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Shayna Smith, an intern with the Cherokee Nation recently received an award for her outstanding work.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Shayna Spear, a Cherokee Nation citizen, recently received an award for her outstanding work as an intern for the Cherokee Nation. Spear was hired as an intern through the Cherokee Nation Supplemental Youth Employment Program (SYEP) during the summer of 2004 and was able to continue her employment part-time through May of 2005, when she graduated from Tahlequah High School.

“Shayna is very deserving of the award because she has had to overcome obstacles of her own as a young adult, but by not giving up, she has proven to be the best she can at whatever she does,” said Debra Pritchett, employment and training program specialist with the Cherokee Nation.

Spear plans to attend college at Northeastern State University and major in psychology.

“Through the Supplemental Youth Employment Program she has developed more social skills and gained insight of the professional world and the Cherokee Nation’s services and opportunities that the tribe has to offer,” Pritchett said.

Every year, the Cherokee Nation Supplemental Youth Employment Program hires qualified teenagers to work during the months of June and July. This eight week program provides an opportunity for youth to earn a paycheck while they learn job skills and gain hands-on experience. The Cherokee Nation places the students in jobs in both for profit and non-profit organizations throughout the service area of the Cherokee Nation. The students are provided with training in areas that are important in the job market.

For more information on the Cherokee Nation Supplemental Youth Employment Program, contact Debra Pritchett, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2348).

Related Cherokee Nation 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