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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Class of 2020
Back Row: Elron, Jordan, Fr. Anthony, Isaiah, Vincent, Everardo Row 3: Kaiden, Amiel, Jackson, Jolissa, Melissa, Taylor Row 2: Addisson, Jeremy, Eden, Julian, Eric, Juliana, Clarysia Front Row: Zaley, Zeke, Landon, Sunni, Javin
Class of 2020
Back Row: Elron, Jordan, Fr. Anthony, Isaiah, Vincent, Everardo Row 3: Kaiden, Amiel, Jackson, Jolissa, Melissa, Taylor Row 2: Addisson, Jeremy, Eden, Julian, Eric, Juliana, Clarysia Front Row: Zaley, Zeke, Landon, Sunni, Javin
Clarysia
Hi, my name is Clarysia. I am enrolled in the Yankton Sioux Tribe. I been at St. Joseph’s Indian School for six years. In middle school, I was involved in basketball, volleyball, track, cross country, cheerleading …
Clarysia
Hi, my name is Clarysia. I am enrolled in the Yankton Sioux Tribe. I been at St. Joseph’s Indian School for six years. In middle school, I was involved in basketball, volleyball, track, cross country, cheerleading and gymnastics. In high school, I participated in volleyball, Native American Club, One-Act Play and choir. My favorite memory during my time at St. Joseph’s was when I went on a trip to San Diego for a donor luncheon event. My other favorite St. Joseph’s memory is the Cultural Trip because it was my first time traveling out of state. My friend Sunni and I decided to wrestle, but it escalated quickly, and I do not recommend that. I would like to thank Tia and Dave, Angie and Benny, Kirstie, Darcy Belitz, Rigo and Julie, and Tearsa. My future plans include going to Stewart School for Cosmetology. My advice for the younger students is freshman grades are important and never be afraid to put yourself out there.
Cante
Aŋpétu wašté — good day. My name is Cante, and I’ve been at St. Joseph’s since my junior year of high school. I participated in cheerleading, Native American Club and modeling. I have so many favorite …
Cante
Aŋpétu wašté — good day. My name is Cante, and I’ve been at St. Joseph’s since my junior year of high school. I participated in cheerleading, Native American Club and modeling. I have so many favorite high school memories. My favorites would have to be modeling in in The Black Hills Fashion show for designer, Tiano Suerte, with host Ashley Callingbull. During Denver’s Native Fashion in the City I modeled for Jillian Waterman. I got so many opportunities that I’m very honored and thankful for. I’d like to thank Native Maxx Magazine for a photoshoot in their magazine, Bitterwater for Redhouse for her designs as well as SNO Baby’s beadwork and awesome jewelry. It’s such an honor to represent myself and others. As you can see, I have a passion for this, and I hope for this to be a big part of my life in the future. I’d like to thank my friends, family, staff and everyone who supported me through and through, especially my mother who’s been on my side since birth, obviously. I couldn’t have done it without them. Without your support, I couldn’t have really tried and stayed on my ten toes. My advice to the younger kids, just because you failed once doesn’t mean you give up. If you make mistakes, it shows you are trying. My plans in the future include going to college in Fort Lewis. Durango, Colorado is where this path will take me in the future.
Taylor
Hi, my name is Taylor and I am enrolled in the Rosebud Sioux tribe. I first came to St. Joseph’s in sixth grade, but left. Then I came back my eighth grade year and have been …
Taylor
Hi, my name is Taylor and I am enrolled in the Rosebud Sioux tribe. I first came to St. Joseph’s in sixth grade, but left. Then I came back my eighth grade year and have been here ever since. I was involved in Native American Club at Chamberlain High School, and I was in Student Council briefly at St. Joseph’s, as well. My favorite memory from St Joseph’s would have to be when I was in eighth grade in the Stevens Home. Benny and Angie (houseparents) were on shift and Leslie and I were bored. We decided to grab Angie’s coffee creamer and take a drink. It’s so childish to look back on because why did we think that would be a good idea? But it’s also funny to look back on. I’d like to thank all the houseparents who worked with me, my counselor Darcy, all the high school staff, and all my friends and family. Especially my mom and dad for pushing me to not give up and to keep going. My future plans are to major in Psychology so I can become a social worker. My advice to younger kids would probably be that life doesn’t stop. It doesn’t wait for anything, so keep going and prove to everyone that you can do it.
Zeke
My name is Zeke, and I’ve been at St Joseph’s for seven years. I’m enrolled in the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Activities I was involved in were football, basketball and choir. My favorite memories are when …
Zeke
My name is Zeke, and I’ve been at St Joseph’s for seven years. I’m enrolled in the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Activities I was involved in were football, basketball and choir. My favorite memories are when the Chamberlain Cubs beat Vermillion in the Dakotadome and when Kansas slipped and fell in the kitchen and broke his plate. I was laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe. My plans for after high school are undecided. My advice to younger students is to stay caught-up on your schoolwork. Don’t get behind or you’ll just have more work to catch-up on. People I’d like to thank are Bobbi, Trond and Steph, Polly, Mr. Brian, Ms. Glenda, Scott, Jeff, Joe, Norm and Lilli for being there for me when it mattered most. They helped me through tough times and good and helped me mature into the young man I am today.
Amiel
My name is Amiel, and I’m an enrolled member of Lower Brule Kul Wicasa Oyáte. I’ve been at St. Joe’s for 11 years, or since second grade. I’ve been in baseball, chess club, Native American Club …
Amiel
My name is Amiel, and I’m an enrolled member of Lower Brule Kul Wicasa Oyáte. I’ve been at St. Joe’s for 11 years, or since second grade. I’ve been in baseball, chess club, Native American Club and One-Act Play. My favorite memory is during the Cultural Trip. We’d just got done driving for a while, and we were supposed to go to a log cabin for the night. We stopped for lunch, and while we were inside getting something to eat, Shoeny was doing something with the things we had packed. He was probably checking the soup or stew he made, he accidentally dropped the pot and the stew spilled out onto the Burger King parking lot. I’ve been here for a long time, maybe not as long as other people but still a while. It’s kind of cool to think about how the campus has changed since I first carried my Lightning McQueen suitcase into Raphael Home. A few homes have changed, the playground used to have little wood chips that stuck to your shoes, and the football field was surrounded by trees and had a wall of trees where the barn (Equine Therapy Center) is now. There’s a lot of people I want to thank, my houseparents Leonard and Alice, for helping me get settled into living at St. Joseph’s when I first got here. Mr. Brian and Mrs. Glenda, who made the best biscuits and gravy and were the main reason I actually woke up early most days. Trond and Steph, who would let us Fisher Home boys use the wi-fi at their house, both of whom still work here but aren’t house parents anymore, and Norm and Lily, who helped me get through high school with most of my mental health intact. My advice to the younger kids is to live in the moment. It’s still important to plan for your future, but it’s also important to enjoy your time. Stop and smell the roses. If you don’t want to do a certain sport or be a part of an activity, still try it out. You’ll never know you loved it, or you hated it if you hadn’t tried it. Don’t do something you’re going to regret in a few years. It’s important to put school first, but be sure to take time to relax and enjoy yourself. Do your best to have as many fun memories as possible. My plans for the future aren’t set in stone yet. Generally, I plan on trying to go to a tech college, and then I want to be able to make movies and build robots for the rest of my life.
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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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.
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Since 1927, St. Joseph’s has educated Lakota (Sioux) children in mind, body, heart, and spirit.
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