NATIVE AMERICAN CENTER OPENS AT FHHS
By Harrison J. Bahe
On August 13, 2025, Fountain Hills High School celebrated the grand opening of its first official Native American Center. The event was officiated by Native American Specialist Marissa Flores.
The program began with a traditional blessing from Clissene Lewis, director of the Fort McDowell Museum and Culture Center, followed by remarks from Principal Barrie Pinto and Superintendent Dr. Cain Jagodzinski.
Guests were then treated to a cultural performance by the Fort McDowell Recreation Center’s After School Drum & Dance Group, led by tribal member Terrance Williams. Joining him were tribal council member Albert Nelson and FMYN youth Tristan Tsosie. The group performed traditional songs while youth members danced, concluding with a social dance that invited audience participation; an invitation many gladly accepted.
The highlight of the day came with the ribbon-cutting ceremony. With a single snip of the scissors, the Native American Center was officially open.
The new center was designed to provide both comfort and resources for students. At its heart are tables for studying and homework. Along one wall stands a bookshelf filled with Indigenous literature and a desk to paint at, while a cozy corner features two couches arranged around a flat-screen TV. Nearby, two sewing stations give students the opportunity to work on projects during their downtime. Above them hangs an impressive display honoring all 22 federally recognized tribes of Arizona. The room also includes a small computer lab and a beading station.
The center has been a long time in the making. Flores began developing the idea in January 2025, with funding provided by the Prop 202 Fund and the Golden Eagle Foundation, both of which support educational programs and provide supplies. Importantly, the space is not exclusive to Native American students. It welcomes all who are interested in learning about Indigenous communities.
“I’m just there to be a liaison and help facilitate and be a resource to our students,”
Flores explained.
“[Students] can come in at any time during the day, whether it be during lunch or also during their advisory or a break that they have within their classes if they’ve completed all their work. I’m able to help provide them with a space that’s theirs.”
The Native American Center may well be the most inviting room on campus. Flores skillfully transformed the space using grant funding and donated furniture, creating an environment that blends learning, culture, and community. It is the clear definition of comfort and homeliness. This reporter can’t help but feel a little jealous of the students at Fountain Hills High School.
