Standing Rock receives 'Billy Award' for excellence in writing

Press Release

Stone Child College education major Anfernee Standing Rock received the annual "Billy Award," the William O. Goggins Journalism Award, in recognition of his writing ability.

The annual award, given to a student at Stone Child and a student at Blackfeet Community College, are given in memory of accomplished journalist William "Bill" Goggins, a Havre native who, with his family, spent many summers in Montana including family reunions in Beaver Creek Park and spending time in East Glacier, where the family also had deep connections.

His father, William "Turk" Goggins, had worked on the Going-to-the-Sun Road while a surveyor and engineer with he Montana Department of Transportation and the family lived in Babb at that time.

The family kept educational connections with Havre-area Indians as well as the Blackfeet.

The Blackfeet Community College award was presented to Warren Blackman.

The award is presented to students who show interest and promise in writing.

In his response to the question "What can Native Americans do to assure academic success for their children?" Standing Rock's reply included:

• "Staffing reservation schools with teachers who can make a difference for students is a primary goal."

• "Role models can be a very positive impact on the youth and

that doesn't have to be an adult. Kids can look up to some of their peers in school that have an idea on what they are doing in life."

• "What it comes down to is that there is no sugar

coating in educating Native American students. ... We should push them to go above and beyond.

• "The concept of education never intrigued me until just recently. I hope I can continue to learn and have open ears to become the best student and hopefully one day to become the best teacher I can be.'

The family of Bill Goggins, longtime journalist and former editor of WIRED Magazine, decided to create the awards in 2007 following Goggins' death in 2006 from a sudden fatal heart condition during the San Francisco Marathon.

The awards are presented in May along with a $500 scholarship.

In the announcement of the awards, the Goggins family also recognized Stone Child College President Nathan St. Pierre, who died in August, saying he was a strong proponent of the "Billy Awards."

The family also gave its best wishes to "Interim SCC President and long-time friend Cory Sangrey-Billy."