Kicking Horse graduates six

RONAN -Kicking Horse Job Corps yielded six more graduates for its fall ceremony.

Sheena Between Lodges, 20, member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and daughter of Wilbur and Cheryl Between Lodges of Pine Ridge, SD, graduated from KHJCC in Business Technologies on September 21, 2006. She completed her training program in eight months. While at KHJCC, Sheena earned a Vocational Life Skills certificate from Salish Kootenai College. She held leadership positions in the dormitory, served as the Center Activities Office Receptionist and also helped new students with orientation to Job Corps. Upon leaving Job Corps she plans to seek employment in Elko, Nevada.

Dean Morgan Jr., 22, member of the Blackfeet Tribe, and son of Dean and Lorraine Morgan of Browning, graduated from KHJCC in Business Technologies. He completed his training in 23 months. While at KHJCC, Dean earned a Vocational Life Skills certificate from Salish Kootenai College and he also earned his driver's license. Morgan held leadership positions in the dormitory. He was a Dorm Representative for Student Government and also helped new students with orientation to Job Corps. Upon leaving Job Corps he plans to attend Blackfeet Community College in Browning.

Magdalena Montoya, 24, member of the Northern Arapahoe Tribe, and daughter of Rosemary Montoya of Riverton, WY, graduated from KHJCC in Business Technologies. She completed her training in 14 months. While at KHJCC, Magdalena earned a Vocational Life Skills certificate from Salish Kootenai College, her GED and High School Diploma. Magdalena held leadership positions in the dormitory. She was a Student Government Dorm Representative and a Vocational Aide for the Clerical Education and Business Technologies crews, and assisted new students in the clerical business vocation. Montoya also helped new students with orientation to Job Corps. Upon leaving Job Corps she plans to go to college at the Denver Massage Therapist College in Aurora, CO.

Marlon Horn, 26, member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and son of Gentry Rodean Mouseaux of Denver, CO, graduated in Heavy Equipment Operation. He completed his training in 15 months. Marlon earned a Vocational Life Skills certificate from Salish Kootenai College, his GED and driver's license. Marlon held leadership positions in the dormitory. Marlon also helped new students with orientation to Job Corps. Upon leaving Job Corps he plans to work in Denver, Colorado as an excavator/loader operator while earning a utilities operator certification.

Miesha "Toni" Hill, 23, member of the Sioux Tribe, and daughter of Dana Hill of Denver, CO, graduated from KHJCC in Culinary Arts. She completed her training in 17 months. While at KHJCC, Miesha earned a Vocational Life Skills certificate from Salish Kootenai College. Hill held leadership positions in the dormitory. She was a Vocational Aide for new Culinary Arts students, and served on the Recreation Committee. Upon leaving Job Corps she plans to attend college and work in Denver, CO.

Amanda Snow, 23, member of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, and daughter of Donnitta Woughter of St. George, UT, graduated from KHJCC as a Certified Medical Assistant and Certified Nursing Assistant. She completed both her training programs in 14 months. While at KHJCC, Amanda earned her driver's license and held leadership positions in the dormitory as a Bay Leader and Section Chief. She also served as a Vocational Aide for the Medical/Nursing Assistant vocation. Upon leaving Job Corps she plans to seek employment with the Tribal Health Services in Utah and further her medical studies. Amanda earned her GED at Dixie State College in St. George, UT, in 2004.

Kicking Horse Job Corps Center is the only all-Indian Job Corps center in the nation. The Department of Labor residential program, operated by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana, has been in existence for 32 years offering vocational training as well as a GED and high school diploma program. The program is free to Native Americans or tribal member descendents. In addition to Building and Maintenance Training, other vocations offered at Kicking Horse include Diesel Mechanics, Forestry, Dental Assistant, Pre-Apprentice Painter, Culinary Arts, Heavy Equipment Operation, Carpentry, Business Technology, Nursing Assistant, and Medical Assistant. For more information on Kicking Horse Job Corps Center, please contact your local One-Stop or Workforce Development Center or Lance Friedlander at (800) 733-5627.