Governor's Column: Best and Brightest Scholarship

February 11, 2008

As Governor of Montana, I understand the way to the American dream for many Montanans is through education.

It is education that brings hope – hope of providing for your family, hope of owning a home, hope of starting a business, and hope to realize your many dreams and aspirations. And it is education that provides the opportunity to get there. 

 

The time students spend on education today will benefit each and every student now and into the future, and positively affect many generations to come. As we progress in this 21st century and strive to further the well-being of all Montanans, including the First Montanans, education will be the cornerstone of this effort.

The Governor’s Best & Brightest Scholarships reflect our continued support in helping to make students dreams and aspirations a reality. Since its inception in 2005 more than 2,200 scholarships were awarded to students across Montana worth $2.6 million; more than one-fifth went to students from Indian Country.

Congratulations to the most recent 2007-08 scholarship recipients, who are our future leaders:

Blackfeet Community College

  • Gabriel Spotted Eagle
  • Douglas Spotted Bear
  • Kathlene Running Crane
  • Christopher Wippert
  • Ronald Ingraham
  • Stephanie Fisher
  • Jennifer DeRoche
  • Laura Castro
  • Melanie Calf Boss Ribs
  • Shalia Boggs
  • Hannah White Elk
  • Kathleen Weatherwax
  • Amber Little Dog
  • Sarah Kuka
  • Clarissa Black Crow
  • Phillina Tidzump
  • Emma Tailfeathers
  • Joseph Still Smoking
  • Heather Stewart
  • Billie Spotted Eagle
  • Allen Songret
  • Ali Smith
  • Eldon Salois
  • Jun Saito
  • Leasha Omeasoo
  • Raymond Juneau
  • Wesley Bremner

Chief Dull Knife College

  • Robert Grinsell
  • Loyreen American Horse
  • Martika Other Bull
  • Terry Spotted Wolf Jr.
  • Sallie Peila-Small
  • Jolynn Other Bull
  • Rheannon House
  • Jordan Freemont
  • John Fisher
  • Rufus Spear
  • Mary Stewart
  • Jodi Woodenthigh

Fort Belknap College
  • Cathy Bear
  • Cody McCabe
  • Charlene Perry
  • Laura Autobee
  • Cassie Morsette
  • Kimberly Barrows
  • Jerimi Rutherford
  • Justin Skinner
  • Jordan White Clay
  • Franklin Doney

Fort Peck Community College

  • Shilo Fourstar
  • Anthony White Cloud
  • Tyson Black Eagle
  • Charles Clark
  • Doreen Granbois
  • Sara Crater
  • Lester Fast Horse, Jr.
  • Lance Fourstar
  • Gina Brown
  • Timberly Devereaux
  • Rochelle Jackson
  • Brittani Myrick
  • Autumn White Bull
  • Landyn Ackerman
  • Theresa Beecher
  • Quincy Charette
  • James Crowe
  • Malachiah Daniels
  • Russell Kirn
  • Joseph Savior
  • Jasmine Yellow Robe
  • Mycel Young
  • Ilenda Youpee

Little Big Horn College

  • Levi Black Eagle
  • Estee Bulltail
  • Arthyr Cherry
  • Tavon Dillion
  • Julian Goes Ahead
  • Olive Lovato
  • Nita Big Man
  • Tysha Glenmore
  • Alicine Kindness
  • Frank Hugs Jr
  • Valyn Little Wolf
  • Aprilena Miller
  • Theodore Nomee
  • Dorothy White Plume
  • Timothy Pease
  • Dione Bellrock
  • Justin Hugs
  • Alanna Kruger
  • Crystal Goes Ahead

Salish & Kootenai College

  • Lacey Kulbeck
  • Anastasia Incashola
  • Amy Stiffarm
  • Barbara McDonough
  • Burdette Bird In Ground
  • Cecilia Shorty
  • Cory Gies
  • Davida Stewart
  • Gabe Caye
  • Jordan Keefe
  • Kayla Keplin
  • Logan Gordon
  • Miranda Birthmark
  • Miranda Fox
  • Nehemiah Little Light
  • Sean Mesteth
  • Sheldon Sheperd
  • Steven Hernandez
  • Tyler Running Crane
  • Victoria Hammer
  • Amanda Luke
  • Jenna Weidman
  • Mariah Dempsey
  • Mark Sankovic
  • Sean Pretty Weasel
  • Tina McLinden
  • Harriott Matt
  • Jonathan Green
  • Keirsten Pretty Paint
  • Kevin Burland
  • Lyman Tailfeathers
  • Rayne Charette
  • Rosie Vollin
  • Wesley Fossler
  • Wilbert Michel Jr.

Stone Child College
  • Della Baptiste
  • Mary Gallegos
  • Jodi Four Colors
  • Brian Rosette
  • Marty Stiffarm
  • Nadine Obey
  • Gregory Bray
  • Deana Sun Child
  • Sherrell Cook
  • Donna Brown
  • Sunny Whalawitsa
  • Isaiah Parker
  • Darren Stump
  • Calvin Jilot
  • Jeremy Descharm
  • Lindsey Houle
  • Jenna Parisian
  • Edward Stamper Jr
  • Jarvis Raining Bird

Flathead Valley Community College
  • Kaitlyn E. Adams
  • Isaiah N. Welch

Miles City Community College
  • Joni M. Henze

Northern Montana College
  • Steven Eagle Feathers
  • Leandra Thomas
  • Nikita Bell
  • Matthew Bell
  • Helen C. Russette

College of Technology-Billings
  • Richard Sanders

University of Montana-Missoula
  • Samantha Thompson
  • Jessie Summers

UM College of Technology-Missoula
  • Jeffrey Hoyt
  • Weston C. Flamond
  • Earlene K. Morton

College of Technology-Butte
  • Justin Korang

Montana Tech of University of Montana
  • Cole Winebrenner

UM-Helena College of Technology
  • Russell Jacobs

MSU-Great Falls College of Technology
  • Elizabeth Peckenpaugh
  • Alanna Corcoran

MSU Bozeman
  • Andrew N. Smith

Western Montana College
  • Lance Bouchee
  • Elida Craven
  • Shadow Devereaux
  • Malissa Rosales

Montana's future depends on our Best and Brightest.  This year’s March 31st deadline is fast approaching; I encourage high school graduating seniors or first certificate or degree-seeking college students to consider going to one of Montana's terrific colleges.  And do keep in touch.

For questions regarding state and tribal relations, contact my Indian Affairs Coordinator Jennifer Perez Cole at 406.444.3702 or jpcole@mt.gov.