Halito from District 8.
I hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July.
Last May, I had the pleasure of attending the end-of-year celebration for the Choctaw Heritage Club at Hugo Middle School. During my visit, the students shared the story of how their club was founded and talked about everything they accomplished throughout the school year.
From practicing the Choctaw language to learning about our cultural traditions and building connections with fellow tribal members, it was inspiring to hear about their experiences.
As a student-founded and student-led organization, the Choctaw Heritage Club is a wonderful example of young leaders taking the initiative to learn more about their heritage and become more involved in the Choctaw community. I am incredibly proud of these students and grateful to the staff at Hugo Middle School for providing the support and space that helped this club grow.
I also want to extend a big yakoke to Angie Williston, Program Director of the Language Department, for attending the celebration and sharing an encouraging message about the importance of learning the Choctaw language. Keeping our language alive is essential to preserving our culture, and it fills me with hope to see so many young people committed to carrying it forward.
As the new school year approaches, I have high hopes for these young Choctaws and the continued success of their club. I wish all of our students, educators, and families a safe and rewarding school year.
Yakoke,
Councilman Perry Thompson