CHEROKEE CHAT: Annual Scholarship Workshop Focused on Tribal Citizens

On Saturday, November 1, 2014, from 1pm to 4pm, I will be holding my annual scholarship workshop focused on Cherokee Nation Tribal citizens.

After more than fifteen years of presentations, this may be my last workshop for some time.  So, mark your calendars!

The workshop covers personal and education choices 4th Grade through graduate school, FAFSA overview, where to find scholarship money outside of the Tribe, how to successfuly apply for any scholarship, beginning resume overview, basic interviewing skills for bigger money and other opportunities, getting great recommendation letters and references and social media best practices.

Basically, I am sharing everything I have ever learned as a successful scholarship recipient, as someone who has funded and created scholarships as well as volunteered to review scholarships for local and national non-profits.  I share every viewpoint, tips, tricks and must do action items.

As a student who lived outside of the Cherokee Nation and whose parents were Oklahoma public school teachers, I funded my entire Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma State University as well as my Masters and PhD work in engineering without a dime from the Cherokee Nation, no Pell grants and all private scholarship dollars.

When I began my workshops, the presentation lasted about 45 minutes.  Today, the presentation is three solid hours of sharing the details you need to successfully apply for the bigger money scholarships as well as accumulate scholarships needed to pay for your entire college bill.  In the application process for scholarships, jobs and more, details count.

I share the written and unwritten rules.

I encourage the parents of younger children to attend, so I may train the trainer.  Parents are the responsible party for guiding their children through the process of making better education and life choices.  School counselors tend to be focused on discipline and testing requirements rather than career and college readiness, so do not rely on your school to guide your student.  In addition, State of Oklahoma high school graduation requirements do not meet college readiness standards.

Older students should attend for first-hand knowledge as the student is responsible for the application process.  Parents and grandparents who apply for students scholarships are shorting that student the experience, knowledge and skill sets they need to be successful in both life and career.

Over the next weeks, I will continue to share tidbits in my newspaper columns to assist students applying for college money.

The workshop is open to all students and families regardless of where you live and focused on Cherokee Nation citizens.

If you are unable to make it to the Rogers County Building at 416 South Brady in Claremore on November 1st, please email me for the handouts.  Facebook messages, phone calls and text messages are not email.

To receive daily scholarship opportunities by email, email Cara your name, city and state at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and asked to be added to the OPC AISES listserv.

To receive Cherokee Nation daily news and event information by email, email Cara your name, city and state at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and ask to be added to the Cherokee Nation News listserv.

If you have questions, issues or concerns about the Cherokee Nation government, please email me at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or write me at P.O. Box 2922, Claremore, OK 74018. 

For daily news and event notices, ask to be added to my Cherokee Nation News and Events email listserv.  You may, also, find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+ and Twitter.  Lee Keener is at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To contact the Tribe, call (918) 453-5000 or visit www.cherokee.org.

 
Cara Cowan Watts is an elected Tribal legislator within the Cherokee Nation for portions of Rogers and Tulsa Counties.

 

Cara Cowan Watts
caracowan.com

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