MENU
Seventeen Graduate from St. Joseph’s Grade School Program
On Friday, May 24, 17 students were honored as they finished their grade school years at St. Joseph’s Indian School. One of the most joyful events of the year, graduation is always a celebration of thiyóšpaye (extended family) among relatives, staff and students of the school.
This year, Danielle Arpan, RN, BSN, and 2017 graduate of St. Joe’s, addressed the students. Arpan attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, taking her final year in Rapid City at SDSU’s College of Nursing’s Native American Nursing Education Center (NANEC). She credits
NANEC with providing a supportive environment and helping her transition to her current professional position at Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC). There she promotes the health and well-being of Native Americans who go there for health care from more than 300 tribes around the country.
“If there’s not a seat at the table for you, make your own table. If there’s a lack of opportunity, make your own opportunities. If you see a lack of something, fill that empty space with something not only you, but those after you can benefit from. Leave things better than how you found them,” exhorted Arpan.
The school honored Arpan with the Distinguished Alum of the year award. She pointed to the wonderful support of Beverly Stabber Warne (April 10, 1939 – April 14, 2024), her mentor, who founded NANEC and served as an instructor. She also acknowledged the influence of her grandfather, Ben Sherman (September, 10, 1939- April 13, 2024).
Graduates include:
Marybella Mae Archambeau, a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Marybella wants to be an astronaut. She is most proud of the great understanding of her culture that she has gained at St. Joe’s.
Rylee Breeze Bagola, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Something Rylee has loved about being at St. Joe’s is the community of staff and students. She is most proud of overcoming her fear of public speaking.
Watahkpe Hoksila (Charges) Rudy Black Lance, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Charges’ favorite class is Personal Living Skills because they get to cook and eat. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is graduating 8th grade.
Kayley Cournoyer, a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. She would like to get into acting when she grows up. She has fond memories of the 7th grade cultural trip. The thing she is most proud of learning at St. Joe’s is to speak up for herself.
Jevjuan Oliver Dion, a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Jevjuan hopes to play basketball in the NBA. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is placing 3rd in the State Free Throw Competition.
Aja Rose Lee Flying Horse, a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. She wants to work for NASA in the aeronautical field when she grows up. She is most proud of getting good grades while at St. Joe’s.
Taliyah Rayne Goodlow, a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. She wants to be a nurse. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is improving her math skills.
Tywin Evan Grassrope, a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Tywin hopes to be an entomologist, which is a person who studies insects. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is being involved in the public service announcement.
Joanna Guadalupe Marroquin, a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. She wants to be a traveling nurse or a therapist. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is graduating 8th grade.
Roxanna Maribel Marroquin, a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. She wants to be a doctor. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is going out for basketball for the first time and getting an award!
Tyson Madison Naser, who wants to be a farmer when he grows up. Something he loved about being at St. Joe’s is the help he was able to get with his school work. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is graduating 8th grade.
Christine Amoni Patterson, a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Christine wants to be a traveling nurse. Her favorite class is Native American Studies. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is graduating 8th grade.
Jubal Rider Rattler Jr., a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He would like to be a dentist when he grows up. Jubal’s favorite class is science, especifically the labs because they’re fun.
Traevin Collins Roubideaux, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He would like to be a middle school basketball coach. The thing he is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is keeping his work caught up, getting good grades, and being on phase 4.
Shelleigh Ann Salinas, a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes. She wants to be a singer when she grows up. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is improving and keeping up her grades.
Sequoia White Mouse-Cole, a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Sequoia’s favorite class is math because it’s her best grade. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing is learning to play volleyball.
Jonaya LaBrooke Wind, a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. She wants to be a doctor or nurse when she grows up. The thing she is most proud of accomplishing at St. Joe’s is being on phase 4.
Photo cutline: (Back row, left to right) Jonaya Wind, Taliyah Goodlow , Aja Flying Horse, Roxanna Marroquin, Jubal Rattler, Jr., Tyson Naser, Tywin Grassrope, Jevjuan Dion, Marybella Archambeau, Rylee Bagola. (Front row, left to right) Joanna Marroquin, Christine Patterson, Sequoia White Mouse-Cole, Fr. Greg Schill, SCJ, Kayley Cournoyer, Shelleigh Salinas, Traevin Roubideaux, Charges Black Lance.