Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

First place winners of the Cherokee Challenge Bowl, Grove Red Chiefs team from Grove High School, members are from left to right, Zach Barnes, Tyler Dozier, Tim Steen, Mackenzie Bird, Molly Steen and Joan Spade, team sponsor.

GROVE, OK - Buzzers and ticking timers didn’t hamper the readiness of the Grove Red Chiefs from Grove High School, as they won the top spot in the ninth though twelfth grade division of the Cherokee Challenge Bowl. Students from area high schools, a total of 19 teams, recently gathered together to test their Cherokee knowledge in the Jeopardy-type event that was sponsored by the Cherokee Nation.

"The competition focused on content related to Cherokee history, culture, government and language," said Michael Smith, with the Cherokee Nation education department.

First place team members are Zach Barnes, Tyler Dozier, Tim Steen, MacKenzie Bird, and Molly Steen. The second place Sequoyah A-ni-ja-la-gi team members from Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah, Okla., are Ryan Sierra, Michael and Sarah Holcomb, Cassandra Smith, and B. J. Frogg. Third place Fort Gibson Se-lu team members from Fort Gibson High School in Fort Gibson, Okla., are John Henderson, Amy Rowan, Samantha Mansfield, Christian Kutz, and Lindsey Conrad.

Winners will receive prizes at the awards ceremony on April 14 at the Southern Hills Marriott Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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