Butterfinger Cake and Other Bonds Celebrated at St. Joseph’s New Alumni Center

A spread of homemade chili with all the trimmings, lasagna and garlic bread greeted alumni dropping by the new Sacred Hoop Alumni Center on St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus for Walk-in Wednesday on October 4. It is a weekly event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center. Some days it might be sandwiches and a game of cribbage that builds collegiality, but today was extra-special. It was a celebration in honor of Alumni Liaison Andy Lepkowski’s 68^th birthday, and Butterfinger Cake was the centerpiece.

Long-time staff member Lepkowski reminisced about days as a houseparent in Perky and Speyer homes prepping 48 hamburgers for hungry mouths. In those days and on this one, nothing said “Andy” like the Butterfinger Cake. “Hey, I still make that at home,” said Leland Honomichl of Wagner who attended the school from 1996 to 2002. He came to the event with his sister, Letha, also an alum.

Scott Miller, Crow Creek, who attended in the 70s and 80s, dropped by with his niece, Casey, and a beautiful star quilt in shades of blue to honor Andy. Others came and went sharing news and well wishes with one another. Some 20 staff and alumni attended.

A poster in the room announced a coming “Traveling Alumni Reunion” scheduled for Friday, October 20, 2023 at the Golden Buffalo Casino in Lower Brule, S.D. All alumni are invited to attend.

Remember: Students who attended St. Joseph’s for any amount of time —  a day, a month, or 12 years – are considered members of the alumni thiyóšpaye (extended family). And, as a member of that thiyóšpaye, are always welcome to pay a visit to the Sacred Hoop Alumni Center. In addition to Walk-in Wednesdays, the center offers job application assistance, resource guidance, college application assistance and more.