(Arapahoe, WY) – It was Warriors against Warriors at last week’s Senior Night Recognition basketball games, where the Worland Warriors and the Arapaho Charter High School Warriors boys and girls basketball teams played each other for the ACHS Senior Recognition Night.
However, both sides came together at the Recognition Night to highlight the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person (MMIP) cause. Each of the girls’ teams adorned a red handprint on their legs (the symbol of MMIP/MMIW), while many attendees also wore red to show their support.
“Today… we want to honor and recognize missing and murdered indigenous people,” High School Principal Katie Law announced during the girls’ game halftime, before explaining the significance of the red handprint symbol.
Law then introduced MMIP Wind River Chairperson Nicole Wagon and fellow advocate/Medicine Wheel Riders member Corinne Tuma.
“I would like to thank the seniors who reached out to help bring the MMIP awareness to their senior night,” Wagon opened. “I applaud their efforts to bring awareness about this epidemic, this crisis, with both teams, wearing a red handprint on their calf.”
“Wearing red is to honor those lost in the MMIW crisis, for everyone affected by the crisis of missing/murdered indigenous people,” Wagon continued. “We come together today to remember and honor them. Each life lost is a person with a family, friends, dreams. They were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, and two-spirited individuals. They all had their own special beauty, strength, and spirit. Their laughter, love, and light touched the hearts of everyone around them.”
“We say their names to keep their memories alive, honor their lives, and seek justice for the MMIP family. Their legacy pushes us to fight for change and ensure no more families suffer this pain. Today, we stand together in grief and determination. We thank everyone who supports the cause of MMIP, fighting for justice, awareness, and most of all, prevention.”
Wagon then shared that she was “overwhelmed” to learn that ACHS students decided to host the MMIP night because they were inspired by the passing of the recent missing persons bill in the Wyoming Legislature. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the Arapaho Charter High School for dedicating their senior recognition.”
Tuma echoed many of Wagon’s sentiments, and also complimented the ACHS staff.
“You have got a bunch of great teachers here,” Tuma commented. “Stay strong, be careful, and watch one another. That’s all we can do is watch one another.”
“As gratitude, we bought gifts and t-shirts for the five seniors again,” Wagon then shared. “It’s empowering (to) invest in our youth and support them. They are the next upcoming leaders and the path for the next generation to come.”
The seniors recognized at the games included: Shawna Gardner, Kenya Rhodes, Dontae Antelope, Nyjah Behan, Julie Monroe. (Note: County 10 was unable to stay for the boys’ game.)
Mark Rhodes also announced before the game started that three of the Lady Warriors basketball players have been selected to participate in a basketball camp in Barcelona, Spain, and that fundraising efforts are forthcoming.
“I would also like to thank the Worland Warriors for coming out and giving these girls and boys the opportunity to have their last game of the year,” Rhodes also commented before sharing that the school/teams have worked to gain a varsity status for the 2025/26 school year.
“We’re not a varsity squad yet, but through the hard work of these young ladies and young men, after next year, we will be sanctioned in a varsity team. So that’s a big deal. Both parents and supporters of these Warriors and Lady Warriors, just keep doing what you guys are doing. Always be here for them, support them, show them the way. We can all be together and work in this.”