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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Neleigh
Neleigh is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Neleigh’s favorite school memory is when she threw woodchips at her classmate, Na’Taye. Her favorite memory in the home was when Tara (her houseparent) went to …
Neleigh
Neleigh is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Neleigh’s favorite school memory is when she threw woodchips at her classmate, Na’Taye. Her favorite memory in the home was when Tara (her houseparent) went to scare Loren as a joke. Neleigh plans on going to high school after 8th grade graduation. When she grows up, Neleigh wants to be a cosmetologist or a detective like Lieutenant Benson from Law and Order!
Angelina
Angelina is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Sicangu Lakota. Angelina’s favorite memory of school was when her class went outside for PE and the slides were wet, so they all slid down them …
Angelina
Angelina is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Sicangu Lakota. Angelina’s favorite memory of school was when her class went outside for PE and the slides were wet, so they all slid down them and ended up with soaking pants. Her favorite home memory was when she and LC ran around outside laughing really hard until they couldn’t run anymore. Angelina plans on coming back to St. Joseph’s for her freshman year and joining the basketball and volleyball teams at Chamberlain High School. She wants to be an artist when she grows up!
Landon
Landon is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Landon’s favorite memory of school was the cultural trip. His favorite home memories include the Halloween celebrations! Landon plans to stay at St. Joseph’s for …
Landon
Landon is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Landon’s favorite memory of school was the cultural trip. His favorite home memories include the Halloween celebrations! Landon plans to stay at St. Joseph’s for the high school program after 8th grade graduation. He wants to attend college and begin a career when he grows up!
Lars
Lars is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Lars’ favorite school memory is the cultural trip. His favorite memory in the home is the home trip with houseparents Odis and Brett. They stayed in …
Lars
Lars is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Lars’ favorite school memory is the cultural trip. His favorite memory in the home is the home trip with houseparents Odis and Brett. They stayed in cabins and Odis told scary stories. Lars plans to attend the St. Joseph’s high school program after 8th grade graduation. He wants to possibly be a welder when he grows up!
Kenyon
Kenyon is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Kenyon’s favorite memory of school is the cultural trip — especially hiking Bear Butte. His favorite home memory is hanging out with friends in his home. Kenyon …
Kenyon
Kenyon is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Kenyon’s favorite memory of school is the cultural trip — especially hiking Bear Butte. His favorite home memory is hanging out with friends in his home. Kenyon plans to attend the St. Joseph’s high school program after 8th grade graduation. He would like to play professional basketball when he grows up!
DeVarrell
DeVarrell is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. DeVarrell’s favorite class was Math. His favorite memories in the home are going on home trips with his houseparents Odis and Theresa and when he and …
DeVarrell
DeVarrell is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. DeVarrell’s favorite class was Math. His favorite memories in the home are going on home trips with his houseparents Odis and Theresa and when he and his friends rode around on their bikes! When he grows up, DeVarrell would like to be a welder.
Aiden
Aiden is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Aiden’s favorite school memory is of the cultural trip and having the best laughs with his friends. His favorite memory in the home is having fun …
Aiden
Aiden is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Aiden’s favorite school memory is of the cultural trip and having the best laughs with his friends. His favorite memory in the home is having fun at an indoor water park on a home trip. Aiden plans on returning to St. Joseph’s for the high school program after graduating 8th grade. He wants to be a professional basketball player when he grows up!
Jacob
Jacob is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Jacob’s favorite memory of school was the cultural trip. His favorite home memory was when his home travelled to Niobrara for a home trip. Jacob plans …
Jacob
Jacob is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Jacob’s favorite memory of school was the cultural trip. His favorite home memory was when his home travelled to Niobrara for a home trip. Jacob plans to go to high school in Chamberlain or a nearby town after 8th grade graduation. He wants to join the NBA when he grows up!
William
William is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. William’s favorite school memory is a time at lunch when Aiden, his classmate, got milk on himself. William plans on going to high school and college …
William
William is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. William’s favorite school memory is a time at lunch when Aiden, his classmate, got milk on himself. William plans on going to high school and college after graduating 8th grade. When he grows up, he wants to be a rancher or a “teeth fixer”!
Richard
Richard is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Richard’s favorite memory of school was being the volleyball team manager! His favorite home memory is going tubing in the snow at Great Bear in Sioux …
Richard
Richard is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Richard’s favorite memory of school was being the volleyball team manager! His favorite home memory is going tubing in the snow at Great Bear in Sioux Falls, SD. Richard plans on attending Chamberlain High School after 8th grade graduation. He is still exploring his options for future careers!
Loren
Loren is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Loren’s favorite school memory was the cultural trip because the basement of the cabin where the boys stayed was fun. His favorite memory in the home …
Loren
Loren is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Loren’s favorite school memory was the cultural trip because the basement of the cabin where the boys stayed was fun. His favorite memory in the home was hanging out with his housemates over the past two years. Loren plans to attend the St. Joseph’s high school program after 8th grade graduation. He would like to be an electrician or serve in the military when he grows up!
Brianna
Brianna is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Brianna’s favorite memory of school was in 7th grade just before Spring Break. Mr. Baldwin was on his computer (taking online CPR) and Jacob asked him …
Brianna
Brianna is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Brianna’s favorite memory of school was in 7th grade just before Spring Break. Mr. Baldwin was on his computer (taking online CPR) and Jacob asked him what he was doing. He said, “Tryna save your life, THAT’S WHAT I’M DOIN’! Come here.” Jake and Aiden went up to Dave, but when he told them to lay down to demonstrate CPR they made funny faces and ran away. Her favorite home memory was the snowball fight with another home, and the snow was so wet his jacket and clothes were soaked. Brianna plans to attend high school after 8th grade graduation. She wants to be a zoologist to help monkeys, elephants, and tigers, or she wants to be a supervisory special agent for the FBI when she grows up!
Leslie
Leslie is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Leslie will always remember Sarah (her teacher) having to match every day in school as her favorite school memory. Her favorite memories in the home were …
Leslie
Leslie is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Leslie will always remember Sarah (her teacher) having to match every day in school as her favorite school memory. Her favorite memories in the home were when her home went to the State Fair and to the movies. Leslie plans to attend the St. Joseph’s high school program after 8th grade graduation. She is still exploring ideas for her future plans after high school!
Mersayis
Mersayis is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Mersayis’ favorite school memory is being in Bobbi’s classroom and laughing and making memories. Another favorite was when they went on the cultural trip. They hiked Black …
Mersayis
Mersayis is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Mersayis’ favorite school memory is being in Bobbi’s classroom and laughing and making memories. Another favorite was when they went on the cultural trip. They hiked Black Elk Peak. Mersayis’ favorite home memory was when they went on their home trip to Rapid City. It was her favorite because she was surrounded by the people she felt closest to. Mersayis would like to attend Chamberlain High School (as part of the St. Joseph’s high school program), get good grades and graduate. She would like to be a pediatric nurse or neonatal nurse when she grows up!
Aiden
Hi, my name is Aiden. I am from Lower Brule/Kul Wicasa. I’ve been attending St. Joseph’s for eight years — since the fourth grade. A major activity I took part in was basketball. I love the …
Aiden
Hi, my name is Aiden. I am from Lower Brule/Kul Wicasa. I’ve been attending St. Joseph’s for eight years — since the fourth grade. A major activity I took part in was basketball. I love the sport. For my favorite memory, I would say it took place last summer when my friends and I went on a trip to Germany. It was so fun! Throwback to my younger years, I loved going on home trips with all the boys and my houseparents Odis and Theresa in the Cyr Home. I am very thankful for my later houseparents, Norm and Lilli. They’ve given me lots of advice growing up through high school and believed in me the most ways anyone could have. They have helped me become who I am. I really appreciate what they’ve done for me. Thank you! My future plans are to pursue a degree in graphic design at Lake Area Technical College.
Angie
Hi, my name is Angelina, but most know me by Angie. I’ve been attending St. Joseph’s for 10 years. Some activities I’ve enjoyed here are going on the Europe trip, dancing in the annual powwows, playing …
Angie
Hi, my name is Angelina, but most know me by Angie. I’ve been attending St. Joseph’s for 10 years. Some activities I’ve enjoyed here are going on the Europe trip, dancing in the annual powwows, playing kickball and cheerleading at the high school. Through it all, my favorite memory is definitely the Europe trip because it felt amazing to make connections across seas and stand in front of the Eiffel Tower. A closer-to-home memory I love would have to be being with my community. When I was in the Mathias Home, I loved when everybody would run home from school to throw down their backpack and grab their friends and basketball or a jump rope. Even in high school, I love it when the community comes together to have a bonfire with s’mores in the Kateri backyard. I would like to give a thank you and hugs to the staff and peers I’ve met along the way. More specifically, Richard Z. for always seeing the best in me, Tia F. for making my head a lovely place to be in and Amanda H. for sticking by my side since I came to St. Joseph’s. My advice to younger students is to not dim your light to fit in somewhere. If you still like unicorns in 10th grade, then you rock with that like no other. Being your authentic self feels so natural and easy, don’t make it hard for yourself. My future plans are to attend Native American Art Institute in New Mexico. I also plan to remain a good person to my environment, my loved ones and my mental health.
William
Hi, my name is William. I have been at St. Joseph’s for 11 years. I am enrolled in the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. At St. Joseph’s, I participated in different types of activities like football, softball, …
William
Hi, my name is William. I have been at St. Joseph’s for 11 years. I am enrolled in the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. At St. Joseph’s, I participated in different types of activities like football, softball, wrestling, basketball, Native American Club and going to the Rec Center. My favorite St. Joseph’s memory would be when I was in sixth grade. We were sitting in the cafeteria having breakfast for lunch when one of the girls to my right threw their bag of mini pancakes at us. It hit my friend’s chocolate milk, causing it to go all over his white sweatshirt. I would like to thank my houseparents, Mr. Brian and Ms. Glenda, as well as important teachers like Mr. Teil, Mr. Graves and Mr. Kurtz for allowing me to find an interest I would like to pursue after graduation. My future plan is to apply to Lake Area Tech and major in welding.
Mersayis
Hi, my name is Mersayis. I’ve been attending St. Joseph’s for 10 years, (that’s actually crazy). Some activities I participated in while in middle school were track, volleyball, softball, basketball, cheer and the St. Joseph’s Annual …
Mersayis
Hi, my name is Mersayis. I’ve been attending St. Joseph’s for 10 years, (that’s actually crazy). Some activities I participated in while in middle school were track, volleyball, softball, basketball, cheer and the St. Joseph’s Annual Powwow where I was Jr. Miss St. Joseph’s for two years. Activities/clubs I’ve participated in while in high school are volleyball, girls’ basketball manager, Health Occupations Students of America and Native American Club. My favorite and most painful memory had to be when Aiden and I were riding scooters in Germany and I fell trying to keep up with him, thinking I could do parkour. Another favorite memory would be when we were in Paris and ate at a corner café. It was so beautiful and I was surrounded by all the people I love the most in this whole world! Some staff I would love to thank are all my middle school teachers, middle school houseparents — especially Mr. Rigo, Mrs. Julie, Benny and Angie. I would also send a huge thank you to all the people who worked with me my high school years. Counselors, residential coordinators, floats, subs, the garage men … Of course I was always “fender bender-ing” something. Without all of the staff, I would not know the true meaning of family. I want to thank St. Joseph’s as a whole for being there to help shape me into the young woman I am today. Two more people who deserve the biggest shout-out of them all are Tia and Dave F. — thank you for loving and caring for me as if I were one of your own. These four years have had highs and lows and you were there throughout it all. I’m so lucky to have had you a part of my support system, cheering as loud as can be. One last thank you would be the faculty of Chamberlain High School. Thank you for giving me the chance to be a part of your community. I’ve learned and grown so much! Thank you Mr. Steckelberg for letting me pick on you. Advice I would give to younger students would be: you didn’t come this far to come this far and not be happy. My future plans are to attend Dakota Wesleyan University and major in nursing.
Landon
My name is Landon and I’ve been at St. Joseph’s Indian School since third grade. From fourth through sixth grade, I took part in wrestling. I’d like to thank Scott W. for being my counselor, as …
Landon
My name is Landon and I’ve been at St. Joseph’s Indian School since third grade. From fourth through sixth grade, I took part in wrestling. I’d like to thank Scott W. for being my counselor, as well as a thank you to Norm and Lilli for being my houseparents during high school. My advice for younger students is to pursue your creative talents and allow yourself to grow and improve as a person. After I graduate, I will continue my summer job until I go to college at Minot State University in North Dakota. I plan to major in art to pursue a career as a professional freelance artist.
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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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.
