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SACATON-Gila River Indian Community’s first Hoops of Learning participants are completing the summer bridge program. Vechij Himdag Alternative School Inc. students Maria Echeverria and Tia Benally have been attending Mesa Community College this summer as part of the Hoops of Learning program.

“This summer, taking a college class, has given me new ideas about my future,” said Benally.

Hoops of Learning, a college bridge program designed to help Native American students succeed in college, provided all books and tuition for the students, as well as mentoring, career assessment and placement testing. Students attended class Monday through Thursday with Hoops of Learning students from other Native American communities as well as other Mesa Community College students.

“I want to go to Mesa Community College now when I graduate,” stated Maria Echeverria. “ I know where things are and I have more confidence and so many ideas about what I could major in.”

Hoops of Learning will be offering classes for college credit on the Vechij Himdag Alternative School campus this fall. Courses will be open to Gila River Indian Community students between the grades of eight and twelve who are motivated to start college early. Classes will be held evenings and weekends. Students and families who are interested should contact Jackson Harris Hoops of Learning Mesa Community College (602.423.5924) or call Vechij Himdag Alternative School (520.562.3286) for more information.

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