Cheyenne Rendon: Inspiring the Next Generation with Her Journey from South San Antonio to the Society of Native Nations

On Friday, November 8, Carrillo Elementary School hosted their first career fair where professionals in the South San Antonio community inspired and educated our students on various career paths. One professional captured the attention of all students through her motivating presentation on her life journey to becoming a Senior Policy Officer at the Society of Native Nations (SNN). That professional is none other than Cheyenne Rendon, a South San Antonio High School graduate, class of 2012, and proud member of the Appeachean Navajo Tribe. As November celebrates National Native American Heritage Month, South San Antonio ISD would like to reflect on the strong contributions and significant impact Cheyenne has made in the community she was born and raised in. 

When reflecting on her journey with SSAISD, Cheyenne noted her family had deep roots within the district. Cheyenne had been a student within the district since Pre-K, having attended Palo Alto Elementary, Athens Elementary, Dwight Middle, and South San Antonio High School. Cheyenne adds, “My parents met at Dwight Middle School over 30 years ago and have been together ever since.” Three decades later, her son now attends Carrillo Elementary, becoming the fourth generation in the Rendon family that will complete their education with South San Antonio ISD.

After graduating high school, Cheyenne's journey through higher level education fueled her passion for law and connected her further to her native roots. She initially studied at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), but struggled with the transitional period of graduating high school and entering college. With growing concerns about her grades and attendance, her time shared at the university was paused indefinitely. However, Cheyenne still believed in herself, and with the utmost determination, resumed her education at Palo Alto College. Her confidence and self-reliance motivated her through her college career and earned her a degree in Business Administration. Cheyenne is part of the first generation in her family to attend college and stated, “It is a major flex of mine that my brothers and I continued our higher education and received our college degrees.”

Cheyenne’s dedication to her studies led her to the University of North Texas in Denton (UNT) where she received four degrees in the Bachelor of Arts in Science: Mathematics, Writing, History & Business Administration. In addition to graduating with four diplomas, she was recognized with academic honors for each degree.

The Marine Corps recognized her exceptional achievements and proudly selected her as an Officer Candidate, as she exemplified the three pillars of their core values: honor, courage, and commitment. Cheyenne spent three years in Hawaii facing the most difficult physical and psychological battles. Cheyenne conveyed, "The camaraderie that I witnessed during the Marines was nothing I’d ever experienced before.” The familial relationships she built during her service in the Marine Corps parallel the tight-knit bond of her cherished native tribe. As an Appeachean Navajo, Cheyenne resonated with the warrior spirit needed to be a Marine. 

Once she completed her service in the Marine Corps, Cheyenne continued to advance her education, attending Oklahoma University(OU) and graduating with a Masters in Indigenous People’s Law. She accredits her interest in law to her 6th grade history teacher at Dwight Middle School, Mr. Juan Elias. As a former Marine and Teacher of the Year recipient in 2006, Mr. Elias was a prime example of who Cheyenne wanted to be. Even after her middle school years, Mr. Elias positively impacted her career by writing Cheyenne’s letter of recommendation to the Marine Corps.

Cheyenne returned to San Antonio, Texas after receiving her masters and began her career at the Society of Native Nations (SNN). At SNN, their main focus includes environmental justice, Indigenous People’s rights, cultural heritage safeguards, and indigenous leadership through partnership, research, and advocacy. 

Furthermore, the cornerstone of the organization is to impact the community through focused outreach. “During COVID-19, we delivered fresh produce to local, indigenous families,” Cheyenne continues. “We also host monthly family game nights, designed various educational programs, and even provide women-focused workout groups.” 

As Senior Policy Officer, Cheyenne oversees analyzing systems and processes, with a focus on identifying opportunities to implement more equitable and efficient solutions in foreign policies. Additionally, she addresses ordinances, city codes, international negotiations, and federal regulations by attending global conferences to amplify indigenous voices and advocate for environmental injustices.

From February 26 through March 1, 2024, Cheyenne traveled to Nairobi, Kenya for the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) to address climate, nature, and chemicals and pollution action. “This was my most successful outcome where 6 of my 8 resolutions were ruled in our favor”, She confidently mentions. 

Cheyenne will attend the upcoming nineteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asunción, Republic of Paraguay in December. This conference is held by a group of countries that will discuss and make decisions about protecting cultural traditions, practices, and knowledge that are important to different communities around the world. “One teaching from the Marine Corps that I apply in my career is an execution of a plan,” Cheyenne explains. “In sessions like such, I go in, do my job, execute the plan, and get out.” 

Alongside her groundwork at SNN, Cheyenne additionally works diligently as a Program Coordinator for Building a Purpose, a non-profit organization built in 2016 by her family and close community members. This organization focuses on preparing students for higher education and creates linear paths to professional success. The College Professional Connection Program (CPCP) is an initiative that works directly with South San Antonio High School. It connects students to their chosen profession, while finding a suitable mentor to pair them with. Choose, Build, Be is the process in which students select their profession, create a career timeline, and actively participate in workshops that prepare them for higher education. With the growing expansion of Building a Purpose, the Rendon family's dedication to the district is a reflection of their success and eagerness to give back to the community.

As a proud Appeachean Navajo descendant, Cheyenne has centered her career on advocating for indigenous children and families. As a testament to her dedication to her community, she was recently awarded the Compassionate San Antonian award by the Mayor of San Antonio for “demonstrating excellence in citizenship.” Whether her efforts are shown at the Capitol Of Texas fighting for policy changes or implementing resume building workshops for South San high school students, she is constantly creating positive change on all scales in her community. Cheyenne shares, “As a proud Bobcat and a descendant from South San Antonio Graduates, I know that coming back to build my community is part of my purpose.”