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Front row left to right, Lance Nells, Kaleb Harris, Chip McLemore, Kingsley White. Back row from left to right, Elana Nells, Rusty Harris, Eric Brock, James Keys, and Kay Keys.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Five Sequoyah High School (SHS) seniors recently signed letters of intent to attend Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) in Lawrence, Kansas.

Kaleb Harris, Lance Nells, Chip McLemore, and Kingsley White all signed letters of intent to play football at Haskell, and James Keys signed to serve as an athletic trainer for the football team.

"It’s a fantastic opportunity for these guys," said Gina Stanley, SHS principal. "Haskell has come a long way in the last few years and I’m glad our kids are taking advantage of that."

"It’s the best opportunity," said Kaleb Harris, 19, of Claremore. "I like it. It’s like a big family up there. It’s something I want to be a part of."

"We’re excited for our young men that signed today," said Don Stogsdill, SHS football coach. "This is the most we’ve ever had to sign at one time. It’s great for our program. We’ll have five total that will go on to play college football next year. That says a lot about our season."

SHS senior, Chad Stevens, has already signed a letter of intent to play football at Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

"We’re looking for these guys to fit right in and play," said Eric Brock, Haskell football coach. "They come from a good program and we’re looking for them to bring that to Haskell."

"I’m pretty excited," said Nells, 17, of Moody.

"I’m excited too," added McLemore, 19, of Briggs. "I want to play some more football."

"It feels great (to be chosen to play football for Haskell,)" said White, 18, of Farmington, New Mexico.

Keys, 18, of Eldon has served as the athletic trained for the SHS football team for three years and plans on attending medical school after earning a bachelors degree from Haskell.

Haskell football team members will begin practice August 8 and their season will open August 28.

Sequoyah High School "Home of the Indians!" P.O. Box 520, Tahlequah, OK 74465             Sequoyah High School Alumni P.O. Box 187, Park Hill, OK 74451-0187 Sequoyah High School, an Indian boarding school, originated in 1871, when the Cherokee National Council passed an act setting up an orphan asylum to take care of 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.