Three Parker families keep the sense of family alive by sharing traditions that create a strong family bond. Family traditions can be rooted in culture or religion or can be just for fun. Sharing culture and beliefs with children helps create a feeling of identity, belonging and pride. Traditions can be traced back for generations or be new. Either way, kids can look forward to daily, seasonal, or annual rituals that they can pass on to future generations too.
Alex Yakubovich, co-founder of Be the Good Ones, is humble when he talks about giving back to his community. Alex’s family is from Kiev, Ukraine, and they immigrated to America when he was nine years old. Just like his parents, a beautician and a barber, he grew up with a small village mentality. “Everyone comes together to help,” Alex says. “I want to help people because it is the right thing to do.” He and his family donate to various causes and giving is important to his four children too.
Alex and his wife, Ann, have a blended family. Alex is Jewish and Ann is Catholic. “My wife brings faith into our family,” Alex explains. They support each other even though their religions are very different. Audrey, Alex’s 17-year-old daughter, was on her Israeli Study Tour (IST) in July, which is a Bible tour and rite of passage for Jewish teenagers. Audrey took Ann’s Rosary with her and went out of her way to visit Christian holy sites. “She was celebrating both the Jewish and Christian faiths on her trip,” Alex says.
Shraddha and Pritesh Patel live in Parker with their two sons, Druv, which means “brightest star in the sky,” and Niyam, which means discipline. “We wait until a baby is born to decide on a name,” Shraddha explains. “We get three letters based on the stars the day the baby is born and then choose the name.”
The couple’s goal is to raise the boys with a good balance between Indian and American cultures.
Shraddha moved to the United States when she got married and was 26 years old. Pritesh grew up in the United States. They are excited to take their boys to India in December so they have a sense of the country. “We want to show them the palaces, traditional dress and spiritual aspects of their heritage,” Shraddha says. “It is important to pass down traditions and for them to see where their grandfather and great grandfather came from.” The Patel’s have a temple room in their house and the family prays in the room every morning before breakfast.
Dialects and traditional food both vary by the different states in India. Shaddhra started cooking when she got married and makes traditional Indian food three to four days per week. Samosas are popular across state boundaries. A flour dough is rolled out and stuffing includes potatoes, peas and spices. Samosas are served with different chutneys.
“Loren embraced her Native American heritage,” her mom, Regina Harris says. “She was so intrigued and so proud.” Loren’s life ended suddenly on June 30th. She had just turned 18 on June 3rd. Loren was Navajo, Lakota Sioux and Caucasian. She was registered with the Navajo Nation.
Regina and Loren’s dad, Wovoka Begaye, weren’t raised traditionally. “I am learning also,” Regina explains. “It is important to keep our story alive.”
Tanya and William, Loren’s sister and brother, both lived on the reservation in New Mexico. “I would see my grandmother practice our traditions,” Tanya says, “and that’s what made me practice our culture and hand it down. For me to teach Loren what I know was an honor.”
The indigenous regalia that Loren wore in some of her senior photos means everything to Regina. Each piece of her outfit has a significant meaning. The squash blossom represents knowledge, the earrings protect the ears from negative talk, and turquoise is sacred and is a protector – it represents renewal and good fortune. The type of moccasins on Loren’s feet are only worn by females. The soles represent Father Sky and the tops, Mother Earth. The wraps signify rainbows and sunbeams. The rug dress, which is usually woven, represents the universe. The fan is made of eagle feathers.
Loren showed me the equilibrium between cultures,” Willam says. “I shared an unwavering patriotism with my sister. We were very proud of the Navajo tradition and the Christian tradition – we always shared that love.”
Loren Harris Tribute
Loren’s family would like to thank the Parker community, her friends and teachers at Legend High School, Crossroads Community Church and the Navy recruiting office in Parker. They would also like to thank Jolie Rodriguez for capturing Loren’s spirit and pride of her heritage during her senior photo session last year.
“Loren was kindhearted, thoughtful, caring, generous, silly and a jokester. She was strong-willed and won the ‘most sarcastic’ award,” Regina, her mom, reminisces.
She grew up loving football and her family says she was the #1 Broncos fan. Loren was thrilled when she met Tim Tebow a couple of times.
Loren played club volleyball since she was 12 years old and had hoped to get a scholarship. During the COVID pandemic, she lost all passion for the game. “Let’s think of Plan B,” Regina says she suggested. “She gradually talked to us about joining the military and pursuing her education.”
Loren was scheduled to leave for Navy training in Illinois on July 7th. “I had shared the story of the Navajo Code Talkers with her. Loren wanted to serve her country and she didn’t want anyone to mess with her family. She was a protector,” Tanya, her sister, tells us.