Greenwich, Connecticut (ICC)

Jana, five-time NAMMY winner and founder of the Jana’s Kids Organization, announced in a live telephone broadcast from Greenwich the first recipient of her Fine Arts Scholarship during the 8th grade promotion exercises on June 6 in Shonto, Arizona.

Witnessed by a packed gymnasium along with 64 promotees, Jana announced, “This is very special day that I get to share with all my friends at Shonto and the Navajo Nation. Today, my Jana’s Kids Organization will be awarding its very first scholarship for artistic achievement to a student here at Shonto.

“This is a proud day for me to be able to honor this very special student. With the help of all the board members of the Jana’s Kids Organization, it is a great honor to present the first scholarship to the talented Maurita Begay. Congratulations to you, Maurita, and may this be one of the many successes you will achieve in your life. Thank you and may the Creator watch over you and guide you always.”

Maurita completed the 8th grade at Shonto Preparatory School and was quite surprised to have received a scholarship at her promotion. Her parents, Anthony and Laurie Begay, were just as surprised and excited for her. Maurita worked on her portfolio since January when Jana made the announcement that she would be awarding a couple of scholarships this year.

Classmates Rodylan Cooley and Alonzo Mann also submitted portfolios, and it was a tough decision for the board to make. The three students showed equal artistic strengths, but it was the essay that Maurita wrote about her artwork that captured the final decision. Her father, who is also an artist, continues to inspire her. Her artwork arouses feelings within her that are indescribable and touching.

Upon receiving the scholarship, Maurita is now qualified to receive an additional $500 upon completion of high school – making it a total of a $1,000 scholarship from Jana’s Kids Organization. This student is also now receiving full support from Jana and her Board of Directors with academic services, counseling, mentoring, and guidance for the next four years.

A Lumbee/Tuscarora from Lumberton, North Carolina, Jana has worked hard for the last seven years to raise money for Native American children across the nation. This year, she has finally raised enough to give a couple of scholarship awards to two students – one middle school and one high school in the amount of $500 each.

In addition to her hard work, Jana has yet garnered two more Native American Music Awards. Her Flash of a Firefly album was voted as Record of the Year and her producers of American Indian Christmas, Stephan Galfas and Alex Salzman, proudly walked away with the Best Producer Award.

Jana’s Kids Organization offers financial aid awards to Native American students actively involved in Fine Arts programs. This includes the visual arts, music, drama, dance, TV/radio, or technical areas in the theater. Scholarships may be awarded to prospective students who have been accepted to a college and are available for majors, minors, and students who have an interest in continuing fine arts activities through performance groups and private applied lessons. Annual awards are available to students who participate in one or more fine arts productions or musical ensembles per year and meet the organization’s criteria for this award.

FMI: www.jananation.com.