HEADLINES
	2003 Shareholders Meeting
	Honesty And Integrity
	A Moment In Time With Henry John Billie
	Unveiling Of Dorothy Scott Osceola Portrait
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Unveiling of Dorothy Scott Osceola Portrait

By Paula Cassels
HOLLYWOOD — On Jan.16, the Seminole Education Department invited Seminole citizens, associates and principals from local private and public schools and universities to attend an Open House for the unveiling of Dorothy Scott Osceola's portrait.
The Open House took place in culture room on the second floor, the goal was to get acquainted and establish relationships with the local schools and universities, public and private.
The event also promoted the services of the Education Department to the Seminole community, and attendees were able to tour the DSO library facilities.
Before the unveiling, Director of Education Maria Rumbaitis introduced the Education Department staff. Rumbaitis has only been employed with the Seminole Tribe for a short time, but says they are very busy in the Education Department.
The Education Department has a preschool program, which serves 150 students from 6 weeks old to 5 years of age. The preschool includes a language program. There are also preschool operations on four other Seminole reservations. After preschool, the children start a fellowship program from Kindergarten to12th grade.
Language Program Coordinator Jo North said the language program started in 1999 with only one person. When the Council realized that the children were speaking less and less of their traditional language, they gave the OK to encourage language programs.
When the children are ready for higher education, Dora Bell, the Higher Education Advisor will help the students and parents find and contact the colleges and universities they want to attend.
Speaker Culture Program Director Lorene Gopher said she recalls when the culture program first started in 1979 and she is glad to see how far the Language program has come.
Director of Employment and Training Moses Osceola introduced his staff and expressed his appreciation to the Tommie family.
Assistant Director of Education Louise Gopher said it was long overdue for the portrait of Dorothy Scott Osceola to take place and she was glad Dorothy's family could make it tonight.
Attending the unveiling of Dorothy Scott Osceola portrait were President/Acting Chairman Mitchell Cypress, Council Representative Max Osceola, Jr., Miccosukee Liaison William Osceola, Hollywood Board Representative David DeHass and Big Cypress Board Representative Paul Bowers.
After the official remarks, the beautiful portrait of Dorothy Scott Osceola was unveiled in the presence of her family members.
Dorothy was born in Ft. Pierce, the daughter of Sam Tommie and Mildred Bowers Tommie; she was one of eleven children.
As a child, Dorothy Osceola attended public school and later graduated from Drake College for (Business-Secretarial). After graduation, she worked as a receptionist and accounts payable clerk in the tribal office.
Dorothy Osceola also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. In 1971, she was appointed Secretary-Treasurer for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Osceola held this position until her passing in June 1979.
Dorothy Osceola was married to Russell Osceola, and the family includes two daughters, Cecelia and Janelle, one son, Travis, twelve grandchildren, and one great grandson.
After the unveiling of Dorothy Scott Osceola 's portrait, the attendees were invited to the first floor for a buffet dinner in the Preschool Department.