Udall Scholarship Award Recipients
Dallas Kelso of Chadron, Nebraska, was named a earlier this spring. It was her second try at being named to the highly competitive award as she was named honorable mention last year. She follows Jessica Begeman as the second ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø to be named a Udall Scholar.
Kelso, a Wokini Scholar, was one of 55 students selected from over 400 applicants at 192 colleges and universities.
Kelso's work with the American Indian Student Association has been noteworthy. During her freshmen year, the club was nearly inactive, with few meetings and little community interaction. Kelso then decided to dedicate herself to the club. After becoming elected as the club's president her second year, she completely revitalized membership, reinstated annual events, organized multiple fundraisers and hosted two additional events — including the spring wacipi.
Jessica L. Begeman is from the Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation. At South Dakota State University, she studied pharmaceutical sciences with minors in biology and American Indian and Indigenous studies. She plans to pursue a doctorate in pharmacy.
Jessica Begeman became SDSU’s first Udall Scholar when she was awarded the recognition in May 2022. The prestigious, highly competitive award is given to a student who must demonstrate a commitment to addressing significant issues connected to the environment or to Native American healthcare and tribal policy.
Begeman has spent the past two summers interning with the Indian Health Service on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She hopes someday to return to the reservation and her hometown of Martin to practice pharmacy and focus on diabetes management or anticoagulation care.
