Seals and Stole Award

Native American Graduating Seniors are eligible to earn the Seals and Stole award if they meet the eligibility criteria and follow the process. The online application for the Class of 2027 is now available!

Quick Links

SY2026-27 Online Application

• Seals & Stole Booklet for 2026-2027 school year
• Watch the Video on YouTube

What is the Seals and Stole Award?

The APS Indian Education Department Seals & Stoles Award is a special recognition for Native American students who demonstrate their knowledge, accomplishments, cultural connection, community involvement, and/or Native language skills.

Through this program, students have the opportunity to earn one, two, three, or all four seals, with each seal recognizing a different area of achievement. Students can choose the seals that best reflect their interests, experiences, strengths, and goals.

The four seals provide opportunities to explore and celebrate your Native identity, contribute to your community, and learn or demonstrate Navajo or Zuni language skills.

Students who earn at least one seal will receive an official APS Native American stole to proudly wear with their cap and gown at their commencement ceremony. Wearing the stole is a special honor that recognizes your hard work, accomplishments, cultural connection, and commitment to your community.

The Seals & Stoles Award is more than a graduation honor, it is an opportunity to celebrate who you are, where you come from, what you have accomplished, and where you are going.

We encourage every Native American student to take the challenge, explore the four seals, and make this achievement part of your graduation story.

Which Seal Is Right for You?

• Love learning about your identity and culture? Consider the Tribal Seal.
• Enjoy helping others and giving back to your community? Consider the Distinguished Learning Seal.
• Speak or are learning Navajo or Zuni? Consider the APS Native American Bilingual Seal.
• Are you proficient in Navajo? Consider the New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy.

Who is Eligible?

Native American high school seniors who:

• Are enrolled in APS (not charter school).
• Completed a 506 and/or CIB (Certificate of Indian Blood) and the forms are on file with the APS Indian Education Department.
• Have a flat cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher by the end of fall semester senior year.
• Have no more than 10 unexcused absences.  Absences that are recorded as family emergency, illness, and cultural observation are not calculated in that number.

When are the Deadlines?

Students need to be specific about which Seal(s) they are applying for.  You will need to complete two essays and two presentations if you are trying to earn the APS Indian Tribal Seal and the Seal for Distinguished Learning. 

Application Opening September 14, 2026: When a student completes the application, they will receive an invite to the “Seals & Stole” Google classroom, where all documents will be submitted. 

NOTE:  If a NACA student, please contact Shannon Romero at romero_shan@aps.edu with the Indian Education Department to receive a special login to access this classroom. 

Attend a Seals & Stoles Workshop

Workshops will help students prepare their essays, presentations, and demonstrations for the Seals & Stoles application process.

Workshop Dates:

• Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM APS City Center
• Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM APS City Center

NOTE:  If your student missed one of the workshops, there will be an online opportunity to watch videos and receive the content.

ATTENDING ONE OF THE ABOVE WORKSHOPS IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED!

• APS Bilingual Seal Introduction will be on December 18, 2026: This is for students who are applying for the APS Bilingual Seal.  Introduction must be written in either Zuni or Navajo.  

• Tribal Seal Essay, Google slide presentation, and letter of recommendation will be due on January 29, 2027:  Upload all documents into Google Classroom and hit the submit button.
• Distinguished Learning Seal Essay, Google slide presentation, and letter of recommendation will be due on February 26, 2027: Upload all documents into Google Classroom and hit the submit button.
• Presentations/Demonstration in person at APS City Center are scheduled March 24 - 26, 2027.
• Awards Given prior to commencement:  Date to be announced.

Students need to be familiar with the Native American Values which includes:  Generosity, Independence, Belonging, and Mastery. Here is a Rubric of the Native American values.

Notification

Applicants will be notified of their awards within a week of their final presentation/demonstration.

Receiving

Students will receive their award at the senior banquet which is typically 1-2 weeks before graduations are scheduled.

Wearing

Students will wear their stoles over their graduation gowns during the graduation commencements. Each earned seals is attached to the stole. The seal looks like a “patch” that is attached to the stole. 

Seal and Stole Documents

Recommendation Form

Verification Form for Volunteer Hours