SKC student Jane Dempsey receives PEO scholarship

Jade Dempsey, who recently completed her junior year at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, has been selected as the 2023-’24 Jane Hammer Holmgren Scholarship (JHHS) recipient.

The scholarship recognizes an outstanding Montana woman who is pursuing a degree in elementary education. It was established in 1996 and is given in memory of Jane Hammer Hologram of Kalispell, who passed away after a long difficult battle with cancer. Jane was only 39 years old with two young children and a promising life ahead of her.

A P.E.O. chapter may nominate a candidate who has completed at least two years of college in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree’ or post-graduate work in elementary education and upon completion will be working with students rather than administration.

“We would all be happy to have Jade as a teacher for our children,” writes the local P.E.O. Chapter CA, which nominated her for the scholarship.

Dempsey, who lives in Ronan, plans to graduate from SKC in June 2024 with a degree in Elementary Education. She has a 3.8 GPA and has been on the dean’s list and president’s list every quarter while attending SKC. She is a first descendent of two tribes, Lakota and Salish.

Dempsey believes that every teacher needs to move forward using technology and learn how to incorporate it into their classroom. She also feels that teachers and parents need to talk to their children about safety on the internet by having open communication with students and their guardians.

Dempsey says she looks forward to providing a safe, trusting environment where children feel comfortable and can come to her at any time. She also plans to invest fully in her students and has been known to be the first student to enter the classroom and the last one to leave.

In addition to her academic success, Dempsey is considered a leader among her peers and was chosen by her professors to represent the Division of Education by presenting a research project at the annual Research Symposium during SKC’s Founder’s Week last fall. Dempsey’s project focused on the civic responsibility of community service and her volunteer work at three non-profit organizations on the Flathead Reservation.

She was also chosen for the Montana Volunteer Award for 2023.

Dempsey attends extracurricular activities in the Division of Education and is a regular participant in the monthly Flathead Reservation Educator Hub (FRESH) meetings at SKC where she has the opportunity to interact with teachers across the reservation to learn about the teaching profession and hone in on the crucial skills that are necessary for a master teacher.