Grad gets first Tate’s Scholarship
Amber Gene has been announced as the $10,000 scholarship winner from Tate’s Auto in Show Low. She, her mother Rosie Taylor and father Leonard Gene gratefully accepted the check from Rick Berry, Tate’s dealer principal. 
HOLBROOK — A few years ago Indian Wells resident and recent Holbrook High School graduate, Amber Gene moved back to the Navajo Reservation from Las Vegas.
“We needed to get our family out of the rock-and-roll, fast food lifestyle and back to our Navajo culture,” said Leonard Gene, Amber’s dad.
Her mother Rosie Taylor added, “It was an easy transition for us, especially Amber. She always was able to adapt to both cultures.” The move back to the Navajo Reservation was fortuitous indeed as Linda Tate, owner of Tate’s Auto Center, drew Amber’s name for the $10,000 scholarship May 27.
Deeply steeped in her native heritage, Amber helps her mother and grandmother herd their sheep, weave traditional rugs and create jewelry too. “We have always taught our children our native ways. Living in those traditional ways helps them to assimilate in all facets of life,” Taylor added.
Amber will be attending Yavapai Community College in Prescott next year. “I have a heart for helping young children. I am considering a career in medicine.” Ms. Gene has already taken some college classes in child development.She also received an award from the Future Career Community Leaders of America for her studies in child development.
In preparation for higher education Amber had to purchase a new computer. Rick Berry, Tate’s dealer principle, pitched in to help.
“The scholarship is not just for tuition and books. From its inception the Tate’s scholarship was created to enhance the learning experience for people like Amber. She had an immediate need and we were here to facilitate.”
AutoBuyer Insider Steve Arey, a consultant to Tate’s, put it this way, “The Tate family has always been proactive in community involvement. The opportunity to help such a bright student with such a bright future is very rewarding. Going forward, every year Tate’s Scholarship program will help an area student to a better experience in higher learning.”
After years of living in the dorm in Holbrook away from home Amber reflected, “Since kindergarten my grandma and my parents told me ‘always do your best and give back to your culture.' I have must have done something right. I can’t thank the Tate family enough for this scholarship. I am so happy.”
