Ada High senior David Scott won a major scholarship and was among 645 outstanding high school and collegiate Native American students honored by The Oklahoma Council for Indian Education (OCIE) recently at the organization’s annual Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society (OISHS) Induction and Banquet in Oklahoma City. A total of 117 Oklahoma school districts nominated the students.
In order to qualify, these Native American students must have maintained a cumulative 3.9 grade point average and have demonstrated moral character, leadership skills and participation in cultural activities, as well as service and involvement to the tribe and community.
Honorees received certificates, eagle pins, and t-shirts.
Scott was awarded the $700 Marlene LeClair/Helen Wright Scholarship. Honored along with Scott were two other winners of the scholarships, named in honor of an outstanding and committed Oklahoma Indian educator and active members of OCIE.
Kali K.Lynn Bassett of Grove High School was the recipient of the Alice Tonemah Memorial Scholarship. Charbrice Rhea, of Westville High School, was presented the John Sam Memorial Scholarship.
Local honorees in attendance from Ada City Schools in addition to Scott were Joel Allen, Joel Barrick, Jennifer Bell, Derrek Bond, Kyle Burris, Kristen Klub, Paige Covington, Lindsey Elliot, Taylor Howard, Lance Keenan, Katie Newport, Allyn Ross, Brandon Russell, Lindsey Russell, Jordan Scott, Megan Scott, Paige Simpson, Alayna Stout and Hannah Whiting.
The LeClair/Wright award was established in 1989. LeClair and her daughter, Wright, were Kansas Pottawatomie. LeClair was a member of the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education Board of Directors and a member of the 1988 National Indian Education Association Conference steering committee.
The scholarship was founded by sitting OCIE President Alice Tonemah after the untimely death of LeClair and her 9-month-old daughter in a tragic accident caused by a drunk driver.
The organization’s first honor banquet was held in the spring of 1990 with 300-plus members. Membership has increased each year with the present 2007 induction showcasing 645 high achieving students. To date, over 6,500 Native American students have been inducted into the Honor Society.Labels: free education, scholarship, student loans, study abroad |
