One Big Family at St. Joseph’s Indian School

My name is Laura and I am the Donor Relations Officer in the Development office here at St. Joseph’s Indian School. I have been here for 14

Laura, St. Joseph’s Donor Relations Officer
Laura, St. Joseph’s Donor Relations Officer

years and I’m a mother of three boys. We are a wrestling family and I look forward to the season every year.

This year, I am lucky to have a son on the Chamberlain high school wrestling team along with a couple of our St. Joseph’s students – one of whom is Jay.

We had our first tournament recently and it was Jay’s first time ever wrestling in a meet! He did great but did not get a win that day. I talked to him afterwards and asked how it went. He said “not good.” I assured him that he will get the moves figured out and encouraged him to keep his chin up!

A week later, we went to another meet and Jay was up to wrestle. I had butterflies in my stomach for him! I found myself yelling and cheering for him like he was my own.

Jay started wrestling this year.
Jay wrestles on the Chamberlain high school team with Laura’s son.

And guess who pinned his first guy for a Win… That is right, Jay!

The look of excitement on his face was priceless. I am so proud of our students for getting out of their comfort zone and trying new things. I feel like St. Joseph’s employees and students are One Big Family – I’m so happy to be part of it!

There is a saying I like: You can never lose – you either Win or Learn. I look forward to seeing St. Joseph’s boys alongside my own Winning and Learning this wrestling season. You can bet I will be there cheering them on the whole way!

Laura

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.

7 thoughts on “One Big Family at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

  1. Hi Laura.. Happy New Year to your “one BIG Happy Family” Good luck to your boy’s.. Thanks for the post.

  2. I have a feeling of love and compassion after reading your message. There is a reason that God lead me to open this website. If I cannot, at this time, send money, what else can I do? I am wondering if you have an affiliate in the north Chicago suburbs. I could teach or tutor or volunteer in some way. Your honesty has touched me with a feeling that I can do more with my life to continue the spirit of this precious Native community.

    1. Thanks so much! We have a special needs list of items we can use at the school and also have affiliate programs you could help with.

      wwstjo.org/affiliate

      Most important would just be your prayers for all of the students here at the school. Thanks again!

  3. My son, James “Peanut Stinson”, never stepped on a wrestling mat until he was a freshman. It gave him a place to belong and to channel his “issues” by individually pushing himself to overcome and win. Now he’s a international FILA referee and a national referee for the USA. He’s also coaching high school wrestling and the kids wrestling program. I will always be there to cheer or volunteer to help and encourage. Thanks to all Wrestling programs who make a difference in a young person’s life.

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