March 09, 2025
Diné College Student Wins Diné College Students participate in the 2025 AIHEC Science Bowl in Rapid City
Rapid City, SD – March 09, 2025. Three Diné College students showcased their skills and teamwork at the 36th Annual American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) Student Conference Science Bowl held at the Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center. This year’s conference, themed “Ancient Wisdom, the Foundation of Our Future: Sovereignty, Unity, and Strength for Future Generations,” brought together students from across the nation to compete in this rigorous academic event.
The Diné College team, comprised of Dayheona Yazzie, Hailey Tomasiyo, and Jocelyn Brown, competed in the Science Bowl. In this dynamic head-to-head event, teams simultaneously answer challenging science-related questions. Despite it being their first time competing, the students demonstrated exceptional preparation and teamwork throughout the two-round competition.
Neilroy Singer, the Science Bowl Coach, praised the students’ performance. “For this year’s Science Bowl, I feel our students did exceptionally well. They had many weeks to prepare, and for a first-time go, our team did really well,” Singer said. “Their commitment and effort were evident, and I’m excited to see how they will build on this experience in the future.”
Dayheona Yazzie reflected on the importance of representing Diné College and how the team worked collaboratively. “It was an excellent experience. The big part was helping each other and being able to answer questions together quickly,” Yazzie shared. “We fed off each other’s feedback when we got answers correct, and the experience really helped build our confidence in the knowledge we already have.”
Jocelyn Brown also highlighted the value of teamwork during the competition. “It was an interesting experience. It was tough, but it was fun at the same time because it really tested us as a team and as individuals,” Brown said. “We worked together really well and did our best. I feel like we performed well for the first time. It’s all about teamwork and brainstorming.”
The AIHEC Student Conference celebrates the academic achievements of students attending tribal colleges and universities, fostering unity and cultural pride. By participating in events like the Science Bowl, Diné College students exemplify the resilience and determination that are central to the conference’s theme.
For more information about AIHEC and its events, visit www.olc.edu.
