FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 17 2006

CONTACT:
Jillian Fiorella, Travers Collins & Company
716-842-2222, ext 341 Cell: 716-698-8190

Hamburg, NY - - The Seneca Diabetes Foundation (SDF) hosted its Second Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Brierwood Country Club on August 14th. The event brought together local celebrities, businesses and organizations to raise funds and awareness for one of the top health issues facing American Indians today. 

Announced in October 2004 and formally established in May 2005 by Barry E. Snyder, Sr., SDF aims to provide education outreach, raise prevention awareness and fund research to improve the lives of Seneca Nation Members and others affected by diabetes.  Fifty percent (50%) of Seneca Nation adult members have diabetes, and it is also becoming more prevalent among Seneca youth.

Recipients of the Seneca Diabetes Foundation endowed scholarship program and their family members were also in attendance to receive their awards. Five (5) scholarships and two (2) student internships were presented. SDF Chairman and Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder, Sr., presented the recipients their awards.  “This is a proud day for the Seneca Diabetes Foundation and the Seneca people.  SDF is delighted to provide Seneca Nation members with financial assistance in their pursuit of higher education in the health and/or social services fields.”

SDF was proud to present awards went to:

Emily Olson

• Recipient of the Barry & Deanna Snyder, Sr. Chairman’s Scholarship ($10,000 over 2 years)
• Emily is pursuing a degree in Pharmacy
• A student at North Dakota State University with an expected graduation date of May 2011
• She has a cumulative GPA of 3.6
• Her leadership skills and community involvement are exceptional
• She is active in the:
  - Native American Pharmacy Program (NAPP)
  - LeaderQuest
  - Caring Community of Leaders and Problem Solvers (CCLP)
  - Summer Leadership Institute
• Emily plans to bring her pharmacy degree back to the territories and the Seneca Nation Health Department

Corianne Bazemore

• Recipient of the Maurice & Karen John Treasurer’s Scholarship ($5,000 annually)
• Cori is pursuing a degree in Psychology
• A student at the University of South Dakota with an expected graduation date of May 2008
• She has a cumulative GPA of 3.36
• Her teamwork skills are very impressive
• She is active (to name a few) in the:
  - Native American Youth Society
  - Tiospaye Native American Student Association
  - Turtle Women’s Society
  - Students Against Violence
  - Native Students Pipeline in Reclaiming Education
• Cori plans to pursue her graduate degree in psychology

Nancy Scott

• Recipient of the Seneca Gaming Corporation Scholarship ($5,000 annually)
• Nancy is a returning student who is pursuing a degree in Psychology & Business
• A student at Wright State University in Ohio she is expected to graduate in June 2010
• She has a cumulative GPA of 3.8
• Her dedication to community service is exceptional
• She is the founder of a non-profit organization called “Healing Trauma & PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)”
  - She’s Vice President of Wright State University’s Association for Native American Students
• Nancy plans to bring her organization to the Seneca Nation Territories by opening her first (of many) chapters of Healing Trauma & PTSD there

Tina Scott

• Recipient of the Ruth Goode Scholarship ($5,000 annually)
• Tina is a returning student who is pursuing a degree in Nursing
• A student at SUNY Brockport College Tina maintains a near perfect GPA
• Tina is the mother of 2 sons who plans to provide nursing care to the Seneca Nation

Joshua Washburn

• Recipient of BOTH the Geraldine Memmo Scholarship ($5,000 annually) and the Internship ($1,000 over 3 months)
• Joshua is pursuing a degree in General Surgery & Orthopedics
• A student at SUNY Buffalo with an expected completion date of May 2008
• He has a cumulative GPA of 3.2
• He has a strong interest in his Seneca/Native American history
• Joshua is active in the Association of Pre-Med Students (APMS)
  - He volunteers at South Buffalo Mercy Hospital
  - And shadows at Buffalo General Hospital
• He is looking forward to a “hands-on” internship at the Seneca Nation Health center and the ability to give back to his Seneca community

Nathan Washburn

• Recipient of the Internship ($1,000 over 3 months)
• Nathan is pursuing a degree Dentistry, specifically pediatric dentistry
• A student at SUNY Geneseo with an expected completion date of May 2010
• He has a cumulative GPA of 3.6
• Nathan shadows at Women & Children’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital

SDF Chairman Barry E. Snyder, Sr. was the honorary chairman of the golf tournament.  The tournament was co-chaired by Seneca Nation members Bergal L. Mitchell III, Joe DeLamielleure and SDF Finance Chairman Michael R. Militello. 

Scholarship information is also posted at senecadiabetesfoundation.org.