Dr. Who? Dr. Kay.

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

 Dr. Who? Dr. Kay.

                                                           By Jin Yup Jung ‘14

Historically and traditionally, Red Cloud School has recruited lots of volunteers from other states. While most volunteers are young and fresh out of college, Kathryn Reisdorfer is the only volunteer this year (and possibly ever) who has been a college professor and holds a Doctorate degree.

Kathryn ("Kay") teaches US Government, Personal Finance, and Sociology at Red Cloud. She used to teach history and humanities as a professor in Yavapai College in Arizona. Kay has now retired from college and devoted her life to Red Cloud this year. 

“I felt wonderful after I retired from teaching college because I worked really hard in college, and I was so excited to do new things since I really didn’t have enough time to do what I wanted when I was teaching in college,” Kay said happily.

“I have had an interesting life. Fun and rich,” Kay added. “I was born in southwestern Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota.” Subsequently, she moved to San Francisco at the period of the Summer of Love, which occurred during the summer of 1967 and was an event when hippies gathered together in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco.

“Four years later, I moved back to Minnesota and married,” Kay added. “After I spent my time with my family, I started teaching in a community college in Arizona. I met wonderful people and was having a great time while I was teaching in college.”

Believe or not, Kay used to live in Germany for about four months to learn voice and she actually was a singer for a while in her life.

Some might have wondered at one time or another why a college professor came to the Pine Ridge Reservation when she could spend her time in another city or by doing more fun activities. “After I retired from college, I was doing some volunteer work because I feel people should give of themselves,” she said. “While I was doing volunteer work, I heard about Red Cloud on Pine Ridge Reservation, so I came here.”

Kay’s future plan is to come back to Red Cloud next year. Then she will go to Germany and then spend time in the city of Bisbee, Arizona to hang out.

The transition between teaching college and high school students is not always easy. “It’s really hard to say the difference, but there are still differences about maturity level,” Kay added. "Since college students went to college because mostly they wanted to study further beyond high school, whereas high school students are usually kind of forced to stay at high school by their parents or some other reasons. However, I believe that kids at Red Cloud are fantastic and great!”

Crusaders Invade Hoosier-Land

Red Cloud at Indiana University. Photos courtesy of Nicky Belle. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

     Crusaders Invade Hoosier-Land     

By Jin Yup Jung '14

Too much snow on Wednesday. Too much fog on Thursday.

But that didn't stop the intrepid group of Crusaders on their mission to Hoosier-ville.

It seemed like they were never going to make their journey from Rapid City to Indiana University (IU) for the college visit.

Nevertheless, five Red Cloud students along with two teachers got in a van to go to Rapid City to be on time for a flight early Thursday morning. They finally arrived at Indianapolis at about 6 pm.

The college trip was planned by Nicky Belle, who worked at Red Cloud for three years from 2009-2011. The purpose of the trip was to give students a chance to be prepared for their college experience.

During the trip, senior Jin Yup Jung and juniors Demcie Mesteth, Austin Big Crow, Randy Hughes, and Brandi Davis were able to meet people from the Native American Student Association: Vice President McCrory, who is an Associate Professor of Business Law, the Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs (DEMA), the Vice Provost for Educational Inclusion, and current students of IU. The students also spent time in a Lakota Language classroom and toured the IU Athletic Facilities. Students went on a tour around campus and went to a pow-wow on Saturday night.

 

“My favorite part of the trip was meeting everyone who went to school there because they seemed very passionate about Indiana,” Randy Hughes said.

Yoshiki Ueda’s "Pop Over" Due Experience

Yoshiki's historic first bite. Photo by Colton Sierra '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Yoshiki Ueda’s "Pop Over"Due Experience

By Colton Sierra ‘14

A newly acquired taste landed atop of junior Yoshiki Ueda’s tastebuds last Thursday the 3rd. With the help from his classmates, Yoshiki was inspired to try one of Pine Ridge’s most beloved on-the-go dishes: The Popover.

Tim Big Crow ‘15 and his cronies all assisted in gifting Yoshiki his first ever Popover. Ryan Hussman ‘14 was behind the wheel as he transported two other seniors on the voyage for a new experience for Yoshiki. The lunch hour was nearing its end when the car finally appeared in the parking lot. Yoshiki hustled outside exclaiming “Where’s my Popover?”

“This is the best thing I have ever tasted,” said Yoshiki in mid-bite. “This is a new taste.” We can believe it too. In many other places you will not find a single Popover. “Up in Minnesota, you won’t find any Popover,” said Bailey Pourier ‘14.

During a post-Popover meet up, Yoshiki explained that he would “definitely try it again.” So whoever has $3.50 that they would want to offer for this noble cause of helping Yoshiki get another Popover, come forth. We would love to treat Yoshiki to more Popovers before he departs. 

Badlands Camping Trip

Students gearing up for the Badlands. Photos courtesy of Kristian Big Crow '14 and Shawnta' Jones '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Badlands Camping Trip 

By Jin Yup Jung '14

                                               

On Sunday March 16th, several Red Cloud students cruised to the Badlands National Park for a trip with History Teacher Matt Campbell. They were also accompanied by students from New York. I had early interviews with Kristian Big Crow and Hoksila Briseno, who attended the trip.

“The trip was all around amazing,” Kristian said. Kristian also went on the trip last year.  “Being able to come back to the same trip was a relief since I knew vaguely what to expect.” 

The trip wasn’t always fun as Kristian expected because there were some obstacles in his way. “The biggest obstacles I suppose I faced, and I could probably speak for the other Red Cloud students too, was trying to get outside my comfort zone and interact with the New York students on a deeper level than just first names,” Kristian said. 

 Kristian continued, "One of my favorite memories was going out at 11:00 at night and discovering a cave/cavern and crawling inside it. We all trusted each other and any time anyone needed assistance, everyone was there to help. It was sad on the last day when we had to leave since we didn’t want to walk away. We all ended up hugging all the New York students three times each. I enjoyed this year a little more than my first visit and sure hope it isn’t going to be my last."

“The camp was great," added Hoksila. "I had a good time. We hiked all over the park and climbed up very tall mountains and saw how beautiful the Badlands were during the sunrise and sunset. We also told the New Yorkers our stories of ghost, spirits, and how we were told where the Lakota came from. I loved the camp mainly because I got to travel safely with others and hike out to some far away rocks and also to meet really great people that are really amazing. I hope that I can go back next year again.”

Jin Says Yup Yup Yup Yup?

Jin Yup ('15?) pondering his future. Photo by Colton Sierra '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Jin Says Yup Yup Yup Yup?

By The Mahpiya Luta Times Staff

Super senior Jin Yup Jung shocked the Red Cloud community this morning by announcing over the loudspeaker that he would be returning next year for his unprecedented 4th year at Red Cloud as an international student. Jin Yup would be the first ever 3rd time super-duper senior in Red Cloud's storied history.

"I've never seen anything like that," said Social Studies teacher Matt Campbell. "I was shocked, stunned, and befuddled."

According to inside leads, The Mahpiya Luta Times has uncovered that Jin is in the pursuit of an American wife and is almost on the verge of success. This cannot be confirmed or denied, however.

There are rumors that Jin Yup will live on campus and teach two Korean language classes and an after-school program on Taekwondo. He is also pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a head basketball coach.

Jin hopes to finally pass Lakota Language I after three years of unsuccessful efforts. He also hopes to join the Lakota Language Bowl team in their pursuit of three consecutive LNI championships. 

Jin is in talks with previous exchange students and is trying to convince them to return to Red Cloud next year as well. We are not sure yet of their status, but he has contacted Tomo, Yuichi, Jun, Tank, and Monica. 

"I see Red Cloud as an international school. Korean language should be taught in all grades," said Jin.

Jin Yup's goals in returning to Red Cloud are as follows: to gain U.S. citizenship, to find true love, to ride his first horse in a rodeo, to dance at his first pow-wow in full regalia, and to return to the state wrestling tournament as a state-sanctioned ref.

Since Jin Yup has already been on multiple senior retreats and has memorized the schedule, Brad Held has inquired if he would be interested in being the faculty leader for next senior retreat.

"This is a revolutionary step for all international students," said senior Shawnta' Jones. "I look up to Jin Yup as a leader, a hero, and a sage."

Jin Yup's agent cannot be reached for comment.

Winter Weather Report

Featuring Colton "Tornado" Sierra '14. Filmed by Shawnta' "Blizzard" Jones '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

The Crusader Halftime Show

Crusaders in Denver. Photos courtesy of Christian McGhee. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

The Crusader Halftime Show

By Shawnta’ Jones ‘14

Recognized for not only their athletics but also their academics and citizenship within their school and their community, members of the Red Cloud boys basketball team were picked to scrimmage each other during the halftime of the Denver Nuggets basketball game on March 23rd.

Head Coach Christian McGhee had enough tickets to take eleven boys from the basketball team: Will Garnier, Kobey O’Rourke, Marty Richards, Colby Hunter, Mato Hinton, Robert Looks Twice, Marco Starr, Kein Clements, Randy Hughes, Kris Carlow, and Caine Ghost Bear.

The boys left early Saturday morning and returned back to Pine Ridge late Sunday night.

“This year was a little different from last year,” said McGhee. “They let us have a shoot around at the Pepsi Center the day before our scrimmage and we also got to play against another high school team from Denver, which was pretty cool.”

The basketball team was able to tour the Nuggets locker room and were also lucky enough to meet some of the players of the Nuggets team: Quincy Miller, Randy Foye, Nate Robinson, Wilson Chandler, and Head Coach Brian Shaw.