“I want to be Barbie—lawyer, anesthesiologist, and president,” Pon Peterson assured me in our interview. Ava Pon Peterson, a junior at Chandler High School, has the ambition of three lifetimes and a work ethic fully capable of following through with her aspirations. Pon takes half IB classes and half AP classes, as well as Academic Decathlon, French 2, AVID, and of course, Newspaper. This is Pon’s second year on the Wolf Howl, and she has worked diligently to become our News Editor this year. Pon enjoys photography and reporting on real world issues. “I love writing about Environmental Issues and Native American Advocacy,” she remarked. 

“Outside [of school], I meet with the Future Inspired Native American Leaders (F.I.N.A.L.), a Native American Youth Council, where I [advocate for] policy reforms and protests for awareness walks for drug abuse and missing people in our community.” Recently Pon was elected Co-President of the council. “That’s gonna be a lot on my plate,” she admitted. As a member of F.I.N.A.L. Youth Council, Pon’s work mainly focuses on political and community advocacy. When I asked if this was her job, Pon explained, “My job is school, and my other job is helping my grandma on the Navajo Reservation every school break with our cows.” Pon works on her family’s ranch, fixing up the corral and using her grandma’s truck to chase down cows that wander too far. She helps feed the animals and renovates the house.

Pon also has a side hustle. “I weave traditionally, Navajo rug weaving. It makes bank,” she smirked. Undeniably, her rugs are beautiful. (Remember her at Christmas when you’re buying gifts!) Pon enjoys hanging out with others and loves to talk to people. Pon is good friends with Nick Hernandez, another junior in the Wolf Howl.

Pon really enjoyed her freshman year and felt that during her sophomore year, she experienced a lot of growth as a person. She doesn’t know what junior year has in store for her, but she is “gonna get through this.” After getting to know Pon, I believe she’ll thrive in her junior year. I don’t doubt for a second that Pon Peterson may even become better than Barbie—lawyer, anesthesiologist, and president.