Tuition waivers, valued at over $20,000, have been awarded to eight students from Northland Pioneer College (NPC), to complete their bachelor’s degrees at one of Arizona’s three public universities. For the past 28 years, the Arizona Board of Regents has awarded waivers for up to 60 credits to top-performing students from the state’s community college districts to encourage them to finish their educations as members of the All-Arizona Academic Team. To be eligible, a student must have a cumulative 3.5 or higher grade-point average, be working toward an associate degree, and demonstrate college or community volunteerism and leadership.
Receiving tuition waivers are NPC students Caleb Anson and Carter Papa of Snowflake, Graecyn Lewis of Show Low, Elliott Emerson and Tyler Wiley of Concho, Rivke Huma of Holbrook, and Dahkoshay Hinton and Rhiannon Walker of Whiteriver. These students will also receive individual scholarship awards from NPC.
Recipient Caleb Anson was born in Utah. At the age of 15, his family relocated to Snowflake. Anson graduated from Snowflake High School, where he was an avid and talented cross-country runner as part of the high school’s cross-country team. After high school, Anson embarked on a two-year mission with the Church of Latter-Day Saints. His mission placed him in Espírito Santo, a coastal state in southern Brazil. In addition to learning to speak Portuguese, Caleb said, “I learned a lot about my faith and myself… a lot about human interaction and how to communicate with different people. Being able to communicate effectively is important,” he said. “It brings people together and resolves conflict. It is important to be able to understand other perspectives.”
Anson is interested in international affairs and relations, particularly intelligence. “I feel like working to protect citizens would be a way to give back to society, which is important to me,” he said. “I think it would be cool to work in anti-terrorism, perhaps with the FBI or another federal entity one day.” For Caleb, obtaining his associate’s degree from NPC and earning a spot on the All-AZ Academic team has eased the transition to a large university. “Going to NPC has saved me a lot of money and has prepared me to continue in my studies,” he said. Anson will attend the University of Arizona’s (U of A) College of Applied Science and Technology to pursue a degree in intelligence studies.
Fellow recipient Carter Papa, also of Snowflake, shares Anson’s passion for cross-country running and for giving back. They are also friends. Papa, like Anson, also ran for Snowflake High School’s cross-country team. He too spent two years in Brazil on a mission for the Church of Latter-Day Saints in the metropolitan city of Santos.
Papa started taking classes at NPC during high school through the college’s dual enrollment Talon program. With hard work and determination, he was able to stay ahead academically despite taking two years off to complete his mission. “The faculty and staff at NPC are genuinely interested in seeing you succeed,” he said. “Going to NPC gave me a jump start.” He, too, wants to pursue a career protecting others. Papa will attend Arizona State University this spring and study cybersecurity. He hopes to one day work for a large tech firm developing new cybersecurity technologies. “I was raised with a strong ethical background, so doing the right thing is important to me,” he said. “It’s immoral to steal, lie, or cheat. For me, helping prevent cybercrimes would be fulfilling.”
For recipient Graecyn Lewis of Show Low, helping others comes naturally. She is also no stranger to hard work. Lewis is one of NPC’s prestigious presidential scholars and has been enrolled in rigorous honor-level classes throughout her academic journey. She will graduate from NPC this spring at the top of her class. Lewis enjoys interacting with others and is a self-proclaimed creative problem solver. She also enjoys learning about other places. Lewis discovered a passion for business in high school as part of Show Low High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team. “It brought out my leadership skills, and I realized I had a knack for working with others and for making people feel comfortable,” she said.
Lewis will pursue a degree in hospitality at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and plans to go into hotel and restaurant management. She is currently employed by the Marriott hotel group and would like to grow with the hotel chain or one day, start a hospitality firm of her own and travel to locations around the world. Lewis attributes her work ethic and success thus far to two very important people in her life; her mother and grandmother “NaNa,” who raised her. “They did everything possible to care for me, to show me that I could do anything I wanted to do. That my dreams are possible,” she explained. “Succeeding is my way of thanking them.”
Fellow All-AZ recipient Elliott Emerson of Concho shares his teammate’s interest in problem-solving. Emerson has an aptitude for math and science and is planning to attend the University of Arizona (U of A) to earn a bachelor’s degree in planetary geoscience. “I have always had a scientific mind,” he said. “Throughout my education, especially from junior high onward, I've been interested in finding solutions to problems, namely environmental, that would contribute to the betterment of communities around the world.”
Emerson took college-level classes through NPC while attending high school at Sequoia. He is passionate about the solar system and how research and discoveries on our planet and within the complex systems of outer space affect life on Earth. Emerson recently had the opportunity to participate in the University of Arizona’s Clouds to Core project. Students from around Arizona were selected to perform hands-on geoscientific research at the university. Emerson was able to work at the university’s state-of-the-art facilities and witnessed the ongoing study of the asteroid Bennu, which reportedly contains scientific evidence of the presence of life. Emerson hopes to one day join in that research and work with NASA or the European Space Agency (ESA), performing data analysis to help uncover the mysteries of our solar system and beyond.
Awardee Tyler Wiley is also from Concho. Wiley is a high achiever and an extremely hard worker. He also is very active in student activities. While attending NPC, Wiley led the college’s Student Government Association (SGA) as the group’s president. He was also an active participant in NPC’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, sat on multiple college committees, and represented the student body on many occasions, including during visits with elected state officials at the state’s capitol.
Wiley graduated from NPC this past December and is currently studying business and economics at Northern Arizona University (NAU). He has faced his fair share of obstacles. As a child, he underwent open heart surgery and suffered hearing loss caused by a prolonged ear infection. Due to the loss of hearing at a pivotal age, he developed a speech impediment. With therapy and perseverance, Wiley overcame his challenges. He now has the confidence and ability to speak well and does so often. He is a distinguished leader among his peers. “Overcoming obstacles showed me that I can succeed at anything I put my mind to,” he said. “I won’t let anything get me down.” Wiley is an avid reader and enjoys staying busy. In addition to earning his degree and pursuing a business career, he hopes to one day open his own publishing firm and focus on the rebirth of classic European literature. He also would like to create a European heritage preservation society and build a non-profit organization to assist needy individuals. That still may not be enough to keep Wiley busy. He laughed, “I’m also interested in politics. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll even run for office.”
Rivke Huma, a fellow All-AZ recipient, has overcome significant challenges to become an inspiring figure in her community. Raised in Dilkon, Arizona, Huma’s heritage is a rich blend of Diné (Ashįįhí) and Egyptian roots, with her father hailing from the Yemassee (Głáshchį́) tribe of Georgia. Her journey has been defined by perseverance, self-discovery, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.
After serving four years in the United States Navy, Huma faced the difficult reality of post-traumatic stress related to her military service. Determined to heal and grow, she sought spiritual enlightenment and eventually found herself at Harvard University’s School of Divinity in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During a pivotal meeting with the program's dean, he reminded her that the wisdom she sought was already deeply embedded in her cultural upbringing. “He told me all you will leave here with is a receipt, albeit in the form of a college diploma. For you, the knowledge you seek is intrinsically already a part of your upbringing and offers much more value than anything we will ever be able to teach you.” He said, "What your grandmother and mother have taught you is much more valuable," a realization that led Huma to reconnect with her Indigenous heritage and return to her roots. “I feel like an onion, constantly peeling back the layers to find the core,” she said. “I’ve learned that my validation comes from within and from those who surround and teach me.”
In 2023, Huma, a first-generation college student, began her academic journey at Northland Pioneer College (NPC), quickly rising as a shining example of determination and academic excellence. As vice president of NPC’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society and one of the top students in her class, Huma has proved that with hard work, anything is possible.
Having experienced extreme hardships and poverty firsthand, Huma is deeply passionate about using her education to uplift others. She plans to attend Northern Arizona University (NAU) to pursue a degree in construction and project management with a focus on humanitarian projects and sustainable development. Huma dreams of creating self-sufficient, eco-friendly living spaces in rural Arizona communities—places where residents have access to healthy food, clean water, and renewable energy. “I want to be part of something that benefits generations to come,” she says.
Rivke Huma’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and vision. With her unwavering dedication to improving lives and her commitment to sustainable, impactful change, she is poised to leave a lasting mark on the world.
Another All-AZ recipient, Dahkoshay Hinton of Whiteriver, shares his teammate’s desire to develop and improve his homeland. Hinton is a senior at Alchesay High School and will also earn his associate’s degree from NPC this spring. Hinton has always had an interest in engineering and in building things. He was the lead coder for his high school robotics team. He is also an avid and accomplished chess player. Hinton understands the importance of thinking ahead and making moves today that will make a difference in the long run. He is also very passionate about giving back to his community. Having grown up on the reservation, he has witnessed the shortage of housing and the problem of dilapidated and insufficient infrastructure. In high school, Hinton participated in a business pitch competition in collaboration with NAU American Indian Economic Development. His team earned first place. The experience opened his eyes to the importance of business development. Hinton plans to attend Northern Arizona University to pursue a degree in civil engineering. “My goal is to gain the education and skills needed to return to the reservation and make a meaningful impact.”
Whether it be bringing new business opportunities to the area, planning construction projects, designing housing developments, or building bridges and roads to support growth, Hinton aspires to leave a legacy. “The future of the White Mountain Apache Tribe lies in how we plan for tomorrow,” he said. “Bringing new business to the reservation and improving our infrastructure will pave the way for change. I want to be a part of something that future generations can cherish and build upon.”
Hinton is the first person in his family to graduate from college and attributes his success to the influence of his parents. “My family motivates me to succeed. They have always been there for me. My dad is an extremely hard worker. I admire his work ethic and stubbornness to never fail. My parents encourage me to push myself and experience new things, to discover my future.” He explained, “Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
For All-AZ awardee Rhiannon Walker, helping improve people’s lives is her life’s purpose. Walker was born and raised in Whiteriver and recognizes the value of education. Walker, who recently married, worked hard to raise her two sons. She currently works for Indian Health Services and juggles the responsibilities of motherhood, school, and her children’s extracurricular activities with work. “My children motivate me to do my best,” she said. “I feel like if they see me succeed, they will know they can do anything they put their minds to. I want to set a good example for my children.” She explained, “My husband and family have been extremely supportive and helpful on my journey. I couldn’t have done this without them.”
For Walker, helping people heal and seeing the real impact she can make on people’s lives is rewarding. “The patients I work with are like family. Seeing them heal and recover is amazing. It feels good to be part of that.” Walker wants to pursue a degree in public health and plans to attend Arizona State University to obtain a degree in health sciences. “I want to give back to my community by advocating for better healthcare, increased wellness education, and initiatives that bring about real change. This is my home. These are people I care deeply for,” she said. “I know I got to where I am today because of my determination, perseverance, and commitment to being the best I can be for my Tribe, my school, my family, and myself,” she said. “You don’t know if you don’t try, and I’m not stopping now.”
These NPC students, along with other top community college scholars from around the state, will be honored at a luncheon and awards presentation held in their honor on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, in Gilbert, AZ. The event will be live-streamed the day of at https://www.mesacc.edu/live.
To learn more about NPC’s All-AZ academic team program, details on the scholarship, and a complete list of past NPC recipients, visit www.npc.edu/all-az.
