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Chief Leschi Schools is a K-12 institution consisting of elementary, middle, and high school levels. It is an all-Native American school that strongly embodies its culture and athletics. I played football, basketball, and ran track. As athletes of this school, we carry much more with us than just our gear or game faces; we carry years of tradition and the pride of our ancestors. As students and athletes, we are consistently reminded of this through a practice we call “circle.” At circle, we engage in our culture by singing songs and dancing. Many of our athletes participate, while some choose to drum, and others opt to sing.  In our school’s logo, you may notice feathers. A feather in Native American culture symbolizes many things, such as pride, protection, understanding, and faith, all of which are very important to our school and community. We display these symbols on our jerseys and uniforms, showcasing our culture. There are many times I recall being proud to showcase my school pride and culture. When I was sent off from school to the WIAA Track and Field state championships in Yakima, I felt immense support and pride walking those halls, accompanied by the songs I grew up with. These are the same songs I remember from childhood. We drum out all of our athletes for state to show respect and honor for demonstrating what it means to be a Chief Leschi Warrior. 

As a basketball player, our culture was often reflected at games. One memorable occasion was during the District 4 championships. As a smaller school with diverse students, we don’t have a band like other schools. Instead, our parents and fans brought our traditional drums. This unique sound distinguished us from the bands, allowing the drums to stand out. Although we lacked a conventional band, this made us feel confident and allowed us to embrace our culture, which makes us unique as a school and community. Chief Leschi Schools are full of talented athletes in every sport and activity. Sports show our unique culture and traditions in many ways, such as the last names of some of our students. As Native American students, we have last names that date back to our ancestors. When opposing teams announce our names, this demonstrates our culture. Spectators may have never heard of these names. We will always be proud of our last names, as in Native American culture, we carry our names with tremendous pride. 

There are many things about Chief Leschi Schools that I would want people to know. One of those things is that talent is all around. Not just athletically, but academically. We have some of the most intelligent individuals. You can shine and excel no matter your race, gender, or age. I believe this is something that reflects Chief Leschi. We will always do our absolute best in everything we do.