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Konrad Holmes looks at the first lane of the SHS track that bears his name after unveiling it at the "Konrad Holmes Walking Trail" dedication.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Sequoyah High School (SHS) recently held a dedication ceremony to dedicate a new walking trail to Konrad Holmes, a student at SHS who has been diagnosed with cancer.

"It’s overwhelming", Holmes said. "I never would have dreamed of anything like this."

The Cherokee Nation has erected a monument beside the "Konrad Holmes Walking Trail" and Sequoyah High School has dedicated the first lane of their track to the former track star.

"Monuments are erected while great people are still with us", said Dusty Delso, education director for the Cherokee Nation. "Like the Washington Monument that was erected while he was still here. We’re honored to call this trail a monument to you and your life."

"This trail is dedicated in honor of Konrad Holmes for enduring courage, strength, determination, and other valuable lessons he has taught the students and staff of Sequoyah High School and citizens of the Cherokee Nation", said Principal Chief Chad Smith.

"I hope people see this and see it as a challenge and as a stepping stone to a better future", Holmes said.

After unveiling the monument, the crowd walked to the starting line of the SHS track where the track team was to take the inaugural run on the newly dedicated track and trail. Homles choked back emotion after seeing his name and autograph painted onto the first lane of the track.

"I’m surely grateful for all of this", Holmes said.

Holmes graduated from SHS is September after finishing the requirements for a high school diploma. At the beginning of his sophomore year at SHS, Holmes was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors discovered cancer in his nasal cavity after he had been treated for reoccurring sinus problems. Since then, he has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments to his head, neck, and hips.

"If it were not for the motivation, love, and support that so many have shown me and God’s graciousness I would not be here now", Homles said. "With this love, support, and motivation I have overcome two great challenges in life: completing high school and the other fighting cancer. Facing these two challenges with family and friends I found myself to become a better person, and for that I am truly thankful to each of you."

The 1.5-mile walking trail circles the Cherokee Nation Complex and Sequoyah High School.

Sequoyah High School "Home of the Indians!" Sequoyah High School is an Indian boarding school which originated in 1871 when the Cherokee National Council passed an act setting up an orphan asylum to take care of the many orphans that came out of the Civil War. Sequoyah High School's approximate 300 enrollment represents 42 tribes and 14 different states. Students are eligible to attend if they are members of federally recognized Indian tribes or one-fourth blood descendants of such members.