Desks are Pillows

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

Desks are Pillows

By Colton Sierra ‘14

Heads laid on desks. Notebooks nonexistent. Dreams. That is all that is expected when only 12% of the students here at Red Cloud get the eight or more hours of sleep needed to function properly.

You may ask yourself, “Why do I need that much sleep? I feel like I have a lot of energy when sometimes I only get four hours of sleep. So what’s the big deal?” Well, what could have happened is that you woke up in your lightest cycle of sleep. You can see learn about sleep cycles here.

I consulted this website about how much sleep a person younger than 18 must get, and what they say is about 8 ½ to 10 hours of sleep are needed. One way to know if you’re not getting enough sleep is how you act throughout the day.

I asked Michael Sunderland what his thought were about the importance of sleep, and this was his reply: “You should train yourself to get eight hours of sleep. It is vital for academics and overall well being.”

A lot of students that I talked to about sleeping schedules either barely got enough sleep (66.7% of students got 5-7 hours) or barely got any sleep at all (21.3% of students got 4 hours or less.) The dangers of sleep deprivation include lack of motivation, moodiness, frequent colds, and concentration problems.

“This week I haven’t gotten a good amount of sleep, and now I feel unorganized,” said Myranda Pourier ‘15. Although I haven’t seen her head down in the Psychology class that we share together,  in the “Twittersphere” in this past week she seemed to be in a distant relationship with her buddy, the Sandman.

I haven’t had a good couple of weeks of sleep either, so I understand the effects of sleep deprivation. These past two weeks my productivity has caused my grades to sink lower than the Titanic.

I know all of my friends love to get sleep, and they love to sleep in on weekends. You know the good, refreshed feeling of getting an excessive amount of sleep. Everyone loves sleep. So why not love sleep everyday? Why not treat your body and mind with a full 8 or 9 or 10 hours? I understand that in this day and age with advances in technology and the effects of a heavy workload and schedule that sleep is sometimes the last thing we think about. Sometimes it is hard to catch up with sleep, and you feel like your life is falling apart by each hour of sleep you miss. But if you allow yourself just one or two more hours each night, you can increase your chances toward a more healthy life.

The Book of the Year

ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK! Photo by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

The Book of the Year

By Jin Yup Jung '14

                           

If you have been waiting for a chance to get the 2013-2014 Red Cloud Yearbook, you are finally in luck.

As the semester is approaching its end with only about three months left, Yearbook class has been working extremely hard to record great memories for the students. The Yearbook class basically takes photos, edits photos, and makes pages.

“We are ¾ done with the yearbook,” senior Talea Black Tail Deer Merrival said. “We have two weeks to work and get done with each page. I like to interview and take pictures because it allows me see other sides of people. I also like to create pages and try to make each page unique.”

Each year, yearbook is considered to be a great gift and a truly great book of memories in which students share all of their thoughts and secrets. Students have bonded and will bond with their friends and will keep in touch throughout college and the rest of our lives.

“Yearbook is a big project. We usually work in pairs in the class, but each person has responsibilities to complete their work, whether it's taking photos, designing pages, or interviewing students,” teacher Aminah Hassoun said.

When we have a reunion in the future, one thing that will remind us of our life in high school is our high school yearbook. Yearbook will offer you a chance to remember how fun and crazy our lives were when you look back at it. If you haven’t bought a yearbook before, now is the right time for you to get it.

“It’s your memory,” Aminah said. “We’ve done this to cover different events that happened this year. The yearbook is more than just a book on your shelf. The reason yearbook class works hard is for everyone in school to enjoy reading the yearbook.”

A yearbook costs $25 (a reasonable price). You can contact Aminah (room 231) in order to buy one. The deadline to order yearbook is April 30th; it’s about two months away from now. A lot of times, students totally forget the deadline, and when the deadline comes close, it make students decide not to buy because they do not have enough money to buy the yearbook. I suggest you to start getting money together now. Two months is long enough to save $25.

Hopefully, you plan to save enough money and not miss out on your yearbook. You will have a great time reading it and remembering all your great activities from this year.

The Greenhouse of Red Cloud

Greenhouse, outside and in. Photos by Shawnta' Jones '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

The Greenhouse of Red Cloud

By Shawnta' Jones '14

Have you ever walked across Red Cloud's campus and noticed a very large dome near the football field and asked yourself, "What is this very large dome?" Well, I'm here to answer that very question. That massive dome is Red Cloud's very own greenhouse. It keeps a steady temperature throughout all four seasons without the use of any fuel or electricity. This greenhouse is an opportunity for students to grow plants and observe the work. It was funded through the Toyota Foundation grant as the major project for year three of the grant. The construction costs were about $30,000. “The purpose of the greenhouse is to provide a living laboratory for the students of Red Cloud Indian School,” said science teacher Wendell Gehman. “Red Cloud purchased it to provide a new option and venue for teaching science.” With the new addition of the greenhouse, Red Cloud science classes will be able to perform long- term experiments in a controlled environment.  Red Cloud School is still in the process of designing the interior raised beds, so they are still in the planning stages. Many students, teachers, and visitors are very curious about the large dome and what is growing in there. “At the moment, nothing is growing in the greenhouse, but we will have plans to use it for several projects ranging from growing and propagating heirloom species, plants that have traditional uses, and perhaps even starter vegetables,” said Gehman.  You can also read about the greenhouse here.

An in-depth, exclusive view INSIDE the dome. Featuring Shawnta' Jones '14.

Sitting in with the Scientist: Wendell Gehman

Wendell with his trusty cup of joe. Photo by Shawnta' Jones '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Sitting in with the Scientist: Wendell Gehman

By Shawnta’ Jones ‘14

This mad scientist is a 46 year old man who is extremely bald, once dissolved a hole through his shirt with acid, and never wears the same tie twice in one week. He has worked at Red Cloud High School for 18 years and completely loves it.

Meet Wendell Gehman. He started working at Red Cloud during the fall of 1996-1997. He lives one mile north of Hot Springs and travels 65 miles every day to teach his science classes. Gehman was born in Georgia and was raised the majority of his life in Pennsylvania.

He graduated from Messiah College at Harrisburg with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and also received his Master's degree in Biology from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. He took his knowledge to teach a biology class at Bermudian Springs High School in York Springs, PA and eventually started teaching science classes here at Red Cloud.

“I decided to come to Red Cloud because I feel like this is where God wants me to be,” Gehman said.

“Wendell is a great teacher and a great man!” exclaimed senior Colton Sierra.

Gehman wants one of his students to be able to come back to Red Cloud and take his job.

“My biggest goal in the classroom is that I want my students to realize how smart they actually are,” enthused Gehman. “They are capable of much greater things, and I want them to be prepared for when they go off to college.”

“My greatest fear in life is losing my hair!” joked Gehman. “Actually, it is not being able to help kids achieve what they are capable of doing.”

FAFSA Night

FAFSA: The Poster. Photo by Colton Sierra' 14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

FAFSA Night

By Colton Sierra ‘14

On Wednesday February 26th, the seniors and their parents will attend a dinner that could lend a hand to their futures as they prepare for life after high school. The students will meet in the commons for the annual FAFSA Night led by our very own Nakina Mills.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as FAFSA, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. FAFSA has provided more than $150 billion each year to 15 million students.

The FAFSA Night serves as an informational dinner. Nakina wants to teach the process for applying and receiving aid from this program. She has been putting this dinner on for the two years that she has worked here, but it has been going on for over ten years.

“This dinner is going to be very helpful and informational for the students and for the parents,” said Nakina as she was in her usual haste. Nakina Mills is one of the busiest workers here at Red Cloud High School.

My fellow seniors, FAFSA Night is for you and your own benefit. Attending this dinner would help your future greatly. So I am encouraging all of you seniors who have no clue about FAFSA to show your faces at the Cuny Commons and get ready for a night full of knowledge.

Crusaders Wrestle at Regions

RCHS wrestling. Photo courtesy of Clay Leonard. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Crusaders Wrestle at Regions

 By Jin Yup Jung '14

The Red Cloud High School Crusader wrestler made the short trip to Rapid City Stevens High School for the Class B Regional Wrestling Tournament this weekend.

The Red Cloud Wrestling team started with 12 wrestlers at the beginning of the season. These are your survivors who represented the team at regional: senior leader Morgan Starr (145 lbs.), Pedro Martinez (285), junior leader Josh Twiss (132), Yoshiki Ueda (126), sophomore Miranda O’Donnell, freshman Jeff Twiss (220), and 8th graders Jeff Pourier (160) and Clancy Clifford (220). 

“The wrestlers are having great week of practices. Our goal is to wrestle our best matches of the season at the regional tournament,” Coach Clay Leonard said before the matches. “Everybody is looking great at practice and I expect them to all wrestle their very best matches on Saturday. The wrestlers going to regionals are a great bunch of people. Each and every one of them have completed wonderful seasons. Each of them have improved on a weekly basis. We have all overcome many obstacles and disappointments, but we are doing the best wrestling of the season now. Regional tournament will be tough but I believe our wrestlers will have very successful results.”

‘I’m excited about this weekend. We have lots of possibility for a lot of guys,” assistant coach Lane Pourier said. “It’s just a matter of them wrestling their best and making smart moves.”

The Crusader wrestlers left Friday night after practice to get to the seeding meeting and to get ready for the next day at regionals. Although the Crusaders did not have anyone qualify for State, they battled hard and gave it their best on the mat. This young team has trained hard all season and will continue to improve as they gain more experience.

Questions and Answers with Leonardo Martinez

             Questions and Answers with Leonardo Martinez

                                                            By Jin Yup Jung ‘14

Q. What is your favorite sport?

A. Soccer.

Q. Do you play soccer? If so, where do you play?

A. Yes. I played soccer on the Rushmore soccer team in Rapid City.

Q. Do you have a plan to play soccer in college?

A. Yes, I hope to get a scholarship in soccer.

Q. How long have you played soccer? How have you developed your soccer skills?

A.  Soccer is life for me. I’ve played soccer since I was younger. It gives me other skills like honesty and passion.

Q. What does soccer mean for you?

A.  Soccer has given me experiences throughout the years and sharing with other clubs as a family.

Leonardo also has a plan to play soccer for the spring sport season on the Hot Springs soccer team led by Red Cloud science teacher Wendell Gehman.

Leonardo, soccer sensation. Photo courtesy of Leonardo Martinez '15. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Super Senior? Jin Says Yup

Jin Yup, master journalist. Photo by Colton Sierra '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Super Senior? Jin Says Yup

By Colton Sierra ‘14

Q: How does it feel being here for your third consecutive year?

A: It actually feels great for me to come back to Red Cloud. I know I was supposed to graduate last year, but I wanted to spend one more year in high school to be prepared well before I go to college. I’m so honored I’m the only exchange student who has attended Red Cloud for three years.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of Red Cloud?

A: My favorite aspect of Red Cloud is the Lakota culture. Before I came to U.S. honestly, I really did not know about Native Americans. I’m so glad that I have the chance to learn about Lakota culture and its beliefs.

Q: Yuichi, Tomoaki, or Yoshiki. Which one was your favorite?

A: They are all great friends to me, so it’s hard for me to choose only one.

Q: How’s life with Clay been? Has he influenced you in your life? If so, how?

A: It’s been great, I think. I respect Clay- the way he works hard every day, and he is a great wrestling coach at Red Cloud.

Q: Have you gotten accepted to any colleges? Which ones? Which college is your first choice?

A: I got accepted to University of Nebraska-Lincoln (with $9000 scholarships per year), University of South Dakota, Northern State University, and Chadron State College. Recently, I also applied to University of Mass- Amherst, Indiana University, and South Dakota State University. But I haven’t decided yet which college I will go to. My first choice college is UMass-Amherst.

Q: How’s the wrestling team this year?

A: Honestly, 70% of the current wrestlers are first year wrestlers and the rest of them are second and third year wrestlers. Sometimes, I see them having some struggles during practice and tournaments. I know how it is difficult for them to overcome their limits in wrestling because I was one of them too. However, I believe if they continue working hard on it, they will definitely deserve their wins at regionals. As a coach, I always try to help them out as best as I can. I do really hope that my qualifying for State Wrestling last year could inspire them to listen to me about my experiences and knowledge of wrestling and hope it works for them at Regionals.

Q: What are your plans for the next ten years?

A: There is no specific plan for the next ten years. But as of now, I’m going to college in U.S. and major in Business Management. I will find what I want to do for the future and decide whether I will marry an American girl or a Korean girl while I’m in college.

Q: What’s your favorite color?

A: Brown.

Q & A with the Six Horatio Alger Scholars

Q & A with the Six Horatio Alger Scholars

By Shawnta` Jones ‘14

Carrie Beard 

How do you feel about receiving the Horatio Alger? I feel very accomplished and proud of myself. At first, my initial reaction was to scream and I had a lot of disbelief. Then I realized it was real so I am humbled. This makes me motivated.

What is your favorite season? My favorite season is Fall. I love the warm colors, leaves falling, and my birthday is in the Fall.

What is your favorite candy? My favorite chocolate bar is Twing Bing.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself starting to make my own life and keeping a balanced life. Hopefully, I already acquired my Master's degree in Chem, I have a great job, my health is fine, I am financially stable, and figuring out marriage and children.

Where do you plan on studying? I plan on majoring in Chemistry at Creighton University.

What is your favorite color? My favorite color is blue. It’s the color of the sky!

Jenny Brave Heart

How do you feel about receiving the Horatio Alger? I feel pretty happy and relieved about receiving this scholarship because I know it will help me a lot.

What is your favorite subject? My favorite subject would have to be Chemistry or Physics.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In ten years I would like to be pursuing my Ph.D in astronautical engineering or astrophysics.

What is your favorite movie? Lilo and Stitch

What is your favorite color? My favorite color is pink!

What do you plan on studying? I plan on going to college for Physics.

Caine Ghost Bear

How do you feel about receiving the Horatio Alger? I feel like a big relief came off my chest. Also, I feel happy knowing hard work in school pays off.

What is your favorite subject in school? I love Math.

Where do you plan on studying? I really want to get accepted into UConn. If I do, I will study Nursing there.

What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Sixteen Candles.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself working in a Denver Hospital.

What is your favorite candy? Candy Cigarettes.

Shawnta` Jones

How do you feel about receiving the Horatio Alger? I am completely honored. I am honestly very proud of myself. At first I was shocked because I didn’t actually think I was going to get this scholarship. Then once I read the email, I felt super excited and happy.

What is your favorite color? Light purple for sure.

Where do you plan on studying? I plan to major in Criminal Justice at my dream college, ASU.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I plan to be finished with college and to uphold a great career that I enjoy. I also hope to be living a happy life, hopefully starting my own family with a great husband. Lastly, I see myself being on my 14th year of Sundancing.

What is your favorite candy? SNICKERS!

What is your favorite subject? I love Chemistry.

Genriel Ribitsch

How do you feel about receiving the Horatio Alger? I feel very excited and wasn’t sure if it was real.

What is your favorite season? I love summer.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I will be a doctor or starting a business.

What is your favorite TV show? Smallville

Where do you plan on studying? I plan to go to KU or Notre Dame.

What is your favorite color? Orange.

Gabby Rodriguez

How do you feel about receiving the Horatio Alger? I feel very grateful for being awarded the scholarship. It makes me feel like although I have had many twists and turns and have had challenges thrown at me. They were all put in my path to help me grow.

What do you plan on studying? Anatomy and Physiology. I haven't decided what college yet but it is between the University of North Dakota and Creighton University.

What is your favorite candy? I love Lemon drops. They're my addiction.

What is your favorite movie? The Expendables

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself working as a physical therapist, and then spending my weekends during the summer traveling to powwows.

What is your favorite season? Spring, because of track season.

Check out the official list of South Dakota winners. 

Here is Red Cloud's article on these students.

Here is an article (with audio) from South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

Pedro Martinez Wins Sportsmanship Award

Pedro with his father. Photo by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Pedro Martinez Wins Sportsmanship Award

                                                       By Jin Yup Jung ‘14

Last Saturday Feb. 1st, a Red Cloud wrestler not only earned a place in the Red Cloud Wrestling Invitational, but he also won another award.

Senior Pedro Martinez received an award named the Curtis Bear Robe Sportsmanship award at the Red Cloud Wrestling Tournament. Curtis wrestled in the early 1990s. He had a very successful career at Red Cloud. He served the country in the military. Curtis was always someone who wrestled fairly. Therefore, when he died too young, the Red Cloud wrestling program asked his family if we could use his name on our sportsmanship award. His mother Carmelita Two Elk still works for Red Cloud. Red Cloud also would like to thank his father, Cecil, and his whole family. Red Cloud wrestling is very honored to be allowed to memorialize this fine young graduate of Red Cloud with this very special award.

This is the first year for Pedro in wrestling, and he is recently moved to South Dakota from Puerto Rico with his family for his senior year. Pedro has been having a great season not only for Red Cloud wrestling but also for his Rushmore soccer team in Rapid City. 

“It was great at a soccer tournament in Sioux Falls since I had the chance to make a lot of assists and a goal,” Pedro said. “Also, I felt very surprised about that award and glad since I really didn’t do well on the mat at the Red Cloud Tournament.”

The previous Red Cloud wrestlers who have been awarded the Sportsmanship award are Jin Yup Jung ‘13, Julian Hernandez ‘10, and Filbert Janis ‘92. The award is not given out every year.

As a senior leader, he is an energizer on the team. “Pedro is always keeping people's spirits up by his off-the-wall stories and observations,” Coach Clay Leonard said. “One needs to ask him about color numbers and color math to fully experience the full Pedro. His vast movie knowledge will keep you entertained for hours.”

Even though this is his first year in wrestling, Pedro has accomplished lots in his matches. He beat some experienced wrestlers by mostly pins. He is still progressing, and he’s been working hard for the upcoming regionals at Rapid City Stevens High School in two weeks.

Congratulations to Martinez! Felicitaciones!