Slideshow by Capstone 2024

1. Tell us about yourself – name, place of birth, date of birth, age.

shanleycharley — 2024-01-18 19:16:16 UTC

My name is Shanley Hope Charley. I was born in Farmington at the San Juan Regional Medical Center on October 25th 2004, I am currently 19 years old.

2. Tell us about your family – name of parents, siblings, grandparents, the things you enjoy doing as a family, your favorite vacation places, etc.

shanleycharley — 2024-01-30 17:31:05 UTC

I have 5 siblings and I am the second oldest. My parents are Alden Charley and Tawnya Mariano. My grandparents are David and Lula Charley, Tommy Mariano and Shirley Martinez. I live with my dad's side so we do a lot of things together. When I visit or vacation to my mom's side I always hang out with a close cousin.

3. Tell us about your childhood before you started school.

shanleycharley — 2024-01-30 17:31:49 UTC

Growing up, my whole childhood revolved around my dad's side of the family. I spent so much time hanging around my dad when I was younger, who was always playing on his guitar. But we didn't even have electricity in our house back then so it was kind of a different kind of childhood. Those moments with my parents as we listened to my dad, strumming the guitar when it was getting dark, it created a bond and my love for music. It was a humble upbringing, but it taught me the beauty of simplicity and the power of music to light up the darkest nights.

4. Tell us about your education – elementary to high school. Tell us about your favorite school sport, subject, school activity or program, classmate, teacher, etc.

shanleycharley — 2024-01-30 17:32:44 UTC

In elementary I didn't like being alone with other kids and teachers I didn't know, so I hung out with my older brother and his friends. Eventually I kind of got around other people for a while. School can be tough, especially when you're shy and don't really like being alone. I had a weird experience growing up. Thankfully, I had my older brother. Teachers and I at the time just never seemed to click. From kindergarten to middle school, it felt like we were always on different wavelengths, but also because I was ignorant and didn't know how to behave. It was frustrating, but I always found solace in the company of my brother and his friends. I don't have a favorite teacher, but nowadays I get along with most. I never did liked sports, never really got the hype around it. But there was a time when I actually liked baseball and hockey. Besides that, my favorite subjects in school were history and art. I liked learning about the past and getting lost in the brushstrokes of different colors. When it came to school programs, I was cool with whatever it was, as long as I could be a part of decorating. And I loved anything that revolved around the library like just basic reading or book reports.

5. Tell us about your friends, your idols, your favorite things, and things to do.

shanleycharley — 2024-01-30 17:33:11 UTC

Making friends was tough, and all of them didn't stick around for long. But I had idols that inspired me, and for me, it's all about the rock stars. Ronnie James Dio, Dimebag Darrel, Eric Carr, and Randy Castillo were the ones who stuck with me. Their music and energy spoke to my soul. I'm sort of geeky with that 80's dark fantasy vibe. Like dungeons and dragons. The same goes for the Wild West, it's also one of my favorite things, it has this unique allure that I like. The aesthetic, the stories, the movies, it's all so captivating. I liked diving into the world of gunslingers and outlaws, for example my favorite video game is Red Dead Redemption. It would be cool to connect with someone who appreciates the same things. Playing the drums in my spare time is what keeps my mind busy. Getting lost in the rhythm, so much that my dad sends one of my siblings or himself to tell me that it's getting late or it's time to eat. Sometimes I like to draw, that's another one of my passions. But, coloring isn't really my thing. I'm not the best at it either, so I stick with pencil or pen. It's about the lines and shading for me. And I like to clean when nobody is home or when nobody tells me to do it.

6. Tell us about your dreams for yourself and your family.

shanleycharley — 2024-01-30 17:33:43 UTC

When it comes to family I would like to see my siblings succeed in life like make friends, and become independent, it's something we all wish for. And I would like for my dad to catch a break and find happiness too. When it comes to my future career, I've always had a deep passion for music. After high school, I would like to pursue a music career. Whether it's performing, songwriting, or producing, I want to take part in the creative process. I dream of playing the drums on stage, writing and recording my own songs, and connecting with people through the power of music. I envision a career where I can explore different genres, collaborate with other musicians, and continue to evolve as an artist. I know it won't be easy, but I'm ready to put in the hard work and dedication. Pursuing a career as a vehicle mechanic sounds cool too. Being able to work with cars and fix mechanical issues is a valuable skill, there's always a demand for skilled mechanics. I imagine being able to diagnose and repair all kinds of vehicles. I could specialize in certain types of vehicles or even start a repair shop one day. My personal dreams is to travel to Norway or Germany someday hopefully. The breathtaking landscapes and rich culture there are absolutely captivating, visiting their cathedrals is the main part of wanting to visit.

7. Tell us about your community. What makes you proud to be part of that community or group?

shanleycharley — 2024-01-30 17:34:12 UTC

My community I am a part of is the Diné tribe. What makes me proud of my community is the rich cultural traditions and deep connection to my family fills me and other people with immense pride for the community. And to be very honest I never knew that it is one of the largest tribes in America. Unfortunately me and some younger generations do not know how to speak our language or know our traditional roots, yes we may know some words and things but It's not equally the same. Often we are scolded for it. But a teacher I once had, that taught Navajo had told us that English was not her first language and she was scolded for not speaking it, yet she had said we should not be ashamed for not knowing how to speak our language, as it is often taught by family. She had told us that the adults, the parents, and even the elders should be held accountable, for it is their job to teach us. But despite that, I am proud to be Native American. As well as many people who are learning Navajo and embracing the cultural traditions that is being passed down to them.

8. Tell us more about you – things we might not see every day about you that are worth sharing and knowing.

shanleycharley — 2024-01-30 17:34:34 UTC

I am a metalhead so I might start by saying that I find solace and inspiration in the powerful and raw energy of metal music. It's a way for me to express my emotions and connect with others who share the same passion. While I may not be the loudest person in the room, I thrive in the introspective moments where I can dive deep into my thoughts and explore the complexities of life. Music is my escape, my sanctuary, and it allows me to be chill about myself. People might assume that I'm all about metal and rock, which is true to some extent. But I also have a secret love for 80's pop, 70's rock/disco, blues, and goth music too. There's just something about those that clicks with me. The catchy melodies, the energetic beats, the soulful blues, and the dark allure of goth music... it's like a time machine that takes me back to a different era. I appreciate modern music too, but there's a special place in my heart for those music gems from that time of age. The fashion, the music, the vibe... it's all so nostalgic. And I envy people who got to experience the 80s to the early 2000s firsthand.