NEWS :: Red Cloud Indian School

Third graders at Red Cloud Elementary celebrate completion of year
posted on June 16, 2010

See Photos from Superhero Training Academy Day

VIDEO: Check out this video from the Superhero Training Academy Day!

Third graders at Red Cloud Elementary School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation celebrated the completion of a yearlong project that explored each student’s potential, creativity and self-awareness with Superhero Training Academy Day in the fields surrounding the school last Wednesday, May 26.

“The purpose of the day—and all the projects leading up to this day—was to inspire each student to realize the superpowers they hold within themselves,” says Michael Mallon, teacher and volunteer. “I’m so proud of each one of the students, for the work they did and the synergy they created amongst each other.”

Throughout the 2009/10 academic year, the students were surprised daily with a lesson about superheroes: about the characteristics that make a superhero, and how they can realize the superhero within themselves. Students were encouraged to “find the light” (positive qualities) and “shadows” (negative qualities) that make up each of them. And every lesson mirrored a lesson on Lakota culture, virtues and values.

For Superhero Training Academy Day, Mallon’s students created their own superhero costumes, from tablecloth capes to cardboard shields and came up with superhero names like Star Princess and Chief Crazy Bull. Each identity reflected the superhero from within and was made up of any combination of animals, characteristics and the four Lakota directions.

On Wednesday, the third graders were taken through a nature hike behind the Red Cloud campus, where they took part in games encouraged to build teamwork and self-esteem. Students started the adventure off by fighting villains in a game of “capture the superhero spirit.” Staff and parents from Red Cloud—including Jesuits and Superintendent Bob Brave Heart Sr.—made an appearance in the game. The third graders had to prevent the villains’ water balloons from getting them.

The third graders then took their turn crossing a creek, working together to build their own bridges and helping each other cross them. Once students crossed the creek, they entered the “Tree of Terrible Traps” where they once again went up against a villain in a game of the mind. Students were tested on their knowledge of superhero powers, Lakota direction and were unable to leave the tree until they recited the superhero oath.

“I had a great day,” says third grader Lante. “The lessons taught me to look at my shadow and my light, and to think about this when I get angry or sad or scared.”

Students later enjoyed a picnic on the hills behind Red Cloud and afterward helped each other climb through Iktomi’s Web, a web made of ropes without touching the sides.

The day ended with each student entering a cave and going up against their greatest shadow: themselves. Guests from the school were also in attendance throughout the day, singing traditional Lakota songs while the students participated in the event.

“It was awesome, especially when we went through the river,” says Nerva, a third grader. “It showed me to always follow my light!”

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