Japanese Language Club with Maka

Maka. Photo by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Japanese Language Club with Maka

By Jin Yup Jung '14

“KONICHIWA!” 

“SUGOI!” 

With the eagerness to learn a foreign language, the conversation between students and a teacher keep coming and going at Maka Clifford’s Japanese language club on every Tuesday and Thursday after school. The Japanese club is available for all students who belong to Red Cloud High School. 

They have mastered self-introduction and how to express likes and dislikes. The club is led by Maka, who graduated from Red Cloud High School in 2005 and went to Columbia University, which is the one of Ivy League colleges. He studied all four years in the college and lived a year and half in Japan.

It’s been a wonderful experience so far for Maka to come back to Red Cloud as a teacher. The reasons he came back to RCHS are that he recalled the belief in Red Cloud mission and he wanted to give back to his community.

Basically, he loves to teach Japanese language in the after-school program. “When I studied Japanese, it opened a whole new world for me,” Maka said. "I want to give students the same opportunities to expand their minds."

Originally, there were some differences between Japanese grammar and English grammar. One of the difference is that English is subject-verb-object, whereas Japanese grammar is subject-object-verb (same as Lakota grammar). So far, they’ve learned basic grammar and vocabulary, and they’ve mastered self-introductions and how to express likes and dislikes, along with simple language skills. 

“For me my goal is to expose students to another culture,” Maka said. “I think students can gain knowledge of the world.”

Photo of the Day: Blood Drive

A hero giving blood at today's blood drive. Photo by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Advice from Jinyup

 

Jinyup Jung, a man of wisdom. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

 Advice from Jinyup

By Jinyup Jung '14

You really think that school is not worth much more than being a couch potato?

Some students wondered why they have to complete the curriculum in high school. Others even complain about the school, which makes these students bored, stuffy, painful, and tired in classes; they feel doing school work is not worthwhile. There are various reasons that many students hate school, being in school, or doing school work. They have to wake up early; they get a lot of homework to do; they have to stay up during school or they get a punishment; most schools have a rule that students are supposed to take off their hat; and too many school rules which students have to follow. I strongly believe that some of you have felt being controlled or overwhelmed by a school teacher, a principal, or whoever. I highly believed that others have no idea why they’re supposed to work as a group. That’s because students think those things are unnecessary. They just want to go to college. They just want to get a job. They just want to enjoy their life without struggling with it. However, seriously, we need to think it over again, again, and again.

Have you ever thought about why your parents have asked you to do your homework or to prepare for a midterm or final exams? That’s because they were so happy to do homework when they were just about your age? Or they were so studious back to their Albert Einstein season? I do not think so! Instead I believed that it’s not only you who had problems with schoolwork, but also your parents. I mean that most of your parents have felt the same as you’ve felt so far. As a life pioneer, they ask you to do your own work, not to skip it.

School is just a basic step to live your life. School is just not to teach you about academic knowledges, skills, or some kind of materials. Being on time, doing your homework, following rules are just a first step to start in your life. As some of you may know, this world has little promises and lots of rules. It seemed like nothing, but if you are against them when you turn to be an adult, you are going to be in big trouble. However, those promises and rules in the world are contained in your elementary school to high school.

As a person on the earth, you should follow them; although you may never want to. If you do not want to, you have two options to do what you want. First, you could go to Mars and live without any rules. Second, you can enjoy your whole life in prison with eating hard bread and cold soup. Social relationships are formed from doing work with your peers; being on time is important because if you are late or skip work as a high school student, I’m pretty sure that you are going to get fired. I’d say that doing your own work before deadline could be the most important part in your life. Trust in school, it will give you the best accomplishment ever, which is much more valuable than a million dollars to your life.

More Photos from the 125th Celebration

Photos by Jennifer Brave Heart '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Photos from Red Cloud's 125th Anniversary Celebration

Photos by Jennifer Brave Heart '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Seniors Face Off Against the ACT

Seniors prepare for the ACT. Photos by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Seniors Face Off Against the ACT

By Jin Yup Jung '14

Today most of the senior class is taking the ACT. It will be a great chance for some students, who have prepared for ACT for a long time, to score well to help get into a great college. On the other hand, it will a long four hours with some difficult questions and problems. 

The Class of 2014 also had an opportunity to take the ACT last year after a spring blizzard. Senior Jaycherie Little performed extremely well on her first ACT. “I’m shooting for 28 or 29,” Jaycherie said. “But the problem is the math. I’m weak in math.” Since most seniors have worked hard in not only English classes, but also Math and Science classes, it is expected that they will get a better score at this time.

The greatest thing was that students could perceive their strengths and weaknesses on ACT while they were working in classes, so they could work on their deficiencies, and they could improve their worst scores on ACT.  Many students have a fear of confronting the math. “In math, students need to not get slowed down by problems that they do not know. They need to get to all the questions, so they can answer all the questions that they do know and then go back to the questions they are not sure about,” said math teacher Clay Leonard. 

Also, in the science area, many students find it difficult understanding some science terms, which are unfamiliar to students, and they will confuse students while taking the test. “In science, remember the information is there already, you just need to find it. It’s about science reasoning, not science facts,” said science teacher Wendell Gehman.

Good luck to the seniors as they toil in the library today.

Red Cloud Prevails at Little Wound’s Homecoming

Two Heisman hopefuls. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Red Cloud Prevails at Little Wound’s Homecoming

By Scott Two Bulls '14

12-6! This was the final score of the game last Friday at Little Wound. The Crusaders came onto the field flat. All the players were very tired and felt very lazy before kick-off. Because of this, the Little Wound Mustangs struck first. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 6-0. The score remained until the fourth quarter when the Crusaders finally came alive. The Crusaders finally got a touchdown with a run by senior Bailey Pourier. The game was tied at 6-6 after a failed 2-point conversion by the Saders.

   

This game was dominated by defense by both sides. Once Red Cloud saw some opportunities they were able to score another touchdown with another run by Bailey Pourier. After that touchdown, the defenses dominated every offensive drive. On one play Little Wound quarterback Jeremiah Hopkins took a snap and attempted to run to the outside where he met a few Crusaders. Jeremiah tried to overpower the defenders but he was stopped behind the line of scrimmage. There were five seconds left in the game. Little Wound tried to throw a Hail Mary but it was intercepted by Marco Starr and the game ended.

The Crusaders are now 4-3 and are riding a three game winning streak. They close out their regular season today by hosting the Todd County Falcons.

Teacher Profile: Steve Summers

Steve Summers. Photo by Jeremy Lays Bad '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Teacher Profile: Steve Summers

By: Jeremy Lays Bad ‘14

Steve Summers is back with another school year at Red Cloud. Steve is one of the funniest teachers at Red Cloud. Steve’s loud, funny, and talkative. 

Steve is currently teaching Algebra 1 and 2.  He's been teaching at Red Cloud High School for 24 years. He chews gum everyday and can make everyone laugh.

"Steve is fun to pick on, he can make you laugh, and he can take your stress away," said fellow Math teacher Melinda Jackson. In addition to teaching, Steve has helped coach wrestling and football. He also runs the school store. "I enjoy teaching kids," said Steve Summers.

Album Review: Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die

Kirkland jamming out. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Album Review: Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die

By: Kirkland Ross ‘14

It has been almost ten years since their first album, but Panic! at the Disco still excites their fans with their music. On October 8th, Panic! released their fourth studio album Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die. Since 2004 Panic! at the Disco has been making hits on the rock charts. Their music style has been changing since their first album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. Their new album is no exceptions. The Las Vegas-based band made a Vegas-themed album. Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die is filled with glitz and glamour feel of Las Vegas, but it also has the craziness and joy of Vegas. The album ranges from the upbeat "Vegas Lights" to the scandalous "Miss Jackson" to the racy "Girls/Girls/Boys" to the self-explanatory "Casual Affair."

I listened to the album on its release date, and I really liked it. The highlight of the album either had to be the track "Vegas Lights," "Nicotine," or the second single from the album, "This Is Gospel." No song sounds the same. I would recommend this album for all Panic! fans, and anyone who wants to experience the Las Vegas experience. I would rate the album four-and-a-half stars out of five.

Football with a Side of Snow...

The snow-covered football field. Photo by Kylie I'atala. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Football with a Side of Snow...

By Marco Starr '14

At least one feet of snow covered the football field, as the Red Cloud Crusaders prepared for a game with some very interesting field conditions. On October 8th, 2013, the Crusaders were victorious over the St. Francis Warriors, 46-6. The people in the stands looked a little stunned because of the snow that was covering the field. Never before in recent history has the Crusaders played a football game in a foot of snow.

The Crusaders entered the game with a record of 1-3. The football team was fired up and ready to play some football in the snow. The game started around 2:30 in the afternoon, with the sun shining and the snow covering the field. The Crusaders did not mind the snow- they were ready!

The first score of the game was a fumble recovery by junior running back Randy Hughes  that put the game to 6-0. Randy Hughes had two touchdowns in this game, with a fumble recovery and a 30 yard rushing touchdown. Senior quarterback Bailey Pourier had two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns to wide receiver Marco Starr ‘14 and sophomore tight end Justin Mesteth. Junior receiver Colby Hunter also had a receiving touchdown. Senior kicker Pedro Martinez attempted seven extra points and converted four.

In addition, the Crusaders rolled over Lead-Deadwood last week, as Pourier had an extraordinary game with five touchdowns. This evened their record to 3-3. The Crusaders travel to Kyle today to play the Little Wound Mustangs. 

The First Parent/ Teacher Conferences

Photos by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

          The First  Parent/ Teacher Conferences

          By Jin Yup Jung ‘14

Last night parents were busily walking around the Red Cloud halls because of Parent/Teacher conferences. School was extremely busy with all the parents of RCHS students prowling the hallways from 3 to 7 o’clock checking in classrooms and meeting with teachers. 

For a moment there was happiness at the 1:30 dismissal, but things got serious as parents checked their children's grades. Some of students were being so quiet and lowered their heads in despair while they moved from one class to another class. For some students, the whole atmosphere in school was so dark, cold, and as quiet as a Harvard library. On the other hand, others who earned such a good GPA looked confident to show their grades to their parents and they loved to hear the compliments from the teachers. No matter what GPA they got for now, they seemed that they were determined to improve their grades by the end of the semester.

Since it was the first parent/teacher conferences of this year, it could initially be uncomfortable for both the parents and teachers because some of Red Cloud teachers are new; they have never met each other. However, the conferences went well and it was such a productive time for the parents to share their knowledge of their child, along with their desire for their child’s future. It was also a golden opportunity for the teachers to let the parents know about how their child was doing in class and how the child is relating to the school’s environment.

132 students were represented by their parent or guardian, perhaps an all-time school record for Parent/ Teacher Conferences.

Red Cloud Celebrates 125 Years Today

Courtesy of Red Cloud Indian School.

Red Cloud Celebrates 125 Years Today

Today is Red Cloud's 125th Anniversary Celebration. Red Cloud journalism students will be filming the events and interviewing attendees. Here is a list of events that will be occurring, courtesy of Red Cloud's 125th Anniversary page:

Main Agenda:

1:00 – 6:00     Welcome Table Open

 Information, Maps, Start a Campus Tour, Coffee & More!

1:00 – 6:00     Archery Competition

1:00 – 3:00     Historic Campus Tours

Tour the Renovated Red Cloud High School, Holy Rosary Church, and More!

1:00 – 3:00     View the 7^th Gen Business Center               

Meet staff from Red Cloud’s Economic Development Initiative.

1:00 – 5:00     Open House at The Heritage Center – (See Below!)

3:00 – 5:00     Experiential Workshops – (See Below!)

5:00 – 6:00     A Special Mass at Holy Rosary Church

With Red Cloud’s President, Fr. George Winzenburg, SJ

6:00 – 7:00     Traditional Community Meal 

Enjoy Buffalo Soup, delicious Wóžapi, Frybread with friends & community.

7:00 – 11:00   Traditional Wačhípi (Powwow) 

7:00 – 11:00   Handgame Tournament

 

Open House at The Heritage Center (1:00 – 5:00)

1:00 – 5:00     Craft Tables for Kids of All Ages!

Including Demonstrations from Artists, Collage Postcards, Print Making & More!

1:30 – 5:00     Lakȟóta Leadership Exhibit

View historic Headdresses; learn about Leader Shirts; and other ceremonial items.

1:30 – 5:00     Red Cloud Historical Artifacts Exhibit

View historic memorabilia, art, and yearbooks from our past!

1:30 – 5:00     Recent Acquisitions Exhibit

The latest acquisitions in contemporary Native Art from the renowned Red Cloud Indian Art Show.

 

Experiencial Workshops:

Lakȟóta Language Project – 

Learn directly from high school students about the Nation’s 1^st Comprehensive K-12 Lakȟóta Language Curriculum through three short experiential language workshops and a self-guided multimedia exploratory center.

3:00 – 5:00     “Lakȟóta Language Multimedia Exploratory Center” [Room 148]

Play Lakȟóta Kinect games, learn about Moodle & the future of language learning!

3:00 & 4:00    “Learn Lakȟóta: Total Physical Response”   [Room 146]

3:20 & 4:20    “Learn Lakȟóta: Intros; Name, Age, Where are you from?” [Room 146]

3:40 & 4:40    “Learn Lakȟóta: Responses, I live ____, Goodbye”  [Room 146]                                   

The Heritage Center –

Learn more about Native art, history & preservation from the staff of this nationally acclaimed art gallery, museum and cultural center. Space is limited, sign up at The Heritage Center’s Gift Shop!

3:35 & 4:35     "Access to Heritage: Tools for Bringing Art & Culture into the Classroom"

3:05 & 4:05     "Preservation & Conservation of a World-Class Collection"

Golf Goes to State

Red Cloud golf, in a very outdated photo. Photo courtesy of Red Cloud Indian School. 

Golf Goes to State

By Marco Starr ‘14

Three golfers from RCHS competed for the state A title last week. Senior Colton Sierra and sophomores Robert Pourier Jr. and NuVaussie Blacksmith were the golfers who qualified for the state golf meet. The state A golf meet took place in Hartford, SD on October 7-8, 2013.

With six years of experience, Sierra qualified for his last year of high school golf. Sierra has been golfing since his sixth grade year. “I enjoy going out early in the mornings with confidence knowing that I’m going to play good,” stated Sierra. “I enjoyed state. Everything was viewed with a new vision because it’s my last state. I finished in the top 30 place-wise, and top 40 people-wise because of how many ties there were. It was a great last experience.”

Sierra placed and tied for 37th overall. Pourier placed and tied for 60th, while Blacksmith placed and tied for 85th. Sierra shot a 179 in the state A golf meet. Pourier shot a 189 and  Blacksmith shot a 202.  

Lady Saders Get Bucked Off By the Broncs

Volleyball in action. Photo by Kirkland Ross '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Lady Saders Get Bucked Off By the Broncs

By Kirkland Ross '14

The Lady Saders volleyball team tried to break the Belle Fourche Lady Broncs on October 10th, but could not hold on tight enough. They lost 3-0.

The Lady Saders (7-7) went into the match last week with determination to beat the Lady Broncs (14-1). The Lady Saders put up a strong fight in the first set, losing 22-25. Going into the second set, the Lady Saders were shaken up a little. They lost the second set 14-25. Finding their fire in the third and final set, the Saders fought as much as they could. They had the determination, but the Lady Broncs were more determined to win the game. The Saders lost the last set 19-25.

“When I stepped out on the court, I got excited along with my team,” said Gusti Terkildsen ‘15. “Overall, we came together and played stupendously,” stated Terkildsen.

The End of the First Quarter

Working hard at the end of the quarter. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

 The End of the First Quarter

By Rhiannon White Eyes ‘14

This past Friday was the last day of the first quarter.

There are now three quarters left in the school year. Seniors are one-fourth of the way done. They are three quarters away from being able to walk across the stage.

It was a hectic Friday morning, as students were rushing to and from classes trying to get their work turned in and done. Students were doing all sorts of extra credit to bring up their grades before the final posting.

Quarter grades are very important to the students here at Red Cloud. The students take it upon themselves to get the best grades possible and to excel in everything they do. Some students were stressing because of it being the end of the quarter. The teachers are very understanding and only want the best for their students. Last week we had a study hall, and it really helped most of the students to catch up and seek help from their teachers.

Some advice to the students would be to do their work on time and hand it in before the due date. If you manage to do that throughout the whole quarter, then it is not so much weight on your shoulders at the end of the quarter. If a student misses a couple days, then they should stay after and seek help and make up the work that they have missed. Another thing that helps is to think positively and have a good mindset about school and academics. The teachers hope the best to all of the students as first quarter comes to an end.

First Snow for Pedro and Leonardo

Pedro and Leonardo in the snow. Photos by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

First Snow for Pedro and Leonardo

                                                    by Jin Yup Jung ‘14

There are two new students at Red Cloud from Puerto Rico who have never seen snow before last Friday. While some people who have lived around here hate snow, Pedro Martinez and Leonardo Martinez were extremely excited when they saw snow for the first time. 

They wanted to make a snowman and throw snowballs together during the weekend. “How do you make a snowman?” Leonardo asked during 7th period in Susan Daniels' class. He made students in the class laugh, but Leonardo seemed like he was really super serious. I had an interview with the two brothers and asked them about their experiences with the snow.

Q. What was your feeling when you saw and touched snow first time?

Pedro: Very excited and wonderful like your dream came true!

Q. Did you have a plan to make a snowman or play some other games by throwing snow?

Pedro: Yes I did. It was really fun.

Q. Do you want to bring some snow back to Puerto Rico and show your friends?

Leonardo: Sure, if it doesn’t melt.  

Q. Do you like snow? Or do you hate it?

Leonardo: I love snow because it brought me a no school day!

Fall Senior Retreat

Class of 2014 in the Black Hills. Photo courtesy of Kylie I'atala. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Fall Senior Retreat

By Kylie I’atala ‘14

It’s tradition for each class to have a retreat. Since the seniors and juniors are upperclassmen, they have overnight retreats. Last week the Class of 2014 spent time together on retreat at Storm Mountain. The retreat focused on spirituality and goals. It was a good time to spend time with each other for two days without any academics.

The retreat was from October 2-3. Seniors had lot of activities on the retreat, including hiking and small group discussions. Students heard talks about the future and how to finance for college. It was a time for getting to know each other as an individual.

“The point of going on retreat is coming in as strangers and leaving as family,” said Christi Sioux Bob ‘14.

Workouts/Health Tips

Water is healthy. Photo by Kylie I'atala. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Workouts/Health Tips

Kylie I’atala ‘14

Want to be fit and healthy? I guarantee these tips will help you with your healthy lifestyle. They will help you improve on your diet and your workouts will show improvements.

Diets - Do not drink soda. It takes 6 miles to run off one can of soda.

Before every meal drink a glass of water. The water will cause you not to finish your entire meal. Meats are good for you because it has protein in it. Also drink plenty of milk, because calcium makes your bone stronger.

Workouts- if you want to burn fat, these workouts will help you.

Squats: 3 sets of 25

Lunges: 3 sets of 25

Pushups: 3 sets of 25

Run around for a minute - do 5 times.

1 minute of buttkicks- 3 times

30 seconds of crunches

30 seconds of vertical leg crunch

45 seconds of bicycle crunch

1 minute of plank

   

There you go! A path to a healthy life choice! Until next week..

Snow, Snow, and White Snow

Snow covers Red Cloud. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

  Snow, Snow, and White Snow

                                                              By Jin Yup Jung ‘14

An early snowstorm canceled everything this past weekend: football, volleyball, and classes on Monday. Facebook was busy on Sunday by Red Cloud students, who posted about there being no school on Monday. The day off actually helped students to have a break one more day, to finish their own homework and to prepare for their quarter grades which are Friday. There were at least two feet of snow on the ground around Pine Ridge and it has been melting since Sunday.

While some were enjoying their break, others struggled because of no electricity. The biggest reason that electricity was off was that it snowed too much and it broke many branches off trees, which disconnected the line of electricity. 

“It was really scary that electricity was off suddenly while I, Clay, and Yoshiki were watching the movie Iron Man 3,” said super senior Jin Yup Jung. “I thought that Big Foot was coming to my house because the outside sounds were so noisy, like a rock star, and all I could see was white in the dark.”

Also Red Cloud Crusader Volleyball varsity players, who went to LNI in Rapid on Friday, struggled with no electricity during this weekend at their hotel. “No heat, no phones, no service, no anything. Especially at night was the scariest,” said Caine Ghost Bear, the volleyball manager. “Our bus did not start so we had to wait until five and it finally started."