Red Cloud High School announces commencement exercises

Graduates heading off to nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities this fall

posted on May 4, 2011

Seniors from Red Cloud High School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota will mark the end of their high school career with a number of graduation celebrations this month.

The annual graduation powwow and feather blessing will be held on Friday, May 13, 2011 in the Paul Dizzy Trout Memorial Fieldhouse. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a community dinner, followed by the grand entry at 6 p.m.

“The main purpose of the graduation powwow and feather blessing is to bless the feathers that will be used to honor the graduates in our Lakota way,” says Roger White Eyes, Lakota Studies teacher and senior class sponsor. “It also gives us an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments through Lakota song and dance. Parents will also be there to honor their graduates because it is a wonderful time for them to host special honorings.”

Elder Alvin Slow Bear is leading the feather blessing ceremony.

Red Cloud seniors will celebrate their upcoming graduation with the annual baccalaureate Mass and dinner on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Seniors will gather at Holy Rosary Church to receive a final blessing from the staff at Red Cloud High School. The Mass begins at 5:30 p.m. with a dinner afterward in Serena Hall.

Commencement ceremonies for the graduating class of 2011 will began at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011 in the Paul Dizzy Trout Memorial Fieldhouse. Forty-nine seniors will cross the stage, prepared to embark on their next journey in life. The reservation community is invited to attend the ceremony.

A complete list of events is below. For more information on graduation, contact the superintendent’s office at 605/867-5888.

Graduation Powwow and Feather Blessing

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.
Paul Dizzy Trout Memorial Fieldhouse

Baccalaureate Mass and Dinner

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.
Holy Rosary Church

Commencement

Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 10 a.m.
Paul Dizzy Trout Memorial Fieldhouse