Shane Star and Stormy Williams Receive Gates

Shane Star and Stormy Williams, Gates Millennium Scholars. Photo by Sierra Concha. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Shane Star and Stormy Williams Receive Gates

By Sierra Concha '13

This year 54,000 seniors across the nation applied for the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which is more than double the amount of past years' applicants. Out of eight eligible Red Cloud seniors, two incredible students received the scholarship: Shane Star and Stormy Williams. These students worked hard during the first semester on the intensive application and received the award with one life-changing letter.

Five students from Red Cloud had been selected as finalists, each one eagerly waiting for the months of March and April to hear the final news, and two finally received the package. During the waiting process, Star could hardly contain his nervous feeling. “I was anxious,” Star said. “I worked so much. It really helped having Suds’ class.” While waiting, he had been debating between two colleges to attend: University of Kansas or School Dakota School of Mines. Since he heard about the great news, he has been leaning towards University of Kansas. While explaining his plans for the future, his delight shone through his animated expressions. “I was so excited,” he exclaimed. “I couldn’t stop smiling.” Since his freshman year, he has maintained good grades. During his sophomore year, he rightfully earned a place on the Gold Honor Roll and remained on the list every semester since then. His skill in math is evident due to his most outstanding awards he received in both Geometry and Trigonometry. Star plans on majoring in either civil or mechanical engineering.

Stormy Williams discovered she received the scholarship a day after Shane. “I was in shock,” she said, reflecting on her first reaction to receiving the package. “I worked four months on it. It seemed like a long time.” She has been on Silver Honor Roll since freshman year and never fell below that. She continues to excel in both her English and Math AP classes this year. During her sophomore year, she received the most outstanding award in Speech class. Throughout high school she has been actively involved in extracurricular activities. She’s been a member of Hand Games and Dance Club all four years. Both clubs travel to multiple different pow-wows every year. During the winter season of her junior and senior years, Williams took a break from the clubs and became the girls’ basketball manager. She plans on studying pre-med, and is deciding between the University of New Mexico or Regis University.

The other students who didn’t receive the Gates Scholarship also have very bright futures ahead of them, with help of other scholarships and financial Aid. January Tobacco received the Native American Scholarship from Creighton University and has also been accepted to Stanford University. She has received financial aid which would cover most of the tuition cost at Stanford. Amanda Standing Bear has been accepted to many schools, but has been favoring the University of Notre Dame. She is a Horatio Alger Scholarship recipient. Mickie Hudspeth has received the Diversity Scholarship and financial aid from Augustana University, which is the college she will be attending this fall. Sierra Concha has decided to attend the University of New Mexico, where she received an in-state scholarship and financial aid to cover over half the cost of attending the college.

Red Cloud has many seniors going on a bright path filled with success. Good luck to the class of 2013 and their journeys after high school.