Breaking The Cycle- Alumni Stories

With all the uncertainty this year has brought, it is wonderful to have some tangible tokens of assurance. Four alumni of Holbrook Indian School (HIS) are dedicating their time and talents to give back to their alma mater. Another has stepped in during a time of misfortune and need. For all those invested in what we do at HIS, this is a welcome note of encouragement. Seeing our students rise above the challenges of their backgrounds, breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse - this is the reason Holbrook Indian School was founded

 Shanel Draper, Adrain Wiles, Terrell Bahe are working as full-time staff.

Jerena Hunter began helping with Mr. Bruce after his accident. These are among our many students who pass through HIS and go on to do great things. These four, however, have the unique opportunity to directly impact those coming after them. Jerena is a remarkable testament to the impact that HIS has on our students, as recent misfortune here has drawn her back to help us in a time of need.

 In all honesty, not all of our students graduate. Each of them faces unique difficulties, but we believe that even if we can only help one student, that makes a world of difference. We know there are results to be seen on the other side of eternity, but it is refreshing to have some tangible tokens of assurance today--the first fruits of breaking the cycle. It is also touching to see past students, moved to the point of self-sacrifice, returning to help those who helped them.

 These alumni share what it means to be back on campus. They share their experiences, their impact, and why they chose to return to HIS.

Shanel Draper

At Holbrook Indian School, I work as the Scholarship Coordinator. I work with the students and their parents to obtain scholarships for the students’ tuition. Some of our students will come up to me and ask about scholarships, and I help them as best as I can. I know that the feeling of having issues at home or even not being able to go home takes a toll on our students. [The threat of COVID-19 on the reservations, where many of our students live, has caused HIS to suspend home leaves for this semester. This is to prevent any spread when our students return to campus from a home leave]. I try to make Holbrook a comfortable place for the students by laughing with them or giving them a smile in passing, knowing that it is hard for them not seeing family as often as they want to.

 During my time as a student, I had staff members who were there for me, and I thank them for that. I was broken in so many ways. I am in the process of becoming a mentor, and it’s quite nice. Being a mentor is meaningful coming from someone who shows that they care and will not stop giving up on them no matter what. The moments that I treasure are those spent with our students, as I gradually get to know them. They all have very different personalities. To see their faces light up or filled with laughter; those are the memories I treasure.

Adrian Wiles

I started working as the Assistant Boys Dean on campus as of this school year. When I first came to Holbrook as a third-grade student, I went to my dorm room and cried. It’s hard leaving family. At the start of this school year, I noticed there were a couple of the boys crying in the dorms. That brought back those memories for me. I was able to empathize with them. I told them, “I was in your situation.” I told them my story of when I first got here.

 Some of the personal struggles that the boys come to me with are showing emotions and relationships. A question one of them asked me is, “How do I deal with anger?” I tell them to try playing basketball. While I was a student, we had a low hanging basketball hoop installed on campus for us younger ones. I would vent out my emotions by dunking.

 For dorm worship, I shared my testimony on how I overcame a lot of obstacles. I told the boys, “I’m glad I grew up with a hard life because I wouldn’t be the man I am right now.”

Terell Bahe

I recently started working as the Boys Task Force Dean this school year. I came in 8th grade, but I was in tears the day I arrived here for registration. Now, as I see the little ones, I understand that they miss their parents.

 At Holbrook, we have to pass on a lot of fundamental education not being taught at home. We are introducing the boys to the ideas of how to be a gentleman--hygiene, respect, and manners. It’s a major lacking component growing up on the reservation. I believe the reason for that is because a lot of our students’ parents do not have any formal education. There is a strong correlation between education and respect and manners. As a student at HIS, I had to learn this.

 After I graduated, I knew I was coming back to Holbrook. I made it my mission to come back. This place has always been home.