Congratulations to our 2025 Okhíčhaŋye Scholarship Recipients!

Akiptan is thrilled to announce our 2025 Okhíčhaŋye Scholarship recipients for this year. The Okhíčhaŋye Scholarship is in its fourth year of supporting Native American high school students who are pursuing higher education that will support the agriculture industry.

The scholarship opens for applications in December of each year, closes in the Spring of the following year and is available to those pursuing a degree that supports their future in agriculture at either a college/university, vo-tech or vet tech school. This year’s awards reached 4 Tribal Nations across the country with each applicant providing essays telling about how their studies will lift the agriculture community. With a great group of students submitting essays, 5 students have been awarded with a $2,000.00 scholarship that will support the foundation of their studies carrying agriculture across Indian country forward! 

“I am extremely proud of the students who have received and applied for our Okhíčhaŋye scholarship this year and in previous years. Their success will continue to motivate Akiptan’s youth initiatives and will help to support successful food systems across our communities ”  -Dawn E. LeBeau, Senior Program Officer

Please join us as we congratulate the collective of our 2025 Okhíčhaŋye Scholarship recipients! 

1. Levi Sharp, Oglala Lakota

2. Adasyn Hayes, Cherokee Nation 

3. Kenzie Garramore, Cherokee Nation 

4. Erika Blanchard, Absentee Shawnee Tribe

5. Scholarship Recipient, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe 

The scholarship recipients offered their gratitude for the support towards their agriculture endeavors below: 

Receiving this scholarship would be incredibly meaningful to me. College is expensive, and it causes a lot of mental stress on students. Mental health is such an important issue facing our youth. If I were to receive this scholarship, it would help relieve the stress of paying for college and allow me to focus on my studies. It would also allow me to start thinking and planning how I can start my business helping farmers and ranchers. Not only this, but it would alleviate the student debt I could potentially have after college and allow me to put vital money into my future and career. I will work in college to help pay, but if I were to get this scholarship, that would mean I could put any money earned towards my future after college. - Levi Sharp 

Being selected as the recipient of this scholarship would be an extraordinary honor and hold immense significance for me. As a proud Native American woman aspiring to make a meaningful contribution to the agricultural industry, I am deeply passionate about inspiring and empowering younger students who may follow a similar path. This scholarship would not only ease financial burdens but also enable me to fully dedicate myself to achieving my educational and professional aspirations. With this support, I could focus on reaching my full potential and, ultimately, making a lasting impact in my field and community. - Adasyn Hayes 

Being selected for this scholarship would be an incredible honor and a significant step toward achieving my academic and career goals. It would not only provide financial support for my education in Agricultural Business but also serve as a reminder that my hard work, dedication, and passion for agriculture are recognized and valued. This scholarship would ease the financial burden of college, allowing me to focus on my studies and take full advantage of opportunities such as internships, leadership roles, and hands-on experiences that will prepare me for a career in crop insurance or farm accounting. Additionally, it would give me the ability to continue growing my business, Barn to Bark Pet Sitting, while pursuing my degree, reinforcing my commitment to entrepreneurship in the agricultural industry. Beyond financial assistance, receiving this scholarship would inspire me to continue giving back to my community, just as others have supported me. I am dedicated to making a positive impact in agriculture, whether by helping farmers navigate financial challenges, promoting sustainable practices, or expanding market opportunities for small agricultural businesses. This scholarship would bring me one step closer to making that vision a reality. -Kenzie Garramore

I hope to pursue higher education and possibly a career in Agriculture Science, Vet degree or even working with Wildlife conservation in Native American communities. I believe I can bridge the gap between my cultural background and my passion for agriculture by helping to develop programs that encourage Agriculture related careers and cultural pride among Native youth. Additionally, my experiences will allow me to advocate for increased opportunities for young Native Americans in agriculture, ensuring that they too can experience the benefits of Agriculture and the personal growth it offers. - Erika Blanchard

The Akiptan team is proud of the students working across our communities to grow the future of agriculture across Indian Country and we are looking forward to the success of this scholarship for years to come. To support the Okhíčhaŋye Scholarship and future application opportunities please visit our website at www.akiptan.org/scholarship  or reach out to Dawn E. LeBeau, Senior Program Officer at dawn@akiptan.org