Students greet OPI head Denise Juneau
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POLSON — When Denise Juneau, Montana State Superintendent of Public Instruction, came through the door at Cherry Valley School, she was met by Josiah Nichols. Nichols, 10, was singing and drumming a traditional Indian song.
Nichols, a young member of the Chief Cliff Singers as is his dad, J.D., won the hand drum contest at the Elmo Powwow this year. To welcome Juneau, Josiah was playing Cherry Valley’s hand drum, made by Tachini Pete.
It was a reunion of sorts since Jessie McDonald, Josiah’s mom, was a student of Juneau’s at Browning High School. McDonald was a freshman, and Juneau taught conflict resolution. McDonald said they’ve been friends ever since.
In addition to Josiah, a group of first-graders greeted Juneau and welcomed her to Cherry Valley before Principal Elaine Meeks whisked her off for a tour of the building.
Juneau was visiting schools in Polson before her keynote address at the Pupil Instruction Related day on Sept. 17 in Ronan with all Lake County schools.
