Red Cloud's Class of 2014:

Supporting Each Other's Dreams, For College and Beyond

posted on February 27, 2014 

Winter is still in full swing on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and the Red Cloud campus is covered in snow. But the 45 members of Red Cloud’s senior class are already looking forward to the warmth of graduation season, and to all that will follow. As their college acceptance letters roll in from across the country, this close-knit group of students has been celebrating all their hard work and accomplishments as a community.

“The class of 2014 shares a unique connectedness,” says Nakina Mills, Red Cloud’s director of student advancement and alumni support. “It’s a bond that has helped them support one another through the tough process of college and scholarship applications.”

“This class is really motivated, driven and determined to do something for themselves, but a lot of them talk about wanting to come back and do something here on Pine Ridge. I really sense that in this class. And I think it all ties together with that connectedness they share.”

Nakina, who provides students with support and guidance through the college selection process, says seniors have already sent out over 170 applications. Their prospective schools cover the U.S. map, from New York to Nebraska to California, and many places in between. This year’s seniors plan to pursue a range of fields, but Nakina says there is more interest now in healthcare, science, engineering and business—all core parts of Red Cloud’s unique, holistic curriculum.  

With a strong support system and a rigorous curriculum, over 95 percent of Red Cloud graduates go on to pursue higher education or post-secondary training.

Although she’s still waiting to hear from one more school, senior Carrie Beard has already been accepted at her dream college—Creighton University. Nakina took a group of Red Cloud students to visit Creighton last fall, and Carrie says she fell in love with the diversity on campus, and with the idea of studying chemistry in Creighton’s well-respected program.

The college application process wasn’t easy, explains Carrie, but the encouragement she received from teachers, family and especially her classmates made all the difference.

 

“We’re all a big support system, because we all think positively. It’s kind of contagious, when someone applies to a college, it makes you want to go and apply to a college you want to attend. It’s just a good feeling,” she says. “There’s a lot of support here, and there always has been—but I think we’re just motivated to do something with our lives, go to college and get that experience.”

Daniel Lucero, another college-bound senior, is gearing up to attend South Dakota State University (SDSU) this fall to prepare to become a commercial airline pilot. He didn’t have a chance to fly until a few years ago, but the experience captured his imagination and spurred an intense interest in aviation and engineering. He explains that having a strong support system at Red Cloud helped him not only get into college, but also get a scholarship to SDSU.  

“Red Cloud helped me a lot. Nakina gave me that extra push to get my applications in and meet my deadlines. Especially when it came to my scholarship application—she reminded me almost every week, and I finally got it in.”

But according to Daniel, the support of his friends was what helped him stay motivated to move forward.

“We really want it, we’re really motivated, and there isn’t going to be much that can stop us,” says Daniel of this year’s senior class. “I think we’re all interlocked pretty deeply, and we help each other push through.”

Learn More About the

Student Advancement and Alumni Support Program

 

All Content, ©Red Cloud Indian School, 2014