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 …
Read More about Makaia Makes History as Homecoming Queen (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Introducing the 2026 Powwow Royalty of St. Joseph’s Indian School (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Embracing Life at St. Joseph’s: Zukai’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about St. Joseph’s Students Explore Faith and Future at Notre Dame (opens in a new tab)
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.
Read More about Senior Suitcase: St. Joseph’s Graduates Shop for the Future (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Students Explore Faith, Service and Discovery at Summer Institute (opens in a new tab)
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, …
Read More about Stepping Up: St. Joseph’s Indian School Student Finds His Voice as a Leader (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about St. Joseph’s Graduate Earns $10,000 Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about St. Joseph’s Student Shoots for the Stars … Literally (opens in a new tab)
Marybella
Marybella is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Marybella’s future hopes and dreams are to make money so she can help her family. She wants to be an astronaut when she grows up. She has …
Marybella
Marybella is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Marybella’s future hopes and dreams are to make money so she can help her family. She wants to be an astronaut when she grows up. She has loved the trips she’s been able to go on while at St. Joseph’s. She said the girls are the best thing about her home because they are friendly and nice. Marybella’s favorite class is English Language Arts because Nancy mixes in culture with the lessons. She is most proud of the great understanding of her culture that she has gained at St. Joseph’s. She will always remember her friends.
Rylee
Rylee is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Rylee’s future hopes and dreams are to be successful in life. She is still deciding what she would like to be when she grows up. Something Rylee …
Rylee
Rylee is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Rylee’s future hopes and dreams are to be successful in life. She is still deciding what she would like to be when she grows up. Something Rylee has loved about being at St. Joseph’s is the community of staff and students. She said the best part of her home was the girls and the sense of belonging. Her favorite class is English Language Arts. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is overcoming her fear of public speaking. She will always remember her houseparents.
Charges
Watahkpe Hoksila (Charges) is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. His future hopes and dreams are to be a tattoo artist or a doctor. Charges is still undecided on what he’d like to be when …
Charges
Watahkpe Hoksila (Charges) is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. His future hopes and dreams are to be a tattoo artist or a doctor. Charges is still undecided on what he’d like to be when he grows up. Something he loved about St. Joe’s is the seventh grade Cultural Trip. He thought it was fun and they got to see a lot of cultural sites. He says the best thing about his home are his houseparents because they’re funny. Charges’ favorite class is Personal Living Skills because they get to cook and eat. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is graduating eighth grade. He will always remember the eighth grade vs. staff basketball game, and it ended in a tie!
Kayley
Kayley is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Kayley’s future hopes and dreams are to get into acting, because she would like to be an actress when she grows up. Something she has loved about …
Kayley
Kayley is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Kayley’s future hopes and dreams are to get into acting, because she would like to be an actress when she grows up. Something she has loved about being at St. Joseph’s was the seventh grade Cultural Trip. They went swimming at Evans Plunge and hiking at Black Elk Peak. The trips were the best part about her home. Kayley’s favorite class is English Language Arts, as Nancy explains the content, and they get to talk to each other. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is learning to speak-up for herself. She will always remember breaking her ankle while playing tag in sixth grade.
Jevjuan
Jevjuan is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Jevjuan’s future hopes and dreams are to play basketball in the NBA. He wants to be a pro basketball player when he grows up. Something he …
Jevjuan
Jevjuan is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Jevjuan’s future hopes and dreams are to play basketball in the NBA. He wants to be a pro basketball player when he grows up. Something he has loved about being at St. Joseph’s are the trips he’s been able to go on, including the Cultural Trip and the donor luncheon in Florida. He said the best part about his home are his housemates. Jevjuan’s favorite class is math. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is placing 3rd in the State Free Throw Competition. He will always remember: “Without God, what are you?”
Aja
Aja is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Aja’s future hopes and dreams are to graduate high school. She wants to work for NASA in the aeronautical field when she grows up. Something she has …
Aja
Aja is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Aja’s future hopes and dreams are to graduate high school. She wants to work for NASA in the aeronautical field when she grows up. Something she has loved about being at St. Joseph’s are her friends because they are fun. She said the best thing about her home are the people: they are welcoming and she feels like they all belong together. Aja’s favorite class is English Language Arts and reading. She is most proud of getting good grades while at St. Joseph’s. She will always remember her friends, Nancy, her houseparents, and going to Watiki with the David Home.
Taliyah
Taliyah is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Taliyah’s future hopes and dreams are to go to college and join the military. She wants to be a nurse when she grows up. Some things …
Taliyah
Taliyah is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Taliyah’s future hopes and dreams are to go to college and join the military. She wants to be a nurse when she grows up. Some things she has loved about being at St. Joseph’s was Read Across America Week and all the fun she had. She says the best thing about her home are the girls, as they have been very nice. Taliyah’s favorite class is English Language Arts because Jesse is a fun teacher. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is improving her math skills, since she struggled with that subject before. She will always remember all the friends she made.
Tywin
Tywin is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Tywin’s future hopes and dreams are to go to college to become an entomologist, which is a person who studies bugs. Something he has loved about …
Tywin
Tywin is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Tywin’s future hopes and dreams are to go to college to become an entomologist, which is a person who studies bugs. Something he has loved about being at St. Joseph’s is meeting his friends and the trips to Rapid City, Wind Cave and Mt. Rushmore. He said the best thing about his home is his friends. Tywin’s favorite class is math. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is being filmed in St. Joseph’s TV commercial. He will always remember his friends and teachers who helped him along the way.
Joanna
Joanna is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. She wants to be a traveling nurse or a therapist when she grows up. Something she loved about St. Joe’s is spending time with her friends. …
Joanna
Joanna is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. She wants to be a traveling nurse or a therapist when she grows up. Something she loved about St. Joe’s is spending time with her friends. She said the best thing about her home is her houseparents. Joanna’s favorite class is English Language Arts. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is graduating eighth grade. She will always remember the eighth grade vs. staff basketball game.
Roxanna
Roxanna is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Roxanna’s future hopes and dreams are to help people. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Something she loved about St. Joseph’s include …
Roxanna
Roxanna is a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Roxanna’s future hopes and dreams are to help people. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Something she loved about St. Joseph’s include the home trips, sports and fun activities. She said the best thing about her home is the structure and the houseparents. Roxanna’s favorite class is English Language Arts. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is going out for basketball for the first time and getting an award! She will always remember the opportunities she’s received at St. Joseph’s.
Tyson
Tyson is still deciding on his future hopes and dreams. He wants to be a farmer when he grows up. Something he loved about being at St. Joseph’s is the help he was able to get …
Tyson
Tyson is still deciding on his future hopes and dreams. He wants to be a farmer when he grows up. Something he loved about being at St. Joseph’s is the help he was able to get with his schoolwork. He said the best thing about his home is his friends. Tyson’s favorite class is math, because he understands it. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is graduating eighth grade. He will always remember his houseparents over the years.
Christine
Christine is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Christine’s future hopes and dreams are to become rich and have a strong, healthy life. She wants to be a traveling nurse when she grows up. Something …
Christine
Christine is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Christine’s future hopes and dreams are to become rich and have a strong, healthy life. She wants to be a traveling nurse when she grows up. Something she loved about St. Joseph’s is having someone to talk to when things aren’t going well. She said the best thing about her home is her houseparents. Christine’s favorite class is Native American Studies. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is graduating eighth grade. She will always remember the fun rides she had in the Mathias Home.
Jubal
Jubal is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Jubal’s future hopes and dreams are to help people. He would like to be a dentist when he grows up. The trips to the State Fair and …
Jubal
Jubal is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Jubal’s future hopes and dreams are to help people. He would like to be a dentist when he grows up. The trips to the State Fair and Mitchell stand out as Jubal’s favorite things at St. Joseph’s. The best part about his home are his houseparents. Jubal’s favorite class is science, specifically the labs because they’re fun. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is keeping his room clean. He will always remember football.
Traevin
Traevin is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Traevin’s future hopes and dreams are to be an NBA Player. He would like to be a middle school basketball coach when he grows up. Something he …
Traevin
Traevin is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Traevin’s future hopes and dreams are to be an NBA Player. He would like to be a middle school basketball coach when he grows up. Something he loved about being at St. Joseph’s is the trips, especially those with Odis and the donor luncheon trip to Florida. Traevin’s favorite class is math, as it is easy for him. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is keeping his work caught-up, getting good grades and being on Phase 4. He will always remember his houseparents and teachers.
Shelleigh
Shelleigh is a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes. Shelleigh’s future hopes and dreams are to become a singer and dancer. Something she loved about St. Joseph’s is all the sports and activities she’s been a …
Shelleigh
Shelleigh is a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes. Shelleigh’s future hopes and dreams are to become a singer and dancer. Something she loved about St. Joseph’s is all the sports and activities she’s been a part of like cross country, volleyball, basketball, track and softball. She said the best thing about her home is having her own room. Shelleigh’s favorite class is art, because she likes to paint. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joseph’s is improving and keeping her grades up. She will always remember the inflatables party at the Rec Center.
Sequoia
Sequoia is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Her future hopes and dreams are to keep playing basketball. Sequoia is still deciding what she wants to be when she grows up. Something she has …
Sequoia
Sequoia is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Her future hopes and dreams are to keep playing basketball. Sequoia is still deciding what she wants to be when she grows up. Something she has loved about being at St. Joseph’s are the home trips and activities they participate in. Sequoia said meeting new girls is the best part of being in the homes at St. Joseph’s. Sequoia’s favorite class is math because it’s her best grade. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing here is learning to play volleyball. She will always remember how much fun she’s had at St. Joseph’s.
Jonaya
Jonaya is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Jonaya’s future hopes and dreams are to help people. She wants to be a doctor or nurse when she grows up. Something she has loved about …
Jonaya
Jonaya is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Jonaya’s future hopes and dreams are to help people. She wants to be a doctor or nurse when she grows up. Something she has loved about being as St. Joseph’s is her friends. She said the best thing about her home are her friends. Jonaya’s favorite class is math. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is being on Phase 4. She will always remember her friends.
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 …
Read More about Building a Future: Taivin’s Alumni Story (opens in a new tab)
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. …
Read More about Chelsea’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Richard’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about LaToya’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Lily’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Christian’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Jacob’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Martina’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Irene’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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 …
Read More about Shay’s Story (opens in a new tab)
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.
