Kim Lertjuntharangool

A member of the Laguna Pueblo

7th Generation Community Services Corporation (7thGen) offers a scholarship with the goal to enhance life for Native Americans living in Indian country. 7thGen's intent is to provide a Native American individual with the opportunity to become certified in a skill that would not only enable the individual to increase their personal productivity and income but also contribute to the socio-economic growth and development of their community.

Scholarship Offered

The educational award for the veterinary technology program is a full scholarship which also covers living and related travel expenses for an individual to become a certified veterinary technician. After nationwide recruitment and a competitive application screening process, a candidate is selected to receive an award for attending the two-year college program on a full scholarship.

The Academic and Clinical Program

Brevard Community College (BCC) in Cocoa, Florida has a rigorous and fully accredited Associate in Science Veterinary Technology Program. The college works with 7thGen to assure placement for the scholarship recipient, so long as s/he meets the admission requirements of the program. The student completes two years of academic study including clinical practice under the supervision of BCC faculty. The veterinary technology program courses are sequential and require a full-time commitment to attending classes. A 7thGen board member has agreed to provide part time, paid employment in his veterinary medicine practice.

Criteria for Selection of Candidate

Successful candidates will possess a background of working or volunteering with animals, a high school Diploma or GED, previous science coursework in high school or college, and a willingness to temporarily relocate to Florida.

Our First Student Recipient

Kim Lertjuntharangool, a member of the Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, was selected as our first recipient for the Veterinary Technology Program scholarship. In her application essay, she talked about her sincere passion and love of animals which were heightened by her opportunity to work in a veterinary clinic at the age of 15. Her goals for the future include one day having her own veterinary hospital and being able to "contribute to the economical status of my people."

Kim began classes at Brevard Community College on Jan. 14th. She brought her two pets with her for company; her small dog, Jacob and her ferret. She does volunteer/intern hours at the Brevard Zoo and is working part-time at our board member, Dr. Burger's animal clinic. Kim finished her first semester May 9th and started summer session on May 21st. Kim reports that she is enjoying the school program as well as working at the clinic. She is also involved in the student Veterinary Technology Club.

Holly Greenberg

Native Alaskan Descent

When 7th Generation Community Services Corporation was incorporated in 2003, we established a scholarship program to assist a limited number of Native American students who planned to continue their education by attending college programs. Renewable scholarships were offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student's choice. Selected students received up to $20,000.00 a year based on their financial need. With the development of more Native American Tribal Colleges and the increased availability of scholarships, 7th Gen refocused its services to better reflect the emerging purpose of improving the economic and living conditions of Native American communities by instituting the Veterinary Technology Program which includes apprenticeship and mentoring as well as the traditional scholarship.

This was the final year of our academic scholarship. Our last recipient, Holly Greenberg, of Native Alaskan descent, was selected for the scholarship as a freshman in 2004. She graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in June of 2008.