indian Arizona Association will be crowning a new Miss from the current Miss Indian Arizona Court to carry on the title for 2020-2021. The 2021-2022 Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program will be held on October 9, 2021 at the Chandler Center for the Arts. The decision was made to help maintain the safety of all those who attend and are involved with the Program. Miss Indian Arizona Association President, Daris Laffoon, states “I feel it is our responsibility to help flatten the Coronavirus curve and to help keep everyone safe. In order to do this, we have decided to cancel the Miss Indian Arizona (MIA) Scholarship Program for 2020. While we are still dedicated as ever to having the MIA Scholarship Program, your safety comes first. Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. We are looking forward to hosting you in the future, once the global health pandemic passes. Until then practice social distancing, wear your masks and most importantly stay safe.” For more info. - Contact: Denise Homer, Executive Director Phone: (928) 662-6028 Photo credit: Chris Burley