Tada Vargas. Courtesy photo

Miss AIHEC 2016 overcomes challenges in her life
Richie Richards
Native Sun News Staff Writer
www.nsweekly.com

RAPID CITY –– Oglala Lakota College student, Tada Vargas (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) of Rapid City, was crowned Miss AIHEC for her dedication to education and culture.

The crown was presented at the 2016 American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) held in Minneapolis, March 14-16 during the events. As a non-traditional student, Vargas took a long break from her studies, but in 2012 she returned to finish her education.

“I got two associate’s degrees back in the early 2000’s. I just recently started on my bachelor’s degree, so I’m close to graduation,” she said in an interview with Native Sun News.

The Lakota scholar candidly shared her challenges in committing to her academics. “When I was younger, I didn’t know how to balance life. I wasn’t making good choices and got involved with teenagers who really liked to party a lot and that became a priority.”

Throughout this time in her life, Vargas became dependent on alcohol. “As life went on and I continued to make bad choices, it affected my schooling and I just didn’t really care to finish. I went to work and took care of my family, instead. But I realized I wasn’t happy with just going to work, so I decided to go back to school.”

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal member has chosen to support her culture through studying and advocating for bison.

“Originally, my ultimate goal was to study hereditary diseases in Native American populations. But recently, I’ve been working specifically with bison genetics. I think it’s a calling for me,” she told Native Sun News. “I made a connection with buffalo and I feel that more people need to speak for their well-being. I’m considering going into a master’s program for bison genetics.”

The relationship between human beings and the animal nations has kept her focused.

“I think this is important because I can see the connection between what happened to buffalo in the great slaughter and having to rebuild their population. I can see a relation to Native Americans. Ninety percent of our population was just wiped out,” Vargas said with a concerned tone.

Read the rest of the story on the all new Native Sun News website: Miss AIHEC 2016 overcomes challenges in her life

(Contact Richie Richards at staffwriter@nsweekly.com)

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