Image provided by: Oregon Historical Society; Portland, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (July 11, 2012)
July 11, 2012 Sptlygy Tyrooo, W arm Springs, O regon P3ge 6 4 Stacona playing for Team Concept By Duran Bobb Spilyay Tymoo M ariah Stacona, already known in Central Oregon as a top basketball player, has recently been chosen to play for Team Concept’s Sun team. Team Concept provides deserving players the oppor tunity to demonstrate their abilities in front of college recruiting scouts. A great majority of Team Concept’s players have gone on to receive athletic schol arship assistance to continue their playing careers at the col legiate level, making, the col lege dream a reality. In com parison, Shoni Schimmel played for Team Concept’s Fire team in 2007, with many of the games be ing attended by college re cruiting scouts. Abby Scott, MHS grad and now a New Mexico State Aggie, also played for Team Concept. Rare opportunity “My goal is to get better in the sport, get exposure, get my name out,” Mariah said recendy. Team coach Michael A braham said, “Mariah is truly one of the gifted ladies in our program.” Last week, the Johnson O ’Maliy Committee partially approved a request to assist in Mariah’s ambitious goal. Mariah is the daughter of Andy Stacona and Blanca Plazola. She is the stepdaugh ter of Leticia Becerra. “Team Concept has helped young athletes get college scholarships,” Mariah told the Mariah Stacona JOM Committee. “I’m hop ing that one day, I’ll be there as well. As a tribal member, I would represent the tribes. And I’m a firm believer that education comes first and foremost. It would be a great honor to represent my people this way.” Tryouts, by invitation-only, began at the end of the last high school basketball season. “There were only 50 girls hand-selected,” Andy Stacona said. “I believe Mariah was the only one chosen from Central Oregon. She’s now playing in front of hundreds o f college coaches and scouts.” The cost for one student to participate in Team Con cept is $4,000. The organi zation requested only $2,500 from the JOM Committee, “It really is an exciting op portunity,” JOM Committee Chairman Deanie Smith said. “This is part of the reason the JOM Committee exists, to assist with these types of requests.” Mariah began showing an interest in basketball as soon as she was able to walk. "She’s following in her sister’s footsteps,” Andy said. “Brianna Stacona was big into basketball, too. She went on to get a scholarship and now plays for the C hem eketa team.” For the most part, Mariah is self-disciplined. She goes to school, works hard, main tains a 3.50 GPA, goes to her games and practices, does her chores and homework with out being told. “It’s not that tough to find time for basketball and get good grades,” Mariah said. “Sometimes I would miss school, but that was because I had already g o tten my grades up. I’m a firm believer that grades come first.” “I believe a lot of that is in the child herself,” Andy said. “They have their own ambition and intentions on what they want to become. I talk to her a lot about how I used to be, and I really think she listens.” Family and friends have show n m uch su p p o rt to Mariah. “Leticia attends a lot of the games with her own siblings,” Andy said, “and they all do most of the cheering! So I’m very thankful for all of the support the family has re ceived.” Much of the support be gan with Tony Holliday. “She started out playing on his team,” Andy said. “He has> been a huge part of her life, like her second dad during the tournaments, her family on the road.” JOM will provide $2,000, requiring Mariah’s family to raise the remaining $500. “We are planning some fundraisers,” Andy said. If people would like to donate, they can drop off their con tributions at the KWSO- Spilyay office. “The JOM Committee is also working with other stu dents,” committee member Roberta Kirk said. “We’re helping one student go to the canoe journey. Another stu dent will receive assistance going on an ambassador trip. We also help with tutors, placement for kids, contrib ute to the snack program. We’re going to help with the baçk-to-school barbeqUe, school supplies, and helping the litde league with the state tournament. So JOM is re ally in place for the student.” “We invite everybody to atten d JO M m eetings,’’ Deanie said. “Anything that has to do with students and education, th at’s first and forem ost on our agenda. They must be 509-J or Wasco County, enrolled with proof of enrollment, or having es tablished themselves with ser vices for Native Americans. Requests must be made well in advance.” T he JO M C om m ittee meets every other week. The next meeting will be held on July 19 at the Tribal Admin istration. “Just be yourself,” Mariah says. “Get good grades, be respectful, stay humble and keep your love for the sport.” For more information on Team C oncept, go to tchoops.net Dave McMechan/Spilyay Abby Scott, her dad James and family stopped in Warm Springs on the way to Portland Airport. Abby, 2012 MHS grad, was on her way to New Mexico State, where she plays for the Aggies. New Mexico State, in Las Cruces, is in the Western Athletic Conference. S a lm o n C a m p in A u g u s t The Tribal Salmon Camp this summer will be August 6- 10 near Pendleton. The camp is a chance for youth to: Learn about the science and lifecycle of salmon; Work on salmon restora tion projects, and explore traditional ecological knowl edge; Meet tribal professionals working in the field, and gain unique and valuable hands-on experience. For more information con tact Katherine Walker, tribal workforce development co ordinator, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commis sion. She can be reached at 503- 238-0667. Or email: walk@critfc.org Go to www.critfc.org for application materials. I BUY OLD BASKETS Navajo Rugs and Related Items 475-6317 Open Wednesday thru Saturday 1 0à .m .to 6 p .m . u o u n e sy ot tsutcn uavia. The Madras High School girls basketball team attended the basketball camp recently at Oregon State University. Ph. 541-553-1041 At Warm Springs St. & Hollywood Blvd. \ __ _______________/ Tarty Cite Candks Running for lives: The Squiemphen Pack Vernon Squiemphen led the Wolf Pack in a touching gesture for life, and in the memory of those who have moved on. “This is really something th a t can inspire o th e rs,” LaDonna Squiemphen said of her husband. Vernon ran 63.5 miles in 12 hours in the Relay for Life 2012, getting the Top Male Runner and Most Miles Ran in the Relay for Life. H is grandson, Lennox Lewis Picard, ran 30 miles along with Caleb Hererra and Anthony Metamoros. Their run was dedicated to Atwais M adeline Q ueah- pama-Spino, Mary Tsumpti and survivors Carolyn PaiuteGirl Johnson, and uncle Alvin Picard. The relay for life began in May 1985, when Dr. Gordon come to Jefferson County on July 14. For more information on how you can becom e in volved, see relayforlife.org. Ron Green, Consultant k V Candles & Home Accents Illuminate your spirit Relax w ith wax ' (541) 553-3120 (541)777-7345 — by Duran Bobb Lennox Lewis-Picard, Vernon Squiemphen, Caleb Hererra, Anthony matamoros (from left), Team Wolf Pack. Klatt of Tacoma wanted to help his local American Can cer Society office. He spent 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium, running more than 83 miles v and raising $27,000. In the relay, members of each team take turns walking or running the track for the duration, of the event, The Relay for Life will High 225 Loo k ee L odge Assisted Living Lacilitq / rotpugersl@yahoo.com 2321 O llgllie Làne (PO B oxò) W arm Springs, OR. 97761 Call 541-553-1182
