Support Ku Stevens in his Journey to College

Ku Stevens' story is remarkable. He is a senior at Yerington High School and an elite cross country runner. Until last year, he trained with little outside coaching. He excels academically (3.9 GPA) and is in the top 10% of his high school class. He is the Student Body Vice President and a member of the National Honor Society.

 

Ku won the Nevada State Cross Country Championship last November. He had the fastest time of all runners...faster than any time of any of the runners in the large school programs. What strikes me the most about Ku, however, is his wisdom and his sense of purpose. Last year, Ku created the Remembrance Run to commemorate his grandfather’s plight at the Stewart Indian Boarding School in Carson City. His grandfather, who was eight years old, escaped and somehow navigated the 50-mile trip through the Northern Nevada high desert and over mountains to return home on foot. Ku saw this run as a way for his Northern Paiute Tribe community to connect to their heritage. I asked Ku why he didn't just do the run himself, as it would have been easier and far quicker. Ku wanted to honor his indigenous roots by creating awareness for his entire community by including his community. He runs for a purpose greater than himself. That is what fuels him. Watch this short videography by Jason Bean to learn more about Ku's work as a social activist https://www.rgj.com/videos/news/2021/08/19/watch-ku-stevens-leads-way-during-remembrance-run/8190939002/ , or visit www.remainingnativedocumentary.com

Ku's dream is to run for the University of Oregon, and he recently earned a place as a recruited walk-on on their nationally ranked running program. He is interested in studying history-specifically Native American history-and, perhaps, working with Nike to develop product designs that are authentic to his native culture while raising awareness. He will be the first male Native American track athlete at the University of Oregon. See this video link from the Reno Gazette Journal: https://www.rgj.com/videos/news/2022/03/23/ku-stevens-talks-accepting-offer-run-univ-oregon/7134261001/

 

Ku will not be the recipient of any athletic scholarships his first year due to his status as a recruited walk-on. His potential is great: he has had little recruiting guidance and, until last year, coaching. The cost of attendance for an out-of-state student at Oregon is about $62,000. He has secured some scholarship aid due to his strong academic record and native origin. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of college, there is still a $25,000 gap to fill.

In accordance with the recent NCAA NIL (Name Image Likeness) policy Ku would like to offer an autographed copy of the national New York Times UpFront Scholastic magazine in exchange for your support of his college journey. This edition features Ku on the cover and includes the story of the Remembrance Run, and is significant as it is the first time the story of Indian boarding schools has been presented in the public school system. Please click the CONTACT link at the bottom of this page to forward your name/mailing address to receive your signed copy.

Let me tell you more about this program:

Funds raised will go directly to fund Ku's tuition and room/board. GoFundMe charges a 2.9% processing fee plus a .30 flat fee per transaction. All funds, less fees, will be deposited directly into Ku's student account at the University of Oregon. If, by chance, there is an excess then it will go towards his second year tuition and fees.

 

Why donate? Who am I?

My name is Stephanie Lerude. I am a professional college advisor in Reno, NV who has worked with hundreds of high school students-approximately 50% of them on a pro-bono basis. I have a "track" record of spotting those who will succeed in college and believe that a lack of access to resources (financial, mentoring, college counseling) should not preclude a hard working student from achieving a college degree. I worked as the College/Career Advisor at Reno High School from 2015-2020 and am a member of our professional organization NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling).

Ku is the second student that I am supporting via GoFundMe, in an effort to provide assistance to high-achieving students with financial need as they fulfill their dream of obtaining a college degree. Ku has been a part of our local running community since he was a young child. Our community has watched him run and develop into the remarkable young man that he is. I reached out to his family, offering my assistance pro-bono, to help fill the financial gap to make his college dream come true.

Last year, many of you generously donated to my first GoFundMe campaign to support Aliza Davis attend Loyola Marymount University. Aliza is thriving: she received a 4.0 GPA her first semester, has an on-campus job and has accepted the position of Residence Assistant next year (which will cover the cost of her housing/food). Your support, which helped to close that financial gap her first year, contributed to her success.

 

College affordability, and thereby access, has become increasingly unattainable for low-income students. As a result, students from low-income families GRADUATE from college at roughly 1/3 the rate of their better-resourced peers. To quote Caitlin Flannigan in her article in the April 2021 issue of The Atlantic:

 

"In a just society, an education wouldn't be a luxury item."

 

Please get in touch with me directly to learn more or to answer any questions you have.