Facing Arizona: I want to inspire Navajo children to be successful

Editor’s note: Facing Arizona is a series that will appear on KTAR.com and social media  — follow KTAR News on Instagram and Facebook for updates — highlighting unique and everyday people across our state and give you a glimpse into their lives.

Hello everyone, my name is Darlyn Owens, I am 35 years old, I am a mother of five, and I am from Window Rock, Arizona.

I am a preschool para-professional and I am also pursuing my undergrad in early childhood education. My lifelong dream has always been to be a teacher. I was born in Fort Defiance, Arizona, and spent most of my childhood here.

I lived for a short time in Phoenix, as well as Gallop, New Mexico, where I graduated high school. After high school, I moved back to Fort Defiance/Window Rock, and I have been here ever since.

I attend college in Gallop because the commute is significantly shorter than going to Flagstaff. I choose to stay in Window Rock because I am Navajo, my roots are here, and I want to give back to my community.

I feel it is essential for the children of the Navajo Nation to have positive role models within our community, that they see that you can live within the Navajo community and be successful.

The ability to work, raise a family, and give back to my community is the greatest feeling. If I can instill that mindset within the children, hopefully, they will pass that along to future generations, and that will preserve our Navajo culture and traditions. — Darlyn