choctaw tribal schools superintendent choctaw tribal schools superintendent

Brian Parkman. One of the biggest problems was fire. This was a school for Choctaw boys in Chahta Tamaha, operated by Presbyterian missionaries. Chitimacha Tribal School D50S09 3 Year Avg 144 1,101,550 Choctaw Agency: Bogue Chitto Elementary School D78S21 3 Year Avg 364 2,782,240 Choctaw Central High School D78S23 3 Year Avg 1,029 7,868,360 . We honor the past, live in the present and look to the future. [3], Wright joined Captain Wilkin's Company of Choctaw infantry on July 25, 1862. by | Jun 30, 2022 | hunter funeral home obituary | hillview middle school graduation 2021 | Jun 30, 2022 | hunter funeral home obituary | hillview middle school graduation 2021 He serves L.W. :: Tribal Distribution Memorandum :: New Application Form :: Voluntary Witholding Request Form :: Tribal Distribution Changes Form :: Direct Deposit Authorization Form For More Information Please Contact: Barbara.ben@choctaw.org /601-650-1560 Cynthia.isaac@choctaw.org /601-663-7608 Sandie.Gibson@choctaw.org /601-650-1568 FAX: 601-663-7512 We are a large enough district to offer every type of academic, athletic, and fine arts programs as any other large school district in the state yet our district is small enough to educate each child as an individual. Choctaw-Nicoma Park Schools offers an excellent Pre-K thru 12th grade educational experience. While the Choctaw Academy was primarily a success in the eyes of those who didnt attend the school, former students and various leaders from the Creeks, Choctaw, Miami, Potawatomi, Chickasaw, Seminole, and other tribes came to view their experience and the school as a disappointment. Terms of Use About the Encyclopedia. Early life. Success Through Academic Recognition (STAR). 122 Division of Schools Dr. | Choctaw, MS 39350 | Phone: 601.650.7302 Search. The Choctaw Tribal School System is a school system based in the community of Choctaw, Mississippi (US). Arithmetic, music, and geography were also taught, and in some schools pupils learned algebra, geometry, U.S. history, chemistry, philosophy, botany, astronomy, painting, drawing, and Latin grammar. Choctaw Tribal Schools went to lockdown amid potential threats Choctaw Tribal Schools reported Monday that potential threats were made that could have involved Red Water Elementary. Sergeant Novotny works for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department. Students truly feel a caring and connected environment in our school district. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. Guide teachers in reviewing district pacing guides and student performance records. [5] One of their granddaughters was Muriel Hazel Wright, who became a noted Oklahoma author and historian. [1], After serving in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, Wright was elected as Principal Chief, serving from 1866 to 1870. google_ad_slot = "PNM_OM_728x90_bottom"; The U.S. Government established at Blue Springs Farm, home of Vice President R.M. Georgia man arrested following high-speed chase through town. Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District, Holmes County Consolidated School District, Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and the Blind School District, North Bolivar Consolidated School District, Okolona Municipal Separate School District, Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, Sunflower County Consolidated School District, West Bolivar Consolidated School District, Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District. [4] According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, he was elected to two terms in the Choctaw House of Representatives and to three terms as treasurer of the Choctaw Nation. The Choctaw, one of the Five Tribes of the southeastern United States, wanted to have their children educated. School Board Meeting - Administration Office. Prior to that he served as Principal for a number of years in school districts in the Mississippi Delta. The schools first and longest serving superintendent was local Baptist minister and close friend of Johnson, Thomas Henderson. for Curriculum and Instruction, Kelli Hosford Click the link above to complete the survey. In the mid-1990s, Billy Mills, the second Native American to win an Olympic gold medal, spoke to the school body. Assistant Superintendent The schools are non-public schools, operated as a division of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and are accredited by AdvancED/ Cognia and the Mississippi Department of Education. In 1830, in part in response to the tension between students and the enslaved population, Johnson relocated the academy from his Blue Springs property to his White Sulphur Springs property (all located near Great Crossings in Scott County). Having trouble? The boarding schools had their share of problems. All of our CNP schools and facilities have been upgraded and renovated thanks to a 93 Million Dollar bond issue approved by patrons a few years ago. Should you need information or have questions that are not addressed on this website, please contact the school site or the administration office for further information. Included in this website for your convenience are district attendance boundaries, information regarding immunizations, school calendars and employment information. Wright served as superintendent of schools for the Choctaw Nation from 1880 to 1884. The Choctaw Tribal School System is dedicated to providing the best possible education for our students. On the campus of Choctaw High School we have the 3,500 seat Jim McCharen Activities Center for basketball, wrestling, and volleyball. Create an account. Our support services are varied and many. STOPit is the nations leading Anonymous Reporting System that teaches and empowers individuals to recognize and anonymously report safety, misconduct, and compliance concerns. OKLAHOMA CITY --With federal grant deadlines looming, the state's superintendent needs to urgently hire a federal programs director to ensure public school students have continued . In a bid to establish their independence and to lessen their reliance on the US government, the Choctaws wanted to create their own educational system within their new territory. Our district is located just east of the Oklahoma City and Tinker Air force Base and encompasses approximately 60 square miles. Several of the people Johnson enslaved were forced to work at the school, including his daughters and Chinn (primarily as cooks, maids, laborers, etc.). The Neshoba Democrat, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. Our students both need, and deserve nothing less if they are to reach their potentials. 601.775.8254. Prior to that he served as Principal for a number . 439 E Beacon Street Philadelphia, MS 39350 Choctaw Tribal Schools. Wright was among the signatories to the 1861 treaty that allied the Choctaw Nation with the Confederate States of America. Choctaw, North American Indian tribe of Muskogean linguistic stock that traditionally lived in what is now southeastern Mississippi. Again welcome to Choctaw-Nicoma Park Schools. Youths residing there attend the Hartshorne public schools. The Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District has been recognized with the What Parents Want Award in the annual School Match Awards Program. [1], Wright died in Boggy Depot, Indian Territory on December 2, 1885. David Reid, Superintendent of Schools Welcome to Choctaw-Nicoma Park Schools and thank you for visiting the Choctaw/Nicoma Park Public Schools Web Site. 122 Division of Schools Dr. | Choctaw, MS 39350 | Phone: 601.650.7302 Willie Morris, author, described the audience as "the most distinctive crowds I had ever seen four thousand or so people seemed almost an equal of a mix of whites, blacks, and Indians After Marcus scored his touchdown, [Sid Salter] saw Cecil Price Sr. who was 'jumping up and down and cheering as hard as anyone ain't that a kick in the pants?'" The number of students in each school varied from about twenty-five to more than one hundred. Anna Morrow is an Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor at Choctaw Virtual Learning Center based in Choctaw, Mississippi. Box 1088 Clarksdale, MS 38614 Tel: 662-627-8500 Whether you are a current resident of our school district or seeking to relocate within our school district, this website is designed to provide pertinent district information. Welcome to Choctaw-Nicoma Park Schools and thank you for visiting the Choctaw/Nicoma Park Public Schools Web Site. The father and surviving members of the family left Mississippi in October 1833 and settled in what is now McCurtain County, Oklahoma, in March 1834, during the period of forced Indian Removal by the federal government from the Southeast. W. David Baird, "Spencer Academy, Choctaw Nation, 18421900," The Chronicles of Oklahoma 45 (Spring 1967). Choctaw County School District P. O. Drawer 398 Ackerman, MS 39735 Tel: 662-285-4022 Fax: 662-285-4049 Dr. Sandra Nash Claiborne County School District 404 Market St. In 1860 there were five hundred Choctaw children attending neighborhood schools and four hundred in the boarding schools. Our fine Arts programs and athletic programs have won numerous Conference, Regional, and State Championships. The Choctaw Nation Congratulates the Kansas City Chiefs and Choctaw tribal member James Winchester on their Super Bowl LVII win. Privacy & Terms of Use. Choctaw Tribal Schools. all day. Feb 28, 2023. 122 Division of Schools Dr. | Choctaw, MS 39350 | Phone: 601.650.7302 Grierson has extensive experience within the Mississippi educational system and most recently served as Superintendent of Schools for the Louisville Municipal School District in Louisville, Mississippi. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Delta State University. An initial purpose of the boarding schools was to teach boys agriculture and mechanical arts and to teach girls how to sew and make clothing and to do household chores. ", Winchester is two-time Super Bowl Champion, Not Me Human Trafficking Community Conference held at the Choctaw Nation Event Center, Highlighting Chahta Ohoyo Hlampko Vhleha (Strong Choctaw Women) this Womens History Month, Makers and Masterpieces: Rivercane basketry at the Smithsonian, New housing options coming to CNO in 2024, Sexual assault victims can receive SANE services at Talihina Health Care Center. Or get help logging in. "Civilizing" American Indians was a main objective of the U.S. government in the nineteenth century. The Choctaw Tribal SchoolSystem consists of six elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, located in the east central Mississippi counties of Neshoba, Leake, and Newton. According to a biography published by the Chronicles of Oklahoma, Kiliahote's father died in 1839. Read More . We appreciate you taking a few minutes to let us know how we're doing meeting the needs of your child(ren). It's also a blessing to work with Chief Batton, Assistant Chief Austin and the Tribal Council as we look for ways to better serve our "Okla Chahta" (Choctaw people) with more opportunities. School system in Mississippi, United States, This list is incomplete: It includes schools directly operated by the BIE and those in association with the BIE along with those of predecessor agencies, Public boarding schools in the United States, Operated by the BIE or a predecessor agency, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, "Choctaw Tribal School District, Choctaw, Mississippi", "SACS CASI Accredited Schools: Mississippi", "Choctaw Central High School Choctaw Central Middle School Parent and Student Handbook School Year 2020-21", "Student Handbook 2020-2021 Student Handbook 2020-2021", Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians v. Holyfield, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe School, Template:Department of Defense Education Activity, NE Ctr f/t Ed of Children who are Blind or Vis Imp, Carol Martin Gatton Acad of Math & Sci in KY, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Choctaw_Tribal_School_System&oldid=1136761498, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Choctaw Central Middle School (Grades 7-8), This page was last edited on 1 February 2023, at 00:22. By JOHN LEE Students from Choctaw Tribal Schools participated in Native American Heritage Night by singing the American national anthem during the Ole Miss vs. South Carolina game on Feb. 19. We are a growing and progressive district with approximately 6,000 students housed in six elementary schools, two middle schools and one 6A high school. The tribe struggled to survive after arrival, but by the mid-1830s missionaries were developing neighborhood schools for the Choctaw children. The Choctaws relationship with the US changed dramatically once they were removed. Website. [5], The system operates a dormitory for its secondary students who do not live in the Pearl River area. Citizens in three districts of the Choctaw Nation will head to the polls for the 2021 Tribal Council elections Saturday, July 10. [5], The National Center for Education Statistics classifies the school system and its schools as public. As a graduate of Choctaw High School in . google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6055882063795349"; [1] The youth was taken in by Reverend Cyrus Kingsbury near Doaksville, and attended a mission school at Pine Ridge. In 1985, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a member of the Kennedy family and founder of the Special Olympics, spoke and praised the school's involvement with the "Let's Play to Grow" program. he remarried in 1889 to lorena harper and had a daughter. Copyright to all of these materials is protected under United States and International law. It's always beautiful and exciting to see leaves back on trees, green grass and warm weather! This shows the respect and admiration for our school district and community. The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, signed in Mississippi in 1830, stipulated that the Choctaw were to remove west of the Arkansas Territory and that this land would become their permanent home. Armstrong Academy(6410.B, George W. Hunter Collection, OHS). An entity operated by the federally recognized Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, [1] the district consists of eight schools in three counties: Neshoba, Leake, and Newton. Realizing that he wasnt going to be able to close the school (the school had already grown beyond the control of the Choctaws with students from several other tribes also enrolled at the school), Pitchlynn severed all ties between the Choctaws and the school and removed all their students in 1842. [1], Wright was elected Principal Chief of the Choctaw Tribe in 1866, and served until 1870. This beautiful 6,000 seat stadium is home to Yellowjacket football, soccer and track. Three housing complexes are coming soon. Submit a Correction Curriculum Coordinator/ RtI Coordinatorpamela.quick@choctawtribalschools.com601.663.7648, LeAnn Boswellleann.boswell@choctawtribalschools.com, Barbara FultonLimited English Proficiencybarbara.fulton@choctawtribalschools.com, Sherita LatikerMath Instructional Coachsherita.latiker@choctawtribalschools.com, Shelley RutlandELA Instructional Coachshelley.rutland@choctawtribalschools.com, 122 Division of Schools Dr. | Choctaw, MS 39350 | Phone: 601.650.7302. //-->. A gymnasium-field house was adjacent to the grandstand with-what else?- WARRIORS in sizable letters on the facade. Mission Statement:To implement aligned state standards, research the instructional and learning process, and investigate future education and technological trends to help Choctaw students become successful participants in tribal and global affairs. March is National Women's History Month. At various times the student body included students named: Thomas McKenny, Zachary Taylor, and of course Richard M. Johnson. Occasionally there were so many ailing students that a school served as a hospital, and deaths occurred. All of this meant that class and racial tensions amongst the students and the enslaved ran high. https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/594. We honor the past, live in the present and look to the future. 2:01. The couple had eight children together.[1][4]. He had been riding a circuit to evangelize the Gospel. choctaw tribal schools superintendent. Jackson not only advocated for the removal of all Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi River, but he also ended the governments attempts to respect Native Americans wishes when it came to educating their youth or their general participation in or integration into US society. February 14, 2017 -- Tribe Breaks Ground on Safe Room Project at Pearl River Elementary School (CHOCTAW, Miss. ) New Hope Seminary and Spencer Academy were revived in 1871. Choctaw Central Middle School D78S24 3 Year Avg 285 2,179,380 Conehatta Elementary School D78S22 3 Year Avg 321 2,452,480 Pearl River Elementary . Email This includes individual articles (copyright to OHS by author assignment) and corporately (as a complete body of work), including web design, graphics, searching functions, and listing/browsing methods. 1-601-656-4000, document.write(new Date().getFullYear()), On November 13, 1981, Dupree's final high school game was at Choctaw Bowl at Choctaw Central High School's Warriors Stadium. Or we perish!". Welcome to the Choctaw Tribal Schools. Use your securely stored data and documentation to apply for services in a more user-friendly and efficient manner. We are resilient people, overcoming adversity with grace and dignity. Superintendent (405) 390-5481: Anita Johnson: Administrative Assistant: ajohnson@cnpschools.org (405) 390-5481: . We have approximately 2100 students in eight schools. Choctaw principal chief Issac Garvin (187880) declared, "I say educate! Wright attended Delaware College in Newark, Delaware, from 1848 to 1850; that year the school closed. James C. Milligan and L. David Norris (Durant, Okla.: Creative Informatics, 1987). Lona Eaton Miller, "Wheelock Mission," The Chronicles of Oklahoma 29 (Fall 1951). for Personnel Services, Kevin Berry, M.B.A. Jones Academy is presently maintained under the direction of the Choctaw Nation as a residential care center for elementary and secondary age children. possible education for our students. School. Contact Number Lightboxes. >> More. In September 1852 Wright entered Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Friday March 10. In part, tensions at the school stemmed from the diversity of people that attended or worked in and around the school. The Choctaw Tribal School System is a school system based in the community of Choctaw, Mississippi (US). Hord ended up being Jack Vacca, son of the Apalachicola Chief Mulatto King (Vacca Pachassie), and it was his brother, Orsler (known at the academy as William Ficklin) and an orphan named Aaron that died from Cholera, not John Blunts son Billy (then known as Charles Phillips). There are four types of love: storge, philia, eros and agape. We also have a nationally recognized alternative school program for students at risk of dropping out of high school. Home; Schools. 122 Division of Schools Dr. | Choctaw, MS 39350 | Phone: 601.650.7302 Future leaders of many tribes were educated here. During his senior year in high school, Marcus Dupree rushed for 1,955 yards with 26 touchdowns. Choctaw Tribal Schools. Email. As more boarding schools were needed, the Choctaw General Council organized three additional facilities in December 1891. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}324703N 891401W / 32.784191N 89.233608W / 32.784191; -89.233608, Eight Mile School District (Trenton, ND) was BIE/OIE-funded from 1987 to 2008 Click here to download application Choctaw Tribal Schools Current Openings \ Please call the HR Department at 601.650.1536 for more information. Political career and service during the Civil War, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite), "Digital Collections @ Union: Wright, Allen", Wright, Muriel H. "A Brief Review of the Life of Doctor Eliphalet Nott Wright (18581932), "Purely Oklahoma: Family tells story of how ancestor named Oklahoma", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Allen_Wright&oldid=1136843206, Union Theological Seminary (New York City) alumni, Translators of the Bible into indigenous languages of the Americas, Native Americans in the American Civil War, Articles containing Choctaw-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Company F, Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles (1863-65), Translating laws of the Chickasaw Nation from English into Chickasaw. Welcome to the Choctaw Tribal Schools. Students attending must be at least 1/4 Native American. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. The Choctaw Tribal School Systemis dedicated to providing the best possible education for our students. In 1828, in a bid to lessen the need for more teachers, Johnson introduced the Lancasterian plan (which was a strictly regulated model of instruction in which more advanced students monitored elementary grades (Drake, 278). A Georgia pair suspected of distributing methamphetamine has have been denied bond following their arrest here Friday by city and county law enforcement, the authorities said. In 1829 and again in 1833, the Choctawstried, without success, to sever their relationship with the Choctaw Academy and to regain [control] of their annuity (Drake, 282). Grant, a Native American actor famous for his role in the movie Dances with Wolves, visited the campus. David Reid. We are the 18th largest school district in the state and Choctaw High School is the 22nd largest high school in the state. [3], In 1885, Wright served as editor and translator of the Indian Champion. a***@choctawtribalschools.com. Hi there! In 1884 Armstrong Academy was reopened as a school for orphan boys aged six to twelve, and Wheelock Academy was reestablished as a school for orphan girls of the same age. In addition to the school, Johnsons property also included a plantation where he enslaved at least sixty people including his two daughters, Adaline and Imogene, and their mother Julia Chinn. We have approximately 2100 students Published: Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:59 PM PDT. The men were stopped before getting to the women, but the incident increased the tension. Copyright 2023 Choctaw Tribal Schools Describes johnston's message to the chickasaw legislature on december 13, 1898, asking for $30,000 to defend the nation in . Buy images; Sell images; Missionaries originally ran these institutions, but by the 1890s those that remained open were operated by educated Choctaws. Analyze district/state achievement data to develop instructional activities that are best suited to bilingual learning styles. Search Background Check Edit Listing. Subsequently, Wright he joined the Confederate Army. The Choctaw High School senior class earned scholarships in excess of five million dollars last year to colleges and universities all across the United States. Westfall Elementary, Nicoma Park Elementary, Nicoma Park Intermediate, and . forStudent Services, Michael James Conehatta Elementary . Find the perfect seminole tribal oklahoma stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Neither Johnson or Henderson responded to Blunt, so he sent his request to the War Department officials, including Lewis Cass and Elbert Herring, in hopes of pushing the issue. Leaders of Oklahoma's largest tribes urged state lawmakers Friday to repeal the controversial new law that blocks public schools from teaching students some concepts about race and gender. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology in May 1855. SUMMARY: Acts as Accounts Receivable and Activity Fund Custodian for the District. After the war the boarding schools were slowly reestablished. While Johnson had no official role with the school, he became Hendersons power of attorney, giving Johnson the ability to conduct the schools business on behalf of Henderson. 122 Division of Schools Dr. | Choctaw, MS 39350 | Phone: 601.650.7302. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Having all six of our elementary schools as GE Model schools is quite a prestigious accomplishment. [4] The current Director of Schools is Mr. Terry Ben. In one incident, two students forced their way into Johnsons house where his two young daughters and Chinn lived. New Hope Seminary caught fire in 1896, and flames destroyed Armstrong Academy in 1921. This alternative school has won the Oklahoma Medal of Excellence for being the outstanding alternative school in the state and in 2010 was recognized as one of the top three At Risk dropout programs in the nation by the National Dropout Prevention Center. Johnson used his political connections in the War Department to counter any complaint lodged by students or their tribal leaders. On behalf of the Board of Education, we appreciate your interest in the Choctaw/Nicoma Park Public School District. Log in with Google Log in with Clever. He was the first Native American student from Indian Territory to earn this degree. Native students, particularly in the early years, tended to come from elite families and expected level of treatment that matched their status. [6], Wright represented the Choctaw Nation at the Fort Smith Council and signed the Reconstruction Treaty of 1866. 2023 Choctaw Tribal Schools Basketball Tournament (Day 2)4:00 PM - CCMS vs RWES (Girls)5:00 PM - CES vs BCES (Girls)6:00 PM - RWES vs CCMS (Boys) Dr. Grierson is a published author and presenter with numerous awards and accolades throughout his esteemed career in education. In addition our districts ACT scores and annual performance on state mandated tests are routinely above the state average. Thank you for supporting us in the important work of educating our community's children and young people. Copyright 2023 Choctaw Tribal Schools Choctaw Tribal Schools. Whether you are a current resident of our school district or seeking to relocate within our school district, this website is designed to provide pertinent district information. Locations: CHOCTAW ELEMENTARY Departments: 2ND GRADE Email: CARCHER@CNPSCHOOLS.ORG JESSICA ARMSTRONG Locations: CHOCTAW MIDDLE SCHOOL Departments: LANGUAGE ARTS Email: JARMSTRONG@CNPSCHOOLS.ORG LINDSY ASHER Locations: CHOCTAW HIGH SCHOOL Departments: LANGUAGE ARTS Email: LASHER@CNPSCHOOLS.ORG DEBORAH BAACK Locations: LW WESTFALL ELEMENTARY In 2008, Rodney A. After 48 years in education, Dr. Jim McCharen will retire from his 18-year post at the helm of CNP Schools, effective June 30. Deputy Superintendent Search. He returned to the Choctaw Nation and became the principal instructor at Armstrong Academy during the 18551856 school term. The schools management was coordinated by the War Department via the Office of Indian Affairs. Port Gibson, MS 39150 Tel: 601-437-4232 Fax: 601-437-3036 Dr. Latoya Harrell Matthews Clarksdale Municipal School District P. O. This facility features a breathtaking lobby, dressing rooms, prop construction areas, costume storage, huge stage area, orchestra pit, and seating for over a 1,000. There were also natural disasters. The Civil War had a disastrous effect on the Choctaw boarding schools. He was transferred to Company F of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles on June 13, 1863. Buy images; Sell images; The boarding schools continued to operate, but one by one they were closed. The surname honored Reverend Alfred Wright, a noted Presbyterian missionary to the Choctaw. Candidates may be nominated for the award by any individual. A student must be at least degree of Indian blood as verified by a valid Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood. they escalate into a crisis or other legal matter. The schools are non-public schools, operated as a division of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and are accredited by AdvancED and the Mississippi Department of Education. 122 Division of Schools Dr. | Choctaw, MS 39350 | Phone: 601.650.7302. He was given his English name, Allen Wright, by the Presbyterian missionaries. The Choctaw Proud are humble, appreciative people who value faith, family and culture.