TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – A Cherokee Nation citizen, Jackie Eagle, of Gore, Okla., has been named Indian Student of the Year by the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education. This is the second year in a row the honor has gone to a Cherokee student.

Eagle is currently serving as Jr. Miss Cherokee and was also an active member of the 2010 Cherokee Nation Youth Leadership Council. As Jr. Miss Cherokee, Eagle serves as an ambassador for the Cherokee Nation, taking part in public events throughout the 14-county area to promote and bring awareness to Cherokee history, language and culture.

During the past year, through the Cherokee Nation Youth Leadership Council’s platform of culture and language, Eagle worked to increase public knowledge of Cherokee language and culture while raising funds for local charities and developing into an effective community leader.

“Jackie is always willing to share her culture, history and language. I am very proud of her and I believe the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education made a good choice in selecting her as Indian Student of the Year,” said Reba Bruner, who organizes the Jr. Miss Cherokee pageant.

Last year’s Indian Student of the Year, Ashley Miller, was also the reigning Jr. Miss Cherokee.

“This is the second year our Jr. Miss Cherokee Ambassador has received this award. Our ambassadors show integrity and academic achievement showing they are a well-rounded student in all they do,” Bruner said.