The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Kerani Mitchell. photo by Rongi Yost

Sisters High School Senior Kerani Mitchell recently won the coveted Sullivan Leadership Award from Seattle University.

Each year seven high school seniors are selected to receive the award and competitors represent Oregon, Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana and Washington.

The scholarship for Mitchell will cover the cost of tuition and room and board and is renewable for four years if academic and leadership requirements are met.

Mitchell became aware of the scholarship just two short weeks before the application was due and thought she might not have enough time to complete it.

"I was hesitant to even apply because I had such a short time to fill out the application, gather letters of recommendation and complete the essay that was required," said Mitchell. "But the whole concept of the award really attracted me to it and I thought I may have a chance since the scholarship consisted of things I care about and do anyway."

Mitchell immediately got busy on her essay and asked teachers to write letters of recommendation for her.

Mitchell said she wouldn't have been able to complete the application and everything it involved without the help of many of her teachers. English teachers Carol Dixon, Samra Spear and Doug McDonald all critiqued and helped refine Mitchell's required speech and Rema Givot and Janice Comfort provided information in regards to the presentation.

Mitchell sent off her application and was pleased when she found out she'd met the award criteria and was invited to the SU campus for a mandatory "Leader's Day."

During the Leader's Day program, candidates complete the first stage of the application process by writing an impromptu essay, attend school presentations and participate in a leadership workshop. The selection committee then reviews the candidates' application materials and the Leader's Day essay and invites 36 finalists to return to campus for the second stage of the process.

Mitchell was one of the finalists chosen out of 330 applicants.

The finalists returned to campus and were required to give a 10-minute speech and were interviewed by selection committee members. Two separate panels of judges evaluated each applicant's presentation/speech. Seven students were selected from this group of finalists to receive the Sullivan Leadership Award.

"The whole selection process was very meticulous," said Mitchell, "and the presentation panel scared me a lot. When I was through there was no reaction at all from the panel. I felt like a failure and thought I had really messed up. The judges were really blank faced and unresponsive. But, I felt really good about my interview panel. Surprisingly, I even made the Dean laugh."

Mitchell told the panel that even if she didn't get the scholarship award she would still be active on campus, volunteer and study abroad.

Three days later she was notified of the award.

Mitchell told The Nugget that one of the things she liked about the scholarship was that it wasn't strictly academic but was based on the whole person.

She is looking forward to meeting and working together with the other Sullivan Scholarship winners.

"There are seven scholarship winners from each class," said Mitchell, "and I will be meeting with them on a regular basis. We'll be somewhat like-minded in terms of leadership and aspirations. It will be really nice to have that community and support group throughout college."

Mitchell plans on studying fine arts with a music emphasis while at Seattle University and will minor in international studies.

Mitchell is also contemplating teaching overseas and possibly pursuing a career in photojournalism.

"Part of me really wants to dedicate my life to service," said Kerani, "whether in education, volunteer work or music."

Mitchell is currently working as an intern for IEE (Interdisciplinary Environmental Expedition). She has been involved in music, art and the Americana Project as well as Leadership, Key Club and has served as an ASB officer.

"I love it all," said Mitchell, "and look forward to the growth opportunities regarding service, self expression, and community at Seattle University."