About
Student Stories
Every gift you make writes a new chapter in a child’s life.
The children of St. Joseph’s Indian School come from communities that have faced generations of hardship, yet every day on our campus, we witness resilience, joy and an unquenchable spirit. Our student stories capture real moments: a child conquering fear in the classroom, a young dancer finding pride in their heritage, an alumnus returning to give back. These are the stories your support makes possible.
Makaia Makes History as Homecoming Queen
Queen Makaia and Native American Studies teacher LaRayne smile for a photo during Chamberlain’s Homecoming parade. To some, it might just be a crown. To the St. Joseph’s Indian School community, it’s a place in school …
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Introducing the 2026 Powwow Royalty of St. Joseph’s Indian School
Introducing the 2026 Powwow Royalty of St. Joseph’s Indian School The drums hadn’t even started yet, but the Rec Center was already buzzing. It was the kind of excited, can’t‑sit‑still energy that only happens when students …
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Embracing Life at St. Joseph’s: Zukai’s Story
Embracing Life at St. Joseph’s: Zukai’s Story Even as a new student, Zukai proudly danced and sang at St. Joseph’s 49th Annual Powwow. Spend just a few minutes with seventh grader Zukai, and it might be …
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St. Joseph’s Students Explore Faith and Future at Notre Dame
Some moments help students see a wider horizon than they knew existed. For four St. Joseph’s Indian School middle schoolers, stepping onto the University of Notre Dame campus became one of those moments — a chance …
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Senior Suitcase: St. Joseph’s Graduates Shop for the Future
“I am in line to check out everything for my future right now,” Delante said as he looked down at a shopping cart piled high with essentials for adulthood.
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Students Explore Faith, Service and Discovery at Summer Institute
Some journeys shape students long before they return home. For four St. Joseph’s Indian School students, a week in Milwaukee, Wisc., became more than a trip. It became a chance to see themselves as part of …
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Stepping Up: St. Joseph’s Indian School Student Finds His Voice as a Leader
One evening at the Rec Center, Bryan, St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Athletic Director, found himself short a basketball referee. The game was about to begin, and he needed someone dependable who could step in quickly. Kansas, …
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St. Joseph’s Graduate Earns $10,000 Scholarship
Meet Mersayis, an extraordinary young woman whose resilience, compassion and dedication have earned her the prestigious Dr. Henry C. Mueller Scholarship, awarding her $10,000 toward her dreams of becoming a nurse. Growing up in the foster …
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St. Joseph’s Student Shoots for the Stars … Literally
At St. Joseph’s Indian School, every student has a story. Some stories are rooted in athletics, others in overcoming challenges, and some, like Marybella’s, are destined for the stars. Marybella, a bright and determined high school …
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Joselle
Joselle is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Joselle has attended St. Joseph’s Indian School for one year. She has loved all the staff while here at St. Joseph’s — how nice they are and …
Joselle
Joselle is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Joselle has attended St. Joseph’s Indian School for one year. She has loved all the staff while here at St. Joseph’s — how nice they are and how they want students to succeed. Joselle’s favorite class is Personal Living Skills. The best thing about her home was her friends and houseparents. Joselle is most grateful for the staff and is very proud of her good grades. After finishing school, she dreams of being a photographer.
Bradyn
Bradyn is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Bradyn has participated in basketball, cross country and track while attending St. Joseph’s. He loves being in sports and hanging out with friends. His favorite class …
Bradyn
Bradyn is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Bradyn has participated in basketball, cross country and track while attending St. Joseph’s. He loves being in sports and hanging out with friends. His favorite class is Math and his favorite home activities were the home trips! Bradyn is most grateful for his mom enrolling him at St. Joseph’s to receive a better education and make new friends. He is most proud of making his mom happy by participating in sports and getting good grades. Bradyn will always remember the home and Cultural Trips he went on, but especially the Air Madness trip with Speyer Home, the Seventh Grade Cultural trip, and going to Sioux Falls his eighth grade year. Bradyn hopes to get a college degree and dreams of becoming an artist.
Julius
Julius is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. During his two years at St. Joseph’s, he has participated in football, basketball and softball. He has appreciated the trips he’s taken, and also that he has …
Julius
Julius is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. During his two years at St. Joseph’s, he has participated in football, basketball and softball. He has appreciated the trips he’s taken, and also that he has been well taken care of. His favorite class is PE because of the activities. The best thing about his home was the food and the houseparents. Julius is very grateful for the trips he’s gone on and is proud of being responsible and respectful. Julius will always remember his Cultural Trip to Black Elk Peak when Delmar and Juju had to go to the bathroom and they were racing and Delmar got there first, and Juju had to go really bad, so he used the girls’ room. Julius dreams of going to college and possibly becoming a firefighter.
Jada
Jada is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She has attended St. Joseph’s for five years and was involved in basketball, volleyball, softball, Beta Club, Honor Roll and Outstanding Attendance. Something Jada has loved about …
Jada
Jada is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She has attended St. Joseph’s for five years and was involved in basketball, volleyball, softball, Beta Club, Honor Roll and Outstanding Attendance. Something Jada has loved about being here at St. Joseph’s is that it took her into new and exciting things! Out of all the classes, Jada’s favorites are Religion and History because both are fun and cool to learn about. The best thing about Jada’s home is everyone makes her happy and feel supported. She is most grateful for all her friends. Jada is proud of her eighth grade year, because sometimes she didn’t know if she could make it, but she did! She will always remember the Seventh Grade Cultural trip because it was a good time with all her friends and she experienced a lot about her culture. Jada dreams of being a model for a fashion designer someday, or perhaps a doctor!
Jade
Jade is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She has participated in basketball, volleyball and track during her five years at St. Joseph’s. Jade has loved the houseparents, counselors, home trips and the education she …
Jade
Jade is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She has participated in basketball, volleyball and track during her five years at St. Joseph’s. Jade has loved the houseparents, counselors, home trips and the education she received at St. Joseph’s. Her favorite class was math because it comes easy for her. The best thing about her home is Rich and Tara’s food and Ms. Julie and Mr. Rigo’s children. She is very grateful for her houseparents, and is proud to be graduating eighth grade this year. She will always remember the memorable moments on the Washington trip! Her future hopes are to go to college and get a good job. She wants to be a flight attendant someday!
Nevaeh
Nevaeh is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. During her time at St. Joseph’s she has been involved in basketball, volleyball, track, softball, National Honor Society, and Junior Beta Club. She has loved the …
Nevaeh
Nevaeh is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. During her time at St. Joseph’s she has been involved in basketball, volleyball, track, softball, National Honor Society, and Junior Beta Club. She has loved the Rec Center and the people she has met — the staff and the donors — while at St. Joseph’s. Her favorite class was Religion and the best thing about her home was Tara’s cooking. She is very grateful for the donors, friends and family. Nevaeh is proud to be graduating eighth grade with her friends. She will always remember when the Mathias Home had a water balloon fight with the rest of the 7th/8th community. Nevaeh dreams of graduating high school, and attending a four-year college for event management. She wants to be an event planner when she grows up.
Julian
Julian is enrolled in the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. He has been in basketball, track and football while here at St. Joseph’s. Julian has loved playing sports during his time at St. Joseph’s and his favorite …
Julian
Julian is enrolled in the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. He has been in basketball, track and football while here at St. Joseph’s. Julian has loved playing sports during his time at St. Joseph’s and his favorite class is Nancy’s math class. The best things about his home are the home trips and hanging out with his friends. Julian is grateful for his education here at St. Joseph’s and is proud of graduating the eighth grade. He will always remember all the places he went to on the Seventh Grade Cultural trip. His future hopes and dreams include graduating high school, going into the Army, and then traveling the world!
Basil
Basil is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Basil has been attending St. Joseph’s since first grade for a total of eight years! While he’s been here, he has participated in basketball, track, cross …
Basil
Basil is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Basil has been attending St. Joseph’s since first grade for a total of eight years! While he’s been here, he has participated in basketball, track, cross country and softball. He has loved the chances St. Joseph’s gives — especially the donor luncheons. Basil’s favorite class was PE and the best thing about his home is it helped him learn right from wrong. He is most grateful for the education and chances that not every child gets. Basil is very proud of learning how to grow up without drugs or alcohol. He will always remember the Seventh Grade Cultural trip and his trip to Orlando, Florida Basil dreams of getting a job and helping his family.
Taivin
Taivin is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. During his four years at St. Joseph’s, he has been involved in football, basketball, Explorers, track and softball. He has loved going to baseball trips with …
Taivin
Taivin is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. During his four years at St. Joseph’s, he has been involved in football, basketball, Explorers, track and softball. He has loved going to baseball trips with the Explorers Club while at St. Joseph’s. Math is Taivin’s favorite class. The best thing about his St. Joseph’s home is the houseparents! Taivin is most grateful for the good education St. Joseph’s provides. He is extremely proud of his grades. Taivin’s future hopes and dreams are to graduate high school, go to college and become a firefighter.
Destiny
Destiny is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. While at St. Joseph’s, she has participated in basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, softball and the YES Girls program. Destiny has loved that there is always something to …
Destiny
Destiny is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. While at St. Joseph’s, she has participated in basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, softball and the YES Girls program. Destiny has loved that there is always something to do at St. Joseph’s. Her favorite class is art. The best thing about her home is hanging out with friends and having a good time. Destiny is most grateful for her friends and family. She is proud of her accomplishments to make her family proud and graduate. Destiny will always remember laughing with her friends. Destiny’s future hopes and dreams are to go into the National Guard and college. She wants to be a photographer someday.
Lavella
Lavella is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She has been here at St. Joseph’s for two years. During that time, she was involved in volleyball, track, basketball and softball. She has loved the home …
Lavella
Lavella is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She has been here at St. Joseph’s for two years. During that time, she was involved in volleyball, track, basketball and softball. She has loved the home trips while here at St. Joseph’s. Lavella’s favorite class is Math, and the best thing about her home are her friends. She is most grateful for friends and family. Lavella is proud that she joined track. She will always remember her time with friends. Lavella’s future hopes and dreams are to go to college and become a dentist one day.
Walter
Walter is enrolled in the Oglala Sioux Tribe. During his two years at St. Joseph’s, he has participated in basketball, track, football, softball, cross country and wrestling. He has loved going to school here at St. …
Walter
Walter is enrolled in the Oglala Sioux Tribe. During his two years at St. Joseph’s, he has participated in basketball, track, football, softball, cross country and wrestling. He has loved going to school here at St. Joseph’s and learning new things. Walter’s favorite class is Math because he is always learning new things. The best thing about his home are the home trips. Walter is most grateful for being at St. Joseph’s and is very proud of his learning, his math skills, and just being a part of St. Joseph’s! He will always remember his home trips and the Seventh Grade Cultural trip. He dreams of going to college and one day being an electrician!
Ivis
Ivis is enrolled in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He has been in football and basketball during his time at St. Joseph’s. Ivis loves having lots of friends at St. Joseph’s. His favorite class is Math, …
Ivis
Ivis is enrolled in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He has been in football and basketball during his time at St. Joseph’s. Ivis loves having lots of friends at St. Joseph’s. His favorite class is Math, and the best thing about his home is that it had a lot of video games. Ivis is grateful for basketball and is proud to have accomplished graduating from the eighth grade. He will always remember the Seventh Grade Cultural trip when they got to go to Evan’s Plunge. Ivis’ future hopes and dreams are to be in the military — more specifically, the Marines.
Diamond
Diamond is a Rosebud Sioux Tribal member. She has attended St. Joseph’s for eight years and has participated in basketball, cheerleading, volleyball, softball, Beta Club and National Honor’s Society. St. Joseph’s has given her the opportunities …
Diamond
Diamond is a Rosebud Sioux Tribal member. She has attended St. Joseph’s for eight years and has participated in basketball, cheerleading, volleyball, softball, Beta Club and National Honor’s Society. St. Joseph’s has given her the opportunities to travel, meet new people and receive a great education. Her favorite class is Native American Studies and the best thing about her home was the houseparents. Diamond is most grateful for the staff who helped her and is very proud to be finishing the eighth grade here at St. Joseph’s. She will always remember traveling to different states while at St. Joseph’s. Diamond’s future hope is to graduate college, travel and one day become a lawyer
Larsten
Larsten is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. During her year here at St. Joseph’s, she was involved in cheerleading. She has loved St. Joseph’s and her favorite classes are Religion and English-Language Arts. …
Larsten
Larsten is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. During her year here at St. Joseph’s, she was involved in cheerleading. She has loved St. Joseph’s and her favorite classes are Religion and English-Language Arts. The best thing about her home is the food! Larsten is most grateful for her teachers and houseparents and is proud of her attendance this year. She will always remember the great effort her homeroom teacher always gave her! Larsten’s dream is to become a successful writer one day.
Razalia
Razalia is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has been in volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, and track while here at St. Joseph’s. She has loved all the opportunities St. Joseph’s has given her. Razalia’s favorite …
Razalia
Razalia is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has been in volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, and track while here at St. Joseph’s. She has loved all the opportunities St. Joseph’s has given her. Razalia’s favorite class was art. The best things about her home were the memories she made with the other girls she lived with and her houseparents. She is most grateful for the experiences she’s had with her friends and family. She is most proud of being able to go to Washington D.C. She will always remember the memories she made with new friends! Razalia’s future hope is to be able to do one of her dream jobs: cosmetologist or accountant.
Sheresa
Sheresa is enrolled in the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has been at St. Joseph’s since the fifth grade. She took part in volleyball and the graduation committee during that time. She loved that St. Joseph’s staff …
Sheresa
Sheresa is enrolled in the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has been at St. Joseph’s since the fifth grade. She took part in volleyball and the graduation committee during that time. She loved that St. Joseph’s staff encouraged her to do better. Sheresa’s favorite class is Algebra and the best thing about her home was the houseparents! Sheresa is most grateful for her mom, grandma and family. She is proud of her accomplishments and graduating from the eighth grade. Sheresa will always remember her seventh grade home trip with Chuck and Rachel. Sheresa’s future hopes and dreams include becoming a teacher, but for right now she is going to be focused on going to and graduating from high school.
Amira
Amira is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Amira has loved all the people she’s met here at St. Joseph’s. Her favorite class was Social Studies and the best thing about her home …
Amira
Amira is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Amira has loved all the people she’s met here at St. Joseph’s. Her favorite class was Social Studies and the best thing about her home was the food. Amira is extremely grateful for the St. Joseph’s staff she was closest to, because they were helpful and kind. She is very proud of the grades she earned this year. Amira will always remember the girls that she hung out with the most. Her future hopes and dreams are to graduate high school, go to college and study to become a nurse!
Dayzah
Dayzah is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has participated in volleyball during her year here at St. Joseph’s. She has loved everything about St. Joseph’s this year! Dayzah’s favorite class was Religion and …
Dayzah
Dayzah is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has participated in volleyball during her year here at St. Joseph’s. She has loved everything about St. Joseph’s this year! Dayzah’s favorite class was Religion and the best thing about her home was her houseparents and Rich and Tara’s food! She is most grateful for all of her grandmas, her mom and her dad. Dayzah is proud to be graduating the eighth grade. She will always remember her first time going to Jennie’s office because she was nervous, but Jennie was nice once she got to meet her! Dayzah’s future hopes and dreams include going into the Army and becoming a therapist one day.
Mariah
Mariah is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. She has been involved in volleyball, basketball, cheer and the YES Girls program during her time at St. Joseph’s. She has loved how safe St. Joseph’s …
Mariah
Mariah is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. She has been involved in volleyball, basketball, cheer and the YES Girls program during her time at St. Joseph’s. She has loved how safe St. Joseph’s is and that she always had something to do! Mariah’s favorite class is math because there’s always a challenge to it. The best thing about her home was the girls, because they were family. Mariah is most grateful for her family because they accept the choices she makes. She is most proud of being Miss St. Joseph’s for her eighth grade year. Mariah will always remember the Seventh Grade Cultural trip because it was a fun experience! Mariah’s future hopes and dreams are to travel the world and be a photographer
JayCee
JayCee is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has been at St. Joseph’s since the third grade and has participated in basketball, volleyball and softball. She has loved the Seventh Grade Cultural trip as …
JayCee
JayCee is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has been at St. Joseph’s since the third grade and has participated in basketball, volleyball and softball. She has loved the Seventh Grade Cultural trip as well as other trips while here at St. Joseph’s. JayCee’s favorite class is Personal Living Skills and the best things about her home were the houseparents. She is most grateful for the trips she went on with her home and school. Jaycee is proud of being able to express her culture and be herself at school. She will always remember the teachers and staff who helped her through her struggles, because if it weren’t for them, she says she would not be here today. JayCee’s future hopes and dreams are to graduate high school and college and to one day become a photographer.
Delmar
Delmar is enrolled in the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Delmar has been here at St. Joseph’s for six years, and has participated in basketball, football, softball, cross country, bowling and track. Delmar has loved all the …
Delmar
Delmar is enrolled in the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Delmar has been here at St. Joseph’s for six years, and has participated in basketball, football, softball, cross country, bowling and track. Delmar has loved all the activities St. Joseph’s has to offer. His favorite class is math because he finds it easy and the best things about his home were the people he got to be around, like his friends and houseparents. Delmar is most grateful for the great education and good food at St. Joseph’s. He is most proud of getting good grades. Delmar will always remember the Cultural Trip, the Explorer’s Club trips, and his teachers. His future hopes and dreams are to join the military and become a soldier.
Collin
Collin is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He has been at St. Joseph’s since the third grade, during which time he was involved in basketball, football and softball. He has loved learning new stuff …
Collin
Collin is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He has been at St. Joseph’s since the third grade, during which time he was involved in basketball, football and softball. He has loved learning new stuff and going on trips while at St. Joseph’s. Collin’s favorite classes are Religion and PE, and the best things about his home are the houseparents and food. He is most grateful for the houseparents that have helped him through the years and for his grandma for enrolling him at St. Joseph’s. Collin is most proud of being able to do things on his own, and his improvements in sports. He will always remember the Seventh Grade Cultural trip, blocking Colton in the eighth grade vs. staff basketball game, and all the help given by his houseparents. Collin’s future hopes and dreams are to do well in high school, and be an electrician someday.
Camron
Camron
Jered
Jered
Listella
Listella
Louie
Louie
Sarah
Sarah
Treyah
Treyah
Wankiya
Wankiya
Building a Future: Taivin’s Alumni Story
At St. Joseph’s Indian School, we believe the values we instill in our students — respect, gratitude, hope and integrity — don’t just shape young lives. They ripple outward, touching families, communities and future generations. As …
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Chelsea’s Story
The slogan for Chelsea Wilson’s “RezKutz” business is, “Your satisfaction is my goal,” and it’s something she lives out through the satisfaction of giving back to the school she attended from 1st through 8th grade: St. …
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Richard’s Story
Richard Two Two has had many titles already during his young life. He’s been called son, brother, student, husband, dad, corrections officer and more. But, recently he added another title to that list — one he …
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LaToya’s Story
When LaToya Crazy Bull thinks about her future, it’s not necessarily a scene of events that come to her mind — rather, it’s the faces of those she loves most. At 29-years-old, she cares for her …
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Lily’s Story
Every year, approximately 200 students live and learn on the campus of St. Joseph’s Indian School. We clothe them, supply them with virtually limitless educational resources, and nourish their bodies with healthy foods and their souls …
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Christian’s Story
Higher education is expensive. It’s the simple fact of the matter. Not everyone can afford college, as well as the living expenses that go along with it. And the idea of paying back a large amount …
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Jacob’s Story
If you were to call someone on the phone, the most common response you’d expect to hear upon their answer is, “Hello, this is [insert name].” But Jacob Lacota is not your typical 22-year-old. He answers …
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Martina’s Story
Martina, an alumna of St. Joseph’s Indian School’s graduating class of 2016, was recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal for the second time! Martina attended St. Joseph’s for 11 years and was very involved in the …
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Irene’s Story
Irene, an alumna of St. Joseph’s Indian School’s graduating class of 2016, was recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal. Irene, of Lower Brule, S.D., attended St. Joseph’s from first grade through her senior year, graduating from …
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Shay’s Story
Shay, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at a veteran’s hospital, was working a night shift when she heard an alarm sound. The alarm was to signal that a patient was in need of help, so she …
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Become a DreamMaker
The DreamMakers are a special group of friends who give automatic monthly gifts to ensure the Lakota (Sioux) children are provided for year-round … and will help provide dreams for the future.
Continue Exploring Our Story
Our Mission
Since 1927, St. Joseph’s has educated Lakota (Sioux) children in mind, body, heart, and spirit.
Lakota Culture
Explore the traditions, language and ceremonies woven into daily life at St. Joseph’s.
Your Impact
See how friends like you bring hope and opportunity to Lakota children and families.
