FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 877.580.3764
info@reconnectingthecircle.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Native American and non-Native youth connect their cultures and build a broader understanding of patriotism in America.

Reconnecting The Circle® (“RTC”) is awarding eight students $2,500 each for its third annual National High School Essay Contest. The 2008/2009 contest launched last Fall and ran through January 23rd of this year. High school students were encouraged to explore the topic - “Why is it important to understand patriotism in Indian Country”?

“American Indians have played a vital role in the shaping of this great country. They have strived to coexist in society, and through their honor, their courage, and their sacrifice, they have strived to defend freedom for themselves and for all Americans from the very beginning.”
-- Cody M. Fink, grade 12

“The importance of patriotism…represents unity, identity, and the reconnection of the circle…Despite the countless differences that exist between the members of my community, I know that we are united in our pride as Americans. My tribe is commonly referred to as ‘Unconquered and Unconquerable’; however, the truth of this saying extends beyond the Chickasaw Nation when the entire country is united through patriotism.”
-- Elizabeth M. Rule (Chickasaw), grade 12

The Winners Are:

1. Richard Wawetesi St. Germaine, grade 11 (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe & Choctaw), Memorial High School, Eau Claire, WI
2. Cody M. Fink, grade 12, Plattsmouth High School, Plattsmouth, NE
3. Margaret R. Kronschnabel, grade 12 (Navajo), Mill Valley High School, Shawnee, KS
4. Erin N. Quadros, grade 12, Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, Whitman, MA
5. Elizabeth M. Rule, grade 12 (Chickasaw), Shippensburg Area Senior High School, Shippensburg, PA
6. Sydney D. Hurt, grade 12, Mississippi School for Math & Science, Columbus, MS
7. Cole B. Haskins, grade 12 (Cherokee), Booker T. Washington High School, Tulsa, OK
8. Olivia M. Chen, grade 12, Yellow Springs High School, Yellow Springs, OH

A team of 7 reviewers scored the essays against a criteria matrix consisting of originality and creativity, relevance to topic, grammar, and structure. Reviewers were Christopher Griggs, MaryJane Oatman-WakWak, Andrea Schmidt, Dennis Zotigh, Robert M. Watson, Deven Bhatt, and April Hale.

The top finalists’ essays were then submitted to four judges for final selection. The four judges were:

1. Robert Cook, Oglala Lakota – President, National Indian Education Association
2. Robin Butterfield, Winnebago & Ojibwe – Senior Liaison, Minority Community Outreach, National Education Association
3. Kara Briggs, Yakama & Snohomish – Journalist and Founder, Red Hummingbird Media Corporation
4. Kimberly Yellow Robe, Sicangu Lakota – Regional American Indian Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration

RTC’s sponsors include Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Chickasaw Nation, Paul W. Critchlow, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Trillium Asset Management, Walden Asset Management, Gary Janetti, and Eric Krock. RTC’s partners are the National Indian Education Association, National Congress of American Indians, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country.

The mission of Reconnecting The Circle, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, is to encourage people to learn about Native American people and cultures, and to develop a more meaningful and complete perspective on Indian Country. RTC launched in the Fall of 2006 with its National High School Essay Contest. High school students (grades 9-12) from tribal, public, private and parochial schools throughout all 50 states are invited to participate. The RTC Essay Contest is an annual program.

For more information about this initiative and future programs, please contact Danielle Gaines at info@reconnectingthecircle.com. You can also visit the website at www.reconnectingthecircle.com.