At the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, we are dedicated to providing coaching, mentorship and employment opportunities for our older youth who seek to become leaders in the Zuni community and in the world beyond. When Zuni Public School District received New Mexico Innovation Zone recognition — and lead counselor Dawn Eriacho introduced the Work-Based Learning Internship Program — we knew it would be a fitting partnership.
The program allows high school students to work as paid interns while earning school credits, and ZYEP has been proud to host several of them. During their time with us, interns work alongside staff to deliver fun, educational and culturally relevant programs to Zuni youth of all ages.
One of those interns is DeAngelo Mateya. Since February, he has been assisting Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator, and the youth development team with the “Rooted in Healthy Traditions” after-school program for sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
Born in Zuni, DeAngelo was raised by his grandparents on his father’s side. He attended the Pueblo of Zuni’s Head Start Program, the former Dowa Yalanne Elementary School, and Zuni Middle School; he says he was a tween when he first heard about ZYEP.
“I was about 10 or 11,” recalls DeAngelo, now 20. “A friend of mine suggested that we sign up for the soccer league. I wasn’t originally a fan, but I said OK, and I really enjoyed it. We were The Dragons!”
Life wasn’t easy for DeAngelo in those days, however. He shares that he had to miss his freshman year of high school.
“I went into treatment at the Butterfly Healing Center in Taos,” he explains. “Now I’m at the Twin Buttes Cyber Academy, and I’ll graduate this spring.”
The academy, first developed by Hayes Lewis when he founded Zuni Public School District as a sovereign district in New Mexico in 1980, provides a pathway to high school graduation through a blend of online learning, in-person instruction and specialized technical training. Along the way, students develop both career and life skills in keeping with Zuni core values.
DeAngelo says he has thrived at Twin Buttes. As a head ambassador for his student council, he was recognized for his social and emotional learning skills; he also took part in a science program and gave a presentation on radiology.
Then, as DeAngelo entered his final semester, ZYEP entered the picture once again. He learned about the paid internship in youth development.
My principal, counselor and teacher recommended me,” he says. “I took the chance to join and take on the responsibility.
“My grandparents are my role models,” he adds. “They took me and my little sister in, and they’ve always been there for me. So I want to give back.”
As an intern, DeAngelo is responsible for keeping up with his classes and maintaining his grades. At ZYEP, he must keep track of his hours, review daily plans with supervisor Kiki Zunie, distribute snacks to youth participants, and provide any needed support in each focus area of the RHT program: Shiwi STEM, Art With Meaning, Food Sovereignty, and Physical Activity.
“My favorite is Shiwi STEM,” DeAngelo says. “I like learning about Zuni culture and heritage, and planning, planting and growing crops.”
“DeAngelo serves as a liaison and helps with administration,” Zunie says. “He’s a hard worker, with ambition and drive.
“He provides positive encouragement and uplifts the spirit of the kids, as well,” she continues. “He’s so approachable, and he takes the initiative to help and support them without hesitation.”
“I like being a role model, a person they can look up to,” DeAngelo says. “I like to understand them better. Teaching younger people, like myself — this is a good thing to hold. I take it to heart, and it is changing the course of my life.”
When he’s not busy at work, DeAngelo remains focused on completing his education at Twin Buttes, where he enjoys math and hands-on classes like construction and welding. In his limited free time, his top priority is physical fitness.
“It helps me manage my mental health,” he explains. “I do two- to three-hour workouts. Today is chest and triceps.
“I used to skateboard too, but I have to manage my time right now,” he adds with a smile. “I used to dream about being a pro skater, someone who creates tricks. Now, I want to build my character and be known in Zuni as someone who is honest and caring.”
“The word I would use for DeAngelo is ‘resilient,’” Zunie says.
DeAngelo’s internship will come to an end in early May. While he is interested in pursuing career opportunities in ancestral lands conservation and preserving Zuni/Puebloan cultural heritage, perhaps with the National Park Service, his primary focus right now is ZYEP.
“The connections, the fun, the learning — I’m just taking it all in,” he says. “I appreciate everyone here. We never had anything to do, anything like this. ZYEP helps keep kids out of trouble, and I’m so glad these people are running it. I’m proud to be part of it.”
DeAngelo says he also hopes this work makes his Zuni elders and ancestors proud.
“Preserving our language and culture was their goal, and now it’s ours,” he explains. “We are all one.”
