Mescalero Apache students grow their STEM program through relationship HAFB

The Mescalero Apache Tribe's STEM program held a tour at Holloman Air Force Base April 14, providing students with a chance to see what careers and opportunities are outside of the reservation.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

By teaming up with the Holoman Air Force Base (HAFB) and groups like the 'Ghost Warriors' otherwise known as the 29th Attack Squadron (ATKS), the tribe gives students lessons on science and engineering that involve things like flight simulations and jet tours.

"We have actually sent out some of our personnel out to support their drone competitions and support their STEM programs." said Ian "Sonic" Sonnenberg, systems pilot at HAFB for the 29th ATKS. "This is a chance for them to see a how many opportunities there are out there if they just focus on the STEM program and focus on good grades, options and potential for them to become becoming pilots, engineers or even do things with uncrewed systems."

In 2009, the squadron and tribal leaders created a new morale patch that was designed by Gervais Peso who passed away on April 12. The squadron asked if the patch could have "reaper" for representation but the closest to that was "ghost warriors" which to the tribe meant "Ch'inde Nagutzunde" and was adopted by the squadron as their new logo.

"In the future we plan on doing more trainings and simulations like this for the students. We want to bring them in to show them our systems, our aircrafts, and the importance that the STEM field carries for future career paths," Sonnenberg said.

In doing so, the 29 ATKS adopted the rich culture of the tribe into it's squadron.

"We take a lot of pride in our shared heritage with the local Apache tribe. We sought out in the local area, for something that would represent that warrior spirit," Sonnenberg said. "We found that the Apache tribe's 'ghost warriors' are their strongest warriors in this region and in the same way, we at the 29 ATKS squadron, are working to train the next generation of strong warriors."

For some, this day was simply another visit for students like Caydence Palmer, to enjoy what she hopes to do in her future.

"I have done this trip before which was last month with pure high school students. I decided to come back for this trip to chaperone and enjoy it all over again. Last month was so much fun, I wanted to experience it again," Palmer said.

Palmer, a 16-year-old junior at Mescalero high has her eyes set on following a career outside of her tribe and hopes to influence the younger generation to explore more than what is limited to them on the reservation.

"It's amazing to inspire the younger kids with STEM programs and to just look into a career on or off the reservation. My family is well-known for being in the military so I have been looking into mechanical engineering but it started with me taking Mr. Nate Raynor's class which was engineering," Palmer said.

Nate Raynor, the STEM coordinator for the Mescalero Apache schools, covers a wide array of science classes for all the schools located on the reservation. He teaches biology, physics and environmental classes.

Raynor describes the relationship between the reservation and HAFB as being "wholehearted."

"If we give the children the opportunity to have these experiences like flight simulations or the chance to see how a jet is built than hopefully we can convince them to stay in school, go to college, and return to the reservation with the knowledge that they earned," Raynor said. "These are things that we, as educators, have to do, introduce them to things like this in the world so that they can explore outside of their home."

According to Kelton Starr, representative for the Mescalero Apache tribe education department, Raynor and students ranging from 10- to 12-year-olds started the STEM conference in 2010.

Starr said before 2010, the reservation had few STEM programs. The reservation has built on it's education since, by adding programs across its schools.

"Parents are so excited to know their students are learning all of this and keeping them up to date with the advancements in what may be looked at as the outside world. Students have had opportunities to code phone apps in order to have the Mescalero Apache language and alphabet in them," Starr said.

The STEM program is set up for students from K-12 grade. Aside from STEM courses, the education department for the reservation also added art as a large department to the STEM program for students to explore more and be willing to leave the reservation.

"We always tell our kids that they are our future for our community, but we need to stop telling them that. If we don't give them the tools to show them that, how would they be able to take over the community after our leaders are gone," Raynor said. "I love to take the kids out and show them that there are many people that can relate to the reservation, myself included, even if we are not native to the community, we want the students in Mescalero to know of all the opportunities to them."

According to Raynor, Palmer is a thriving student eager to return to her community after college to contribute to what she has learned.

"I don't want you guys to go away, I want you all to go away but come back to help the tribe, for instance, civil engineering," Raynor said.

Palmer said the trips were invaluable as she thinks about what her future might hold and her potential in a STEM field.

"There is just so much more to the reservation, Mr. Raynor takes us everywhere, on all types of STEM trips. We get to experience so much more than what is the reservation, some kids at home can't leave the reservation at all, some have financial problems, while others have family trauma and just can't leave," Palmer said.

"I think sometimes the reservation limits students to broader experiences but with Mr. Raynor and the STEM program, they, we have opportunities like these."

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Students from mescalero apache reservation experience STEM careers