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Seven students from Red Cloud High School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, have received the coveted 2009 Gates Millennium Scholarship. Representing 16 percent of the senior class at Red Cloud, the students—all women—will now be able to continue their education in college, with any unmet financial need that the students have covered by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This year’s recipients are: Danielle Locust, Melissa Shoulders, Juliana Brown Eyes, Shelby Ross, Jamie Ten Fingers, Bobbie White and Charlee Running Eagle. “We are very proud of these seven students,” says Nick Dressel, high school principal. “They have poured their hearts and minds into four years of a high school education, and have given a solid academic performance throughout their years with us. These students exemplify true dedication to their futures, and I have no doubt they will go on to do great things.” “I feel so honored, humbled and excited to have been selected to receive this prestigious scholarship,” says Juliana Brown Eyes, one of the recipients, and also the only awardee of the National Horatio Alger Scholarship in the state of South Dakota. “It means the world to me to know that I can now go to the college of my choice and not have to worry so much about how to pay for it.” The scholarships are given to applicants who exemplify excellence in the classroom and in the community. As in the past, students at Red Cloud who are interested in applying for this scholarship, among others, participate in an essay writing class to hone their writing skills, and oftentimes stay after school to learn more about applying to college. “I’ve known about this scholarship since freshmen year,” says Charlee Running Eagle. “For myself, I knew that going to college depended on a scholarship like this, so I put everything I could into earning this—and I’m glad all the hard work has paid off.” Prior to this year, the Gates Scholarship has been awarded to 32 graduates from Red Cloud since 1999. Last year, eight students received the honor, the highest in the nation. And while the students have put hours of time into writing and fine-tuning their essays, the recipients are quick to give credit to their teachers and mentors at Red Cloud for inspiring them throughout their high school careers. “Our teachers and staff members take so much time out of their personal lives to help us succeed,” says Danielle Locust. “I’m so blessed and proud to say that I am a Red Cloud Crusader,” echoes Melissa Shoulders. “It’s wonderful to have teachers share in our joy with not only this, but all the achievements we’ve experienced throughout our years at Red Cloud.” This year’s Gates recipients will attend a variety of colleges and universities, from Creighton University in Nebraska to the University of New Mexico and South Dakota State University. “We continue to be in awe of our students,” says Fr. Peter Klink SJ, president of Red Cloud. “These scholarships are a wonderful testimony to the hard work of these students and a great tribute to all who have assisted them in achieving this accomplishment. These students are living examples of what can be achieved when you work hard, and dare to dream. I look forward to the positive contribution that these and all our graduates can and will make in the future.” Tweet, tweet! We're on Twitter. Follow us at www.twitter.com/redcloudschool. Join us in our mission of educating the mind and spirit of the Lakota people, now and for future generations. Please consider an online gift. |
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Seven Lakota women from Red Cloud High School senior class receive prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship