Southwest High School Receives $5,000 Barona Education Grant From the Barona Band of Mission Indians

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 9, 2015) - The Barona Band of Mission Indians awarded Southwest High School in Nestor with $5,000 as part of its ongoing Barona Education Grant program. The South San Diego County high school prides itself in providing a rigorous, relevant and supportive environment where students and staff share the responsibility for ensuring that graduates achieve their goals.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, Barona Councilwoman Bonnie LaChappa and Barona Chairman Clifford LaChappa were all in attendance at today's ceremony to award Principal Lee Romero with the grant, which will be used to purchase a new sound system for the high school.

"It is my pleasure to present this grant to Principal Romero and the entire Southwest High School community," said Clifford LaChappa. "For years, the staff at Southwest High School have empowered students to become productive members of society. Our hope is that this grant will help their staff continue to build upon an already astounding reputation."

Since 2006, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded over $2.5 million to 494 schools statewide to help bridge school budget gaps and share resources through its Barona Education Grant Program.

The program is the first of its kind in California created and administered by a Tribal Government. The goal of the program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California building upon the success of the Barona Indian Charter School, which operates under a continuous improvement model. Schools throughout California can apply for educational grants from Barona to purchase much needed supplies and materials that promote academic improvement. Each grant awarded by the Barona Education Grant Program is $5,000. Applications can be downloaded at http://barona-nsn.gov/education.

About the Barona Band of Mission Indians
The Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932. Prior to that, the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation which was established by the federal government in 1875. Long before living on a reservation, the Tribe traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the sovereign nation, governed by an elected Tribal Council, is serving its Tribal members, their families, and sharing with the San Diego region. One of the most successful gaming Tribes in the country, Barona also owns and operates the Barona Resort & Casino, San Diego's leading gaming resort, casino and golf course. For more information, visit www.barona-nsn.gov.