For its twenty-third year, The John Carroll School hosted the Morning Star Pow Wow for its last celebration on campus.
Beginning in 2001, Social Studies Teacher Gary Scholl introduced the idea of hosting a Pow Wow since he himself has visited many local ones in the past and out West.
The Pow Wow was celebrated at JC to help raise funds for the St. Labre Indian School, located in Ashland, Montana where Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribes can receive a better academic program.
The event was first pitched as a part of the Anthropology class and eventually became a part of the curriculum, providing students the opportunity to help run the event and host it.
Anthropology students set up chairs, tables, and mats the night before, and the day of, they helped with donations at the school entrance, maintained the raffle table, and participated in Pow Wow activities.
Senior Sammie Bender said, “The Pow Wow was really cool and something I have never seen or experienced before. We got a lot of donations that are going to St. Labre School, and the turnout of people was amazing. I enjoyed the Pow Wow more than I thought I would.”
The Pow Wow included numerous singers and dancers who represented native tribes and welcomed guests with Native American flute performances, traditional drumming, and other Native American customs.
Mr. Scholl explained, “The Pow Wow involves traditional indigenous drum groups, dancers in tribal regalia, and vendors offering traditional crafts and art. The tribes represented at the Pow Wow include Cheyenne, Lakota, Kiowa, Nanticoke, Lenni Lenape, Navajo, and Iroquois.”
“It is an opportunity for Native Americans in the Mid-Atlantic region to come together to celebrate their culture and be with family and friends. It is an opportunity for Native Americans to share their rich culture and tribal traditions,” Mr. Scholl added.
For Mr. Scholl, personally, “it is an opportunity to renew a quarter century of friendships and celebrate with my extended family.”
With Mr. Scholl contributing to the Cheyenne community for more than 50 years, this year’s event will be the final Pow Wow hosted at JC.
Due to limited space for dancers, vendors, and spectators, future Pow Wows will be held at Harford Community College as a cultural event.
This year’s Native tradition raised around $4000 for the St. Labre Indian School and will continuously support children’s academic careers in the future.
Everyone can support too by donating on their website at give.stlabre.org.