"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Sequoyah Schools Announces Fall Honor Roll

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - Sequoyah Schools has received special recognition by the Gates Millennium Scholars Program for their college preparation practices. In 2008, Sequoyah had the second highest number of Gates Millennium Scholars in the United States with eight students earning the prestigious scholarship that pays for their college tuition, books and fees throughout their college careers.

“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.”

The Gates Millennium Scholarship application is quite extensive. Students must meet GPA requirements, select a nominator and recommender who will provide responses about the nominee’s qualifications, meet PELL Grant eligibility criteria, complete extensive responses that demonstrate their leadership abilities through participation in community service and extra curricular activities, as well as any other accomplishments that they have achieved during their high school career. Sequoyah has had 28 Gates Millennium Scholars since the scholarship program began in 1999.

“The fact that the Gates program has recognized our school says a lot about the quality of education and educational opportunities that we are providing for our students,” Stanley said. “It’s always nice to get a pat on the back from an outside organization and coming from one that is as prestigious as Gates, well, that says a lot.”

The recognition certificate reads: “Gates Millennium Scholars Program recognizes Sequoyah Schools for providing outstanding educational and leadership opportunities that prepares students for college access and for contributing to the development of leaders for American’s future with the selection of students as 2008 Gates Millennium Scholars.”

This year’s scholarship award winners will be announced in April. Twenty-eight Sequoyah students qualified to apply for this year’s scholarship and are now going through the application process.

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.