On Saturday, May 11, 27 seniors joined family and friends to celebrate their graduation from Red Cloud High School. It was a beautiful, sunny day as students proudly walked across the commencement stage. The Class of 2024, who were freshmen as the pandemic raged on, formed a unique bond with each other.
This year featured a very close, three-way race for Valedictorian. Prior to graduation, these three scholars were separated by only 0.001 grade point average, and it came down to final grades! Congratulations to Valedictorian Josephine “Josie” Stinson, and co-Salutatorians Oceane Bull Bear and LaDaynia Long Soldier. In the fall, Josie will be attending Colorado State University to study pre-med. Both Oceane and LaDaynia have been awarded full-ride scholarships to the University of Denver!
Out of our 27 graduates, 5 received full-ride scholarships to their respective schools! Additionally, one student has enlisted in the Marine Corps. This year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) experienced several issues that have delayed financial aid packages for many students across the nation, including our graduating class. Despite this challenge, 70% of graduating seniors had made their college selections for the fall. Others were waiting for final packages before confirming their final choice.
Here is a selection of colleges and universities that our graduates will be attending in the upcoming fall semester: the University of Denver, Colorado State University, South Dakota State University, Fort Lewis College, Chadron State College, Haskell Indian Nations University, and more. They will embark on academic journeys encompassing majors such as business, criminology, Native American studies, psychology, and biology. Finally, we would like to highlight these student athletes that will take their talent to the collegiate level: Esperanza Rama, who signed to play golf at Mid-Plains Community College, Nick Zuniga who will play basketball at Dickinson State University, and April Knight will run track at University of Minnesota – Morris.
In her Salutatorian remarks, LaDaynia Long Soldier shared with her fellow graduates, “Be kind, be brave, be bold, be unapologetically yourself. It is better by far to be good, courageous, and to make a difference!” We think that is great advice for all of us. Congratulations to the Class of 2024!