Guest blogger: Shana

Hello,

My name is Shana and I’m the Director for the High School Program here at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

I’m in my fourth year here at St. Joseph’s Indian School and we’ve seen many positive changes and improvements in our program during these years.

The girls basketball team just finished up a successful season and one of our St. Joseph’s students was co-captain of the team, she’s a senior and her last game was very emotional as it’s one of her first good-byes during the end of her senior year.

Tonight is our boys District basketball game with our Chamberlain High School rival Crow Creek. The homes are all excited and ready to go cheer our team as well as our St. Joseph’s Indian School boys who play on the varsity team. I just left our high school learning center and the students there were busy trying to get some homework done before they left for this evenings game. They were full of smiles and warm welcome, which is not always the case when students are doing homework.

Our houseparents recently attended our student’s parent teacher conferences at Chamberlain High School and then our students enjoyed a four-day weekend. Many of our homes scheduled their home skiing trip for this long weekend, but due to blizzard conditions had to postpone their ‘family vacation’. There were some disappointed students and staff, but it’s better to be safe than sorry on our South Dakota roads during the winter.

The homes are trying to find another weekend for skiing. Prom is fast approaching and some of the girls have already picked out their dress, this is always a fun weekend and Chamberlain High School has a post prom party to ensure it’s also a safe weekend. There is never a dull moment in our high school program for our Lakota youngsters!

To learn more about our Native American children in need, please visit us on our St. Joseph’s Indian School’s website.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

4 thoughts on “Guest blogger: Shana”

  1. Hi, Shana !
    It’s so nice to meet you, and what a BIG job you are doing..and accomplishing every bit of it..!
    The results of the work done there is going to evidence itself far into the future.
    YOU are all remarkable,and couldn’t be doing anything better..
    BRAVO…and
    “Baby, take a bow”..
    Mia Inez Archer

  2. Hi Shana,
    You have an amazing job! High School presents so many challenges…I can only imagine what it’s like with all the St. Joe students! We are all so lucky that we have such wonderful staff and students there! Thank you for all you are doing!

    1. Thank you! and yes with older kids come bigger challenges, but I’m very lucky to have so many amazing staff that are dedicated to the Mission of St. Joe’s. Our students are also great examples of resilience and hope. We learn a lot from them.

  3. Thanks for your kind words! Many of the seeds we plant today will grow over time and patience is sometimes a difficult virtue to practice; however when we see the accomplishments of our students – it’s motivating and uplifting – more than words can describe. Thanks for your support!

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