I want to thank the Yogi Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund for awarding me financial aid for this fall semester. I am a graduate student at Western Carolina University studying American History with an emphasis in Cherokee Studies. I will be finishing my last semester as a graduate student this fall and the Yogi Crowe scholarship that has been awarded to me will help to lessen the financial burden that graduate students incur. I commute to Cullowhee for evening classes and I have done so for over two years. By pursuing a master’s degree I have tried to better myself by attaining an education that will not only benefit my family but will hopefully enable me to better serve the Cherokee community through my future professional endeavors. It can be extremely difficult to balance a full time job, having a family and a full time class load as a graduate student but with help from educational entities like the Yogi Crow Scholarship Fund, this can be achieved.
I feel completely blessed to be an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for a multitude of reasons. In regards to education, we as enrolled members are privileged to educational resources and monies that give us access to educational institutions that many people never get a chance to experience. Hopefully we can earn an education and strengthen our tribe and our community for future generations of Cherokees yet to come. I would also like to express my gratitude to my family who has continually supported and promoted the importance of a higher education. I look forward to being a part of the Yogi Crowe scholarship fund after I graduate so that I may give back to the organization that has given me so much help and will continue to help future enrolled members who want to pursue an education at the graduate level.
Sgi,
Catcuce V. Tiger
