Get to Know Our Graduates!

posted May 18, 2015 


We caught up with some of our 2015 graduates as they were cleaning out their lockers and preparing for graduation this weekend. Meet our seniors Rachel, Chris, Bailey, Jaime, Augusta, Sarah and Santianna and see what their futures hold. 

Rachel Kelly

Hometown: Rockyford, SD
Best Part of Red Cloud: “The friendships with my classmates and the bonding. We all grew really close.”
Scholarships/Awards: Miss Ȟé Sápa Wiŋ, IAIA Scholarships
Post-Secondary Education: Institute of American Indian Arts
Major: Native American Art 
Dream: To continue on to a Pre-Veterinary program and to come back to the reservation and help the community.

Christopher Long Elk

Hometown: Number 4 Community, north of Pine Ridge.
Best Part of Red Cloud: “Getting to know all of my teachers over the year, because they’re nice and understanding.”
Extracurriculars: Football and Basketball 
Post-Secondary Education: Military
Branch: Marines
Dream: To serve his country, to have a house, a stable job, and to live a good life.

Bailey Clifford


Hometown: Rockyford, SD
Best Part of Red Cloud: “It’s small enough to where I felt connected to the teachers, and I liked that.”
Extracurriculars: Planned school-wide Buffalo Kill as part of Senior Service Project
Post-Secondary Education: Chadron State College
Major: Psychology and Business Management
Dream: To finish his education and pursue a Masters in Psychology to help the youth on the Pine Ridge Reservation. And, to start a chain of businesses to help grow the local economy.

Jaime Rae Red Willow Richards

Hometown: Wanblee, SD
Best Part of Red Cloud: “The community, campus and how everything feels like home.”
Scholarships/Awards: Creighton Red Cloud Scholarship, Horatio Alger's Scholarship
Post-Secondary Education: Creighton University
Major: Pre-Med
Dream: To become a nurse, doctor or a physician assistant and have her first job be with the Indian Health Service on Pine Ridge to serve her community.

Augusta “Gusti” Terkildsen

Hometown: Wanblee, SD
Best Part of Red Cloud: “The teachers are always pushing you, always supportive, always looking out for you.”
Scholarships/Awards: Dartmouth Scholarship
Post-Secondary Education: Dartmouth College
Major: Earth & Natural Science, Language/Art Minor
Dream: To write a book or graphic novel about the adventures of characters like her and connecting Native American culture to science.

Sarah Jumping Eagle

Hometown: Manderson, SD
Best Part of Red Cloud: “Everything! The school, the education and the teachers—specifically Sr. Connie.”
Extracurriculars: Handgames
Post-Secondary Education: Oglala Lakota College
Major: Nursing
Dream: To work on the reservation and take care of the elders, a dream inspired by her grandfather, whom she helps care for.

Santianna Yellow Horse

Hometown: Pine Ridge, SD
Best Part of Red Cloud: “I think since it’s such a small school the sense of community is the best part of Red Cloud. Everybody is like family.”
Extracurriculars: Tȟéča Wówapi Káǧa Okȟólakičhiye (Young Writers Society)
Post-Secondary Education: Institute of American Indian Arts
Major: Studio Art
Dream: To have the opportunity to travel to diverse places, use art as a means of healing and to give a voice to indigenous people.


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