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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation recently awarded scholarships to five American Indian students from the Tahlequah area as a part of the James R. Upton Memorial Scholarship program.

James Upton was a life-long resident of Tahlequah, an attorney and retired as the executive director of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) based in Tulsa. Upton was the son of the late Howard B. and Marjorie (Ross) Upton, both former Tahlequah residents, and was the great-great grandnephew of John Ross, who was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation for nearly 40 years.

DCA has agreed to fund the Upton Scholarship program with $12,500 over the next five years. Five recipients share an annual total of $2,500.

Recipients of the first year's $500 scholarships are pursuing a higher education degree in a variety of fields in local and national colleges and universities. They are all 2001 graduates of the Cherokee Nation's secondary school, Sequoyah High School. A brief bio sketch of the five awardees follows.

Ashley Brewer, Cherokee/Creek, University of Hawaii - Served as President of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Her athletic accomplishments include cross-country and track which she represented Sequoyah at both State and National competition. She is the daughter of Daphne Long.

Bradley Halfacre, Cherokee, Northeastern State University – Born and reared in Tahlequah, his parents are June Maher and Dale Halfacre. Bradley played baseball since he was four years old and hopes to play in college. He also recently began boxing. Bradley plans to major in business management or psychology.

Gwenn Nicole Jones, Cherokee/Creek, Connors State University – Gwen recently worked with the Tenkiller State Park which stimulated her interest in hotel resort management. Although she is not certain about her degree plans, Gwenn wants to “give back” to her Indian community because of what it has done for her. She is the daughter of Betsy Jones of Gore.

Mary Vanessa Scraper, Cherokee, Connors State College – Vanessa participated in a broad range of high school activities including: President of the Student Council, Vice President of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, a representative to Girl’s State, and won numerous awards as a four-year member of the Speech and Debate team. She is the daughter of Sally Ann Barnoski of Park Hill.

Jennie M. Washington, Cherokee, Tulsa Community College – Jennie ranked in the top ten percent of her graduating class and was a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to complete the pre-veterinary program at TCC and enter a full veterinary degree program at another school. Jennie is the daughter of Curtis and Jeanette Washington.