By Nalani Lopez

Salt River Schools held the 2024 Education Fair on April 4 at the Accelerated Learning Academy. The goal of the event is to share education-related knowledge and resources for Community families and their students.

In O’odham, sgevkam ‘I gegikuan kam o ‘I ‘e ‘u:gkaj means “standing tall and going higher.” Va Sshly’aysh xotk vdiik means “Salt River village is getting better.” This goes along with the Education Division’s theme for the 2024 fair, “Salt River Rising,” emphasizing transitions, leveling up and self-affirmation. According to Salt River Schools, the theme encourages attendees to “rise to the occasion” and work to achieve their educational goals as far and high as possible.

More than 60 education, community and business booths were set up inside the ALA gym. Some of the booths included the Miss Salt River Royalty, the Salt River Fire Department, the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, and Providence Trust.

Third-grader Mateo Carmona shared, “I learned about different Community stuff, and a lot of math for school.”

Mascots from various Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community enterprises, like Great Wolf Lodge’s Wiley the Wolf, and Scottsdale Community College’s Artie the Artichoke were seen high-fiving attendees.

Outside in the courtyard, artist Natasha “Rezmo-ski” Martinez hosted a live graffiti art demonstration and invited people to participate. With the colorful array of spray cans at their fingertips, attendees could get in touch with their creative side.

The Education Fair experienced their highest turnout this year with over 700 attendees gathering for an evening of knowledge sharing. As the school theme says, “Together We Rise!”