This year’s theme was “Board Games” and each class chose one to highlight with help from teachers and staff in the building process. New this year was a float representing the Noli Booster Club where parents and staff came together on the campus courtyard to decorate their entry that featured the game of checkers. Black and red are also Noli’s school colors so it was very apropos.

Students took turns working on their floats during free periods, nutrition and lunch breaks and some even stayed after school to make sure they met the deadline of 5 p.m. on game day. An added incentive was the fact that a class party would be awarded to the top float, courtesy of the school’s staff members.

The sixth graders of the Class of 2030 chose Scrabble as their board game and created oversized squares with words that meant something to the students. Seventh grade combined the time of year with their game choice of “Operation” as a scary ghoul and lots of red paint depicted a bloody scene. The float created by eighth grade students was chess.

Freshmen selected Monopoly, or rather “Soboba-opoly,” for their game design and with the help of science teacher Jay Dagostino built oversized hotels and houses as well as the familiar Community Chest. There was even a mini jail constructed above the oversized “Go to Jail” spot that was recreated for the float. Jumanji was the chosen theme for sophomores who carried the jungle theme to the truck bed of the vehicle that was towing the float.

Juniors took on The Class of 2025, The Game of Life for their design with each car game piece cutout named for the students. With help from math teacher Kekai Bryant-Williams, Spanish teacher Andrea Duran and AVID tutor Alena Duenas, the group got very creative with their twist on the game. Duenas is also a 2022 graduate of Noli Indian School and helped the students think about careers and other future goals to add to the game spots that wrapped around the entire trailer.

The Class of 2024 created a colorful rendition of Candyland, renamed Seniorland, which was very fitting as candy is thrown out to spectators along the parade route as the floats make their way up Castile Canyon Road to The Oaks football stadium. Students from each class ride on the trailer that their float was built upon and get applauded and cheered on by all the residents who watch them ride by.

Camille Diaz was this year’s Grand Marshal. She has worked as Noli’s school nurse for about eight years and said she was “very honored to have been chosen” and said her role was going to be easy: wave and pass out candy from her seat in the back of her son’s pickup truck.

The top three floats were named at the football game’s halftime event. First place was awarded to 11th grade for Life, second place was 10th grade for Jumanji and third place was 6th grade for Scrabble.

Another highlight of the halftime break was the introduction of the Homecoming Court and naming of the Senior King and Queen which were Anthony Salgado and Luisa Rivera. Other royals who took the field to be applauded were Freshman Sweetheart Girl Nevaeh Ochoa and Freshman Sweetheart Boy Kevin Venegas, who was also the starting quarterback of the game. Also honored were Sophomore Duchess Shawna Rivera and Sophomore Duke Ronald Morillo and Junior Princess Arionna Ward and Junior Prince Daigan Cyhan. Senior Queen nominees were Jasmine Lemas and Nataly Lemas and Matthew Torres was a Senior King nominee. All members of the court campaigned for votes during Homecoming Float Week.

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Noli Indian School on the Soboba Indian Reservation hosted its 16th annual Gathering of the People on Friday, April 7, the last day of school before spring break. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. there was bird singing, horseshoe games, raffles, dancing and lots of fun activities facilitated by members of the Associated Student Body. Everyone was treated to a delicious lunch of chicken, chili meat, hot dogs, hamburgers, frybread and more, grilled and served by staff members.

Noli’s Culture Department Coordinator/Instructor Tashina Ornelas coordinated the event with assistance from the senior class. She said, “The significance of the Gathering of the People is to invite everyone to be together. These are our stories, our people; all are represented here today.”

That was evident in the featured appearances by the Luiseño Singers/Pechanga, led by Robert Villalobos; Ashaatakook Singers/Kumeyaay, led by Ral Christman; Avélaka Fancy Shawl Dancers, led by Tekla Diaz; TM Birdsingers/Desert Cahuilla, led by Derek Duro; and the Inter-tribal Birdsingers, led by Wayne Nelson.

Ornelas said the gathering is also very educational as students are involved with every part of it. She said reaching out to invite the different groups provides them with firsthand experience in public relations and helps them build relationships with the singers and their families.

Three ramadas that provided shade to elders, preschoolers and other guests, were built by Noli culture students with help from members of the Soboba Public Works Department who sourced the materials for them and helped guide them in the construction.

ASB President Luisa Rivera introduced various games for youths of all ages to participate in. One involved having a balloon tied around one ankle with the goal of popping someone else’s balloon while making sure yours stayed intact. After a lot of running and laughing, the game was won by 12-year-old Kolókolomay Temanxwanvish.

A watermelon eating contest pitted 15 contestants against each other and Nicholas Fernandez, 9, finished his quarter melon wedge first amid loud cheering from the crowd. A tug-of-war with boys vs. girls was won by the guys but not easily, as the girls put up a good fight.

Soboba Tribal member Tekla Diaz teaches a Fancy Shawl dance class and her students shared their skills at the event. Diaz currently has about 20 students of all ages. She said her youngest is three and her oldest is 15.

“Dancers create their own individual style, their own way to carry themselves when dancing,” Diaz said. “Some dance gracefully and others dance aggressively.”

She said her dancers have appeared at powwows and schools when invited. Each dancer’s regalia is personalized with color and design choices, further giving them each an opportunity to put their own stamp on their performances.

Sisters Shania and Avellaka Guacheno were making their first public appearance. Their mother, Stephanie Guacheno, said she used to dance herself and her daughters have always been interested. Both joined Diaz’s class about a year ago.

All the dancers came out for a Grand Entry followed by a presentation of different dance styles including a straight step. The finale was a Round Dance where guests were invited to join hands with the dancers in a large circle as they stepped in a clockwise fashion to the music. This culminated in everyone moving toward each other to close the circle and become one.

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Noli teacher Jay Dagostino has been making weekly visits to the preschool for a couple of years, providing hands-on science lessons to the kindergarten students there. This is an extension of that program, where his high school students work on a lesson plan during the week and then implement it in person each Friday afternoon. They are required to review the lesson plan afterwards so they can learn what worked, what didn’t, and why.

Dagostino serves as Instructor of Information and a facilitator of lessons for the ECE course. His students do all the hands-on instruction for the kindergarten class. He works closely with the preschool staff to arrange fieldwork assignments and to receive feedback on his students’ performance there.

“I have a few students that want to possibly teach preschool and kindergarten as a career,” he said. “I also thought it would be good for future parents.”

Noli Academic Counselor Elizabeth Lacella was approached by Dagostino last school year about adding this opportunity that would benefit high school students that may be interested in working with young children in the future.

“It’s an introduction to a job field,” Lacella said. “It sets the students on a career path that requires them to further their education. It also allows them to create connections and contacts with job potentials for the future.”

Junior Luisa Rivera decided to take the course because she plans to become a teacher at Soboba in the future.

“I liked Fridays when we were with the kids, they were always happy and excited to see us,” Luisa said. “I enjoyed being there. They always made my Fridays bright and turned any bad days into good days.”

Although experience with younger siblings let her know what to expect from the young children, she did learn to be more patient since there were about 20 students in class each week. “This class prepared me for becoming a preschool teacher,” she said.

To encourage her classmates to sign up for the class, Luisa shares with them that “you will have so much fun on Fridays; the kids are adorable and have a lot of energy.”

Even those that don’t plan to go into the childcare or teaching field are learning how to organize, implement ideas and problem solve. They also can hone their leadership and attention to detail skills.

Anthony Salgado-Lopez, a junior at Noli, said he doesn’t aspire to go into a career working with children but was encouraged by Dagostino to enroll in the class.

“I like it and it’s rewarding to see the kids learn something new,” Anthony said. “I feel that being from the same, if not a similar, community from most of the children there, I am giving back in a way that they can say ‘hey, he is like me, we are from the same place.’ Maybe I can be the change and that just makes teaching them worthwhile.”

He added, “It was crazy to me the many connections a child’s brain made and how fast they can learn. I think that was the best lesson I was taught for the simple fact that it’s everything I am learning and putting into action each week.”

Anthony said working with the kindergartners is different than being around his little brothers who are about the same age. With the students, he has learned “how the tone you use to speak to them can change everything they remember about what was said or done.”

He has told his peers that the class is rewarding, fun and takes a lot of patience and compassion. “But most of all, it’s a challenge,” he said.

The Introduction to Early Childhood Education course syllabus describes the main goal as being to introduce students to early childhood education with emphasis on hands-on learning fieldwork, theories, practice and current trends and developments. Early childhood environments for children from birth through eight years of age are to be studied.

Several objectives to be met by the end of the course include students being able to explain the roles of the early childhood education professional, describe critical issues facing children and families today, explain the importance of the Piaget theory of cognitive development, discuss the implications of diversity on early childhood education and discover why parent, family and community involvement is important in early childhood development or education programs.

The topics covered each week encompass all subjects the kindergartners are learning, from sight words to reading and writing as well as science and math. On a recent Friday, the students were led in physical education activities that might be put into play should it be too rainy to go outside to play. This leads to another important lesson for the ECE students: how to be flexible and improvise when needed.

Kindergarten teacher Sierra Vivanco welcomes the partnership with Noli as it gives her students new ways to engage with lessons they are being taught. She said they look forward to the change of pace on Fridays. Vivanco is pleased to see teens get involved in the program.

“They learn pretty quickly that they can’t be shy and that it’s okay for them to be strict with the young kids,” she said. “It’s also a good way for them to get their feet wet in this area and see if they like it.”

Being the first year of the program, wrinkles are still being worked out, but Lacella feels it is a one-of-a-kind opportunity she is pleased to offer to the high school students.

“The littles get the benefit of something different weekly,” Lacella said. “They enjoy having their ‘other teachers’ come in with a new and exciting lesson.”

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Also invited to the career and college day on Nov. 28 were students from Sherman Indian High School in Riverside. About 10 colleges were represented and a dozen or so businesses that ran the gamut from healthcare careers to entrepreneurship opportunities.

Each student was given a list of participants and was able to choose six that fit their interests and spend 12 minutes with each one. Groups of five students rotated through the tables that were set up at the Soboba Sports Complex to listen to presentations and ask questions they had about the career or college.

Delta Airlines offered information on aviation careers and Old Traditions Tattoo Parlor artists explained how they do what they do. Robert Young with Inland Memorial Harford Chapel shared insight on the funeral home business and fielded a lot of questions.

A variety of careers could be learned about through several Soboba entities. Michael West and Jacob Briones from the Soboba Fire Department explained how their jobs are about much more than fighting fires. Medical aid calls constitute a majority of the department’s duties, and each member has to be fully trained. It is recommended that potential fire department personnel go to EMT school to learn what they will need to know.

When asked how often they are called out, Briones said a busy day is usually about 15 calls, but the norm is about 5 to 6 per day. He told the students about the recently formed Explorers program that gives young people a firsthand look at what the different jobs entail and teaches them the proper use of the various equipment that needs to be used.

“Fire service is para-military, meaning there is a lot of structure behind it,” Briones said.

There were also recruiters from the Army and Navy at the fair to answer questions from those that are already thinking about enlisting right out of high school.

Craig Young has worked at Soboba’s IT Department as the Tribe’s Senior Graphic Designer for more than 12 years. He creates all print work that is put out on behalf of the Tribe as well as helping Tribal members with side work they may want.

“I’m not an artist, I’m a graphic designer,” he tells students who ask about his job. “I can’t put a pen to paper, but I can create anything with a computer.”

He recalled working with a young man during the Soboba Tribal TANF summer program who was a great sketch artist. Young said he taught Christian Rivera how to create digital art and ended up using one of his creations on a program for Soboba’s annual Intertribal Powwow back in 2013 and giving him artist credit on it. Young said he always likes to encourage students to find jobs in fields they already have a passion for.

The Soboba Casino Resort had three of its marketing department employees on hand to discuss what they do on a daily basis. Wade Abbas is a graphic designer who helps with the promotional materials put out by the casino. He said most students are curious as to what type of education is needed for this position. He always tells them that a career in marketing takes people from all over that have completed different journeys. There is no one clear-cut way to get to the end.

Corryn Salgado-Flores is a content creator specialist and enjoys working with a team of about 20 employees who are involved with player development, rewards and more programs to keep the excitement alive at the casino. Nathan Miranda started out as a Tribal member intern learning about many different positions at SCR. He settled on marketing because he has a passion for art, graphic design and photography.

“Seeing my designs being displayed around the casino gives me a good feeling,” Miranda said.

Soboba Tribal Family Services talked to students about all the different job opportunities within the field of social work. Team members from the nearby Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc. Soboba Indian Health Clinic spoke about potential careers in the dental field.

Rynda Drennan is an RN Recruiter from San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning. She offered details on various nursing careers and provided students with a career plan of study to help them begin to achieve the necessary skills to enter the healthcare field.

Realtor Martin Cueva served double duty, educating students on a career in real estate as well as letting them know what they should look for when purchasing property. He said that being a realtor takes a combination of many different skills.

Jorge Esqueda brought a hands-on display that helped explain the types of things an electrician might be tasked with. He shared the fact there are many apprenticeship training centers throughout Southern California to help prepare them for electrical workforce jobs.

Lisa Castilone, Community Development & Tribal Program Manager with GRID Alternatives Inland Empire, shared some highlights from GRID’s Solar Futures program, past programming at Noli, women in solar and all the fantastic job opportunities in renewable energy.

“I explained to them that the skills they learn in this profession are something they can take anywhere; it’s not just a local job, it can be global,” she said.

Robert J. Levi II is a Tribal Elder/Culture Bearer in Residence at California State University, San Bernardino. He was hired in February of 2021 and was able to share how his job enables him to assist American Indian students with their transition to college.

“CSUSB realized the need for an elder to help retain American Indian students,” Levi said. “I showed an interest in the opportunity, and CSUSB Administration saw me as a person who can help them better serve the AI student body. So, to a degree my work does involve maintaining AI students to finish their degrees.”

As a San Diego State University graduate and citizen of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, Levi is in an ideal position to address issues and concerns AI students may have about their education at this level.

“My involvement with our AI students is one of being their ‘strict’ uncle; making sure they are studying, asking about their grades and just being there for them,” he said. “I am part of a support team to make them less anxious and/or alienated at CSUSB. I am also the Staff Advisor for our CSUSB American Indian Student Organization.”

Levi works alongside First People’s Center Director Carlos Gonzales, VP of Student Affairs Dr. Molly Springer and the Office of Student Engagement to assist, in any way, the American Indian students.

He said during the career and college fair, most students who visited his table wanted to know about financial aid, campus life, living in the dorms, classes and what CSUSB has to offer American Indian students. He was able to share with them that most of the current AI students at the university are majoring in U.S. History, anthropology, nursing, psychology and political science.

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Noli, which serves students in grades six through 12, has benefitted from a reading grant for many years allowing the school to purchase several thousand books to keep its library fresh. In past years, staff would make about four shopping trips to replenish books for the school, classrooms and students. This year, a few staff members met one time to purchase $15,000 in books when pandemic restrictions were temporarily relaxed. Jacquelin Phillips works with middle school students at Noli’s Reading Department and assisted with the book purchasing. “We bought books for all ages – preschool to adults,” she said. “We wanted to make sure not just students and their siblings got books, but parents and guardians as well.”

Post said the school has used Barnes & Noble (booksellers) for several years because they have been very helpful and supportive of everything the school is trying to do to get students to read more. Despite having a wide variety of titles for different age groups, Post said it is difficult to keep enough books from the Harry Potter and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series in stock. Noli staff worked at the campus to separate books by age group and reading level so when a student requests a book through their teacher, a pre-sorted box can be loaded into the vehicle for a run to their house to choose from. “The entire staff and I believe in the importance of reading at a young age,” Post said. “It sets the tone for a young student’s success in school.

If a child has difficulties reading by the fourth grade, it will carry through with them well into high school. If we can create a culture at the school where students do not fear holding books that are a lower grade level, and we have a great support system in place, we can help any student find a love of reading. This is what we have been trying to do for the past five years.” Phillips added that literacy is important for all ages, no matter one’s reading stage. “Literacy helps develop our reading skills, writing skills and social skills which helps us become well-rounded individuals in society,” she said.

During past “typical” school years, Noli staff was able to offer book-related events, such as BINGO for Books and book giveaway days. Phillips enjoyed the get-togethers at the Sports Complex, where students and their families would play multiple games of BINGO and win cool prizes and books. “In addition, Mr. Post would serve pizza and drinks, which was neat because teachers, students and families were able to socialize and have fun,” Phillips said. Post said all those events were designed to get parents and family members to come down to the school and get involved with their students.

“With the bookmobile, we are able to provide that interaction again,” he said. “COVID-19 has really stopped us in our tracks as student safety has taken priority so it’s just plain fun to see students and their families again while maintaining recommended safety protocols.” As acting preschool director, Post took boxes of books to Soboba Tribal Preschool so staff and students could enjoy celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday, also on March 2.

It was the young children who got the benefit of a gift by choosing a free book to take home with them. There were also some mystery gifts they earned by playing a fishing game with teacher Amber Lopez, based on the Seuss classic: “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” Kindergarten teacher Antonia Venegas said the bookmobile gave staff the opportunity to see their students in person and ask them questions about what they would be interested in reading. “We had more than half our class visit,” she said. “We have already followed up with the students who visited, and they said they were excited about their books. Just seeing the children was my favorite part.”

The three-hour event, attended by about 50 students and their families, was part of the school’s week-long celebration of Dr. Seuss. “Our curriculum for the week was all Dr. Seuss based and we chose a book or two a day to read,” Venegas said. “The kids made their own socks, a ‘wocket’ in their pocket, a hat (from Cat in the Hat) and other fun stuff. We also had rainbow fish and juice to party with on Tuesday.” Melissa Vera teaches three-year-olds and enjoyed a virtual Dr. Seuss birthday party with her class that consisted of snacks such as “Moose Juice” (Capri Sun), “one fish, two fish” (Goldfish crackers) and “Hop on Pop” (popcorn).

She appreciated the bookmobile delivering books to help expand the literacy level for students. “My favorite part was seeing all the kids come and watch how excited they were to see all the books that were available to them and to see them also excited to grab a mystery give-away gift,” she said. “We asked them how they liked the book they picked and to show us their book on Zoom the following day.”

Post said reading with children at a young age is vital. “If we can provide great books for parents to read to their children, all the better. It just makes for a great partnership between the school and the community that we serve,” he said. Phillips said that only two families were allowed into the preschool event area at a time. “This has been a rough year for our students and all students,” she said. “If we can bring some much-needed distractions and happiness, then we will happily deliver books to students’ houses and to their families.” During the preschool event and home deliveries, all social distance protocols were observed, and masks were required to be worn by everyone. Staff wore gloves to set up tables filled with books.

“We only served one household at a time,” Post said. “We set up the tables next to our vehicle and used cleaning wipes and other sanitation supplies after each visit. It is a slow process to ensure safety is met but, in the end, we do get to see students again even if it is from six feet away.”

Read Across America, the nation’s largest celebration of reading, was launched in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA). To learn more, please visit www.nea.org.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians • Contributed

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The second half of the school year has been strange for students across the country but seniors at the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians’ Noli Indian School persevered to earn their diplomas. A tribal parade is planned for later this month and a formal commencement ceremony is being organized for August, but students were able to pick up their well-earned sheepskins on June 3.

“We invited the students to stop by the school from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and be personally congratulated by staff, administration and school board members,” board president Antonia Venegas said. “We want them to know how proud we are of their accomplishments in spite of not being able to have in-person classes since mid-March.”

The 15 seniors from the Class of 2020 who earned the privilege to graduate from high school are Monique Arres, Jarred Briones, Juanmanuel “Johnny” Garcia, Bailee Lindsey, Erika Modesto, Lawrence Modesto, Shaun Molina II, Timothy Salgado, Josiah Vargas and Alejandro “Alex” Vallejo, all from Soboba; Marilyn Castorena and Melvin Herbert from Morongo; Anthony Chapparosa from Los Coyotes; Tishmal Herrera from La Jolla; and Sierra Tortes from Torres-Martinez.

Noli serves Native American students in grades six through 12 and eighth-grade students being promoted to high school were also honored. Principal Donovan Post joined others in personally delivering a promotion certificate, a yard sign and a memorabilia package to each of their homes on June 2. Those promoted were Jesse Cruz, Ahon No Wes Dailey, Luisa Rivera, Raymond Russell, Leandro “Andy” Silvas and Damien Vega, all from Soboba; Suzette Almada from San Juan; Alexander Brane from Mesa Grande of Diegueno; Max Hernandez from Morongo; Franciso “Frankie” Leyva and Maritza Zaragoza-Castellano from Los Coyotes; and Faith Salgado and Anthony Salgado from Cahuilla. “Making it through middle school is no small feat,” Post said in a videotaped message posted on the school’s website.

“This is not the way we wanted to celebrate but not even a worldwide pandemic can stop us from celebrating with you now.” Richard Moreno, who teaches science and English to middle school students, said the memorabilia packages included gifts from Noli teachers, administration and the school board. He said the mobile pomp and circumstance unit observed all social-distancing protocols as provided by the CDC and the state of California. “While this celebration will mark the end of your middle school chapter, it is the beginning of your high school journey, and the continuation of your lifelong learning endeavor,” he said.

Venegas and fellow board members Lucille Briones, Mike Placencia, Sandy Boniface and Stacia Maciel also created goody bags for the students and had banners made for each of them. They all understood the extra effort it took on the part of the students, their families and the teachers to make sure that everyone stayed focused while not physically on campus. “The biggest challenge was figuring out what worked for online learning and what didn’t,” Venegas said. “We made sure everyone had access to the Internet and provided printouts for those that struggled with online learning.” She said many staff and school board members checked in with the students on a one-on-one basis making sure they were okay.

“And they all came together to make sure the students were celebrated for their accomplishments,” Venegas said. Lucille Briones has been on the school board for 18 years and said she was concerned about the impact on students that were not able to be in their classrooms each day. “The staff and administration really stepped up with the eighth-grade promotion visits,” she said. “I know students felt left out not getting a recognition ceremony. And our seniors missed out on prom, grad night, senior events and most importantly, a graduation ceremony.” Board member Michael Placencia had just been elected to the board again when the school was closed on March 16 and said it has been a challenge for him to get back on the same page with everything being done so differently.

“The staff came together for the students and the seniors finished all their work to ensure they could graduate on time,” he said.

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While local schools are experiencing closed campuses and utilizing distance learning for their students, Noli Indian School at the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Reservation has taken steps to ensure that its daily curriculum is kept as normal as possible. To that end, Cultural Teacher Tashina Ornelas has kept students moving along in their studies and projects online. “As a school, I believe we still hold the value of our culture program as a priority, just as we do for our other elective courses,” she said.

“We are fortunate to understand the need students have for all the courses for various reasons.” Prior to the unprecedented situation our schools are facing, Ornelas and some of her students had discussions about making camp dresses for 13 kindergarten girls at Soboba’s Tribal Preschool. Several ninth graders volunteered earlier in the school year to do this and the skirts were delivered in early March to the excited children. Ornelas, who has been creating and facilitating her own culture programs at Noli for about 15 years, met with the participating high schoolers during their 18-minute daily advisory period. Soboba Tribal Members who made skirts were Leila Arres, Iyana “Tot” Briones, Tatiana “Roo” Briones, Bella Resvaloso, Destiny Salgado and Faith Vega. Others were Anisa Brañe of Mesa Grande and Lakota Bates of Torres Martinez. The first step included measuring all the kindergarten girls and finding out their favorite colors.

After fabric and ribbon was purchased, it took about a week to cut all fabric to size. Pinning took another week or two and sewing hems took one to two weeks, depending on the student’s experience. “Once hems were sewn, we laid the ribbon which took another week,” Ornelas explained. “(Hand) sewing ribbon is more challenging so this took about two weeks. Then the elastic was added, which only took a day or two. Sewing up the skirt is the last step.” Overall, it can take anywhere from two to six weeks to complete a skirt based on the time allotted for the project, experience of the dressmaker and mental space. “I teach some particular family protocols as well, so if girls are not in the correct mental space, they do not work on the skirt which adds time.

The process of gifting takes all our energy and we owe it to be positive. If we cannot be positive, we don’t work. To work in such negativity would be bad medicine,” Ornelas said. “A few of the girls came in on their own time or after school so it’s hard to say how long it actually took to make each skirt.” No previous knowledge of sewing was needed but the more experienced sewers felt more confident to jump right in. “I thought it was a good way to teach the little ones about carrying on traditions,” said Leila Arres, 14, who has made skirts before. “It was a lot of fun to work on them; I made four.” She said when they delivered the skirts, the little girls were so excited.

“They loved them and didn’t want to take them off,” Leila said. Bella Resvaloso, 14, said she thought all the dresses turned out really pretty and was happy to work together with her classmates to learn how to make them. “I decided to get involved because I think it’s a good thing for our culture and our past history,” said Faith Vega, 14. “I saw my niece at the preschool, and she was so proud of me.” Anisa Brañe said her goal while making the dresses was to create something that would make the young girls happy. This is her second year participating in the collaborative program. “They were waiting for us when we got to the school shouting ‘our skirts are here’ – it was cool,” said Anisa, 16.

Ornelas, who has been overseeing the dressmaking program for more than five years, said her methods and choices of topics are family based – it is what she has been taught by her family and what they practice. She shares her family’s ways and beliefs, being sure to explain that it is surely not the only way but gives the students perspective that allows for open conversations. “I am what we call Húu’unikat which in a general term translates to ‘teacher’ in Luiseño,” she said. “I share with the students how I was taught by my family including protocols/rituals.

Since I am sharing my family’s way and they are learning under me, it’s expected that they carry on the tradition as I have guided them. Now of course if their family has a particular set way they do it, then of course I would expect them to follow their own family’s protocols/traditions.” As Noli’s Culture Department Coordinator, Ornelas facilitates cultural programs through Indian Education for children of many communities. She has taught in various capacities for TANF and the Soboba Cultural Resource Department during her 15 years teaching at Noli.

“Culture for the most part does not come from a book,” she said. “It is living and breathing. Culture is Life. It is the essence of traditions/customs.” Ornelas enjoys the dressmaking program as a way to share knowledge, make and learn from mistakes and build positive relationships with youth of different ages.

All materials are either purchased by the preschool or Ornelas and sometimes is donated by community members or community groups. “Truthfully, it is difficult to teach at a distance because I do love hands-on collaborative approaches but it is because of that I know we must protect our students so we have something to return to in the near future,” she said. “Perhaps it will create even more of a respect for honoring and passing on our traditions.”

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Noli Indian School students were busy before the school was temporarily closed due to recommendations surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak. In early March, AVID program students wrote stories, freshmen participated in mock job interviews and sophomores presented group projects.

Students in middle and high school grades who are enrolled in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program were tasked with creating a story about superheroes. After the stories were written and illustrated and put together in the form of a storybook, they visited the Soboba Tribal Preschool to share their tales.

On March 3, middle school students Luisa Rivera, Paakishla Valenzuella, Damien Vega and Maritza Zaragoza visited all the classrooms to read to the young children. High School students visited on other days to do the same.

“They were asked to create a story to highlight how anyone can make a difference after learning about young people who are superstars for their humanitarian advocacy,” said Elizabeth Alford LaCella, who teaches English and coordinates the AVID program. “They were asked to come up with a super strength such as saving our oceans from pollution and then present the message in a way that would be understandable at a preschool level.”

Rivera’s story, “Paa’ila and Friends Recycle,” was about turtle friends of Sonny Island who found something shiny and colorful in the ocean where they lived. Paa’ila and friends told their schoolteacher, Miss Starfish, what they had found and she said if they found more they should remove it from the ocean. While taking the trash they found to the shore, a baby raccoon named Charlie agreed to help and found a big basket they could put the trash into. The story reflected how working together for a common goal can be fun if you do it with your friends – even new ones.

Valenzuella created a story about a boy named Pablo who tries to make friends but is bullied because he is new to the town. But the next day he returned to the park and one of the boys sat with him and they got along fine. The other kids joined them, and they all became friends. The story showed that it only takes one person to show kindness towards another and then it will spread.

Vega wrote about “The Plastic Bottle” and how a boy named Todd saw a plastic bottle floating down the river near his home and removed it because he knew it could harm the fish. After seeing this happen a few more times, Todd went in search of the source of the bottles. When he saw a man tossing them into the river, he explained why it was not a good idea and the man realized he should recycle instead of disposing of his plastic bottles into the water. Todd shared his experience with his mom and they started a group to help educate the public through posters explaining the harm plastic does to ocean life.

Zaragoza incorporated some Spanish language lessons into her book about feeding the hungry. As Katie the dinosaur was walking home, she met some terribly thin dinosaurs who were craving some tasty leaf burritos. She asked her mom to make some extras that she could share with them the next day. The hungry dinosaurs were so grateful that Katie had the idea of working with her mom to create the “Feed the Hungry Foundation” from their own kitchen.

On March 4, Alford instructed freshmen students on real world employment skills and how attitude, attire and eye contact are key to a successful interview. Students were given the opportunity to test those skills on March 4 when they met with community members who acted as employers and posed questions to them about their experience and qualifications for the job.

Applications were completed based on job descriptions for either a host/hostess or groundskeeper at the Soboba springs Golf Course. In the process of completing the applications during class, Alford encouraged students to relate activities they have already done to the current job they were seeking. Helping family members with yard cleanup and other outdoor maintenance would be considered pertinent and taking part in community service shows a willingness to be friendly and helpful to others.

Alford and Wesley Snyder, who teaches English and serves as Senior Advisor, joined forces to educate sophomores on the importance of working together as a team and presenting to an audience. Students were broken into four groups of four who were asked to create a business and then produce a visual representation of a home page for its website. They were given about 15 minutes to complete the project and showed much creativity.

One group created a new soda and called it Exotic Pop, with a nod to its most popular flavor of Lemon Zest. Other businesses were a family medical practice, a clothing company Top $helf and the Freshkix shoe company.

Business Manager Genna Santini, part of Noli’s administrative staff, pitched in to help with the freshmen and sophomore projects.

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Middle and High School students from Noli Indian School at the Soboba Reservation were honored for their hard work for the first semester of the 2019-2020 school year with an Academic Awards Assembly on Jan. 22.

“We are not really here to celebrate the awards but rather what was put into earning the award,” Principal Donovan Post said as he welcomed students and their friends and family members who attended the event held at the Soboba Sports Complex. “Everyone has the opportunity to accomplish this. That’s why we’re here – to celebrate the hustle that’s behind the recognition.”

Teachers voted for students in grades six through 12 for various achievements. Leadership awards were given to one student from each grade level that demonstrated strong qualities in and out of the classroom. Those that acknowledged and exemplified the school’s 3Rs of respect, responsibility and reflection were rewarded for their good citizenship. Students showing significant improvement from their first to second quarter were also applauded.

“A lot of hard work, effort, determination, mindset or whatever changes need to happen on your end took place to make you feel like you could do this and we are here to congratulate you on being recognized for it today,” Post said.

He added that this school year has produced more family involvement than ever before and was appreciative of all the family members who give of their time and help out in many ways. Students are positively impacted by teacher motivation and family interest.

Individual classroom awards were also presented. Certificates were given for having the highest grades in the class, contributing to a positive culture in the classroom and other customized reasons. Several awards created by each teacher were presented during the event.

Those who received certificates and medals for excellent leadership at each grade level were Shawna Rivera (6), Daigan Cyhan (7), Maritza Zaragoza-Castellano (8), Anisa Brane (9), Lanise Luna (10), Vanessa Fernandez (11) and Anthony Chapparosa (12).

Certificates and medals for excellent citizenship through exhibition of the school’s 3Rs of Respect, Responsibility and Reflection were presented to Sadie Pimental and Sophie Resvaloso (6, tie), Jacklyn Ramirez (7), Caleb McKenzie (8), Jacqueleen Mangilinan (9), Isaac Robles and Carmel Valenzuella (10, tie), Canaan Tubby (11) and Bailee Lindsey and Shalea Luna (12, tie).

Students who showed the most improvement from the first quarter to the second quarter were recognized with certificates and medals. They were Ferdencia Morreo (6), Johnny Gutierrez (7), Leandro Silvas (8), Debra Chapparosa (9), Elle Nevarez (10), Raymond Masiel (11) and Melvin Herbert (12).

Middle school students who made the Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.4 were Luisa Rivera, Abel Vallejo and Damien Vega. High schoolers who achieved that same level were Monique Arres, Anisa Brane, Jarred Briones, Jimmy Briones, Vanessa Fernandez, Jesse Garcia, Shania House, Shyla Marcus, Javier Martinez, Ciara Ramos, Jerimiah Ramos, Sica Rivera and Amy Soza.

Those who earned a GPA of 3.5 and above were named to the Distinguished Honor Roll. Middle schoolers were Daigan Cyhan, Sadie Pimentel and Shawna Rivera. Upper grade students who were recognized for this achievement were Leila Arres, Iyana Briones, Tatianna Briones, Anthony Contreras, Melvin Herbert, Tishmal Herrera, Lanise Luna and Shalea Luna.

Bailee Lindsey was presented with a certificate of achievement and medal for attaining the highest level of a 4.0 GPA, enabling her to be on the Principal’s Honor Roll.

Post said some students are not sure how to handle receiving positive accolades and provided some advice to them: “Believe in yourself more than the staff believes in you.”

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It took weeks of designing and planning for the final display of floats to be ready for the Noli Indian School Homecoming Parade on Nov. 1. Grades six through 12 each made a float to match this year’s fairy tale theme. The Soboba Tribal Preschool joined in with their own interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood.

“Our parent committee did everything,” Preschool director Dianne King said. “They even made their own Instagram page for this.”

One of the parents made 3D flowers and a grandmother to one of the students made and donated balloon “trees” to replicate the forest from the story. Stephanie Guacheno has been on the committee for the past eight years, since her first child attended the school.

“The kids had a lot of fun and riding on the float gives them all a chance to dress up and give away the little candy bags they made,” she said.

The parade left the school’s Soboba Reservation parking lot and traveled about two miles up Castile Canyon Road to get to The Oaks football field before the 6:30 p.m. game started. It took about 30 minutes for all the floats to arrive as they stopped along the way so students could toss candy to residents, friends and family members who were parked or seated along the parade route.

Class floats depicted some Disney classics such Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin among other creative entries. First place prize for best float went to the Class of 2026 (sixth grade) for their retelling of Coco, a movie with a Day of the Dead storyline. Second place was awarded to the eighth-grade class of 2024 for its fantastic duplication of the pirate ship from Peter Pan.

The cheer squad, which placed third, played up Alice in Wonderland with sophomore Thalia Morreo in a blue dress and white apron as the young Alice. The team’s coach, Bridget Lowe, also teaches math to high school students at Noli. The 16 cheerleaders got to be on one of the first floats in the parade because the girls had to get for the game.

Following the school safety staff and its recreation of characters from Maleficent were Grand Marshals Antonia Venegas and Louis Rivera. Voted by the student body, Venegas said she was honored to be chosen. She’s been on the Noli school board for four years and is currently serving as president. She regularly helps the students with food fundraisers.

“It’s great to be here – football’s my thing,” she said. “I have brothers, cousins and other relatives on the team.”

After all the floats were parked at The Oaks, students began tearing them down.

“It’s a tradition,” senior Timothy Salgado said. “We take them all apart and those that put in a lot of work take some of the pieces home. The little kids get pumped that they get to take some things, too. It’s very exciting for everyone.”

The football game was dominated by the Noli Braves as they defeated the rival team from Indio’s Riverside Education Academy Tigers. The final score was 58-16. Coach Robert Stover and Assistant Coach Jesse Aguilar said the team has been strong all season long and were glad the players could keep up the momentum through this important game.

Halftime was all about royalty as the Homecoming Court was introduced and the King and Queen were chosen. Lowe took over the microphone from the play-by-play announcer to welcome the court to the 50-yard line.

Freshman Class Sweethearts were Sica Rivera and John Briones III, both Soboba tribal members. Sophomore Class Duchess was Caitlyn Briones (Cahuilla) and Duke was Edwin Muro (Soboba). Junior Class Princess was Shania House (Navajo) and Prince was Jerome Salgado III (Cahuilla).

Senior Class Queen nominees were Bailee Lindsey (Soboba), Monique Arres (Soboba), Shalea Luna (Pala) and Tishmal Herrera (La Jolla). Tishmal, who is on the cheer squad, was crowned queen.

Senior Class King nominees were Jarred Briones (Soboba), Anthony Chapparosa (Los Coyotes) and Shaun Molina (Soboba). Jarred, who plays with jersey No. 15 on the Braves football team, was crowned king.

A dance afterwards at the Old Tribal Hall was a celebration of a great game, a coming together of the school’s alumni and a chance to have fun with friends and family.

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