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First, second, third place winners of Cherokee Nation T-shirt design contest for the Cultural Renewal Program. Sammy Keener, Thomas Grass and Deidra Pritchett.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Sammy Keener, 12 of Hulbert, OK, took first place in a T- shirt design contest for a program taking Cherokee youth on a trip to Cherokee, North Carolina, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

“We asked students to come up with a design that reflects our (Cultural Renewal) program,” said Mary HorseChief-Henderson, client service coordinator for Cherokee Nation.

Along with Keener’s design, the shirts will feature a theme, “The Strength of Our Past Empowers Our Future,” by second place winner Thomas Grass, 16 of Pryor, OK.

“Every time they see their design it will give them a jolt of positive self-esteem,” said HorseChief-Henderson. “This contest was just one way to show kids the possibilities of what anyone can achieve.”

The 60 students participating in the Cherokee Nation Cultural Renewal program are getting the opportunity to retrace the “Trail of Tears” and learn more about the Cherokee culture, while making new friends in North Carolina. Through the program, youth are getting a chance to travel and learn about the history of the Cherokee people. The program requires students to complete a variety of activities to be eligible for trip.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org