January Tobacco and Amanda Standing Bear Hear Great News

Amanda and January. Photo by Sierra Concha '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

January Tobacco and Amanda Standing Bear Hear Great News

By Sierra Concha '13

January Tobacco ‘13 and Amanda Standing Bear ‘13 have been receiving great news recently due to their hard work throughout high school. The separation between first and second ranked students in the senior class is only by .002% in their GPAs. As the year is finishing up, they're fighting until the very last day to determine who earns the incredible title of Valedictorian.

These two students have been hearing excellent news from colleges and scholarships. Tobacco has recently received a letter from Creighton saying she received the Red Cloud Scholarship for Native Americans. This is one scholarship given out to a student at Red Cloud that has maintained a superb GPA and represents leadership throughout the school along with excellence in extracurricular activities. It pays for most of the tuition all four years. “I feel pretty excited,” Tobacco stated. “This is the school I wanted to go to.” She also received two grants to attend Creighton University.

Standing Bear has also been having an exciting couple weeks. So far she has been accepted to every college she has applied to: Dartmouth College, University of Notre Dame, University of Miami, Creighton University, and American University. She learned in January she was a recipient of the Horatio Alger State Scholarship. She is also a Gates Millennium Scholarship finalist and is eagerly waiting to hear the final results. “I was excited when I found out about Gates and Horatio Alger,” she said. She is leading the senior class currently as number one in GPA.

They are excited for each other as both prepare for their bright futures ahead of them. They have every class together and believe this is a friendly competition. Only time will tell who finally conquers the top of the senior class this year.

Crusaders Play at Denver Nuggets Game

Photos by Viki Eagle. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Crusaders Play at Denver Nuggets Game 

By David Ladeaux '13

It was a cold and snowy evening in the city of Denver, Colorado on March 23rd as ten of Red Cloud's basketball players rolled into the Pepsi Center not only to watch the game but to play during the halftime. 

En route to Denver, there were multiple cars stuck off the highway because of the bad snowstorm. The Red Cloud bus had to make detours in Colorado but they eventually arrived in Denver, just in time for a pregame workout. 

During the halftime show, the ten Red Cloud players divided into two teams to play against each other. There were many highlights of the halftime game. First, Kelon Clements '15 almost had a dunk but the ball slipped out of his hands, so he laid it up for the easy two points. Later, he snapped a deep three. “It made the crowd go crazy," said junior Ryan Hussman. Colby Hunter '15, Kobe O'Rourke '16, and Clements led the halftime scoring attack. Hussman scored two points but also air balled a three. “Don't ever pull a three in front of 19,000 fans for the first shot,” advised Hussman.

In addition to the halftime game, the ten players got to meet the whole Nuggets team and received an autographed ball and clipboard. They also had a hour-long workout with the Denver Nuggets trainer Steve Hess, who showed them what the Nuggets do before every game. The team was very lucky and got full backstage passes after the game, where they got to take pictures with the players. They also got to see the whole Pepsi Center, even the locker rooms. “They all had new pairs of shoes for every game,” remarked Hussman. 

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for a high school student,” said Brannon Cousin '14. The players were rewarded not only for their excellence on the court but also for their hard work and dedication in the classroom. “It felt great to be rewarded for our accomplishments and it motivates us to excel in the future,” added Hussman.

The Nuggets game had a sold out crowd because the fans wanted to see their 15th win in a row. The top scorer of the game was Danilo Gallinari with 19 points. Kenneth Faried had 17 points and nine rebounds for the game. The Nuggets had to play without their two top players, Ty Lawson and Wilson Chandler. The final score of the game was 101-95 in favor of the Nuggets. During the game, there were many ESPN-worthy dunks!

Check out these photos from the game.

Red Cloud at Badlands National Youth Park

Kristian Big Crow '14 and Harlen Standing Bear '13. Photo courtesy of Red Cloud Indian School. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Red Cloud at Badlands National Youth Park

By Phillip Zimiga ‘13

Last week, students at Red Cloud High School went to an annual youth camp in the Badlands National Park.

Harlen Standing Bear, Kristian Big Crow, Daniel Kills Small, Cody Janis, Floyd Brings Plenty and Spiritual Formation teacher Russ Cournoyer spent a week in the Badlands, along with students from The Calhoun School in New York.

Kristian Big Crow describes the trip:

"It was a great bonding experience. It helped open my eyes to the beauty of all that was around me. Seeing the amazement and interest in the New York students, it helped show that I take things around me for granted. I found them completely wrapped around the information they were given. They were wanting the knowledge they were given. It made me feel grateful for knowing that I know the knowledge already and had my whole life to learn compared to just a week that they had. We hiked in a few different places. Each time the terrain changed. We spent hours walking the land and taking in the beauty around us. We even spent time inside the main building of the national park since the weather wasn't being fair. It was literally a night at the museum. I was able to even share scary stories with the New Yorkers on the first night. But I personally feel like I made good connections with my new friends. I wouldn't have given that week up for anything."

For more information on the trip, read this article from Red Cloud's website.

Lakota Phrase of the Day: Wábloša kiŋ waná lowáŋpi.

Featuring Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Science Club Going Global

Bobby Pourier '16, Wendell Gehman, and Savannah Jensen '14. Photo courtesy of Savannah Jensen. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Science Club Members: Bobby Pourier, Demcie Mesteth, Savannah Jensen, and Kirkland Ross. Photo courtesy of Savannah Jensen. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Science Club Going Global

By Sierra Concha '13

The Red Cloud Science Club has been making a good name for themselves this past week. In a previous article, the students described their excitement for their upcoming trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they would present their science projects. Now that they’re back from their trip, they have nothing but great news to report. Savannah Jensen '14 and Bobby Pourier '16 were awarded 1st place in the Environmental Science category and also received a traditional award for using cultural components in their project.

Wendell Gehman, the Science Club mentor, is very pleased with how the trip went. “My objective was to get students there to place,” he said. Besides Jensen and Pourier, Demcie Mesteth also placed 1st in the Plant Science Division.

Their schedule was very busy throughout the four day trip. Students set up their projects on Thursday and judging began Friday morning. Every student had to sit by their project from 9:30 am-12:30 pm. “After lunch there were high school callbacks,” Gehman stated. “There were 18 projects called back for re-judging and Savannah and Bobby’s group was called back. They had to sit from 1:30-4:30 to get re-evaluated.”

Awards were on Saturday morning, and that's when Jensen and Pourier were told the exciting news. They were picked first alternates for the International Science Fair (ISEF) , but due to another group that already had another project attending the International Fair, Jensen and Pourier were selected to attend. Jensen is ecstatic: “I am extremely excited. I have a lot more work ahead of me now,” she said. “I am nervous! There are 1500 others going from 70 different countries. We are a part of that. It's crazy.” Her partner, Pourier, feels the same way. “I’m pretty anxious for it. I’m excited we get to go and represent our school and Native Americans.”

The students were nervous throughout the event, but their hard work paid off. “The moment I heard we were going to ISEF, my heart dropped and I wanted to cry,” Jensen said, reflecting on the trip. Their project was titled “Uranium on the Pine Ridge Reservation.” Their unique project intertwined Lakota culture and science.  Pourier stated that his favorite part of the trip was presenting their research, “Presenting to the judges and seeing they liked what we had was an amazing feeling,” he said. Jensen appreciated all the help she received from Pourier, who is only a freshman. “Bobby helped a lot when taking measurements with the equipment,” she said. “I’m glad he is able to experience this at a younger age.”

Demcie Mesteth also did an incredible job, placing first in the Plant Science category. He enjoyed the trip  and meeting people around the country. “I was excited when I learned I got first,” he said about his successful project. Since he is a sophomore and researched the project all by himself, this is an incredible accomplishment.

The Science Club has had an incredibly successful year due to Red Cloud students’ love for science. “Science is a part of us as indigenous people and I always valued that,” Jensen stated. “It all feels incredible! I plan on continuing and expanding my research.”

Jensen and Pourier will be traveling to Phoenix, Arizona in May for the ISEF.

Photo of the Day: Denver March Pow-Wow

Featuring Robert Looks Twice '16 and Viki Eagle. Photo courtesy of Viki Eagle. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Lakota Phrase of the Day: Tȟašíyagnuŋpa kiŋ waná lowáŋpi.

Featuring Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Photo of the Day: Crusaders at the Denver Nuggets

Colby Hunter '15 soars at halftime. Photo by Viki Eagle. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Lakota Phrase of the Day: Šišóka kiŋ waná lowáŋpi.

Featuring Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Legend of Pat Pumpkinseed

Pat Pumpkinseed and his grandson, Shane Star '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School

 Legend of Pat Pumpkinseed

By Shane Star '13

In 1973, Patrick Pumpkinseed began working at Red Cloud as a teacher's aide and bus driver. Then the next year, he became a teacher in the middle school, a role in which he remained until 1983. He taught three subjects during this time: Physical Education, Lakota Studies, and Science. Pat also coached basketball, football, and track while he worked in the middle school. After 1983, he began working at the high school in the counseling department. He worked there for 10 years and then moved to the front office and worked as an ISS coordinator and attendance officer. After a few years of working in the front office, he moved back to the counseling department and has continued to work there.

This year is going to be his 40th consecutive year working at Red Cloud, but also his last. He is going to retire because his grandchildren are graduating from high school this year. He has been thinking about retiring for some years now but decided to wait until his grandchildren, Justina Bagola and myself, graduated.

He says that there has been a lot of change to the school since he started. First of all, the schooling system is a lot different. Students used to stay all week long for school instead of going home every day. They stayed at the school in dorms and went home on weekends. So he only had to do bus runs on Mondays and Fridays. The students also had no geographical boundaries- it didn’t matter if you lived far away. Students still got picked up unlike today where you have to live fairly close. He also says they had mandatory church every morning and all of the students had to go.

Pat reflected on his most memorable moments at Red Cloud. "I have too many," he said. "Every time I see a familiar face, like a former student for example, a memory of them begins to play in my head of when they were attending school here."

We will all have positive memories of you too. Red Cloud is going to miss you, Gramps!

Words of Wisdom from Red Cloud Teachers

Words of Wisdom from Red Cloud Teachers

By Sierra Concha '13

Matt Campbell

“Read lots of books, learn lots of stuff.”

Melinda Jackson

“Always end the day with a positive thought because tomorrow's a new day.”

Clare Huerter:

“Positive thoughts, positive results. Negative thoughts, negative results.”

Brother B

"Feed a cold, feed a fever, feed a broken arm. When you see food, eat it.”

Roger White Eyes

“Learn your language, learn your culture, learn your history. It’ll take you a long way.”

The One and Only Cully John Pourier

Cully Pourier '13. Photo by Sierra Concha '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

The One and Only Cully John Pourier

by David LaDeaux '13

Now that we are getting closer to graduation, I had an interview with a good friend of mine named Cully John Pourier. Next year, Cully plans to attend the Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. This has been his plan from the start of his high school career. 

Cully is undecided on what he wants to study at Haskell but he plans on returning to the reservation after college. "I wants to live and work on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to help make it a better place," he said. Cully wants to get a good degree, get a job, and work for a living. 

Most of the seniors are going to college or the military, but we’ll always come back to Pine Ridge because this is our home.

Lakota Phrase of the Day: Waná maǧáksiča kiŋ aglí.

Featuring Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Crusaders to Play at Nuggets Halftime

Former Crusaders playing at the Nuggets game. Photo courtesy of Red Cloud Indian School. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

 Crusaders to Play at Nuggets Halftime

By Phillip Zimiga '13

Members of the Red Cloud Crusaders boys basketball program are getting the chance of the lifetime to play at halftime during the Denver Nuggets game this Saturday, March 23rd.

When the Red Cloud players get to Denver, the Nuggets trainer Steve Hess is going to put the boys through a workout and the Nuggets are going to watch the players practice on their court. “It’s going to be really special for the boys,” said head coach and athletic director Christian McGhee. “It’s going to be fun.”

When it gets close to half time, they’ll tell the boys to get ready and stretch out at the end of first quarter. They’ll get to see all the Nuggets pass by them on their way to the locker room. All ten players will get introduced and they’ll run by the cheerleaders. They will play in front of thousands of spectators. 

The players who are going to Denver are Kobe O'Rourke, Ryan Hussman, Colby Hunter, Mato Hinton, Colton Sierra, Kein Clements, Caine Ghost Bear, Austin Big Crow, Brannon Cousin, and Randy Hughes.

Badlands Youth Camp on Black Hills Fox

Russ Cournoyer and Harlen Standing Bear '14 interviewed on Black Hills Fox:

http://www.blackhillsfox.com/2013/03/19/Badlands-National-Park-holds-annual-Youth-Camp

Who Will Win March Madness?

Who Will Win March Madness?

 By Sierra Concha '13

Christian McGhee '08:

Indiana

Dominic Pilcher '13: 

Miami

Koty Janis '16:

Kansas 

Tommy Janis '13:

 University of Pacific

Brannon Cousin '14: 

Indiana

Shane Star '13: 

South Dakota State University

Christian Phelps '13: 

Gonzaga

Lakota Phrase of the Day: Waná čhaŋíŋkpa kiŋ uyé.

Featuring Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Albuquerque Science Club Trip

Kirkland Ross '14. Photo by David LaDeaux '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School

 Albuquerque Science Club Trip

 By Sierra Concha '13

Tomorrow, four students have been selected to participate in the NASEF (Native American Science Engineering Fair) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is the first time in Red Cloud history that we will be participating in this event.

“I’m excited,” Kirkland Ross  said. He is one of the students going on the trip. His presentation will be about how bacteria are transmitted through door handles in the high school. “I’ve been working on it about two weeks,” he explained. The students will be in Albuquerque until Saturday, and he will be presenting on Friday.

Wendell Gehman, Chemistry teacher and head of the Science Club, will be accompanying the students. “It’s the first time we’re taking a group down there,” he stated. “It will be a new experience in many different ways.”

The other students are having presentations of their own. Savannah Jensen ’14 and Bobby Pourier ’16 are working on a project dealing with uranium levels on the reservation. Demcie Mesteth ’15, is looking at how knowledge is being passed from generation to generation.

Good luck to the Science Club students as they take their long journey down south tomorrow!

 Interview with Kirkland Ross '14. Interview by David LaDeaux '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Lakota Phrase of the Day: Waná ziŋtkála kiŋ akú.

Featuring Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Photo of the Day: Photography Club

Photography Club. Photo by Viki Eagle. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Video of the Day: Live Chess

Featuring Chris Rodriguez '15 and Matt Campbell. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Lakota Phrase of the Day: Waná aŋpétu kiŋ háŋskaska áye.

Featuring Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Photos of the Day: Creighton Medical Students at Red Cloud

Photos by David LaDeaux '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Welcome Home Wakinyan Oyate

Roger White Eyes. Photo by David LaDeaux '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

 

 

 

 Welcome Home Wakinyan Oyate

By David LaDeaux '13

Now that winter is almost over, it’s time to welcome back the Thunder Beings, the Wakinyan. 

Roger White Eyes will be taking many students to join the medicine men and students from other schools to Harney Peak tomorrow. “It signifies the return of the power of the Wakinyan to cleanse the earth,” said Roger.   

On Saturday March 16th, people from all over South Dakota will be traveling to the beautiful Paha Sapa to welcome the Wakinyan back as we start another year. Harney Peak is also known as the Wakinyan Nest because it is thought to be the home of the Thunder Beings.

A group of spiritual leaders from the Rosebud Reservation will be hosting the ceremony. Russell Eagle Bear leads the ceremony by taking offerings of wasna, cherry juice, and tobacco to the top, stopping four times to pray for the youth, the elders, and for another good year. After it's all done, everyone gathers for a meal to wrap up the ceremony. “It's going to be a nice day. I usually go every year,” stated Roger.

This is very important because when the lightning strikes the earth, it wakes up mother earth. It brings life back to all the animals in hibernation and all the dead plants come back to life. “It's rarely done now. Long ago, only the medicine men would go up there to preform the ceremony,” said Roger.

STM and Red Cloud Exchange: Another Success!

STM and Red Cloud student exchange. Photos by Viki Eagle. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

STM and Red Cloud Exchange: Another Success!

 By Sierra Concha '13

On Wednesday, Red Cloud juniors hosted St. Thomas More students and met their pen pals that they have been writing over the past few months. The STM students arrived early and were paired up with their pen pals. Kylie I’atala ‘14 enjoyed the visit. “I met a lot of new people,” she said. “I liked when we went on the tour around campus and they were in awe...and said it was pretty cool.”

The students from each school were given an opportunity to experience a different culture and were exposed to students from a new school. The exchange also allows students to gain new friendships. Kylie I’atala said she liked her pen pal. “She was super duper nice! We had a lot in common,” she exclaimed. This exchange happens every year, and it has been a success every time. Many students have stayed in touch with their pen pal and are able to see them at sporting events.

The students attended a mass as well a trip to the cave, which many STM students found exciting. Brad Held, the Spiritual Formation teacher for the juniors, accompanied the students during the visit, and he was very positive about how the exchange went. “The STM visit to Red Cloud went very well.  The students very quickly mingled with the aid of some good icebreakers in the field house,” he said. “The juniors gave a good sense of who we are at Red Cloud and what we are about.”

The juniors especially enjoyed themselves. "I have heard many positive reactions from the juniors,” Brad Held stated. “A number of students commented on the ease with which they were able to speak with their pen pals.” 

It was definitely the highlight event of the week at Red Cloud.

Lakota Phrase of the Day: Leháŋl yuphíya maštéšte.

Featuring Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Hand Games at St. Francis Powwow

RCHS Hand Games. Photos by Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Hand Games at St. Francis Powwow

By Phillip Zimiga ‘13

Horse Clan is on their way. 

The Red Cloud Hand Games team took second place at the St. Francis powwow and hand games tournament last Friday, March 8th. Phillip Zimiga, the captain for Horse Clan, could not make the tournament, so his co-captain Colton Sierra '14 had to fill in.

Congratulations to Horse Clan for making it to the championship. “We won all the battles, but didn’t win the war,” said Colton Sierra. “We just have to do our best and have fun.” Also, a great job to Little Wound’s team El Dub for taking first place.

The next hand games tournament will be on April 5th at Little Wound.

Children First: Red Cloud students aim for Ivy League - KOTA Territory News

Children First: Red Cloud students aim for Ivy League - KOTA Territory News

Video of the Day: Live Ping Pong

Featuring Dom Pilcher '13, Bryan Pipe on Head '13, Austin Big Crow '15, Christian McGhee '08, and Matt Campbell. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Pope Primus I: Amanda Standing Bear

Amanda Standing Bear '13. Photo by Sierra Concha '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

  

Pope Primus I: Amanda Standing Bear

By Sierra Concha '13

Amanda Standing Bear, who prefers to be called “Pope Primus I,” is the most engaged student in the Catholic church at Red Cloud High School. A new pope was announced yesterday afternoon to replace Benedict Ratzinger, and Amanda had a few words on the subject, “(He) knew what he was doing when he resigned,” she said. “It opened up the Papacy for the reign of Pope Primus I, a.k.a ME”.

The Catholic church and the job of a pope has always interested Amanda Standing Bear. It is her dream to someday be the Pope, and the newly named Pope is only temporary. “I received the call at noon-ish Wednesday, March 13, 2013,” exclaimed Pope Primus l. “But since I cannot be there, I told them that someone should hold my place until graduation. After graduation, I shall return to Rome to take my rightful place...leader of the Catholic Church.”

Her dream wasn’t so out of reach after all. She always knew she’d be the leader she aimed to be. “I know I’m qualified to be the Pope. It happens when you’re destined for greatness.” Amanda Standing Bear is an incredible student, and she is perfectly fine with the choice of her temporary place holder.

(The new Pope, Jorge Bergoglio, was announced yesterday and is from Buenos Aires. He’s the first Jesuit and Latin American Pope in modern times. This is a historical event, and people from across the globe are pleased with the choice).

Former Red Cloud teacher Paddy Gilger SJ wrote a post about the new Pope on his website The Jesuit Post. 

Lakota Phrase of the Day: Ečháni wétu kte

Featuring Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Photos of the Day: Chess Club

Dennis Martinez '14 and Matt Campbell squaring off. Photo by Michael Sunderland. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Mitchell Stands '15, thinking. Photo by Michael Sunderland. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

A Week in the Badlands

 

Harlen Standing Bear '14, one of the students who will be venturing to the Badlands. Photo by Michael Sunderland. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

 A Week in the Badlands

By Sierra Concha '13

Five Red Cloud students along with teacher Russ Cournoyer will embark on a journey in the Badlands next week. On March 18th, the trip will begin as these eager Native American students learn about their land and ancestors’ history. Red Cloud was invited by the National Parks Service because the Badlands has recently been named a National Park. This is a great opportunity for youth to explore the Badlands for a week.

Kristian Big Crow ‘14 is one of the students that have been selected. He feels positive about next week. “It’s a privilege to get to take some time...and spend time with some close friends,” he said. He also expressed his excitement for the students traveling thousands of miles to experience the Badlands. “I’m also excited to make friends with new people because kids from New York are coming.” 

Students from New York aren’t the only visitors, but archeologists and park rangers will be accompanying Red Cloud during this incredible experience! The trip involves searching for fossils, interacting with other high school students, and simply hiking throughout the Badlands. Cody Janis, Harlen Standing Bear, Kristian Big Crow, Floyd Brings Plenty, and Daniel Kills Small were chosen based on interest, and they are all eager for this trip.

It is a great honor for Red Cloud students to participate in this hands-on learning experience.