Maȟpíya Lúta High School is proud to highlight the inspiring journey of alumni Jordianja Clifford, whose perseverance, passion for education, and unwavering resilience continue to impact her life and the lives of those around her.
Jordianja’s journey to Maȟpíya Lúta began with her childhood in Wolf Creek School, where she thrived academically. However, it was during her middle school year that she found a new sense of purpose. “I wanted to attend Maȟpíya Lúta because I love the chemistry the middle school basketball team had, and I wanted to be a part of that. Little did I know, the academics would challenge me in ways I never expected,” she recalls. This decision marked the beginning of her academic journey at Maȟpíya Lúta, where she faced challenges but ultimately found support and a strong community to help her succeed.
Jordianja remembers the struggles she faced when transitioning to Maȟpíya Lúta’s rigorous curriculum. “When I got to Maȟpíya Lúta , I struggled at first with reading and math. I wasn’t used to not excelling in those subjects, and it was frustrating,” she reflects. With the help of dedicated teachers and counselors, she started to understand the material and improve. A particularly impactful moment came in high school when she battled test anxiety. Her biology teacher, Katie Montez, recognized the issue and helped her overcome it by allowing her to take verbal tests instead of written ones. “To this day although I can’t do a verbal test with every midterm or final I come across I developed a habit to verbally study my study guides and it really helped me when coming to testing time,” Jordianja shares. This approach helped Jordianja develop new strategies for success, which she continues to apply in her studies today.
Jordianja’s time at Maȟpíya Lúta was not just about academics. The mentorship and support from the school community played a pivotal role in shaping her future. “Matt Rama played a huge role in helping me find my path after high school,” Jordinja shares. “He gave me the opportunity to work as an aide in the Kindergarten Immersion classroom, where I helped revitalize the Lakota language.
That experience opened my eyes to my true passion – working with young student in a classroom environment.”
Through her work at Maȟpíya Lúta, Jordianja realized that she wanted to become a teacher and integrate the Lakota language into her future classroom. The Lakota Language courses she took throughout middle school and high school laid the foundation for her current work and goals.
After graduating from Maȟpíya Lúta in 2019, Jordianja pursued her education further at Oglala Lakota College and later transferred to South Dakota State University. The transition was challenging – her credits didn’t transfer, and she had to essentially start over. “It was a tough transition, especially since I was eager to finish, but the support I received from Maȟpíya Lúta’s Success Advisor, January (Tobacco), helped me through,” Jordianja recalls. “She helped me with scholarships and was always just there to talk when I felt frustrated or down about the situation,”she adds. Despite the challenges, she continues to push forward with her goal of earning her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education (Birth-8).
Throughout her college years, Jordinja also faced significant health challenges. Diagnosed with renal thrombosis in 2016, her condition worsened in 2023, leading to emergency dialysis. “Some days I’m too weak to get out of bed, and my immune system isn’t the best, but I keep going. I’m a full-time student and awaiting a kidney transplant, and I am determined to keep pursuing my goals,” Jordianja says with admirable resilience.
Jordianja’s journey is one of incredible strength and perseverance. “Never keep to yourself. There’s always someone willing to help,” she advises. “When my medical issues began in my sophomore year, I didn’t really talk to anyone about it nor did I truly want to accept what I was going through. I kept to myself and went into a dark space,” she recalls. She finally accepted what she was going through and was able to start opening up to her teachers and coaches, which allowed her to receive the support she needed.
Her message to current Maȟpíya Lúta students and their families is one of hope and resilience, “No matter how tired, stressed, or hard things may get, you can overcome the struggle with the help of your family, friends, and community.”
Looking Ahead
What’s next for Jordianja? She’s determined to finish her education and fulfill her dream of becoming an educator. “I’m only a few credits away from receiving my AA in Early Childhood Education, and once I graduate, I plan to continue my education and earn my BA,” she states. With a kidney transplant on the horizon, Jordianja’s journey is far from over. But if her story has shown us anything, it’s that no challenge is too great when faced with courage, determination, and the support of a strong community.
We are so proud of Jordianja’s journey and look forward to the many lives she will continue to inspire and impact in the years to come!
Follow and share her story and updates on her path to success as she faces adversity and pursues her dreams—your support makes all the difference! https://nkr.org/ULA346