NEMO - Jamal Duron had never seen Native American culture so up close and personal.

During the closing ceremonies of the first Native American Heritage Day at the Boxelder Job Corps last week, Duron joined hundreds of other students and staff members in a round dance that weaved its way around the gym.

"I think it's pretty cool," he said, leaving the gym to catch a breath of the cool winter air that moved into the Black Hills early last week. School officials plan to put on the event every year, and Duron, a facility maintenance major from Denver, said he wouldn't mind that at all.

Between 30 percent and 40 percent of the student population at the job corps is Native American, and students took in a day's worth of activities designed to celebrate and support the culture.

The students who participate in the program come from the Black Hills and all over the United States to finish high school work and enter work-track programs.

Because some students are from different parts of the country, they might not be familiar with the Native American culture.

"We wanted students to learn about the cultures around them," said principal Bonnie Fuller.

The students met and ate lunch with Native American presenters and dancers, listened to music performed by the Green Grass Creek Singers and watched dancers Terra Houska and Mariah Bear Runner demonstrate traditional and contemporary dances.

The students also had the opportunity to visit organizational displays, compete in hand games and listen to storytelling.

"I believe education comes out of more than just books," Fuller told the students during the morning, encouraging them to do more than observe.

Students from nearby schools also attended the event to enjoy the celebration and learn more about the program. Brenda Mabbs, a graduation coach at Central High School, brought 22 students to the event.

"They really liked it," she said. "We just wanted them to see what it was like out there."

Students offered tours of the facilities throughout the day and the Central students took advantage of it, Mabbs said. The tour guide was very honest about life in the program, she added.

"She was giving them the real ropes," she said.

Students can choose from a variety of trades and can earn credits through the technical schools in the state. The program is set on a campus 4 miles from Nemo, tucked in heavily wooded hills. A fresh coat of snow glistened in the sun last week and pine trees cast long shadows across the grounds.

The program is also strict about how the students live. Most of the students live at the facility in dorms, and must follow a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. They wear clothes appropriate to the trade they work in, and must earn an A or a B to complete a course in school.

Bear Runner and Houska dedicated their dances to the students in the audience.

"We wanted to do an honor song for you," Bear Runner said, "to encourage education for you, our pride in you."

Tyrone Little Hawk, Stanley Looking Horse, Delano Cook and Lois Looking Horse of the Green Grass Creek Singers leaned in toward the drum beat as they held the rhythm for the dancers.

Lois Looking Horse was glad to be a part of the event.

"I thought it was great," she said during a break. "I'm glad they're encouraging cultural diversity."

Toward the end of the event, school administrators asked the students to join in one final round dance and students made their way to the center of the gym to join hands.

"It's really simple; everyone should come out and try it," Bear Runner said with a smile.

Twenty minutes later, the students split for a break, pouring out of the building into fresh air and sunlight.

Duron followed the stream of students.

"I've never experienced anything like that before," he said. "I've seen it on TV, but not firsthand."

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com

About the Boxelder Job Corps

Students between the ages of 16 and 24 are given two years to obtain their GEDs or high school diplomas, and can choose from a variety of trades, including culinary arts, painting, masonry, nursing and welding.

The program also offers opportunities to earn credits through technical schools in the state and to work on service projects in the surrounding communities.

The program is valued at $29,000 and is free to students who are accepted. Most students live in dorms and are required to follow a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy.

Administrators say one of the best things about the program is that it's self-paced. The teachers work with each student on an individual basis, and the program graduates students every two months.