Jewels Leslie (Dine’): Taking Advantage of Education and Running For A Good Life

By Dan Ninham (Oneida)

“All of these things are learning experiences that I believe I will utilize as I go on in life.” 

These are the words of a recent state high school cross-country champion. The champion is learning every day how to pursue her goals in life.

“I compete for Ft. Wingate High School Bears,” said Jewels Leslie. She is a 5-2 junior cross country and track runner and basketball player.

“I am Navajo aka Diné and I am from Rehoboth, New Mexico. My parents are Barbara and Ronald Leslie. They are both Navajo as well. We all live in Rehoboth,” added Jewels. 

“My tribal core values helped me build a connection with running,” said Jewels. “In my culture, my ancestors always said to get up before the sun to run and pray for what you desire. Doing that builds a relationship with the holy people. This means running is in my blood. My cultural values give me a belief and purpose when I run. It gives me a reason to run because I feel as if I am running towards my goals and dreams. I trust my cultural beliefs to get me there. When I run I do it for myself, no one else. This puts me at peace internally and gives me the confidence to know that I have the potential to accomplish great things.”

Jewels wears traditional red paint on her cheeks during competition. This is considered medicine for the wearer and is sacred. “The red paint Jewels wears is for protection, to keep evil away, to help her stay focused and it helps with the glare,” said mom Barbara. “Her late grandmother made that for her when she first started running.”

“I am not quite sure how to spell it because I was told that the Navajo language isn’t a written language and it’s a speaking language but its Chííh,” said Jewels.

“I know that Chííh is used for a ceremony when young girls come of age and that it’s to help with glare from the sun when she is running. Also women used it for blush many moons ago. You can use it during the winter to prevent windburns due to the harsh cold conditions. There are two different kinds of the red medicine,” added Barbara. 

“Towards the end of the season the girls came together as a team to do this collectively,” said Donavan Jackson, Wingate HS Cross Country Coach. “Five of the seven would bless themselves before a race with tádídíín (corn pollen used for special occasions).”

Boys and men runners also wear the red paint on their cheeks and it is also considered medicine.

Dr. Chuck Foster, Dine’, began teaching and coaching at Wingate High School in the late 70’s and early 80’s after a stellar college running career. His Wingate HS boys’ cross-country team won the 1981 New Mexico Class AAA state championship. “This is a tradition and a cultural approach to competition,” said Chuck. “Not so much to winning but more to accept their human accomplishments. These are two different things. I think Jewels may be the first to win an individual girls CC title from Wingate HS.” 

“I think people need to be aware this is a traditional belief and value of the American Indian. Some of our boy runners used this during the time we were at Wingate HS,” added Chuck. 

Phil Castillo, Acoma Pueblo, was a nine-time All-American cross-country runner at Adams State University. He won the 1992 NCAA DII National Cross Country Championship leading his teammates to the only perfect score of 15 in NCAA history. Phil wore red paint on his cheeks when he competed and said a path would open in the wind that only he could run through. 

Dustin Martin, Executive Director of Wings of America, said: “I can only speak to Navajo coming of age ceremonies for women (Kinaalda). Each morning of the ceremony, women run out in front of their families to show their strength and bravery in the face of the responsibilities of becoming an adult. The distance they run before having to rest reflects on their fortitude. Apache and Hoopa women participate in similar rituals. What I think is most important to note about Native running traditions is that they didn’t exclude women like Western competitive distance running did until the 70’s. Running was valuable to the community and to the spirit for everyone and not just men. So it seems appropriate that so many young ladies are now painting red handprints and using running to raise awareness in opposition to the male chauvinism at the root of the MMIW (Murdered Missing Indigenous Women) crisis and the history of distance running that has mostly overcome that attitude.” 

Higher order achievers have higher order goals to reach the top tiers in their life skills development. “I want to be a pediatrician and running will get me there,” said Jewels. “Athletics is my ticket to an education. I want to get a scholarship for running. To become and accomplish what I want, I need an education. One thing that running has taught me is that you have to have heart and a good work ethic. From that, as a student athlete I have learned to use that in the classroom and work hard. I was always taught that education is strength. Running is my strength and it is who I am. In hard times, I looked to it for hope and perseverance.  I know if I improve and get a scholarship the rest will unfold because I have faith. An education can lead me to what my heart desires. This motivates me to help others with my knowledge, not only as a doctor that I will become, but also as a person. 

“My parents have always taught me to have heart and go all in, or not do it at all,” said Jewels. “They always have high expectations for my sports and school, and that encourages me to do my best because I do not want to disappoint.”

“Coach Jackson has guided me through this cross country season and taught me about a variety of methods on racing,” said Jewels. “I bounced off a lot of his experiences in running and I use that in mine.”

WHS Cross Country Coach Donavan Jackson talked about the coach-athlete relationship: “I’ve been coaching Jewels just over two years now. It’s been great seeing her mature and develop the necessary skills to become a successful runner. She’s a student of the sport, constantly asking questions about the purpose of workouts and strategies for races. This season she really started to take what she’s learned about the sport, along with a better understanding of what type of runner she is, and turned that knowledge into confidence and a manner of racing unique to her. I do have to say she had a great role model, in her first couple years she was able to watch another runner, Latisha Lopez. Latisha and I worked well together and she ended up running extremely well when I took over the distance running program at Wingate. I think that when Jewels saw Latisha place 3rd at state last year it helped her realize she too could accomplish that as well, even though she finished 35th overall in 2018. During track last season she really started to show promise in the high school scene. At practice she would zealously chase Latisha. In the end, she ended up winning her first district title in the 800m and go on to place 5th at the Class AAA state meet. This was a major boost to her confidence, something necessary for this cross country season.”

“Starting this year she placed 5th in our first meet. After that she and I made a deal, if she finished in the top 10 at state I would paint my toenails and fingernails. I knew she had the legs to do it, giving her a small goal to push towards it seemed necessary. After that she went on to win the next two meets, including our home meet continuing where Latisha left off. From here we really began to change our mindset and changed our goals to top three at state. We entered every race with a game plan that she executed perfectly. She went on to win the remainder of the meets until our final regular season meet where she placed 3rd. This at first was something that bothered her but in the end I told her I was thankful for it. It lessoned the pressure and stress to continue winning all the way through to state. It gave us the opportunity to refocus on the state meet. Going into district we had a much better idea what her race style was and what she needed to do to feel comfortable and confident to win. She won district. Then, with a bit of nervousness, we discussed our plan for state. Who the contenders were, and the point she needed to start picking it up. All of it. We visualized it. In the end when the gun went off she led from the start to the end. Jewels transformation into the runner she is today has easily been one of the greatest aspects of coaching. I’m excited to see how she performs in the future. She’s hungry. She’s smart. And most importantly she’s not content with winning this year alone. She’s motivated to win again.”

In many indigenous cultures there is a significant aunt-niece relationship. “My Auntie has taught me what strength I hold,” said Jewels.  “She has always told me to have balance between running and school. I learn to take advantage of my education and running to try to set myself up for a good life.” 

Aunt Arronda White said: “Jewels has always been a strong spirit. She has overcome so much both physically and emotionally. Her perseverance, dedication and patience made her resilient. Being a top runner through elementary and junior high. Also dealing with painful injuries where she barely made it through races. She suffered personal losses: a cousin, brother and grandmother in the same year. It took a huge impact on her, as they were close. Thereafter her heart wasn’t into running. She turned running into medicine and it helped her cope. Despite everything she endured, her strength proved persistence. Reminding her that struggles do not determine who you are. How you overcome them will show you who you need be. An honor student and member of the National Junior Honor Society, I know she works hard to balance both sports and school. Education is a top priority and the key to make a better life beyond the reservation.”

“To witness the moment she crossed that finish line was emotional. Especially for her parents who have been her biggest supporters. Words cannot express how proud I am of her! Her accomplishment has made a huge impact and she is paving the way for generations to come,” added Aunt Arronda.

“My basketball coach taught me to be a hard worker,” said Jewels. “He has always said that at least be the hardest worker because we make time for school and sports.” 

“Jewels Leslie is “One of a Kind”: a motivated student athlete, goal oriented, and full of laughter!” said Larrison Whitehair, Wingate HS Head Girls Basketball Coach. “She is always the one to stand out of a crowd being the young lady full of joy and laughter. Running has helped her significantly to compete in the sport of basketball making her a fast strong point guard at Wingate High School.”

“As a student athlete, Jewels works hard on her fundamental skills on the court and leadership skill on and off the court. She plays a big role on the varsity level as a team captain. As the head coach I am very pleased and proud to have Jewels Leslie as a team leader at Wingate High School,” added Coach Whitehair. 

“Another person that has influenced me as a runner is my 7th grade XC coach,” said Jewels. “He taught me about self-confidence but not directly to me. That year I was undefeated in all my races and was usually ahead of the runners quite a ways and the final race of the season was like a championship race. The race was on the side of a mountain and the race went directly up the mountain and back down. It was a very difficult course and halfway through the meet they announced placing and my parents were worried about what happened but he told them to trust me because I know what I am doing and that has had the biggest impact on my running.”

State champion student athletes are sought after as leaders for other up and coming student athletes with high goals. “Some advice I would give other student athletes is to never give up and always put in hard work in whatever you do,” said Jewels. No matter what put you down or becomes an obstacle, don’t let it stop you. Put in hard work to accomplish what your heart desires. If you have the fire inside of you for something allow it to carry you to success.

The accomplishments of Jewels Leslie are not an overnight success story. Jewels qualified six times for the USATF junior Olympic Cross Country National Championships. She was undefeated for two years in middle school races. She was a District Champ for the 800 meter race in 2019 and placing 5th at the state meet. This past 2019 season she won seven out of nine meets, was the District 1 champion and 3A State Champion.

Mom and Dad Barbara and Ronald Leslie talked about their daughter: “Jewels is a blessing. She’s our only child. She’s very dedicated in what she sets her mind to. She’s smart and very outgoing.” 

“She started running when she was in 2nd grade.  Her school’s XC team did not allow her to compete in their league until 3rd grade so she ran under the USATF youth program.  At her first race, I was the one that was nervous and I almost didn’t watch. To my surprise, she came in 2nd and I was very emotional when she crossed the finish line. I was so proud of her. Her running career took off after that. She did great that first year. She missed the cut to qualify for Nationals and I think that set the tone for her. The next year she qualified for the USATF Nationals and she was also eligible to run for the school’s regular JV team. She would run her regular races for the school and the races under USATF youth program the following day for the next 5 years. From there on she qualified six different times to run in the USATF National XC Championships. She won all her races in elementary and middle school with MVP honors and individual Champion titles. She also broke school records for XC. Her hard work, determination and perseverance paid off. She was doing so well that she had already set her sights on one day becoming a State Champion,” added Mom and Dad. 

Jewels and her family experienced tragic times. Mom and Dad said: “First, we lost my nephew, her brother, unexpectedly. She took it very hard and her running took a downfall during her 8th grade year. She nearly collapsed 25 yds. to the finish line of her first race of that season. We could tell something was wrong but she managed to finish placing 2nd. Everything went downhill from there. She started experiencing pains in her calves that were unexplainable. Physicians and specialists were unable to diagnose the causes of her pain. But she was determined to run no matter the outcome and even through the pain of losing a love one. She wanted to continue what she started. She had doubts along the way and even asked if she would ever get back to her top form. We stood by her and supported her no matter what. She did not win any of her races that year but she finished the season and her team took 2nd place for finals in their league. She also managed to run in the USATF Regional Championship race that year that by now was something she did every year since. Then, tragedy struck again during New Year’s, one year to the anniversary of my nephew’s death, her grandmother passed away. The loss of her grandmother, the one person who supported her the most besides us was gone. She was devastated and she was still going through so much pain with her legs that she had a major breakdown right before her 9th grade season of XC.  We encouraged her to release all the hurt and emotions that were bottled up inside her to start the healing process. She did and she joined the high school XC team yet again. Still having leg pains and no answer to what was causing her pain, we turned to physical therapy. Therapy helped a little and we finally got news from her therapist that she had a stress fracture in her foot that was causing the stiffness in her calves. She managed to run her first high school race through all that. Everyone that knew her asked what had happened to her and wanted to know why she wasn’t performing at her best. She continued to push herself with hope of getting back on top. That year, she only ran two races and skipped most of her races with the advice from her coaches except the District Championship race. She ran that race but did not qualify for State. With another season done she concentrated on basketball before she joined track in the spring. She never liked track because you run in circles. She always said ‘it’s boring running in circles’ but she wanted to try it and she ended up liking it. She just joined track to do something and stay in shape she said. 

“When XC season started during her sophomore year she pretty much took things one race at a time. Still having doubts she started to push herself a little more. By now, the physical therapy had helped her overcome her injuries. She managed to complete and run all her scheduled races. At the District Championship race she did good by placing 11th overall. She qualified for State and placed 33rd. She was a little disappointed but little did we know that she was slowly moving back up. When the season was over with she concentrated on basketball and then track season came around. She was surprised that she was doing much better. She took 1st place at District in the 800m and she qualified for State in track. At the State meet she placed 4th in the 800m race. She was happy with that and we were very proud of her. Through trauma and pain she managed to stay focused. Her training from the past had changed tremendously. She listened to her therapist and her coaches as far as training so when the new season started this year she focused on taking things one at a time. Practice sessions were good and her pains subsided. She started to push herself a little more and during the scrimmage she looked good. We were hoping for the best. Her 1st race she finished 4th and by her 2nd race she looked strong. She finished 1st and then everything fell into place for her. She started to win again and we were very happy for her. All the doubts and disappointments were pushed aside. We encouraged her to take it one race at a time and run her race.   Don’t worry about anyone else but yourself and your time. She won her next 4 races with a 1st place finish. Than the big race of the year came, the Rio Rancho Jamboree, she was nervous. This race would determine her place as far as the State Meet. She had an amazing race that day. She finished first despite making a wrong turn. She went on to win the District individual title and was named MVP (runner of the year). She also accomplished what she set out to do and dreamed of by winning the State XC individual title. That was a very emotional moment when she crossed the finish line. We wished we were standing there at the finish line to give her a big hug. So, even through many hardships and obstacles anyone can achieve their goals in life. Her running does not stop here. She still has to defend her title next season and she’s hoping to get a scholarship for college to become a pediatrician. She wants to run at the next level and she’s aiming high, Division 1. Two colleges approached her to run for them when she graduates. She is an honor roll student with high expectations.  She has made us proud and no words can express the feeling of joy we feel on her accomplishments. She has the drive, determination and perseverance to do anything that she sets out to do. I always tell her when you accomplish your dreams to always remember where you came from. Know who you are and don’t think that you’re going to be better than anybody just because you have a degree. Come back and help your people when you become a pediatrician. Be a role model, make wise decisions, and most of all, be a kind person. Most people aren’t blessed like you are. Life experiences will break you but it’s a minor setback that paves the way for a major comeback.”

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