Five Future Leaders Receive Inaugural Jones-Bowman Award

CHEROKEE, NC, August 5, 2008 -- Cherokee Preservation Foundation announced today the names of the first five recipients of grants under the new Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program, which will make awards each year to undergraduate students committed to developing their leadership capabilities.  The program honors the memory and leadership of Principal Chief Leon Jones and Mr. James Bowman, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and founding members of the Board of Directors of Cherokee Preservation Foundation.

Award recipients include:

• Damian Solis of the Big Cove community, who is pursuing a degree in Sports Management at Western Carolina University.  An athlete and a youth coach, he would like to work for the EBCI, possibly after first earning a Masters degree in Physical Therapy.  He endeavors to serve as a role model for living healthy and being academically active.

• Kevin Jackson of the Wolftown community, who is a sophomore at Montreat College, after having served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army.  He is a Business major.  After graduation, he intends to earn an MBA and then own a local business or serve in tribal government.  As a volunteer, he has been involved in the Race Against Drugs program.

• Samuel “Gerard” Ball of the Yellowhill community, who is a sergeant detective in the Cherokee Police Department.  He is earning an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice at Western Carolina University and intends to pursue a Masters degree in Criminal Justice after he graduates from WCU.  He coaches in youth sports.

• Lucretia Hicks of the Painttown community, who is a Health and Exercise Science major at Wake Forest University.  Her career goal is to be a pediatrician.  Dedicated to preserving the Cherokee language, she is a leader for Young Voices.  She is helping to start a chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society at Wake Forest.

• Rachel Hicks of the Painttown community, who was student body vice president at Cherokee High School and will be a freshman at UNC Charlotte this fall.  She expects to major in Social Work and has performed extensive community service, including work at Tsali Manor, road-side clean-up efforts, and involvement in Young Voices.

The five Jones-Bowman Fellows will receive annual funding to participate in individually planned leadership learning programs that include activities such as special academic enrichment and tutoring programs, U.S. and foreign travel, conferences, leadership development training, mentoring experiences and sponsored volunteer service.

At present, Jones-Bowman Fellows must be enrolled members of the EBCI, be pursuing formal academic study and enrolled in at least six hours of undergraduate study each term, and show interest in community service and leadership. 

“The Jones-Bowman Award program provides an unusual and wonderful opportunity to develop leadership skills and experiences during the years of undergraduate study,” said Susan Jenkins, executive director of Cherokee Preservation Foundation.  “This learning program is based on the Cherokee tradition of leadership and is about caring for others and giving back to the community. The Jones-Bowman Leadership Award will be very meaningful to those who receive it, and as they become skilled leaders through the experience, the entire Tribe will benefit.”

For more information about the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program, visit  Cherokee Preservation Foundation’s web site at www.cpfdn.org.  See the drop-down menu under Resources and click on the Jones-Bowman Award.