"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Sequoyah Senior Gets “Close Up” in Washington, D.C.

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TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - Sequoyah Senior Anna Walker got the opportunity of a lifetime, with an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to meet legislators, see the sites and learn about Congress. Walker was one of only five Native American students in the country to receive a National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Close-Up Foundation scholarship, which granted her this opportunity.

“It was fun being around other kids that were my age and who are all native and all learning about government,” Walker said. “We learned about how a bill becomes a law, how the house and senate works. We visited monuments and memorials.”

During her seven-day stay in Washington D.C., Walker was able to participate in a mock congressional session, where students were able to actively participate in committee meetings, and debate and discuss laws and legislation.

“It was amazing to see how natural it was for Anna to stand out among approximately 150 high school students,” said Augusta Smith, Sequoyah Schools’ teacher who accompanied her on her trip. “She was recognized by the NIEA President, Robert Cook, in opening sessions with the NIEA and was asked to introduce a show with C-Span, and also posed a question regarding school mascots to the guest journalists during the show. She was also chosen to make the closing report for her group session. Her leadership qualities were evident throughout the conference. I’m very proud of the leadership Anna displayed. It is my hope that each of our Sequoyah students will always be recognized for their leadership abilities.”

Walker, 17, of Tahlequah, is the first Sequoyah Schools’ student to ever attend an NIEA Close-Up Event. She is the daughter of JoKay Dowell and Steve Falling, both of Tahlequah.

Sequoyah Schools, a boarding school for Native American students, originated in 1871 as an orphan asylum to care for children who were orphaned by the Civil War. Now known as Sequoyah Schools, it is named for Sequoyah, the scholar who developed the Cherokee syllabary. The school is regionally and state accredited for grades 7-12 and has become the school of choice for more than 400 Native American students every year. Sequoyah Schools is located five miles southwest of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. For more information call 918-453-5400 or visit the Sequoyah Schools’ web site.