The campus of the Spokane Tribal College in Spokane, Washington. Image from Google Maps

Randy Ramos, a recruiter for the Spokane Tribal College in Washington, is one of three winners of the Peirone Prize.

Ramos, who is a member of the Colville Tribes, was selected for his tireless efforts to promote higher education among Native Americans and other students. He was able to further his education by attending the college.

"It's an escape. I tell them, if you've had a life being the victim, this is the opportunity to stop being that," Ramos told The Pacific Northwest Inlander. "I had my family taken away from me. I had my job, had my money taken away. But my education can never be taken away from me."

Budget constraints means Ramos has been working as a recruiter without pay. The Peirone Prize comes with a cash award.

The college operates on the reservation and recently opened a campus in the city of Spokane.

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Randy Ramos (The Pacific Northwest Inlander 8/27)
Peirone Prize Winners (The Pacific Northwest Inlander 8/27)