Judge Judy chooses reservation school for graduation speech


Judge Judy Sheindlin. Photo from Facebook

A student from the Navajo Nation won a national essay contest and now Judge Judy will be speaking at her graduation ceremony next month.

In her winning entry, Alexus Uentillie highlighted the unique aspects of Shiprock High School, located on the New Mexico portion of the reservation. She urged the television personality to come visit the land of the Code Talkers and encourage her fellow Navajo students to succeed.

"We could set an example," Uentillie wrote in her essay, The Albuquerque Journal reported. "We could show everyone, how determined and well-educated we are. That we aren’t just Native Americans, we are proud Navajos."

Uentillie heard about the contest from her mother. She told The Farmington Daily Times that she was surprised to find out she had won.

"I am thrilled to be coming to Shiprock High School and look forward to being part of the cheering crowd for the class of 2015!" Judge Judy Sheindlin said on Facebook yesterday morning.

The commencement takes place May 21. Uentillie serves as secretary of the graduating class of 117 students.

Get the Story:
Judge Judy will give Shiprock High School's commencement speech (The Farmington Daily Times 4/15)
Judge Judy to keynote Shiprock HS graduation (The Albuquerque Journal 4/15)

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