Overcoming Challenges, Giving Back: 2018 Virginia Leflore Marshall Scholarship Recipient
As he’s transitioned through seasons of life, Duncan Kovash developed a mindset of what being Choctaw meant to him — a big family, a place to be, people who cared about him. That continues through his life, from growing up to going to college to entering the workforce.
“I’ve had nothing but unwavering support from my close family within the Choctaw Nation and then my extended family through different programs,” Duncan says. “They genuinely care.”
From the time he was in middle school, Duncan’s life included his now wife Sierra. They’ve been married over 7 years and are proud parents of their 5-year-old son, but it wasn’t always a smooth road to get where they are.
While he was pursuing education and career goals, Duncan and Sierra’s son was born prematurely. Though he was in and out of the hospital for the first two months of his life, their little boy is happy and healthy now.
“It was a lot trying to get through it and then continue through school as well,” Duncan says.
After graduation, when Duncan entered the next phase of his education, he discovered how expensive graduate school is. He was constantly told “no” on funding and scholarships over the span of two years.
For previous education goals, Duncan was funded through the Choctaw Nation and other programs. He had heard about the Chahta Foundation but had not applied during his journey. With other options exhausted, Duncan took another look at the Foundation.
“They had grown pretty significantly from what I remembered, so I put in my application,” he says.
Duncan was awarded the 2018 Virginia Leflore Marshall scholarship. For him, one of the top benefits with this scholarship is the service agreement, meaning he completes a payback through working for the Tribe, something he wants to do. It also lifted a huge financial burden by paying the remainder of his tuition, eliminating student loans for his grad program, and allowing him to finish school debt free.
Duncan will be certified as a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
“My wife and I have been through quite a bit together growing up,” Duncan says. “There’s been a lot of times when there’s nothing I could have done, and it’s not a good feeling. It inspired me to go into that field so that maybe I can help people who might feel helpless.”
Duncan and Sierra attended the 6th Annual Chahta Foundation Scholarship Banquet as they celebrated this opportunity.
In final remarks during the interview, Duncan adds, “I’ve led a very blessed life.”
Credit: Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer
