Richfield Residental Hall. 765 West 1st Avenue, Richfield, Utah 84701. (435) 896-5101.

Staff

Stanley Yazzie – Governing Board President
Mr. Yazzie has been the President of the Richfield Residential Hall Governing Board for over a decade. In this period he saw the program through the transition from a Bureau of Indian Affairs funded dormitory to its current status as a grant-funded dormitory. Mr. Yazzie has a lifetime of service to his people and to the youth of the Navajo Nation. In addition to his decade of service to the students and staff of RRH, Mr. Yazzie has also served as President and Member of Navajo Area School Board Association, President and Member of Shonto Boarding School Board, President and Member of Western Navajo Agency School Board, and President and Member of Shonto Preparatory School. In addition to his service to the education community, Mr. Yazzie also has an extensive history of service in Tribal Government. Currently serving with the Division of Community Development in Window Rock, Mr. Yazzie spends each day in service to his people. Mr. Yazzie served for many years as a Council Delegate of the Navajo Nation Tribal Council. He has also served as Executive Director of Former Community Services Program under the Legislative Branch, and has held numerous positions within Tribal Social Services. Mr. Yazzie says, "As a member and President of several boards I have worked to represent the students, parents, and Navajo Nation in a manner that reflects credibility upon the Navajo Nation, the Navajo people, and the school board I represent. I believe, as a school board member, that it is important to conduct myself in a courteous and respectful manner toward all employees, students, officials, and members of the public. I appreciate that my work as a board member is a public service and trust."

Bill Cly – Governing Board Vice-President
Mr. Cly has been the Vice President of the RRH Governing Board for over 2½ years. A graduate of the Richfield Residential Hall program, Mr. Cly says, "Coming home and representing my old school is exciting!" Mr. Cly has a lifetime history of service that includes countless roles of service in his church and to his people. He has been on the Curriculum Committee of Kayenta Unified School District and has acquired several instructor certifications, to include State of Arizona OSHA Outreach Instructor. A BYU graduate, Mr. Cly currently serves the people in his employment for Kayenta Township. With a strong drive to develop the youth, he says of his School Board role, "My time is spent on worthwhile goals for our leaders of tomorrow."

Denis Tsosie – Governing Board Secretary
Mr. Tsosie is 1967 graduate of Richfield High School. He attended Richfield Junior High School and Richfield High School as a Richfield Residential Hall student. While a student at RRH, he also received his Mechanical Drafting Certificate from the Sevier Valley Tech in 1967. Mr. Tsosie began his career in public service as the Richfield Residential Hall Student Council President his senior year.

Mr. Tsosie’s community involvement ranged from getting elected in 1987 to the LeChee Chapter President for two terms, one term as Chapter Vice President; served three three year terms with the Navajo United Way and serving as its Board President the last two years; served three three year terms with the Navajo Partnership for Housing and served as its Vice President for last two years; served three three year terms on the Lake Powell Medical Center Board of Directors and was Vice President his last year. He is currently the Recorder for the Nal-Nishii Federation of Labor and has been a member for the past ten years; and is also Chairman for the LeChee Chapter Comprehensive Land Use Planning Board. He ran unopposed in the recent school board elections and represents the Kaibeto and LeChee Chapters on the Richfield Residential Hall Governing Board.

Mr. Tsosie is excited to be back serving the program that gave him so much. He encourages you to seriously consider RRH as your first choice if you are serious about a great future.

Nora Tallman – Governing Board Member
Ms. Tallman has served the students, parents, and staff of Richfield Residential Hall for over 2½ years. Her passion for improving the educational opportunities for Navajo youth is evident in her extensive service to schools and community service organizations. For the past seven years, Ms. Tallman has continuously served in multiple school board positions. These include her present roles as a member of the Richfield Residential Hall School Board and the Western Navajo Agency School Board, as well as previous positions as Vice President of Kaibeto Boarding School Board and Executive Board Member of the Navajo Area School Board Association. Ms. Tallman has also served her people through extensive community service to include roles as a community educator, crisis counselor, community services coordinator, as well as multiple roles within the Navajo Area Agency on Aging. She says of this experience, "Over the last fifteen years I have had extensive work which has given me insight into the need for more and better education for our young people. I have seen firsthand the problems associated with limited education and economic resources. Many of those problems can be made less severe through more and better educational opportunity. It is for that reason that I choose to serve as a school board member."

Cody Workman – Executive Director
Mr. Workman has been involved with Richfield Residential Hall since 1999, and was appointed as Director of the program in 2007. He has worked with troubled teens for over a decade in numerous settings, and loves working with adolescents. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, and is a licensed School Counselor in the state of Utah. Mr. Workman has attended post graduate training in clinical psychology, and has presented numerous workshops and trainings on addictions, depression, therapy, parenting, and effective ways for working with adolescents. He led two platoons of soldiers in combat, and recently returned from a successful tour in Iraq. This experience has given Mr. Workman a greater appreciation for life and a wide range of management skills. He says that he works at Richfield Residential Hall because, "I love working with teens. It is the most exciting time in our lives. Everything that we will become stems from the decisions we make as teens. I hope to be able to help some of these kids to realize their potential so that they can achieve their dreams." According to Mr. Workman, one of the most enjoyable parts of working at Richfield Residential Hall is, watching students develop, work for, and achieve their goals and dreams. Mr. Workman enjoys watching RRH students participate in local activities, and working with the families of RRH students. In his free time, he enjoys motocross, mountain biking, scuba diving, serving in the military, being outdoors, and doing just about anything with his wife and two children.
Email: cworkman@richfielddorm.org

Diane Pierce – Business Manager
Diane has been the backbone of Richfield Residential Hall for over 15 years. Being from Monroe, Utah, she had many friends from RRH when she was in high school. She holds an Associates Degree and is presently working towards a Bachelors Degree in Business Management through Utah State University. Diane’s favorite part of being at Richfield Residential Hall is, watching a student succeed in something that they did not think they could do. She says, "I love working with students and it makes my day to hear their success stories; before, during, and after." Diane is usually the first point of contact that students and their families have with Richfield Residential Hall, and she always goes out of her way to make the transition to our program an easy and enjoyable one. If you talk with Diane once, you know that you have a friend here, and that your student is in great hands. When asked why someone should consider coming to school here, Diane says, "Richfield Residential Hall opens so many doors; not only in education, but in life in general. I have seen so many great things happen while here at Richfield Residential Hall. You won’t be disappointed! We have so much to offer, and our motto says it all: Learn today, lead tomorrow!"
Email: diane@richfielddorm.org

Angelina Herrera – Dormitory Manager
Better known by the students as "Grandma," Angie has been with Richfield Residential Hall for over 27 years. Angie was born for the One Walks Around Clan and born into the Bitter Water Clan in Nageezi, New Mexico. Angie sets a solid example of the importance of learning for our students as she is presently enrolled in college and working toward an Associate Degree. Angie has also raised five children who are all now married. She says she works here because she "hopes and wants to change a life for the better," and cites her greatest reward in the job being everyone’s "Grandma." Grandma says, "I feel that this area has the utmost educational program. There’s a lot of guidance from all areas to help every student succeed. I speak Navajo and am always willing to teach culture. We enjoy getting together doing crafts and learning more. I’m always willing to listen, support, and be there for a student." Though Grandma spends a lot of her time teaching culture and making frybread for her "grandkids" at RRH, she also enjoys spoiling her own grandkids on her days off.
Email: aherrera@richfielddorm.org

Sylvia Adison Nielson – Academic Advisor
Raised in Richfield, Sylvia was born for the Folded Arm Clan and born into the Reed People Clan. After spending much of her childhood at Richfield Residential Hall (where her parents worked), it was a natural transition for her to come back following her graduation from college. Sylvia holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, and is currently working on her Masters Degree in Counseling. She also worked for two years at Tuba City Boarding School, and is "currently raising a husband and teenage daughter." A compassionate and hard-working asset to RRH for over 16 years now, Sylvia says, "I find my job very rewarding and I enjoy the time I spend with the students and staff." Her favorite part about working here is "all the many wonderful surprises that happen each day. . . it makes work fun." When asked why someone should consider coming to Richfield Residential Hall, Sylvia says, "If you want a good education and want to be around fun and positive people, this is where you want to be."
Email: snielson@richfielddorm.org

Jeanene Julander - Counselor
Mrs. Julander has been with the Richfield Residential Hall for 23 years. She has had an avid interest in Native Americans all her life. Living in Richfield and attending the local schools, she has been exposed to RRH and the Navajo people in some form for many years. She graduated from Richfield High School and 15 years later she was teaching back at good "ole" RHS. She has taught at RHS for 28 years and has positively impacted many lives during that time. She received her Bachelors Degree in Education from Southern Utah University, later went on to receive a Masters of Education Degree from University of Utah, where she also took numerous classes on Native American studies. She then pursued a Counseling Degree from University of Phoenix. She continues to keep current on educational and counseling matters by attending various conferences, seminars, and workshops. She is a part time teacher at RHS, and continues to serve as a counselor at RHS and RRH. She states, "Education is a vital stepping stone to our future and we should never stop pursuing learning. I absolutely admire students who choose to attend the Richfield Residential Hall to continue their education. We have an exemplary program and a staff that 'is there for the kids'. The program has many facets and has a lot to offer students who are willing to take advantage of these. It is well structured and organized to meet the needs of students. I have worked with teens all of my professional career and it never ceases to be something that I love." She is (affectionately) known by most of the RRH students and staff as Tazhii. She is married and has four children, all of whom graduated from Richfield High School. Besides her career interests, she enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren, she is devoted to taking photographs, mostly of her grandkids and scrapbooking the pictures, and she loves Disneyland.
Email: tazhii@richfielddorm.org

Georgianna Craig – Homeliving Assistant
Georgie is from Crown Point, New Mexico, and has been a valuable member of the Richfield Residential Hall family for over 24 years. She was born for the Folded Arms Clan, and born into the Towering House Clan. Georgie is a lifelong learner and is currently furthering her education at Snow College. She has attended many workshops on motivation, drugs, abuse, etc. She has raised her own children in this area, and says you should consider Richfield Residential Hall because, the staff love what they are doing and really care about the students and their progress and happiness. She says that she works here "to make a difference in a student’s life; they are our future." Her favorite thing about working at Richfield Residential Hall is, ""Each day is a new experience. I enjoy watching the students progress, and I enjoy interacting with them." Georgianna has a great attitude and enjoys teasing the students in their native Navajo language.
Email: gcraig@richfielddorm.org

Forrest Adison – Cultural Activities & Crafts Coordinator
Mr. Adison, known to the students of RRH as "Chai," (Navajo for Grandfather), has been serving the students and families of Richfield Residential Hall for over 37 years! His compassion and wisdom have shaped the lives of thousands of Navajo youth over the decades, and many of these former students often return to visit him here at RRH. Forrest is from Shonto and was born for the Reed People Clan and born into the Edgewater Clan. He says, "I have enjoyed working with these kids for all these years and I enjoy living in Richfield because this is where I wanted to raise my children. I have 16 grandchildren now and they are doing good things with their lives." In the almost four decades that he has been at RRH, Forrest has many fond memories of the students and activities that he has worked with. With a smile, he remembers the first dorm camping trip. "They didn’t have good camping equipment back then. They went out into the hills taking with them fire blankets instead of sleeping bags. They didn’t have tents so they slept out in the open, and the kitchen staff gave them sack lunches for their meals. Now the students go camping with all the modern conveniences like tents, sleeping bags, cooking utensils, a lot of food, and they camp at a campground." Forrest also fondly remembers a time when the students worked together to build an arena and the dorm had a rodeo. "Any student that wanted to participated. It was lot of fun. It was traveling with the boys who were in high school rodeos." Forrest enjoys leatherwork, silversmithing, and running. When asked why someone should consider attending high school at Richfield Residential Hall, Forrest responded, "They can get a better education and they have the opportunity to attend school with the Bilaganaas. The schools also have good sports programs that the students can get involved in."
Email: fadison@richfielddorm.org

Jason Taylor – Homeliving Assistant
Jason was born in Crystal, New Mexico for the Water’s Edge Clan and born into the Black Streak Wood People Clan. Jason attended and graduated from Richfield High School. He has been with Richfield Residential Hall for over 6 years, where his varied background has been invaluable. Jason is fluent in Spanish (he served a 2 year LDS mission to Peru), and has worked as a painter, contractor, security guard, youth counselor, coach, husband, and father of two. Jason holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Building Construction and Construction Management, and is currently working towards his Bachelors Degree in Education. Jason worked for over five years in a Residential Treatment Facility and School for troubled youth. If you ask Jason why he works at Richfield Residential Hall, he will likely say, "I have a genuine interest in the success and encouragement of our young Native American students. They are all over-flowing with good potential. I try to help them realize that and use it towards their future success." Jason’s favorite part of working here is the fact that these kids are our future leaders. He says, "I relish in the many growth experiences they have during their high school careers, and I love the many heart-warming personal accomplishments that I am privileged to be a part of here." When asked why someone should consider attending high school at Richfield Residential Hall, Jason says, "The unparalleled educational experiences and the opportunity to receive direction, care, and dedicated encouragement from the best staff team in all the dorm organizations! Come and allow us to help you achieve your dreams!"
Email: jtaylor@richfielddorm.org

Marlene Stewart – Homeliving Assistant
Raised in nearby Central Valley, Marlene has been with Richfield Residential Hall for over 14 years. She says, "I find it personally rewarding and beneficial in helping and working with our students. It gives me purpose in life." Marlene says that she most enjoys " helping the students to achieve academically and physically and to be a part of making a difference in a student’s life." Leading by example, Marlene is presently attending college and furthering her own education. When asked why someone should consider attending Richfield Residential Hall, Marlene says, "The outstanding academic program should entice any student that wants to achieve their goals and make a difference for the better in his or her own life. Richfield Residential Hall has capabilities to make students’ dreams come true, simply by offering them the best. Our program and devoted staff are geared towards helping students to achieve personal success!"
Email: mstewart@richfielddorm.org

Ruby Yepa – Homeliving Assistant
For over 30 years, Ruby has been a part of the Richfield Residential Hall family. Hailing from Navajo Mountain, Ruby was born for the Bitter Water Clan and born into the Manygoats clan. Her maternal grandfather is of the Salt Clan, and her paternal grandmother’s clan is the Red Running Into Water Clan. Ruby raised all of her children in this area, and says that one of the reasons that she works here is, "I have lived off of the Reservation for many years, and I want to help new students adjust to the new environment. I like to try to make this a home away from home." Whether talking with the students in Navajo or being a good example through her own learning (Ruby is enrolled in Snow College, "making progress as a lifelong learner), Ruby definitely does her part in meeting that goal.
Email: ryepa@richfielddorm.org

Ouida Taylor – Study Hall / Navajo Language Coordinator
Ouida has been a part of the Richfield Residential Hall family for over 4 years. A graduate of South Sevier High School, she was born in Indian Wells, Arizona, for the Big Water Clan, and was born into the Red Running Into Water Clan. Ouida says that she works here because she thinks of these kids as her own children, and she wants to prepare them to be successful after they graduate from high school. Ouida sets a good example of the importance of education as she has an Associates of Applied Science in Business Education, and is currently working toward a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. A lifelong learner, Ouida is a pottery artist and is working on getting her cosmetology license. She spends many hours of her own time cutting our students hair, and loves to interact with them in their native language. Ouida says that you should seriously consider spending your high school years in Richfield because, "Richfield is a friendly town, and so are the high schools. The community is always willing to help our students. We at RRH have a great program and so many fun activities." Ouida loves learning, cooking, and being a wife and mother.
Email: otaylor@richfielddorm.org

Racheal Miles - Homeliving Assistant
I was born in Fort Defiance, Arizona to proud parents Ray & Sherry Tishie. My clans are Coyote Pass Can born for the Red House Clans. My maternal grandparents are One Who Walks Around Clan and paternal grandparents are Apache Clan. I graduated from Ganado High School in 2000 and pursued my education at College of Eastern Utah-San Juan Campus. I graduated from CEU-SJC with my Associates of Science in Business in 2002. While attending CEU I held the title, Miss Heritage and was the college Ambassador and recruiter in 2001. I was the Student Body President of CEU-SJC in 2002. Upon my graduation from CEU-SJC I attended Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah where I worked on my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. In 2002 I was crowned Miss Indian SUU and proudly represented the college. While attending SUU as a fulltime student, I worked part time at several youth facilities for five years as a youth mentor and youth supervisor. I have also been a foster mother to 7 wonderful kids with Eagle Dancer. I also served as a youth Coordinator and a Cultural Coordinator for the same program. I’ve had so much experience working with teens but I still feel like there is a lot that I can learn from them. Growing up as a troubled teen myself, I’ve developed a deep passion for wanting to help troubled teens. I want to be there for these kids, to be a role model and to show them that there are people out there who truly want to help them, guide them, lead them in the right direction. I want to be the shoulder that they can lean on, I want to be the person that they can trust, I want to be a step in the right direction for their positive changes in life.

My husband and my two kids have been the greatest joy in my life. I live for my kids: they are my smile, my light, my happiness, they are the beat of my heart and they are the reason I get up every morning. As I look back on my life there is nothing I would change. All of the hardships and trials that I had to go through have made me a strong, confident, willing, hardworking, proud mother, wife, daughter, granddaughter, and friend to all who know me.

I am really excited to work with these wonderful kids here at Richfield Residential Hall and build a strong family unit with my new family at RRH. I feel that we as a family at the RRH will make a positive and long lasting impact on our kids. We all care, love, support and want each and every one of our students to succeed in life. I am looking forward to a wonderful school year with my RRH family and our kids……

Beatriz Quitco -- Homeliving Assistant
Beatriz is new to the Richfield Residential Hall and is excited to be part of the team. Prior to joining, she worked at Central Utah Counseling Center as a case manager and co-facilitator working with clients and conducting skills groups in an adult day treatment program for the chronically mentally ill. Beatriz was born in the Philippines and moved to the United states when she was 2 years old. She lived in New Jersey and later moved to Salina, Utah. Beatriz is a 2004 graduate of North Sevier High School and shortly after received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology in 2007 from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Her goals include pursuing graduate studies in psychology where she can place herself in a position to help and impact the lives of others. From just her initial impression of Richfield Residential Hall Beatriz says, "I can see how this can be such a rewarding experience. The kids are an amazing and promising group of individuals and I can see potential in each of these students. It is such a great pleasure talking to them, hearing their goals and dreams, and getting to know each one of them as people." Some of Beatriz's interests include music, outdoors, books, computers, and spending her time with family where she is a proud new mom to a baby girl.

Pete Weimer – Maintenance / Homeliving Assistant
Pete hails of German ancestry, and was raised in Monroe, Utah. He has been with Richfield Residential Hall for three years, and says his favorite part of working here is, "working with the students and being around the youth." Pete has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Police Science, and spent 32 years as a police officer. He has also worked as the manager of Fremont Indian State Park, where he gave school presentations to over 3000 youth per year. In this capacity, he also presented many different interpretive programs to youth all over the state of Utah. Pete also owns and operates his own taxidermy shop. He has great outdoor skills, and loves camping, hunting, and fishing. He teaches gun safety and outdoor survival classes. Pete lives on a small farm where he raises stock of all kinds. He enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle every chance he gets. Pete says that he loves to see our students involved in community events. He has four children of his own, and his youngest daughter attends South Sevier High School with our students. One son is in the Air Force, one son in Salt Lake City, and one son in Hollywood, CA. Pete says you should consider coming here because, "good caring staff help you feel at home away from home. The staff cares about each student." Pete is always willing to listen and talk with students, and with his varied career, you can bet he always has a great story to tell!
Email: pweimer@richfielddorm.org

Rose Janec – Lead Cook
A proud descendant of Kiowa, Apache, and Sioux ancestry, Rose has been a part of the Richfield Residential Hall family for over 20 years. She was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised all four of her children in this area (all graduated from South Sevier High School). She works here "to encourage all the students to get the best education that is being offered to them here." Definitely practicing what she preaches, Rose has an Associate Degree and is presently working towards a Bachelors Degree. Rose says that her favorite part about working here is, "talking to the students, helping them in any way I can, and listening to their ideas."

"Every employee here cares for our students as we do our own children. All students receive the very best in all departments here."

"I am the lead cook here, and I make sure all students eat healthy, nutritious foods. We have a volunteer KP program in our kitchen where the boys and girls can work in the kitchen. This is where I get to know many of our students more personally. I like to make them happy in planning activities with them, or order treats for our KP; they deserve it. I am one of the sophomore SFG (Student Family Group) sponsors. Our group has done two fund raisers; this was fun for all of us. I like to see students smile because they make me happy. They know that I will help them in any way I can help them succeed in their education. I like oldies but goodies music and love to see the art work of our students. I also really enjoy watching our students perform their many talents."
Email: rjanec@richfielddorm.org

Helen Solano – Cook
Helen moved to Elsinore, Utah, from Gallup, New Mexico, 32 years ago. She has been satisfying the hunger of Richfield Residential Hall students for over 28 years now. She was born for the Salt Clan, and she has raised two daughters in this area. Helen is currently furthering her own education by attending Snow College. Her favorite part of working at Richfield Residential Hall is "talking with the students, and getting to know them." Helen says that you should seriously consider the Richfield Residential Hall because, "At the Richfield Residential Hall we have good programs for students, and we put students needs and education first."
Email: hsolano@richfielddorm.org

Dorothy Martin -- Cook
"Dory" was born in Price, Utah, and has worked in the kitchen of Richfield Residential Hall for 2 years. Prior to joining the RRH family, Dory worked with troubled teens in a residential setting, and she also raised 8 kids, "and saw that they were educated." Setting a strong example for her children and the students of Richfield Residential Hall, Dory continues to further her own education and is currently enrolled at Snow College. She says that she enjoys, "seeing the kids advance and reach their goals." Dory says, "I prepare meals for the kids and enjoy working with the kids and growing with them." When asked why someone would consider coming to the Richfield Residential Hall, Dory says, "They will get a good education and learn to deal with daily problems they will face in their lives."
Email: dmartin@richfielddorm.org

Boyd Keisel – Retired Director
Though now retired, Mr. Keisel remains a vital member of the RRH family. This program was his heart and soul for over 15 years as he served the youth and families of Richfield Residential Hall as Director of RRH. Passionate about the education and development of youth, Mr. Keisel dedicated 34 years of his life to public education prior to accepting a position as Director of Richfield Residential Hall. He spent 8 years teaching and coaching, 18 years as a Junior High School Principal, 7 years as Assistant Superintendent, and 1 year as the Superintendent of Sevier School District. During this time, Mr. Keisel has touched countless lives, and given direction to literally thousands of teens. A lifelong learner, Mr. Keisel has a Bachelors Degree in English, a Masters Degree in Education Administration, and an Education Specialist Degree. Mr. Keisel says that his favorite part of being here was, "seeing students grow and find success." An avid sports fan, Mr. Keisel enjoys hunting, fishing, being outdoors, and watching his nephew play football for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mr. Keisel’s advice to those considering Richfield Residential Hall as an option is, "You should come to learn, to grow, and to create a positive future of your choice."

Hal Marquardson – Retired Academic Advisor
Mr. Marquardson has been a pillar of the Richfield educational community for over three decades. There are few lives in this community that he has not positively impacted. Richfield Residential Hall was fortunate to have him join our family after he retired from teaching just over two years ago. With over 34 years teaching in the public school system, and 6 years as the Youth Educational Coordinator at the Central Utah Counseling Center, Mr. Marquardson brings a wealth of knowledge, skill, and compassion to our team. He holds a Bachelors Degree with a major in Sociology and a minor in History. As the Academic Advisor, he serves as a liaison between our program and the local high schools, coordinates the study hall program, and assists students with college or vocational preparation and planning. One of his favorite parts of working at Richfield Residential Hall is, "working closely with the RRH students, watching their academic progress, and sharing in their excitement when they achieve their goals." When asked why he works here, Mr. Marquardson replies, "I enjoy the friendly camaraderie shared among the students and staff. I especially revel in assisting in positive student development and achievement." Mr. Marquardson is passionate about archaeology and learning, and has spent innumerable hours guiding tours and educating local youth about the need for cultural preservation. He also enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, and spends most of his days off hiking or at his cabin. When asked why someone should consider Richfield Residential Hall as an option for their high school education, Mr. Marquardson says, "RRH generates a disciplined program that enables students to achieve educational and social success that will serve them efficiently in the future."