The 5th grade afterschool program for Cherokee Choices made a syllabary quilt and donated it to the silent auction for Dialysis Support Group. Program members Jayden Crowe, Adrian Gomez, Usti Watty, Tiffany Walkingstick, Adrianna Gomez, Wesley Wildcatt, William Hornbuckle and Juanita Paz-Chalacha helped work on the quilt.
Participants in the Cherokee Choices afterschool program made a quilt that they donated to the silent auction fundraiser for the Dialysis Support Group. Shown (left-right) are Jayden Crowe, Adrian Gomez, Usti Watty, Tiffany Walkingstick, Adrianna Gomez, Wesley Wildcatt, William Hornbuckle and Juanita Paz-Chalacha. (Photo courtesy of Tara McCoy/Cherokee Choices)
Judy Gloyne Tiger, Henrietta Gloyne and Frances Owl Smith helped finish the quilt. “Cherokee Choices would like to thank these ladies for their assistance,” said Cherokee Choices officials.
Cherokee Choices is a diabetes prevention program and has been going into the schools to teach students about nutrition, exercising, stress reduction, art, metal health and sleeping habits just to name a few lessons. All these fall under an umbrella of diabetes prevention and healthy living.
One of the programs that Cherokee Choices runs is an afterschool program. They worked with the 5th graders this year and one of the requirements for the afterschool program is that the students had to get involved with their community. They had to attend their community meetings and do a community project which they presented at the end of the program.
Juanita Paz-Chalacha exercises in a pool.
“Some of the core values of the Cherokees are stewardship, sense of place, group harmony and strong individual character,” said Tara McCoy, Cherokee Choices staff. “And, I feel getting involved in the community-taking care, protecting, honoring and selfless service not only reinforces these values but can turn these values into characteristics of their lifestyle if started with young children and can develop strong individual character and sense of belonging for the youth.”
Activities include Cherokee culture (language), physical activity and community involvement. One of the community aspects was visiting the residents at Tsali care center and spending time with the residents. For the 2013 school year, Cherokee choices will be having afterschool for the 4th grade at Cherokee Elementary. There will be 25 slots open on a first-come, first-serve basis.
– Cherokee Choices
