St. Joseph’s alumna Alyssa Box shares a smile while working at a job she loves.
If you knew Alyssa Box during her time at St. Joseph’s Indian School, you probably remember her bright smile and happy personality. Years later, we’re delighted to see that smile hasn’t faded!
Today, Alyssa serves as the Office Manager for the Chamberlain Area Chamber of Commerce while also pursuing a degree in Office Administration.
In her role, Alyssa is a familiar voice in the community. Whether she’s answering phone calls from people looking for things to do in Chamberlain, speaking on the radio about upcoming events or encouraging residents to shop locally, she’s helping promote the town that St. Joseph’s Indian School calls home. In some ways, Alyssa has become one of the voices of Chamberlain!
Looking back, Alyssa credits her time at St. Joseph’s with helping provide the stable foundation, life skills and relationships that shaped the woman she is today.
“I learned a lot of responsibility even from a young age [at St. Joseph’s],” Alyssa shared. “I did my own chores and did a lot of stuff that I normally wouldn’t have done if I had stayed at home.”
Bright and responsible from a young age, a young Alyssa Box proudly shows off her B Honor Roll certificate.
Beyond learning responsibility, Alyssa found a strong connection to her Lakota (Sioux) culture during her years at St. Joseph’s. She participated in powwow dancing and other cultural activities that helped strengthen her sense of identity and belonging.
“I was involved in a lot of the cultural activities at St. Joseph’s. I felt a strong draw to my culture,” Alyssa said. “It made me feel like I was in the right place with the right people.”
But it wasn’t just the activities and experiences that made St. Joseph’s special to Alyssa. It was also the friendships and bonds she formed with other students.
Those connections were so meaningful that Alyssa said she would consider sending her own daughter to St. Joseph’s.
“I liked the bonds that I grew with other students. I think she could benefit from that.”
Today, Alyssa’s story is a reminder of the lasting impact a stable, supportive environment can have on a child’s life. The responsibility she learned, the cultural connections she strengthened and the friendships she developed helped build a foundation she continues to carry with her.
Thanks to generous supporters like you, St. Joseph’s can provide Lakota (Sioux) children with opportunities to learn, grow and build brighter futures.
We’re so proud of Alyssa for the woman she has become and all she continues to accomplish. And we’re especially happy to see that same bright smile!
Want to hear more of Alyssa’s story? Watch her full interview on the Hóčhoka Podcast.
So proud of her and all the kids there at St. Joseph’s Indian School ,Alyssa has come along ways from being alittle girl to a full grown beautiful woman , I hope and pray she continues her work there and becomes closer to God , please tell her I said hello and work hard and keep on accomplishment her dreams , may God bless her and all the staff and kids that are there, such wonderful work you all do for them.