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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation recently awarded a total of 10 scholarships from two separate scholarship funds to graduates of Sequoyah Schools. The scholarships awarded were the Omo Scholarship and the James Upton Memorial Scholarship, which are maintained by the Cherokee Nation Education Corporation. “These students have worked very hard all year and are very deserving of these scholarships,” said Augusta Smith, Sequoyah college prep class teacher. “I’m glad the Cherokee Nation is helping them find a means to pay for their college education.” Recipients of the Omo Scholarship are Kelli Brown of Ethete, Wyoming, Diana Onco of Norman, Dena Squyres of Hulbert, Rhiannon Tafoya of Espanola, New Mexico, and Robyn Wilson of Tahlequah. They will each receive $1,000 per year for four years. Ronald Omo of Billings, Montana, established the Omo Scholarship in 1998 for graduates of Sequoyah Schools who are exemplary citizens. Omo is a Cherokee Nation tribal citizen and operates a successful business. He has provided financial support for many area scholars through his scholarship program. Recipients of the James Upton Memorial Scholarship are Wilson, Squyres, Hannah Cornell, of Tahlequah, Tabitha Bluebird of Welling, and Cody Scott of Stilwell They will each receive a one-time scholarship worth $500. The Distribution Contractors Association of Richardson, Texas and other friends and family of long-time Tahlequah resident, James R. Upton, established the Upton Memorial Scholarship in 2002. Upton was a Cherokee Nation tribal citizen, attorney and retired executive of a national oil industry trade association headquartered in Tulsa. The Cherokee Nation Education Corporation is a non-profit corporation chartered by tribal codes of the Cherokee Nation. Its mission is to promote educational opportunities for tribal citizens and to preserve the language, culture and history of Cherokee people. For additional information on these scholarships or the Cherokee Nation Education Corporation, contact Shelley Butler-Allen, phone: 918-453-5000.

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