WASHINGTON
- Sen. Tom Daschle met with students from the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation at the U.S. Capitol on July 29. The students were
in Washington participating in the National Youth Opportunity
Skills Challenge, a competition sponsored by the Department of
Labors Youth Opportunity Program.
"The
Youth Opportunity Program gives Native youth the chance to gain
technical skills that will be helpful later in life," Daschle
said. "I am so glad these students are able to participate
in such a meaningful program."
The
Pine Ridge students competed locally for the chance to attend the
National Youth Opportunity Skills Challenge in Washington. At the
two-day national competition, the students were judged on their
academic achievement and employment skills. The group represented
the only competitors from South Dakota at the national competition.
Students
from high schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation are eligible to
participate in the Oglala Sioux Youth Opportunity Program. With
the mission of improving work and life skills for youth on the reservation,
the program encourages students to complete their high school education
and attend post-secondary education to gain knowledge that will
lead to success in employment. Maretta Champagne, Pine Ridge; Laticia
DeCory, Pine Ridge; Ray Rowland, Pine Ridge; Ohitika Tasso, Wounded
Knee; Fawn Irving, Manderson; Elaine Gibbons, Manderson; William
Spotted Eagle, Kyle; Joyce Tibbitts, Pine Ridge; and Russell Bluehsmith,
Oglala attended the competition in Washington.
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