Our students love each other and they love God. Our students love to learn and love their Native culture. We were able to bring together these four things the first week of September when our students had an educational day at the Go-Jii-Ya grounds in preparation for Go-Jii-Ya, the Jicarilla Apache harvest celebration and foot race. Students had the opportunity to bead bone bracelets, listen to presentations from both Ollero and Llanero clan representatives and participate in fun competitions including a tug-o-war.

The day looked like it was going to get rained out as storm clouds rolled in. The buses were too far away to immediately load students in them. Before we knew it, a massive storm with thunder, rain, and hail broke over us. Students hid under tables, eventually crowding into the one tipi and some canopies that were being used for food preparation. Instead of panic or disappointment ruling the day, we ended up celebrating our students who wanted to splash and dance in the rain. Two teachers led a group in singing Lord of the Dance. Laughter rang out above the peals of thunder. When it came time to climb back on the bus, every student left a bit wet, but with a smile and a great memory of a storm that blessed us at the Go-Jii-Ya grounds.