Visions and Voices

Audrey L. Emerson

The major influence in my life has been my parents. They are models of hard work and perseverance and have kept me motivated throughout my educational career. They represent what I would like to be like when I have children of my own.

I grew up for half my life in California and was very much part of a non-Native American community. The second half I spent on the Navajo Reservation, which was drastically different from the urban environment in which I was born. It taught me not to take many things for granted, such as electricity, plumbing, and phones. We did not have any of these on the reservation. Both environments have helped me to adapt quickly to college life and have made me adjustable to almost any environment. All of my experiences have made me a more open-minded person. The environment I am in now is more like what I first experienced, so I am very comfortable with it. 

Education is very important to me, because without it I would not be able to live a happy life. If I had no education, I would be limited to certain jobs and to a certain lifestyle. I would not be able to provide for my future family. Mainly, it's a way for me to grow intellectually and to use it as knowledge I require to contribute to society.

I read a lot--mostly fiction, but I always try to keep up with what's going on in the business world also. I love to exercise, so I am always working out and try to play volleyball. In the winter I love to ski and in the summer I like to go whitewater rafting and biking.

Tribal affiliation:  Navajo

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