Members and leaders of the Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona heaped praise on Derrick Hoosava, a graduating senior at Payson High School.

Hoosava has been named student of the year by the tribe's education committee for every year of his high school career. He has excelled in academics, athletics and student government, and he is an active member of the community.

"My son, he saved my life. In return, I try to give him every opportunity to enjoy his, to do the things I didn't get to do, to see the things I didn't get to see," his father, Farrell Hoosava, a tribal council member, said at a honoring dinner, The Payson Roundup reported.

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Tonto Apache Tribe honors PHS senior (The Payson Roundup 5/2)