Awards honor academic excellence

Julie Severn

6/27/2002 12:00:00 AM

Dozens of Saginaw Chippewa Tribal members were recently honored for their academic excellence in the pursuit of higher education opportunities.

The Eagle Spirit Achievement Awards took place June 21at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort recognizing 12 graduates from various degree programs and 86 students who received incentive awards.

The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award was presented to 36 students for achieving a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

"This number has nearly doubled since 2000 when 17 students received this award," said Higher Education Coordinator Sharon Skutt. "Sixty-three percent of the students in the Higher Education program have received awards this year and 25 percent of them have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher."

Those who graduated with at least a 3.5 gpa are Glen Coffin, Associate of Applied Science in Computer Network Systems from ITT Technical Institute; Jenna Falcon, Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and a Master of Science in Professional Accounting from Michigan State University; Glenna Halliwill, Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College and Carla Jeffrey, Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College.

Also recognized for receiving degrees included graduates Sharon Cole, Bachelor of Science in Family Community Services from Michigan State University; Ronda Jones, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Ferris State University; Daniel Kirby, Associate of Applied Science and Computer Science from Charter College in Alaska; Tonia Leaureaux, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wayne State University; Jacquelyne Meir Jr., Certificate in Practical Nursing from Delta College; Thomasine Shawboose, Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Central Michigan University; Bonnie Sprague, Associate in Business Administration from Mid Michigan Community College and Angela Wheaton, Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Accounting from Saginaw Valley State University.

"We hope that as Tribal members complete their programs they will bring that knowledge back to the Tribe," added Skutt.

Students who received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award included Sharon Avery, Terry Bonnau, Mary Bukowiec, David Charles, Kayle Crampton, Frances Cuellar, Kari Ellis, Amanda Falcon, Christina Halliwill, Estella Halliwill, Louise Hunt, Ronald Johansen, Tracy Kopke, Gloria Larson, Stacy Mandoka, Rita Martinez, Scott McLellan, Dawn Meredith, Melissa Montoya, Karen Naganashe, Bonnie Nedwash, Alexis Pelcher, Mary Perez, Michael Poolaw, Shawn Sawmick, Amy Shawboose, Christopher Sineway, Cara Valdez, and Denise Vasquez.

Hunter Genia, who received a Masters Degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University three years ago, was the event's keynote speaker.

Genia read a chapter from "The Tiny Warrior," by author D. J. Vanas, called "Find Your Own Way."

"Sometimes warriors fight with all the fury they can muster, only to find out they are fighting themselves; But all this doesn't matter because warriors keep going despite of themselves," stated Genia. "They persist in fighting to become the person he or she desperately needs to be. A better person for the Creator, their family, friends, community, co-workers and themselves. Warriors are people like you."

Genia encouraged the graduates to pursue career opportunities in the Tribal community. He said Anishnabe people need to be strong and fill available positions on the reservation, just as the warriors of the past filled their positions.

"What I'm going to ask you to do is not to stand still on your high school diploma and your college degree," Genia said. "Our Elders have told us a long time ago that we have to look out for the generations that are yet to come and to give back to our Tribe in some way. We need more role models like you that will help protect our children and will also help pave the way for our future."