"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Youth to Compete

"Four Cherokee youth
from Grove High School will be attending the National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair in Albuquerque, NM. Pictured L-R: Lindsay
Stewart, Katie Nix, teacher Keli Steen,
Molly Steen and
Carter Londagin."

GROVE, OKLAHOMA - Innovative ideas and a desire to excel will lead four young Cherokee citizens from Grove High School to the National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair (NAISEF) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Education is the key to a successful future for young Cherokees and the Cherokee Nation,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “The Cherokee Nation has emphasized the importance of education for generations. It is good to see these young people broadening their minds and their horizons by taking part in academic competitions such as NAISEF. It will be the ideas and motivation of our youth that will lead us into the future.”

NAISEF is an annual science fair developed by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) for American Indian students. The science fair is an important component of the AISES effort to support Indian education.

This is the third straight year that Grove High School teacher Keli Steen will take students to compete. Amazingly, in the previous two years each student that Steen entered into the competition was chosen to go on to the International Science and Engineering (ISEF) Fair. This is no small feat, considering that the NAISEF competition only chooses eight grand award winners to go onto the international contest.

“I have cautioned the students that are attending this year’s competition that there are no guarantees that everyone will be chosen this year,” said Steen. “I am very proud of the success that we have had in the past and am very proud of each of these students for the efforts that they have put forth to make this competition.”

Molly Steen, Grove senior and NAISEF participant, will be competing for the second time.

“I am specifically interested in Environmental Science,” said Steen. “I’ve been accepted to the University of Arkansas and will double major in biological engineering and music performance. Representing the Cherokee Nation is a big deal to me. When I went as a sophomore we were the only Cherokees there from Oklahoma. NAISEF is a great opportunity to meet other Native Americans who are interested in science.”

According to freshman Carter Londagin, participating in science fairs is a great outlet for his competitive spirit and will help him to pursue future goals.

“After college I want to serve the Cherokee Nation,” said Londagin. “I think that taking advantage of opportunities like competing in NAISEF will help me prepare for this goal. The Cherokee Nation is environmentally oriented and I would like to work with them to help the environment. I like participating in science fairs because I’m good at it. In enjoy the competitive side of participating in the fairs. I really want to go to the International Science and Engineering Fair, which I will be able to do if I am chosen as a grand award winner.”

Sophomore participant Katie Nix says that entering science fairs is a great way to broaden your knowledge about science.

“I went to NAISEF as a freshman and qualified for the international competition,” said Nix. “I hope to do the same this year. The people involved with NAISEF are so nice and encouraging. They really care about what is going on with Native American students. I like science in general. By going to science fairs, I learn more than about my own project. I learn from others by looking at their ideas as well. I am fortunate to be Cherokee as I have received a great deal of support from the Cherokee Nation’s JOM program and from my district’s tribal council members.”

Lindsay Stewart a junior at Grove High School encourages other students to take part in science fairs.

“This is my third year to go to NAISEF and have been to the international fair twice,” said Stewart. “What I like about this opportunity is how much encouragement NAISEF offers to Native American youth. I would encourage other students who enjoy science to excel at it. There are a lot of opportunities out there. I enjoy science fairs because I have learned that I am good at them and when you are good at something it is natural to keep pursuing it. I wish more Cherokee youth participated in science fairs. When you consider it, the way the world works is through science.”

“The Cherokee Nation has been financially supportive to our kids and we appreciate this help so much,” said Grove teacher Keli Steen, who serves as the sponsor. “This contribution to our students encourages them to do good work and be competitive.”