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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Education department hosted the Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Awards for Excellence on April 24 at the Northeastern State University Ballroom. This year 557 Indian students from more than 80 schools in the Cherokee Nation jurisdiction were honored.

The Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Awards for Excellence recognizes students who have excelled and displayed outstanding merit in the areas of academics, sports, extra curricular activities, and citizenship for school and community service.

Patsy Morton, past council member and chairperson of the Education Committee, was the key influence in establishing the awards ceremony.

“I think so many Indian kids don’t realize their potential,” Morton said. “I want to try to do things to develop their potential. The annual awards ceremony recognizes students from schools all over Cherokee Nation to let them know we are interested in them.”

The Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Awards for Excellence began in 1987 as an honors assembly to recognize Indian students graduating from the eighth, ninth and twelfth grades throughout the Cherokee Nation. In 1993, an award was established for one outstanding male and female senior from each of the nine Cherokee Nation districts.

“The Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Award is a special award; only one person receives this award. It’s an honor my credentials finally mean something,” said Stephen Highers, a student at Fort Gibson High School who was named the outstanding male senior from District 4.

For more information on the Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Awards of Excellence call the Cherokee Nation Education department, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2208).