Native Youth 

This is a brand new page added to Indian Rodeo News.  Our goal here is to recognize all Indian children and teenagers who ride horses, rodeo, ranch, and kids who participate in taking pictures at events.

Each month starting with December 2002 we will try to feature a Indian Youth who is active in riding horses, rodeo, ranching, and photography.   


Do you know a Native Indian Youth who has worked hard to achieve their goals and accomplishments?  Would you like to be featured as a Native Youth role model?  Any Native youth ages 18 and under can be featured.  

Indian Rodeo News asks for you to send in your story about yourself, who inspired you to ride, rodeo, ranch, etc.     We welcome as many pictures you have to share with our readers.  Email your questions and or story to 
Gina@indianrodeonews.com 

To Read about the featured Native Youth from the previous months click on their names below to check out their stories and pictures.

December 2002: Nicole Tsosie
January 2003:  Kayonnie Badonie
February 2003: Whitney O'Rourke
March 2003: Charles Gottfriedson
April 2003:  Jenna Johnson, Liana Tom 
May 2003: Devyn Dennison, Jarrett Monroe 
June 2003: Tess Ducheneaux, 
Wade Marchand,
 Ethan Gopher
July 2003: Chantel Williams
August 2003: Trina Bowers, Bobby Louis, 
Desiree Smartlowit
September 2003: Raven Shade, Sammy Jo Bird
October 2003:  Ashlee Strom, Hattie Emm
November 2003: Sonya Goseyn
December 2003: 
January 2004:
February 2004: Nicole Welsh-Romo
April 2004: Ashley Picard, Brett Williams
May 2004: Jesse Gonzales

This Month of June we are recognizing:  Jenifer Manuel 

Name: Jenifer Ellen Manuel

Age: 17

Home Town: White Swan, Washington

Family: Bobi and Walter Manuel (parents) William Manuel (brother) Tiera Manuel (stepsister)  William D and the late Barbara Y Northover (Maternal grandparents)  Fred Manuel and the late Hasel Shippentower (Paternal grandparents) 

High School: White Swan High School, Mt. Adams school district
Jenifer carries a 3.0 GPA

Other School Activities you are involved in?
FFA Member
Basketball
Softball
JOM (Johnson O'Malley Program for Native students) 

Who's Who for the past 2 years and nominated for this year


Native American Heritage: Enrolled member of the Yakama Indian Nation and a descendant of the Navajo Nation

Pets owned: Dogs: Red Heeler named Trudy, Rottweiler pup named Chloe, Cats: Tomboy and Pepper
Horses:  Registered Paint, my show horse named "Coaster's Miss Kitten, nick named Kit,  and a Appy pony who is 4 hands tall named "Mojo" 

What evens in Rodeo, Horse Showing, Showing Cattle, photography, or helping your family are you involved in? 

I participated at the Central Washington State Fair in 2003, by entering myself and my horse "Coaster's Miss Kitten" in the halter and showmanship classes, mare's 2 and under.  I have been showing pigs in the FFA since my freshman year.  This year while showing my pig named Suzie "Q", I won reserve grand champion in the fitting and showing class.  

What achievements have you made in your event you compete in or activities you are involved in?  

I was the reserve grand champion in the fitting and showing class, at the White Swan preview show, this year.  

Who is your all time hero?
"My Mom, Bobi Manuel and my Grandpa Bill Northover" 


Within the rodeo world: who is your ultimate favorite Cowboy or Cowgirl?  "Michael Moore and Adriano Moraes" 

What is your favorite movie?
8 Seconds, Pure Country, Urban Cowboy, Cowboy Way and Cowboy Up

What is your favorite TV show?  

Will & Grace, Friends

What are your favorite music? 
"I am into Country music, Rap, also pop rock and oldies"

What do you do to help others?  "Encourage them in what they are interested in.  Do pep talks with people I know, say Hi to someone who looks like they are not having such a good day, and smile as much as I can"  

When you graduate from school, what are your plans or goals for a profession?  

"To become a psychologist part time and focus on showing horses, (cow cutting)."

Do you plan to attend college, if so what is your major?  

"I plan to major in psychology, and I want to attend a 2 year college, then finish my other 2 years later on.  Being a therapist interests me alot, I want to take some training classes and help others in need to cure their pain." 

If you could give advice to another Native youth on how to get started in something like what you are involved with, what advice would you give them?   
"To always stay focused in what your main future goals are.  Never do drugs and alcohol that just gets you no where in life.  Somewhere in your life you must have friends and family behind you all the way in what you do in life.  Always keep a good personality in yourself because you never know when you need to use it" 

If you were granted one wish, what would it be? "To never grow older than 25 years of age"

What would you do to educate others about being a Native American youth from your tribe?   
"Stay in school until you graduate from high school.  Be proud of the tribe you are from and share your culture with other different tribes."