WASHINGTON — The Tewaaraton Foundation has announced the recipients of the 16th annual Tewaaraton Native American Scholarships, presented by USA Lacrosse. Awarded to male and female students each year, the scholarship honors high school students of Haudenosaunee heritage who exemplify high character, leadership, and academics both on and off the lacrosse field. Applicants are asked to submit an essay describing what the sport of lacrosse means to them as Native American student-athletes and members of their community, as well as two letters of recommendation and a high school transcript.
Savannah Swamp, Bear Clan, Akwesasne Mohawk Nation
Savannah attends Salmon River Central School, maintains a 4.0 GPA, is a National Honor Society member, and is the peer lead for Salmon River’s Suicide Prevention Program. Savannah is a three sport varsity competitor in volleyball, basketball and lacrosse. Savannah will attend the University of Albany and is considering playing lacrosse.
Crayton Cree, Bear Clan, Akwesasne Mohawk Nation
Crayton attends Salmon River Central School, maintains a 4.0 GPA and has won gold and silver medals in lacrosse and hockey. Crayton began playing lacrosse around age 3 or 4 and currently plays with the Jr. B Indians. His family’s lacrosse tradition began with his great grandparents. Crayton is an active member of the Akwesasne Storm and Attack Lacrosse Programs, helping young people develop their skills and mentoring them. Crayton will attend SUNY Potsdam and play varsity lacrosse. He will study education and hopes to continue coaching children in lacrosse.
“It’s a tremendous honor to reward these outstanding student-athletes for their exceptional accomplishments,” said Marc Riccio, president and CEO of USA Lacrosse. “We are proud to partner with the Tewaaraton Foundation in recognizing the best and brightest young players from the Native American community.”
An 11-year commitment by USA Lacrosse has supported the scholarship program, which annually recognizes two outstanding Native American high school seniors for academic achievement and lacrosse excellence. One of the primary goals of the scholarship program is to honor the sport’s Native American roots. Students must be members of the Haudenosaunee community, enrolled in a secondary school and represent the highest ideals of sportsmanship to be eligible for this scholarship. Each scholarship recipient is awarded $10,000 for education — $5,000 for each of their first and second years in college.
More information on the Tewaaraton Award and previous scholarship winners can be found at www.Tewaaraton.com.
For more information on the Tewaaraton Award, how to donate to this non-profit, visit www.Tewaaraton.com. Like and follow The Tewaaraton Foundation at Facebook.com/Tewaaraton, Twitter.com/Tewaaraton and Instagram.com/Tewaaraton.
About The Tewaaraton Foundation
Founded at the University Club of Washington DC and first presented in 2001, the Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the preeminent lacrosse award, annually honoring the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. Endorsed by the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders and U.S. Lacrosse, the Tewaaraton Award symbolizes lacrosse’s centuries-old roots in Native American heritage. The Tewaaraton Foundation ensures the integrity and advances the mission of this award. Each year, the Tewaaraton Award celebrates one of the six tribal nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy – the Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora – and presents two scholarships to students of Native American descent. To learn more about The Tewaaraton Foundation, please visit www.Tewaaraton.com.
About USA Lacrosse
USA Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse in the United States, leads the U.S. National Teams Program and establishes universal standards. With nearly 400,000 members across the country, USA Lacrosse unites the community of players, coaches, officials, parents, and program leaders. Working together, we inspire participation, enrich the athlete experience, and support the growth of the sport. To learn more about USA Lacrosse, please visit www.usalacrosse.com
