Who Are We? ‘Sader Ig-Nation Review Team!

The Ignatian Review Team with Bob Brave Heart. Photo by Chris Ives. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Who Are We? ‘Sader Ig-Nation Review Team!

By Colton Sierra ‘14

One of most important lunches to ever happen at Red Cloud occurred on Monday the 27th. There are many important lunches, but this lunch has not and does not come along often. This lunch was put together by our very own Brad Held S.J. and Robin Johnson and was the first to happen here at Red Cloud. It involved Red Cloud students and the visiting Ignatian Review Team.

Red Cloud’s Ignatian Identity Review team came to visit for a few days this week to check how we as a school are living out the criteria found in What Makes a Jesuit High School Jesuit? The team members told Fr. George that the most anticipated part about the trip to Red Cloud was meeting with the students.

“We prepared since last March for this visit,” said Held. “I am very excited for them to experience Red Cloud.”

Savannah Jensen, Ryan Hussman, and myself were the three seniors who attended the lunch, along with juniors Carlee Janis and Zach Nunez. We all were asked questions about the school and general questions about our lives so that the Review Team could help connect on more personal level with the students.

“I was a little nervous about being there but it was nice to reflect back on our school,” said Nunez. He was seated alongside Janis. They weren’t shy to tackle some of the questions.

Since this was the first time this Review Team visited Red Cloud, I asked them about their first feelings upon arriving here. “It was geography shock,” said Terry Tyrell, the principal over at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.

“It was overwhelming since our context was different,” said Mari Thomas, Vice President at the Jesuit Secondary Education Association in Washington, D.C.

Held’s inspiration for this lunch came from when he was a part of a visitation team that visited Loyola High School in Detroit. Loyola’s president arranged a similar lunch for their students, which sparked the idea for a lunch to be held at Red Cloud.

“The lunch is a really great way for them to have an extended conversation with the students, and this year the Review Team really enjoyed the lunch,” said Held.

The next time Red Cloud’s Ignatian Identity Review Team visits will be in five years. 

Sacred Number Seven: Girls Basketball on a Win Streak

Amanda Carlow leads her troops. Photo courtesy of Shawnta' Jones '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Sacred Number Seven: Girls Basketball on a Win Streak

By Shawnta` Jones ‘14

West, North, East, South, the sky, the earth and ourselves are the seven directions in the Lakota culture. As of right now, the Red Cloud girls basketball team is connected to each of these directions and it seems as if nothing can go wrong. They are in balance and are currently riding a seven game win streak.

After the three game losing streak and a devastating loss to the Pine Ridge Thorpes in early January by the score of 80-54, the Lady Crusaders finally found their mojo. After Coach Amanda Carlow had them run 31 straight ladders in practice, the team made a drastic change.

“We went on a three game losing streak because we were not playing as a team. We weren’t confident, and we were selfish,” stated Carlow. “Now I like where we're at as a team, but I feel like we need to continue to grow and make changes. By the end of the season, we will be looking good.”

The girls came out against St. Francis on fire and beat them with the score of 82-45. Next was the extremely tough battle against Belle Fourche, but once again they won the game 64-63. Douglas 72-49, Alliance 76-49, Cheyenne Eagle Butte 60-48, Bennett County 68-59, and the last game against Custer with a blowout 78-27. The winning continued and their win streak rose to seven.

“It’s like sundance. When you suffer with people, it brings you closer and as one. That is why I had them run 31 straight ladders,” said Carlow. “We are more aggressive on defense. We’re starting to attack the basket and moving the ball more. It kind of feels like a whole new team.”

The Lady Crusaders are giving their all at each practice and are hoping to reach their final goal at the end of the season.

Junior Myriam Rama says, “I feel that we are a team this year and we are improving individually as well as a team. As for our winning streak, I hope we can continue as we head to Lead- Deadwood on Friday. I feel real good.”

Mahpiya Luta Times Daily Newscast

Featuring Colton Sierra '14. Video by Shawnta' Jones '14.

Birthday Profile (a few days late): Gabriella Rodriguez ‘14

Gabby on her birthday. Photos by Colton Sierra '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Birthday Profile (a few days late): Gabriella Rodriguez ‘14

By Colton Sierra ‘14

Many teens anticipate turning the age 18, and for Gabriella Rodriguez (Gabby), the anticipation is done. In honor of her birthday (and because we forgot her in last week's Birthdays of the Week), I decided to pay her a visit and share a little chat.

Gabby is one of the few artistic beasts that roam around the hallways of Red Cloud. She won awards for her artwork in the LNI Art Competition.

Not only is she good with the pen or brush, but she is also the good in her heart. She wants to attend Creighton University or University of North Dakota and major in Physical Therapy. She has aspirations to put a Physical Therapy Center somewhere on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Speaking of the reservation, Rodriguez is active in many aspects of her culture. She plays handgames when she has time, and she dances in the Women’s Traditional category at Powwows in the summer. She took 3rd place in the Oglala Nation Powwow back in the summer of 2012, and I personally witnessed her passion mixed with composure as she moved impressively in sync with the drum beat.

Rodriguez is also one tough cookie. She was seen playing football with the big boys such as Shawn Patton ‘11 and Chandler Ross  ‘11. Although she suffered many injuries in every sport she played, she always seemed to get back up and continue rolling with the punches.

“I love knitting, creating art, thiwahe (my family), archery, my culture, anatomy, and physiology class,” said Rodriguez. “I’m really glad you guys remembered my birthday.”

Yes, we did Gabby. Go out and live with your eyes open and may your days be plentiful (shout out to Thornton Wilder's Our Town). Happy belated birthday, Gabby.

Mahpiya Luta Times Newscast with Colton Sierra

Featuring Colton Sierra '14.

Martin Luther King Day

Spiritual Formation Teacher Garrett standing in front of some heroes. Photos by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Martin Luther King Day  

                                                           By Jin Yup Jung ‘14

Red Cloud High School had no school day on last Monday the 20th, not because of snow but to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King, who devoted his entire life to improve the lives of African Americans and all people.

Martin Luther King Jr. was well known as a civil rights activist. He has inspired a lot of people and spent all his life to end racial segregation in the United States. As most people know, his famous address was the I have a dream speech. He earned the Nobel Peace Prize.  

After Martin Luther King was assassinated, Martin Luther King day was created in 1986 in some states and became Martin Luther King day in all states in 2000.

“I felt great to have a day off to relax and remember him and all the great things he tried to do for different races, and it’s kind of getting better. Hopefully his wish/dream will come true and there will be no racism in the world in the future,” an alumni Tatiana Stands ‘13 said. “On Martin Luther King Day (MLK), I was doing the MLK challenge, which is like a day that you help and give back to the community like he wanted us to do. So what I did on MLK Day, I volunteered at the Ronald McDonald’s House and I helped them clean, sanitize the toys, and made sure everything was good.”

“I went to Eagle Butte with the basketball team because I’m a basketball manager and I watched basketball so I really didn’t do anything special for that day,” Shania Janis ‘15 said. “But I think it’s a great day to be celebrated because it celebrates victory of the Civil Rights movement that was fought for decades. Martin Luther King Jr is a strong person that helped bring people hope.”

Here is the video of MLK's most famous speech.

Teacher Profile: Clare Huerter

Clare. Photo by Kirkland Ross '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Teacher Profile: Clare Huerter

By Kirkland Ross ‘14

She teaches seniors and freshmen, has fought a gorilla, and submerged a fleet of Russian warships. 

Clare Huerter is an English teacher at Red Cloud High School. This is her second year teaching at Red Cloud. She teaches Freshman English, Literature of Film, World Literature, and Composition IV.  Huerter was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She attended high school at Mercy High School and graduated in 2007. Huerter then continued her education at the College of St. Mary and received her received her degree in English with minors in Theology and Secondary Education. Now she attends Creighton and is a part of the Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. She was given the choice of three schools to teach at: one in Omaha, one on the Winnebago Indian Reservation, and Red Cloud Indian School. 

“I don’t know what is was,” Huerter said. “I just wanted to come to Red Cloud.” Red Cloud has become Huerter’s home away from home. “Red Cloud to me is love and growth,” says Huerter. “All the hard work is worth it.”

Clare has two senior classes this semester and wants the best for her students and all the other students in the senior class. “Listen to all of your teachers. They have been through the things they are putting your through,” Huerter advises. “Also, when things get stressful and you’re feeling low, always ask yourself,  ‘Will this matter in five years?’ because your time is precious and you should not be brought down with pettiness and drama.”

Huerter has always wanted to become a teacher since she was in the second grade. Her second grade teacher, Miss Moore, inspired her to be who she is today. “I was unorganized and never did my homework. I never got school,” declared Huerter. “Miss Moore talked to me after school and helped me organize my desk. Miss Moore made me realize that I can be and do anything, and I want to do that for my students.”

Terkildsen Leading by Example

Gusti receiving her award. Photos by Shawnta' Jones '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Terkildsen Leading by Example

By Shawnta' Jones ‘14

Red Cloud High School’s Varsity Volleyball student-athlete Gusti Terkildsen won the 1st annual Volleyball “Leading by Example” Award. The Mary J. Szczepanski “Never Give Up” MS Scholarship Foundation was proud to honor our very own outstanding athlete with a plaque.

“It’s an honor to receive this award,” said student-athlete Gusti Terkildsen. “It’s nice being recognized for some of the good things that I do, which makes me happy!”

Gusti, the outside hitter on the volleyball team, was given this award because she played a huge role on the Lady Crusaders volleyball team by always having a positive attitude and leading by example for her teammates. Not only is Gusti a hard worker on the court but also in the classroom. Terkildsen holds a 3.9 GPA and also shows good character throughout the halls of Red Cloud High School.

“I feel like it’s a honor for them to go out of their way to donate the award to a Red Cloud athlete, to award the athlete showing leadership both on and off the court,” said RCHS Athletic Director Christian McGhee. “I am proud of her.”

Gusti tries her best to be an athletic leader as well as a student leader and show good character. She tries her best to be a role model for the upcoming students and younger generations.

“I feel really happy, honored, and extremely grateful, all at the same time!” exclaims Terkildsen. “Being awarded for doing something I love is great!”

Red Cloud was extremely enthused with the great news about one of our outstanding student-athletes.

   

Red Cloud’s Heart Breaks in Three

RCHS Basketball. Photo courtesy of Red Cloud Indian School.

Red Cloud’s Heart Breaks in Three

By Shawnta` Jones ‘14

First- Alliance by one at the buzzer.

Next- Eagle Butte by two.

Lastly- Todd County by seven. 

Three heartbreaking losses in just four days. 

The Crusaders woke up Saturday morning 7-2 and by Monday evening they were 7-5 because of a three game losing streak.

Against Alliance, Red Cloud had a five point lead with a minute and a half left of the game, but had four missed free throws and consistent turnovers. Alliance's shooting guard made a buzzer beater three to shock the Crusaders and their stunned fans. Kobey O’Rourke led the Crusaders with 32 points but was still not enough. 

“We probably should’ve beat them,” said head coach Christian McGhee. “We missed free throws. We didn’t box out. We didn’t do the little things that we were supposed to do.”

Next, the Crusaders traveled all the way to Eagle Butte and came into the game with a 7-3 record. Eagle Butte recently had an impressive win 85-81 over the Dell Rapids. Red Cloud had faced the Braves at LNI in a close game but lost with the score of 71-79. This was another nail biting loss. “We could’ve played better defense and talked more on the court. We definitely didn’t play to the best of our abilities,” said forward Kobey O’Rourke. “I plan to start being a leader and to get my teammates going and motivated.” 

“Against Eagle Butte, I felt like we did good because they are highly ranked in the state and we go to their place and only lose by two,” said McGhee. “I think that’s an improvement from what we did at LNI.”

Lastly, the Crusaders fell to the Todd County Falcons by seven points on Tuesday with the final score of 71-78. Todd County scored layup after layup during the game and also shot well from the foul line. A factor for Red Cloud's sluggish play could’ve possibly been getting home from the Eagle Butte game the night before at 1:30 am. This game added on to their heartbreak of their losing streak.

“I know we were tired coming back late from the game and everything. But these kids are 15, 16, 17, 18 years old kids. They should be ready to go at any time. We only have 20 games a year, but that’s partially my fault for not getting them motivated and not having them ready,” said McGhee about the TC game.

The Crusaders plan to go over film, work harder everyday, and to be ready for future games.

“My plan is to take it game by game, and to not think way ahead. I want to take it one day at a time and one game at time,” said McGhee. “So right now we're just focusing on Custer, which is who we play on Saturday. We’re not looking past anything else. In the end we just hope to meet our ultimate goal. I mean, we know we can play with everybody. We just have to get ready for the end of the year.”

Horse Clan Gallops Away with the Championship

Photo by Colton Sierra '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Horse Clan Gallops Away with the Championship

By Colton Sierra ‘14

The eldest of the three handgame teams, Horse Clan, came close to disappointment last Friday. Horse Clan had the upper hand in confidence, but the Pine Ridge handgame team rolled past them in the first championship game. Fortunately, it wasn’t over and the two teams faced off in the rubber match in which Horse Clan quickly prevailed.

“Uh-oh,” said sponsor Andrew Herman. “It was a fast loss. But it was a huge sigh of relief when we beat them just as quick.” Handgame matches can go all night, or for a very long time, but Horse Clan defeated the Pine Ridge team in an estimated five minutes.

“We wanted to really beat these guys,” said team member Aaron Thompson ‘15. “After we beat them in the second game, I knew the first game was a fluke.” Thompson delivered very well in the last game and was a factor to their win along with his fellow junior Austin Big Crow and the two freshmen, Almadon Swalley and Casey Bear Robe.

“It was a slow day waiting for championship,” continued Thompson. “But that’s what I want for the rest of the powwows. We want to dominate and win the overall championship.”

Horse Clan faced and defeated three teams without difficulty before the championship round. The team consisted of senior Colton Sierra, juniors Aaron Thompson and Austin Big Crow, sophomore Britni Iron, and freshmen Almadon Swalley and Casey Bear Robe. Three other team members were unable to attend the powwow that day.

The whole team was big contributors in each of the games that day and took home the championship in a timely manner. On the trip home, Big Crow played “We Are The Champions” by Queen and they all sang along.

Support the Handgame Teams at the next Powwow in Porcupine on February 28th.

School Spirit: Do We Have It?

Sing along with the school song. Photo by Kirkland Ross '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

School Spirit: Do We Have It?

By Kirkland Ross ‘14

An exclusive Mahpiya Luta Times school-wide poll revealed some startling findings. 

Students are mostly unaware of the the school song. A few students know the song, more know about it but do not know the lyrics, and some did not even know that Red Cloud had a school song. Out of 103 students, 80 did not know the words of Red Cloud’s version of the “Notre Dame Fight Song.” Sadly, teachers are in the same boat as the students. Only one out of 24 teachers knew the school song.

School spirit can mean anything. “School spirit drives the energy of the school,” states teacher Clare Huerter. “So if you have no school spirit, what does it mean to be a part of this legacy?”

Sophomore cheerleader Kayla Starr defined school spirit as “getting all decked out and cheering for your team.”

 

Some people feel like Red Cloud students are losing school spirit. “People do not know the school song because no one has true school spirit,” declares senior Ryan Hussman.

Shawnta' Jones disagrees. "There's more school spirit this year than there ever was."

Others think students are not aware of the school song and feel that it should be taught. “I think people do not know the song, because there is no one to teach it,” claims science teacher Wendell Gehman.

Read the photo, learn the song, and join us for the upcoming games on Friday and Saturday. 

BIRTHDAYS OF THE WEEK

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS MIKALA, MELINDA, AND CAINE! Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

CRUNCH TIME WITH NAKINA

Nakina working hard. Photo by Shawnta' Jones. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

CRUNCH TIME WITH NAKINA

By Shawnta` Jones ‘14

January 15, 2014: Crunch Time.

This was a huge date for most seniors of Red Cloud High School. On the 15th, more than half of the US colleges applications were due, the Gates Millennium Scholarship was due for the class of 2014, and a large amount of other scholarships were due. The seniors of Red Cloud High School were spending many hours after school getting assistance from teachers, counselors, and one superhero: Nakina Mills.

“As of right now, I am helping the seniors finish college applications and getting ready to start on their FAFSA,” said Nakina Mills. “I love being able to work with students from Red Cloud and being a role model for them by showing that it is possible to go out and get educated and come home to give back to your community.”

Mills had an extremely busy week, with being a full time mom of five children, having two jobs, and dealing with the seniors' Crunch Week. 

“I enjoy helping the students stay on top of their grades and mainly just being a universal support system for them,” stated Mills. “I know what it’s like this time of year being a senior, and the last thing I wanted was stress. I’m just giving them the support and help they need.”

Thanks, Nakina! We know you not only take care of Shaidiem, but all of us Red Cloud kids as well. 

Aminah’s Journey To Get This Year Booked

All things yearbook. Photos by Colton Sierra '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Aminah’s Journey To Get This Year Booked

By Colton Sierra ‘14

You’re at the end of your school year and you reflect back on all of the memories that you have shared with your classmates. You think to yourself, “If only there were some type of book that captured my school year as a whole.” Fortunately, first year Multi-Media teacher Aminah Hassoun has thought about what you have thought about and has a class dedicated to creating what she would call a “memory book.” Otherwise known as the 2013-2014 Red Cloud Yearbook.

“It’s a lot of work to do each page,” said senior Carrie Beard. “With having to do interviews, gathering and editing photos, and making sure each story is correct.” Beard is an editor in the class and tells me, “It is definitely a tough job.”

As the deadline approaches at the end of March, Hassoun is working with her class to get 100 pages finished. The book will cover students, staff, academics, sports, clubs and anything else involved with Red Cloud High School while coinciding with its theme: Traditions at Red Cloud.

“I hope the yearbook is in the hands of every student and staff at Red Cloud,” said Hassoun. “It is the chronicle to this year.” When asked about the deadline nearing, she responded, “It will come together smoothly. There is still a lot to do, but there has been a lot of creativity coming from the students. It is just a matter of finishing up strong.”

When asked about the yearbook, the majority of students had not even paid the outcome of it any mind. “I didn’t even know we had a yearbook,” said senior Pedro Martinez. But regardless of students not anticipating the yearbook, it is on its way and will be here with high expectations.

At $25 a copy, you can get your very own 2013-2014 Red Cloud Yearbook in May.

Final Exams Before Christmas?

Students working hard. Photo by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Final Exams Before Christmas?

By Jin Yup Jung '14

Should finals be taken before or after Christmas break?

Red Cloud High School ended up their semester finals before Christmas this year. Since teachers and some students wanted to enjoy their Christmas break without worrying about their finals, superintendent Ted Hamilton changed the schedule, giving finals on 16th and 17th of December before the winter break so that both teachers and students could relax, enjoy their families, take advantage of a few days away from school, and prepare for the next semester

However, there were some advantages and disadvantages to the new schedule.

“It was really good to finish before Christmas for both teachers and students because teachers did not have to be concerned making finals and also students could have a great Christmas break without worrying about their finals,” said Academic Principal Clay Leonard. “The advantages of having the semester done before Christmas is that we’re starting brand new in January. However, the negatives are testing time and LNI run into each other. Also, teachers needed to complete their grades over the Christmas break. I believe that the advantages overcome the negatives so I believe it was better to end the term before Christmas.”

“I did actually like it,” math teacher Melinda Jackson said. “At first, I was a little leery trying to get everything done before Christmas. But it was nice coming back after Christmas and starting fresh."

A lot of Red Cloud students complained about waiting until after Christmas to take their finals in previous years. “I actually thought it was a lot better than the previous method,” Daniel Lucero '14 said. “Mostly, because the students did not have to go on vacation and completely forget school, then having to come back and take huge tests that determines their futures.”

However, some students still did not like the new schedule since they did not have enough time to prepare for their finals. “I didn’t like it all,” said Chelsea Benson '16. “I was unprepared and exhausted.”

Ultimately, even though there were some negatives effects, most students were more likely to prepare well and finish successfully because they were already in a school mindset.

Handgame Teams Ready for the Powwow at Hand

RCHS Handgames. Photos by Colton Sierra '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Handgame Teams Ready for the Powwow at Hand

By Colton Sierra ‘14

This Friday, January 17th, the three Red Cloud Handgame teams will travel to the Crazy Horse High School to try and redeem themselves from their losses at the LNI Handgame tournament this past December. The eldest team of the three, Horse Clan, looks to gain back their high stature in the handgame world. Their season has been anything but ideal. “The older team, led by Colton Sierra and Will Belt, is a good team with good potential,” said sponsor Roger White Eyes. “But this year they haven’t been as good as they were.” Horse Clan has been together ever since Sierra and Belt were freshmen.

He continued, “The two younger teams, N UR Face and Makipazo, have been doing pretty good.” N UR Face traveled further in the LNI Handgames bracket compared to the two other teams.

Going to a Powwow is slightly odd to the teams because this is going to be only the 4th Handgame tournament this year and only the 3rd Powwow. None of the teams took 1st in any of the events, but needless to say they are ready to take on the challenge. Winning in an event is important because it adds on to your team’s total points. Whichever team has the most overall points by the end of the year is honored at the Finals Powwow held in Rockyford; only Horse Clan has ever made it that far.

I managed to make an appearance at last night’s handgame practice and visited with a few of the younger players about what they expect from Friday’s Powwow. “I’m hoping to have a good time, and I want to win,” said Casey Bear Robe ‘17. Bear Robe is one of the two freshmen who made it on Horse Clan.

“I want to meet more people and meet with my old friends too,” said Brandi Davis ‘15. She is one of the older players who helped lead N UR Face to their timely victories in the past tournaments.

“We want to win and enjoy our time,” said Samaya Blacksmith ‘17 while standing with her teammate Chanda Lays Bad. “So far it’s been fun, but we want to win.” Both Blacksmith and Lays Bad are a part of the freshmen team, Makipazo.

“I want our three teams to take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd,” said White Eyes jokingly. “But what I really like is when the students can have fun doing something involved with their culture.” 

He continued, “I love to see all of the students, reservation wide, having a good time.”

The Handgame teams will leave tomorrow morning from the school to Crazy Horse High School to try and bring home 1st place medals and to finally get out of a slump of a season.