"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Five Sequoyah Seniors Receive Gates Scholarships

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma – Five Sequoyah Schools seniors have received notification that they have earned the Gates Millennium Scholarship, an all-expense paid scholarship to the college of their choice for the next 8 years. They are Rikki Shook of Oktaha, Shayne Boyd of Hulbert, Corey Still of Tahlequah, Kaheya Hooper of Bunch and Courtney Reeder of Calumet.

“I never tire in acknowledging the efforts of my seniors at Sequoyah Schools,” said Augusta Smith, college prep class teacher. “Their hard work and perseverance has paid off in receiving this coveted honor of being named as Gates Millennium Scholars. Gates has given them such a tremendous opportunity; now, they must move forward in achieving the goals they have set.”

The Gates Millennium Scholarship is a scholarship awarded to minority students who show outstanding academic achievements and leadership abilities. Twenty-eight Sequoyah Schools’ seniors qualified this year to apply for the scholarship. Twelve were chosen as semi-finalists and five were ultimately selected as Gates Millennium Scholars. Eight is the record for the most Gates Scholars that Sequoyah has ever had in one year. That record was set by the class of 2008.

“There were a lot of essays to write,” said Courtney Reeder, Gates Scholar. “I’ve worked on it since November.”

Not only did she finally get all of the essays done, her hard work paid off with a full-ride scholarship to the college of her choice. She has chosen to attend the University of Oklahoma and will major in either Native American Studies or medicine. Reeder also credits Smith for all of her help throughout the Gates application process.

“She was my nominator,” said Reeder. “The nominator and recommender who wrote my letters really helped me. We have to have letters from teachers nominating and recommending us for the scholarship so they can see how our teachers feel about us and our potential to go onto college.”

Sequoyah Schools was recognized by the Gates Millennium Scholarship Foundation earlier this year for their outstanding preparation of college-bound students. In 2008, Sequoyah had the second highest number of Gates Millennium Scholars to come from any one high school in the United States and had the highest number of scholars in Gates’ Native American division. This year’s five winners bring the overall total of Sequoyah graduates who have received the Gates Millennium Scholarship to twenty-eight.

“I am proud to have had this many Gates Scholars come from Sequoyah,” said Gina Stanley, Sequoyah Schools’ superintendent. “Our teachers and staff go above and beyond the call of duty to help our students in any way possible, even staying late to help them complete their Gates applications. It’s an honor to be recognized for all of their hard work.”

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.