T’ata Roberts enjoys a University of Oklahoma football game with her family, all dressed for the occasion. Pictured (left to right) her mom Rebecca Roberts, T’Ata Roberts, father Michael Roberts, and below are siblings Morning Star Roberts and Paan Pai Roberts.
OU Scholar Honored for Educational Excellence
By Brandon Frye
Choctaw Nation
Norman, Okla. - T’ata Roberts’ long time dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and the advocacy for Native communities culminated with a unique honor for the young leader at the University of Oklahoma football stadium on Oct. 3.
The university began featuring exemplary student scholars during their games. Roberts, 21-year-old senior, was at the top of the list for many of her mentors, peers, and professors.
She received a minute of recognition on the big screens of the stadium at the OU vs West Virginia home game. A brief biography was read while various pictures of her highlights on an off campus were shown.
Roberts was selected out of the entire student body at OU based on her past success in the areas of academics, leadership, community involvement, and for her accomplishments and awards.
“This was by far a highlight of my life. Never have I ever imagined I would be honored in such a way,” Roberts said. “I not only see this as an accomplishment for myself, but an accomplishment for all Native people at OU. Recognition on a university-level for American Indians is rare.”
Roberts is Choctaw, Chickasaw and Taos Pueblo. She was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico to Michael and Rebecca Roberts of Ada. She is the eldest of three daughters. Younger sisters are Paan Pai and Morning Star Roberts. She is the granddaughter of Wilson and Sharon Roberts of Ada, as well as Vincent and Judith Mondragon of Taos, New Mexico.
In 2012, T’ata Roberts entered her college career at the University of Oklahoma named a “Featured Future Sooner” based on her high school grades and leadership skills.
She quickly took on new experiences and leadership roles on campus, including an involvement with the American Indian Student Association (AISA). During freshman and sophomore years she was a member, became the cultural affairs chair as a junior, and today serves as President of AISA.
As president of AISA, Roberts stressed unity and inclusiveness of the Native community as a whole. In 2014, she served AISA as Miss Indian OU, where she represented with the platform of special needs and special olympics. She volunteered at various events involving special olympics and helped to raise money to send students from a local school to the Special Olympic State Games.
Last year, Roberts was inducted into Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society. She received various scholarships including: Gates Millennium Scholarship, AT&T American Indian Scholarship, McAlester Scottish Rite Scholarship, and the Stratford B. & Eleanor M. “Bobbie” Tolson Scholarship.She is an OU Presidential Leadership Class Alumni, a member of the Dean’s Honor Roll, and 2014/2015 Miss Indian OU.
She is currently studying human relations with a minor in Native American studies. She enjoys spending time with my family, traveling to various powwows across the United States and Canada, playing basketball, singing in the car, going on road trips and exploring new places.
Roberts plans to continue with her education by attending graduate school. As a Gates Millennium Scholar, she plans to use the scholarship to its fullest extent and spend as much time in school as she can.
“To the students, never forget who you are and where you come from,” Roberts said. “Take your education as far as you can and use it, give back to the community and our people when you’ve made it to the top.”