Monday, March 17, 2025 – Science excellence

Two Native students are among the recent winners of one of the most prestigious science research competitions for high school students. Logan Lee (Native Hawaiian) and Ava Grace Cummings (Lumbee and Coharie) placed in the top 10 among thousands of contestants in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. It’s the first time two Indigenous students were awarded prizes in the competition’s 83-year history. We’ll hear about their drive for science excellence. We’ll also check in with the author of Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa. It’s a children’s book by Leslie Stall Widener and illustrator Johnson Yazzie highlighting the enduring connection between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland. GUESTS Ava Grace Cummings (Lumbee and Coharie), senior at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Logan Lee (Native Hawaiian), senior at ‘Iolani School Leslie Widener (Choctaw), author of Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa   Break 1 Music: Eagle Dance REMIX (single) Jason Brown/Decontie & Brown (artist) Break 2 Music: Honor Song (song) Blackfoot Confederacy (artist) Hear the Beat (album)