Committee extends scholarship deadline, hears Camp Cherokee and Head Start enrollment updates

Executive Director Emerton updated the Cherokee Nation Education Committee on student supports and youth programming, announcing an extension of the College Resource Center scholarship application deadline to 5 p.m. on June 30 to give career-services and higher-education staff more time to coordinate.

"We are extending the deadline for scholarships to 5PM on June 30," Emerton said, adding that staff will circulate outreach language and application information to the committee by email.

Emerton reviewed summer youth programs: Camp Cherokee had sessions in multiple communities (Veneta, Grove, Catoosa) with some remaining spots and the Camp Cherokee application still open at camp.cherokee.org. He noted Johnson O'Malley activities and a schedule for youth leadership programs and riders (RTR) returning June 19 at 11 a.m. at the Peace Pavilion.

On early-childhood programs, Emerton said Head Start staff will return from furlough in July and the program aims to secure day-one enrollment for roughly 680 Head Start children and about 200 Early Head Start infants and toddlers, attributing the improvement in part to elimination of income guidelines. He also described a new 10-week family development credential (FDC) course launched in June with eight staff currently enrolled and a target to have one credentialed FDC staff member in every classroom by year-end.

Diane Kelly separately noted a Surgtech graduation scheduled for Aug. 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. in a community room at Schenoc and highlighted student profiles included in the monthly report.

Committee members asked for follow-up details and were invited to speak with staff after the meeting for additional program information.