My name is Andrew. I have attended St. Joseph’s for the past six years. At Chamberlain High School, I was involved in theatre, participating in the plays produced all four years.

I don’t have one particular memory of school but there have been many!

I would like to thank all my old houseparents that I have had helped me through the years.

My future plan is to attend college.

My words of advice for the younger students are to take school seriously, try hard and get good grades. It makes things much easier in the long run!

My name is Davis. I have attended St. Joseph’s since my 8th grade year.

While at CHS, I was involved with baseball and football. I was also a member of the basketball team that received 4th place at the 2016 state basketball tournament! While in junior high, I played basketball, softball and was on the bowling league.

One of funniest memories while at St. Joe’s was back in middle school. When I first arrived, I was placed in the 7th grade for a while until I finally figured out I was in the wrong grade! I told someone I thought I was in the wrong grade and they quickly moved me to the correct grade, which was 8th.

I can’t single out just one favorite memory at St. Joseph’s because there are many crazy ones with all my friends and houseparents. However, making it to the state basketball tournament will always be one of my favorite memories.

I would like to thank all my houseparents, counselors and friends I have made at St. Joe’s. I also want to thank my grandma for sending me here because attending school here has given me so much. There are so many opportunities for me and for my future. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me throughout my high school years.

Some advice I would like to share with younger students is to always stay on top of your school work. Get the work done or you’ll fall behind. Also, join activities like sports that will help you meet new friends. Try to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Most importantly, just be yourself.

At this point I am undecided what I will do after graduation. I have narrowed it down to either attend Lake Area Technical Institute for law enforcement or enlist into the Army in the military police department.

My name is Gabriel. I have been attending St. Joe’s since the 7th grade.

While I attended Chamberlain High School, I was on the basketball, football, baseball and track teams. I also have been a part of the Native American Club and Science Club.

One of my favorite memories is going on the Germany Exchange Trip. It was such an amazing experience to travel and see different countries. Another great memory was the Freshmen Transition Trip.

I would like to thank my mom, grandma, houseparents and teachers and anyone else I may forgotten. Everyone helped me become who I am today.

I plan on attending Black Hills State University or University of South Dakota for law enforcement and teaching.

My advice to younger students is to take school seriously. Don’t count the days as time in high school goes quickly.

My name is Irene. I am proud to say that I have been attending St. Josephs since I was 6 years old and coming in as a first grader.

I have played basketball, volleyball, track, bowling leagues, intercity, and archery in my middle school years. Not to mention t-ball back when I was a tiny 1st-3rd grader, then moving up to softball.

I feel that I have been very successful in staying active and busy throughout my high school career. I have participated in basketball and track my freshman and sophomore years were I was put on the varsity team. I have also been dedicated to volleyball since the first day I was given the chance to be on a team. I went to state my first year of golf as a junior. My senior year I decided to be a boys’ basketball cheerleader. I want to finish out my high school career in track.

I have been active, not only in sports, but the fine arts as well. I am involved in concert choir and was a member of the crew for both the fall play and one acts. I also participated in show choir; we went on tour and also performed a few times for the school. I didn’t realize much I was involved in until I saw it written down!

The many years I have spent here at St. Joe’s makes it hard to decide what my favorite memory is. I have met so many people and the experiences are endless, it’s hard to favor one over another. I always loved the little moments I would keep to myself where I would have a realization of how blessed I am to be here. Even if it was going on a home trip, on my way to school, helping with a fundraiser, laughing with friends, or even having dinner every night with some of the best people I will ever meet.

Like everything else, the list of people I would like to thank is endless — from first grade teachers and counselors to my high school coaches and advisors. I want to give a special thanks to my family and friends that have made an impact on my life since day one. I find it sad that I will have to leave this place. I am growing up, and it’s time for a new chapter in my life to begin. Feelings are heavy but my head is held high. Thank you St. Joe’s for teaching me right.

My words of wisdom … Don’t procrastinate. You will regret it. Live outside of your comfort box, try new things, stray from all things negative, keep your future in mind.

I am enlisted into the Army as a 36X-Ray, which is a behavior health specialist. I leave for basic in Oklahoma for Ft. Sill then to Texas for AIT. From here … my life begins.

My name is Jacob "Turtle". I have attended St. Joseph’s for the past four years.

While attending school at Chamberlain High School, I was involved in football, track and basketball while also volunteering as the gymnastics manager.

My favorite memory is yet to come — I can not wait to graduate and throw my cap in the air!

I would like to thank my counselor Scott, Tim and Jess for everything they’ve done for me.

My advice to younger students is to just get involved in whatever makes you happy. Being involved in extra activities makes school fun!

My plan after graduation is to ship to San Diego, California and earn the title of United State Marine. I look forward to becoming a proud member of the best branch in the United States Military. HOORAH!!

My name is Jeremy. I have attended St. Joe’s since I was in 7th grade.

In middle school, I was involved in basketball, football, soccer, track and softball. At Chamberlain High School, I was mainly involved in football where I was named back-to-back All-Conference Linebacker.

I have many memories from attending St. Joseph’s. One memory is the 8th grade Cultural Trip. Another memory great memory I have is the Germany Exchange trip. It was the best when we met up with the exchange students who went to France in London, England.

My future plans after graduation are to attend Fort Lewis College and play football and to find a career which best fits me.

I would like to thank all the teachers at CHS and all the staff members at St. Joe’s. I specifically want to thank Art Shanks, Patrick and Anita Lyden, Brian Perry and Bryan Rinehart. Without all of you, I would not be the person I am today.

My advice to the younger students is to pay attention, be involved in actives and don’t get behind in you school work! Stay away from bad habits!

My name is Katie. I have attended school at St. Joe’s since my 7th grade year.

I have been involved in many activities at Chamberlain High School. I was involved with Native American Club, Science Club, Drama Club and the Big Sisters/Little Sisters Club. I was involved in Volleyball my 8th grade year. I was also in Student Exchange and softball while in middle school.

I have too many favorite memories to list. It would be like asking me to count the stars in the sky because I have so many!

I would like to thank everyone who worked with me over the past years. Without their support, I would not be where I am today.

Some of my advice I have for younger students is that the world is a big place. It doesn’t revolve around one person or place. Get out of your comfort zone and go see what is out there.

I am undecided about my plans at this point. I would like to attend college but unsure of my major.

My name is Martina. I have been attending St. Joe’s for 11 years.

I was involved in volleyball (which I think is the best sport in the world) while attending Chamberlain High School. I was also involved in the Science Club and with basketball during my high school years. When I was in middle school, I danced at powwows.

I have many favorite memories while attending school at St. Joe’s. One of my favorites would have to be just being in the Stevens Home with Frank and Wanda Bunker as my houseparents. My 6-8 grade years were the bomb in the Stevens Home! I loved playing "Tremors" with Wanda and the other girls. We listened to music channels while getting ready for school and played SingStar with the girls in the home. Yeah, those years were pretty great.

I would like to thank all of my houseparents and teachers that I've had in the past years. I want to thank everyone that has helped and put up with me through the years that I've been here, because I know I was a handful … Just kidding, I wasn't. :)

If there was any advice I would like to give students, it would be to always try your best on your school work and pay attention. I always did and, hey, it helped me get good grades. Also, seize the day because middle school and high school goes by way faster than you think it will. Make memories while you can. Join sports and other extra-curricular activities in middle school and/or high school because it will help you to develop lots of great friends. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, because believe me, majority of the time it'll be worth the try.

I have enlisted with the US Army and will be an active duty solider after graduation. I am a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. After graduation I am off to Missouri for Basic Training and my AIT. Then I will travel the world, which is very exciting for me.

My name is Carol "Mia". I have attended St. Joseph’s for five years.

I was involved with basketball, softball and bowling while I attended St. Joseph's Indian School. While in high school at Chamberlain High School, I was involved in Native American Club.

My favorite memory while attending St. Joseph’s took place during my 11th grade year. My home went to Sioux Falls to shop all day. After shopping at the mall, we stopped at Walmart to grab a few last minute things. I bought some headphones but was struggling to open them. My houseparent Nancy offered the car keys and, in the process, the keys broke! We were all stuck in Sioux Falls until our other houseparent Al could come all the way from Chamberlain to give us the other set of keys.

I would like to thank EVERYONE that helped me out during my time at St. Joseph’s. Special shout outs to Bryan, Chris, my Family Service Counselor Amanda and Nancy and Al.

My advice to younger students is to keep up in high school — do not fall behind whatsoever! Join activities and sports. Push yourself to try new things. Get to know a lot of people outside of St. Joseph’s. Do not get in trouble, make the right decisions. Even though St. Joseph’s may seem strict, it’s for your benefit — you will thank them in the future! Enjoy your time, all your time while in high school and at St. Joseph’s. Time goes by quick, make sure to have fun.

My plans after graduation are to attend the University of South Dakota to complete my generals and major in pre-law before heading to law school in San Francisco, California.

My name is Ronald "Trey". I first attended St Joseph’s my 2nd grade year through 5th grade. I then left for a couple years and returned in 7th grade and have been here ever since.

While attending CHS, I was involved with basketball and football.

I really don’t have one favorite memory that stands out as there are many — St. Joe’s is a good place to attend school.

I would like to thank all my houseparents I’ve had since I started school here. I would also like to thank Scott Woster for helping me throughout my time at St. Joe’s. Another thanks goes to my grandmother Carole Seeking Land and my mother Kessa.

My advice to younger students is to take academics seriously. Also, really do what makes you happy.

I plan to attend college for Business Management, then I plan to go wherever my life takes me from there.