BIG CYPRESS — Big changes are happening at Ahfachkee School and heading the charge is a new team of student leaders. For the first time in the Big Cypress Reservation school’s history, a Student Council has been elected by peers to inspire and guide the next generation of alumni. “We’re determined to

OKEECHOBEE — The Education Department will soon partner with Indian River State College (IRSC) in Okeechobee to create a customized program for Tribal students to attend college together and graduate with bachelor’s degrees. The program, called a cohort, provides students an education, as well as the Tribe with the next

By Amanda Murphy BRIGHTON — For Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, the holiday season meant more than gifts and family celebrations; students came together through two charity drives – and one special event – to spread holiday cheer to the less fortunate. Throughout November, PECS held its annual canned food drive. The school

By Amanda Murphy TAMIAMI TRAIL — About 30 Ahfachkee School students joined Miccosukee School students to explore their futures at the second Miccosukee College Fair Jan. 15. Nearly 100 fair-goers navigated though an array of 30 schools, from large universities to vocational and technical schools, to learn about post-secondary educational opportunities. “It was

By Emma Johns BRIGHTON — Despite a long, challenging road, Jade Braswell Osceola proudly walked across the stage Dec. 18 to receive a bachelor’s degree in education from Indian River State College. Osceola, a Seminole history teacher at Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, has pursued her college degree since graduating high school

BRIGHTON — For Lorene Gopher, director of the Culture Department, language is the most important element of Seminole culture. “Language is key because it identifies who you are,” Gopher said. “Anyone can sew our clothing and cook our food. If we don’t have language, we are just like anyone else.” Gopher oversees

FORT LAUDERDALE — Sometimes a fork in the road is a choice between life and death. For Edward Aguilar, of Immokalee, who nearly died of alcohol-related disease just two years ago, the path chosen led to graduation Dec. 12 from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (AIFL), magna cum laude, with

By Amanda Murphy HOLLYWOOD — Since 1963, three times more children and teens have died from guns on American soil than U.S. soldiers killed in action in wars abroad. Although many of these incidents occur accidentally, they could be prevented through gun safety education. For a lesson on gun safety, 29 Police

BIG CYPRESS — Fashion and food were fodder for many presentations at the 2013 Ahfachkee School science fair. From fabric dye made of berries to honey hair lightener, things edible and personal made for recurring components in nearly a third of dozens of projects that lined tables Nov. 14 at the

BIG CYPRESS — Basketball, church, family and earth – but not necessarily in that order – were the things Ahfachkee School student Nicholus Andrews was especially thankful for this Thanksgiving. He even inscribed those words around his hand-painted chubby turkey on a holiday plate. But for Seminoles, Thanksgiving Day does not