While a student at Oak Grove, Ruth was named to the 1995 All-State team in girls’ basketball and All-Region volleyball team. She also won the ND Class B state track in the 800 m run. In 1994, Ruth was named Homecoming Queen.
She went on to pursue degrees in Criminal Justice, a Masters in Management, Business Administration and Public Health. Ruth takes pride in her American Indian heritage as she is a citizen of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation and a descendant of the Chiricahua Apache. A member of the Dripping Earth clan, she grew up on the Ft Berthold Indian Reservation. At an early age, Ruth knew she wanted to make a difference in the American Indian community and has twenty years of experience in serving American Indian youth. Ruth’s time at Oak Grove challenged her all while nurturing her faith and service. She is very thankful for her sponsors who became her surrogate grandparents, Lee and Elsie Gilbertson.