"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CNEC Announces Scholarship Winners

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation recently awarded scholarships to several students for the upcoming 2008-2009 academic school year.

The scholarships were awarded through the Cherokee Nation Educational Corporation (CNEC), a non-profit corporation with a mission to provide educational assistance to Cherokee citizens. One of the goals of CNEC is to revitalize the language, culture and history of the Cherokee people.

The scholarships were awarded on the basis of a student’s grade point average, ACT scores, financial need, cultural and community activities, personal academic goals and future commitment to work with Cherokee people.

The Nell B. Brown Memorial Award was awarded to Julie Reed of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for outstanding post-secondary academic accomplishment in the field of American Indian history. Jeffrey Tyler Price of Stilwell High School and Chelsea Noell Collyge of Westville High School were awarded the Harold “Jiggs” Phillips Memorial Award.

The Red Clay Award was awarded to Taylor Morris of Salina High School, Darcie Dieman of Fort Gibson High School, Kimberly Roberts of Grove High School and Jamie Dry of Locust Grove High School. The scholarship is awarded to students for high academic achievement and for active participation in the local Johnson O’Malley Program.

Katlin Considine of Pryor High School was the recipient of the Major Ridge Award for an outstanding essay she wrote concerning the life of the historical figure. The James R. Upton Memorial Award was awarded to Jessica Williams and Michael Soap of Sequoyah Schools.

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council Award went to Jana Bagley of Alva High School, Emily Goeke of Leander High School (Texas), Madison Kelly of Spring Lake School District (Minnesota) and Zachary Dunn of Hilldale High School in Muskogee. The scholarship is awarded to worthy students residing outside the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation.

“CNEC is so pleased to be able to help each of these students pursue their educational goals,” said Dr. Shelley Butler-Allen, CNEC Secretary/Treasurer. “In today’s society, an education could be the key to a promising, more financially stable future. CNEC supports Cherokee citizens in their efforts to improve their lives and communities through education and we congratulate each of our scholarship winners.”