Smoke Signals September 1993 Page 6
Education Update
In reflecting on the 1 992-93 school year, there were
many new twists which created a need to review Tribal
Higher Education and Adult Vocational Training Programs.
Currently, Tribal Education programs are facing a seven
percent tuition increase at Oregon colleges and universities,
a revised method of determining financial aid changes in
student dependent and independent status, the inclusion of
"non-subsidized" StaffordLoans; and elimination of programs
at community colleges.
In addition to these changes, the Education Program
also faced a huge increase in applicants. During the 1992-
93 school year both programs assisted a total of 78 higher
education and Adult vocational training students. For the
first time in eight years, 6 students were placed on a waiting
list, due to depletion of funding for grants.
Each year, during the last five years, the education
programs have realized a significant increase in student
enrollment. The outlook for the 1993-94 school year indicates
there will be no decrease in participation. Because of this, it
becomes very important that students seeking financial
assistance for college file for all the financial aid possible,
and file early in January.
In 1993-94, the Education Program will conduct
community college classes in the Grand Ronde community.
GED and Adult Education classes will be offered through the
Adult Education Program during the school year. The
program is also taking steps to expand services in working
with students to undergo placement assessment and
admissions examination process for the community college
and collegeuniversity programs.
In the upcoming school yearthe Education Program
will also conduct workshops and seminars to address the
need to identify scholarships and grants other than tribal, and
a look at future tribal employment needs and trends.
While funding continues to be a problem, the 1993-
94 school year looks to be a good one.
1993-94 Scholarship
Recipients
Every year during the past four years, the Education
Division awards scholarships to students who have
demonstrated outstanding achievement in leadership and
academics. These scholarships are provided through the
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's Education Trust
Fund Scholarship Program. A review of applications was
conducted by a Sub-Education Scholarship Review committee .
and finalized by Tribal Education Committee members. The
scholarships are 1 00 tribally-funded and are not part of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs education grant programs.
This year's recipients are:
PETE WAKELAND
Pete Wakeland is attending Oregon State University
and is majoring in Forest Management. Pete has maintained
a 3.2 GPA and has been involved in the American Indian
Science and Engineer's Society, OSU Chapter; the OSU
College of Forestry Ambassador's Team; and serves on the
Tribe's Student Advisory Council.
CHRIS MERGER
Chris Mercier is a recent graduate of North Salem
High School, where he maintained a cumulative GPA of
3.00. While attending school, Chris wrote and edited the
school newspaper. He also served on the Reader's Panel for
the Salem Statesman Journal, which is an outstanding
accomplishment for a high school student. Chris will enroll
in the University of Oregon and major in Journalism.
SIMONE AUGER
Simone Auger is currently enrolled in Marylhurst
College, where she is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in
Interior Design. Prior to attending Marylhurst, Simone at-
ended Portland Community College where she maintained
a GPA of 3.59. Since enrolling at Marylhurst, Simone has
maintained aconsistent GPA of 3,00. She hopes to become
a facilities planner after she completes her studies.
SHONNLENO
Shonn Leno, while attending Willamina High
School, maintained a 2.91 GPA while retaining the state
wrestling championship title three years in a row. Shonn has
been involved in the Tribal Junior Council. He has worked
with young children coaching football and wrestling. Shonn
has set his sights on attending Portland State University, and
majoring in biology. He plans to pursue a career in Forestry.
SHELBY OLSON
Shelby Olson has been attending Chemeketa
Community College for two years, and has maintained a
GPA of 3.53. Shelby will transfer to Western Oregon State
College where she will major in Secondary Education with
a minor in Sign Language Interpretation. While attending
Chemeketa, Shelby has been active in working with many
tribal programs such as J.O.M., Alcohol and Drug prevention,
and has volunteered at various church-related activities. She
plans to teach and work with hearing-impaired children.
Pete, Chris, Simone, and Shonn will each receive a
$3,000 Education trust Fund Scholarship for undergraduate
studies for 1993-94. Shelby will receive the Eula Petite
Memorial Scholarship for $5,000, which is awarded to tribal
members pursuing degree in Education and who have
maintained a GPA of 2.75 or better at the junior class level.
Best wishes to these recipients, and continued
academic success.
Summer Camp Adventures
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Field Trip to the beach during summer day
camp.
By Shawn Hostler
Summer Camp this year was busy as well as
interesting. We were able to work with about 50 youth. We
had presenters come in and work with participants on such
things as career awareness, personalhome emergencies and
safety, pow-wow etiquette, Alcohol and Drug abuse
prevention, math and science activities, Chinook jargon,
personal hygiene, fire safety (at home and in the woods), and
nature walks.
With a grant from the ASSIST program, we were
able to take three fun and educational field trips. The first
was to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the second was to the
new Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, located in
Portland. Lastly, the day-campers were given a day at the
beach with Dwight (Bub) Sours, who is Lakota and has been
teaching biology in the Eugene area for about 30 years. We
were able to explore tidal pools and play traditional games on
the beach.
Vince Zettler from the Benton County Museum came to
camp and shared the process of making cedar bark baskets
and mats. His presentation of skirts, baskets, hats, and other
items madeofcedarbarkwasbothinterestingand informative.
If you ever get a chance to visit this museum in
Philomath, they feature itemsby Native Americans from this
region.
We finished off the month with a traditional salmon
dinner. The children played and showed their parents and
elders what they had learned.
Thanks to the following people for their career
presentations: Jim Willis, Administration; Kit Devine,
Personnel; Mike Mason, Tribal Attorney; Cliff Addams,
Natural Resources; Tracy Olson, Newsletter; Darlene and
Donna from Clinic; Linda Mann and Pam Wilson, Dental;
Linda Olson, ConstructionT-shirt business; and Teressa
Olson for her sign language presentation.
Thanks toouryouthhelpers: DustinBillings, Amelia
Haug, Tiffany Clark, andDesirae McCoy. Parent volunteers:
Melody Garbett, Barbara McCoy, Angie Bedortha, Barbara
Hofifenbredl, and Thomas Ainsworth.
Thanks to our other sponsors:
EducationTraining
Wellness Component of Human Services
FishWildlife Committee
Education Committee
Public Works
Natural Resources
McBee's Restaurant
Thank you all, and see you next year!
Congratulations To Graduates
Once again, congratulations are offered to the college
graduates of the 1 992-93 school year. We are proud of you!
HIGHER EDUCATION
Chris Leno, B.S. from Oregon State University
Joe Turman, B.S. from Eastern Washington University
David Holmes, B.S. from Cornish College
Adam Henny, B.S. from Oregon State University
Terry Thomas, B.A. from St. Martin's College
ADULT VOCATIONAL TRAINING
Lunita Renfrow, License from Phagan's Beauty College
Valerie ShekCT.DentalAssistantsLicensefnm
Robert Schmid, A.A. from Chemeketa Community College
Jill Jeffers, A.A. from Chemeketa Community College
Darrell Foster, License from West Coast Training
Sonya Young, Certificate from Chemeketa Community College
Tracy Howerton, A.A. from Lane Community College
"Shaking the Money Tree"
In 1993-19940regoncollegesanduniversitieswill
increase their tuition and fees by seven percent! Because of
limited tribal funding and changes in financial aid, the
Tribal Education Program is sponsoring a workshop to help
parents and students apply for grants and scholarships for
college.
Representatives from several colleges, as well as
private funding sources will be on hand to discuss how
students can obtain scholarships. Hints, recommendations,
and marketing one's self will also be covered.
WHEN: September 9, 1993; 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
WHERE: Chemeketa Community College, Salem, Oregon
Building 50, room 155.
Attention! If you plan to attend a Higher Education
or Adult Vocational TrainingSchool duringthe 1993
94 school year, you must submit applications by these
deadlines:
Winter Term, 1993-November 1, 1993
Spring Term, 1994 February 28, 1994
Summer Term, 1994-April 30, 1994