St. Charles Catholic School celebrates Apache culture

By Carissa Krautscheid 

The Catholic Apache community in San Carlos, Arizona, celebrated its annual pageant at a “wonderful evening filled with rich Apache culture and tradition,” said Kathryn Lorraine Reves, principal at Saint Charles Catholic School. “The St. Charles Pageant allows our Catholic and Christian community to come together to support Apache culture. The event begins and ends with Catholic prayer.” 

Contestants included female students ranging from kindergarten to sixth-grade who were judged in four categories: traditional attire, essay, talent, and interview questions such as how religion is important in their daily lives and demonstrating the Sign of the Cross in Apache. 

“Supporting students in their Apache culture helps them to understand the value of continuing their legacy for future generations, as well as encourage the preservation of their Apache language,” said Reves. “Many of the girls displayed their talents in Apache language, harvesting, cooking, dance, and song.” 

The 113 students at Saint Charles Catholic School are taught Apache culture and language alongside the Catholic faith and other core subjects. “The students at St. Charles learn traditional Catholic teachings with emphasis on the Holy Mass,” said Reves. “We are all children of God where each of us comes from our own particular culture. Apache culture is integrated in the Mass with traditional attire; some girls wear their camp dresses while some boys wear their ribbon shirts. Many of them learn their prayers in Apache.” 

St. Charles Catholic School is involved in the San Carlos community through annual events like the fall pageant, Christmas program, and spring bazaar. The San Carlos Apache Veteran's Association was present for the Posting of the Colors at the school’s pageant, which drew 275 attendees. Students participate in the community’s Veterans Day parade and serve as Miss St. Charles Ambassadors. 

Winners of the fall pageant “will represent St. Charles School as ambassadors by being active Christians, life-long learners, self-evaluators, and effective communicators,” said Reves. “All contestants did a splendid job and are to be congratulated.” 

Congratulations to pageant winners: 

• Miss St. Charles: Deznae Nzeukou 
  • First runner-up: Beulah Nose 
  • Second runner-up: Michaelena Betom 
• Missy St. Charles: Keeauna Elthie 
  • First runner-up: Auriana Goode 
  • Second runner-up: Nevaeh Powell 
• Lil’ Miss St. Charles: Mauriana Bush 
  • First runner-up: Emily Cole 
  • Second runner-up: Mia Thompson