Kaitlyn Yazzie’s parents both attended MCC in the early 2000s. Her mother, April, went on to design and create Native American skirts; her father, Andrew, went on to work for Pepsi before becoming a chef in Scottsdale.
“My parents have always encouraged all of us to pursue our education,” Kaitlyn says. By “us” she is referring to herself and her siblings, of which there are six in total. Kaitlyn is the oldest.
Following in the footsteps taken by April–who learned how to design clothes thanks to her sister (Kaitlyn’s aunt)–Kaitlyn is now studying fashion design at MCC. “Ever since I was little, my mom would make my traditional Native outfits,” Kaitlyn recalls.
Both April and Andrew are originally from Farmington, New Mexico, situated in the Navajo nation near the Four Corners region of the United States. April and Andrew met through church in Farmington. After they were married, they moved to Arizona, and April attended MCC knowing that her sister was already a student. Andrew also enrolled.
“My mom was pregnant with me when she was a student here, so I’ve been a part of campus pretty much my whole life,” Kaitlyn says.
She notes how supportive her parents are in pursuing an education that will lead to a prosperous career, as well as an insight into self-discovery. Back in high school at Mountain View in Mesa, Kaitlyn was part of the HOOP of Learning Program, which is designed to increase Native American participation and matriculation rates in college while empowering Indigenous students to reach their goals. She graduated high school with HOOP and college coursework to her name, and even took a summer pre-requisite class before she started the Fashion Design program at MCC.
“This first year, I’ve been collecting some basic info about fashion design, such as illustration,” Kaitlyn says. “I was well prepared for college, and I’m excited to start taking my electives.”
She also adds how supportive the faculty have been at MCC during her first year. “My professors have been great. I’ve been encouraged to expand my knowledge and think ‘outside of the box.’ I’m also able to work and spend time with my friends and family, so the flexible schedule is really helpful.”
Kaitlyn has a clear goal for where she hopes her future will go, along with how she can be an example for others. “I want to have my own business, or make luxury designs with a Native influence,” she says. “Especially because I’m Native, I want to show other Native students that it’s possible to get an education and make a name for yourself. With all these programs that are able to help you, it’s possible.”
The legacy set forth by her parents almost two decades ago upholds what MCC has meant for Kaitlyn’s entire family. “All of my mom’s 4 siblings have been at MCC. My uncle’s wife went here. My younger sister is now taking classes through HOOP herself.”
HOOP is Indigenous by design and based on a traditional Native American worldview of a circle–a hoop–of lifelong development. Fitting for a story about one family’s circle of life, from womb to classroom. “MCC is very close to where we’re growing up,” Kaitlyn says. “We’re going to stay here for a while, and I hope to encourage my siblings to follow their dreams as well.”