Since the mid-1970s, the preschool on the Soboba Reservation has educated members of the Ernest Salgado Sr. family. Ernest Sr. was a strong advocate for education throughout his lifetime and was a charter member of Ahmium Education Inc., which evolved into the current Soboba Tribal Preschool in 2001. At present, it serves children in preschool, pre-K and kindergarten classes and its Director is Soboba Tribal Member Lenora “Ponie” Mojado.
The original preschool was organized and founded by Ahmium Education Inc., a nonprofit organization started by Soboba Tribal Members including Ernie Salgado Jr. who served as Executive Director. The name means “children” in the Luiseño language.
Frank “Poncho” Maciel Sr. (husband of Ernest Sr.’s daughter Raina Salgado) served as the preschool’s director for 28 years. Early classes were held at the Soboba Tribal Hall. Later, Raina and Poncho transformed their first home into the Ahmium preschool. For many years, people on the Reservation referred to it as “the old preschool house,” which still stands today as their grandson Shawn Masiel’s renovated residence.
The Ahmium preschool ultimately had to close because increases in family income meant that many students no longer met the eligibility requirements set by the grant program. Once students were no longer eligible under those guidelines, the school could not continue to operate under that funding structure.
When the Ahmium preschool closed, no one was sure which direction the Tribe was going to go. Members of the Salgado family are glad they continued with the preschool and are happy with what it has grown into.
The Maciels’ children, Eustacia and Frank Jr., attended the preschool as well as all five of their grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, including great-grandsons Mav Vega and Malakai Masiel who are currently in kindergarten there.
Michael Diaz is the son of Frances Diaz, who is another one of Ernest Sr.’s daughters. He attended the preschool as did her granddaughter Nicole Diaz. Now Frances’ great-grandson Noah Mendoza is in pre-kindergarten.
Ernie Salgado Jr.’s granddaughter Ashley was a preschool student. Another granddaughter, Corryn Lee Salgado-Flores, sent her children there. Corryn’s son Ace Covington attended pre-K and kindergarten and her daughter (Ernie Jr.’s great-granddaughter) Love Lee Salgado-Flores is a kindergartner this year. She was a student last year as well.
Baseemah Arlene Salgado, daughter of the late Robert Salgado Sr., was a student there as was her daughter Shakoora Kabeer. Now her granddaughters are attending with Sumaya Muhammad in pre-K and Daiya Muhammad in the preschool class. Baseemah’s oldest granddaughter, Aisha Kabeer was a student there as well and was a member of the first kindergarten class that graduated from the new building, which was opened in 2014.
That makes six great-great grandchildren of Ernest Salgado Sr. and Fidelia Juarez Salgado that are currently at the Soboba Tribal Preschool.
Ernest Sr.’s third daughter, the late Rose Salgado, also saw family members attend the preschool, beginning with her daughter Desiree Salgado. And Desiree’s children Avellaka, Ataax, Ayalkawut and Tuupash Arviso, were all students there.
The attendance of so many children through the generations shows how deep and long lasting the family’s roots are.
Parents expressed that they value the school’s curriculum because it effectively prepares students for first grade placement or transition. They also appreciate the emphasis on their Indian cultural learning and the opportunity for their children to attend school with many of their relatives.
Aside from the great education received by young members of Ernest Sr.’s family, there are many other notable and fond memories that connect them to the school. The first job Ernie Jr.’s daughter Becky Salgado-Flores held was at the preschool in 1984. Her boss was Yvonne Silvas. Becky’s daughter Cynthia also held her first job at the Soboba Tribal Preschool in 2006.
From founders to students and beyond, the preschool at Soboba has been part of Ernest Salgado Sr.’s family story across five generations. The family has always encouraged and valued education and are very grateful to be part of the preschool’s heritage with the Soboba Tribe.
Photos courtesy of StylePhotography by Alex Tapia
