by By Dan Ninham
Going to a tribal school grounds many students in the indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing, of their people. These life lessons help guide young people into their roles in adulthood.
Alex Thundercloud, 18, is Ho-Chunk and a member of the Thunder clan. He graduated from University School of Milwaukee this past school year. His parents are Justin and Angela Thundercloud and the family lives in Mequon, WI.
High Accolades With Wisconsin State Hockey
“I was a hockey All Conference Honorable Mention my sophomore year,” said Alex. “My junior year I was First Team All Conference, First Team All State, Second Team All State Tournament, State Champion, finalist for Defenseman of the Year, picked for Wisconsin’s National Invitational Tournament team, and nominated for Player of the Year for the Journal Sentinel sports awards. My senior year I was First Team All Conference, First Team All State, Second Team All State Tournament, Defenseman of the Year, Lane MacDonald Character award for USM hockey, and nominated for Player of the Year for the Journal Sentinel sports awards.”
“For track and field I qualified for sectionals in shot put my sophomore year and shot put and discus my junior year,” said Alex. “My senior year I lost to Covid-19.”
“I was a part of the Student Athletic Leadership Team at University School,” said Alex. “I also received the Roseann Lyons Pearl award from University School for character, leadership and accomplishment.”
Leaving His Mark At The Indian Community School
“The core values have been a part of my life since I was just starting school,” said Alex. “At the Indian Community School we were taught the seven core values or seven sacred gifts. So throughout my life I have had a set of values that I could hold myself to in times of need including Respect, Honesty, Truth, Love, Loyalty, Wisdom, and Bravery. These values have helped shape me in my personal life, in the classroom with how I treat my peers and teachers, and also in the sports world with how I treat my teammates, coaches, and competitors.”
“I have been fortunate enough to know Alex for the past six years as a teacher, coach, associate principal, and Head of School,” said Jason Dropik, Head of School at the Indian Community School in Franklin, WI. “Alex is a dedicated, empathetic, hardworking, culturally connected, respectful young man. I have been fortunate to see his academic drive, passion for sports, and love of his culture.”
“At the Indian Community School Alex was focused on being a student-athlete. He was always responsible for his work, achieving recognition as his class valedictorian. What I respected more than his academic achievements was his kind and respectful support of all students. He was always willing to work with anyone, whether they had similar interests or not. He was kind, understanding, and respectful with all students and staff, which as we know in middle school is no small feat. He demonstrated what it means to be a student-athlete, making sure that the student part was always a priority,” added Jason.
“Alex was involved in many sports inside and outside of school,” said Jason. “He succeeded well at lacrosse and hockey but also participated in school sports and activities. He stretched his involvement outside of athletics being a member of ICS’s robotics club in addition to all of his commitments and responsibilities.”
“Alex was and continues to be connected to his culture and the ICS school community,” said Jason. “He was active on the ICS Eagle Singers drum group. He sang, supported our youth, assisted with lacrosse classes, and helped build a teaching lodge on our grounds. He was always respectful and willing to learn more.”
“One of my favorite memories is when Alex returned to school as an alumnus to support our students,” said Jason. “He volunteered and assisted with cultural activities and programming. Mr. Ronnie Preston recognized Alex with a gift of a blanket for all that he had learned, shared, and committed to ICS, even after graduation. Seeing him with the blanket around him as he gathered around the drum and sang with Mr. Preston and ICS students was a proud moment for me.”
“As a tribal member, school leader, and parent it fills my heart to see someone who is so humble and respectful caring on our traditions and culture,” said Jason. “I told Alex in a letter of recommendation I was fortunate to write for him that the greatest compliment that I can give him is that if my son turns out to be like him, I would be a very proud Dad!”
“Alex Thundercloud is an elite athlete and student,” said Denise Christofferson, Physical Education Teacher at the Indian Community School. “In physical education class he achieved high honors, led with quiet determination and kindness; always looking to do his best while thoughtfully helping others. He truly carried himself with the seven gifts at heart.”
“Each activity was welcomed whether challenging or mastered, but when it came to roller skating and hockey, Alex’s skill’s were off the charts. His classmates respectfully groaned at the start of the hockey unit, but his experience as an elite competitor was met with intense humility making all those around him both better and at ease. In seventh grade, he gave me one of his Junior Milwaukee Admirals hockey cards. I was so honored. I told him I didn’t have that one and that is definitely my favorite player,” added Denise.
“After he graduated from ICS, he came back many times to help the school and in physical education class,” said Denise. “He instinctively navigated the classroom to engage those around him. He was highly independent and managed his activity responsibilities naturally. He, along with his family, helped me with a Native Roots in Sports and Games display, hockey edition.”
“I was able to see him play several times while he was in high school at the University School of Milwaukee,” said Denise. “In 2017, at the age of 48, I began a mom’s try hockey in Ozaukee County. Soon after, I remembered the Junior Admirals card he had given me and knew I wanted a Thundercloud jersey. I purchased a blue Milwaukee Admirals jersey from Hockey Haven in Mequon. Selecting my personal athletic number of #27 with the Thundercloud name, I placed a special embroidery order. Later, I saw his dad, Justin Thundercloud, and showed him my jersey. He said, ‘Wow, where did you get that’! I said, ‘Hockey Haven…special order.’ Now, I have two and people ask me all the time, ‘Thundercloud. Who’s that?’ to which I say, my favorite player.”
Alex’s fourth grade teacher at ICS, Jacob Jones, reflected on his star student: “Alex was and always been one of the hardest working most respectable kids I’ve ever encountered. He lives the core values especially humility. In the classroom he quietly went about his work and did what he needed to. He led his classmates by example. Even while taking studies seriously he maintained his quiet sense of humor. In sports he was every coaches dream. I would take a team of him and put them against anyone because the thing about Alex was he may not always be the most skilled player out there and he was talented, but he was willing to put in the time, effort and tenacity to outwork his opponents in practice and competition. It was this trait that will take Alex far in whatever venture he decides to dedicate himself.”
Main Influences of Parents and Coaches
“My main influencers are my parents,” said Alex. “They were the reason I have been able to be as successful as I am. They were always pushing me to be on top of my schoolwork but also pushing me to work harder everyday for hockey.”
“My varsity hockey coach Jason Woods had a big influence on me as well,” said Alex. “He pushed me to be a better leader for my team and pushed me to be my best everyday on the ice.”
“My throwing coach, Deidre McCain, was another big influence on my sports career,” said Alex. “She could think up the craziest workouts and then somehow make us excited to push each other harder than anybody else. I had to learn how to be a leader and push others harder as well as not just myself. I showed the newer throwers the correct techniques and just connecting with them so that I could help them in the best way I could.”
“Alex Thundercloud is on of the most amazing athletes I have coached,” said Deidre McCain. “He is so quite off the athletic platform whichever that might be at the time. But when it comes time to train he is a bear. I had the privilege of being his high school shot put and discus coach and also did some off-season training with him. It was always a joy to watch Alex try to tackle anything he was doing with all the focus that task needed while always continuing his hockey training.”
“He found a way in high school to pursue his love of hockey but still open himself up to trying things that he had not trained for. I think a lot of time together was spent on talking or working on computers. I worked in the IT department and I would often work with him on computer issues that someone had or ones that he might have with his own technology. His curiosity in both athletes and the tech world were fun to watch him grow in both. I still get random texts about some computer issue he might be having,” added Deidre.
“It was not only a joy to coach him because of his athletic talents but to watch how he used that to help others grow,” said Deidre. “He joined the very individual sport of track and field and was able to bring the team aspect into it. He was always helping the other throwers during practice even that meant he was going to have to stay late to get his work in. I am going to enjoy watching this next chapter in his life and how he will continue to enrich the lives of the people around him. I know I am a better coach and person for having had the opportunity.”
“I am trying out for some junior teams and I am currently planning on going to the Islanders Hockey Club in Massachusetts, part of a league called the NCDC,” said Alex. “So not college but I am planning on taking some online free courses or something during the season.”
Alex recalled a coach to athlete moment: Coach Dee said this about me in a track and field senior spotlight, ‘Alex is one of the most humble athletes I’ve met. He just puts his head down and words. He’s a leader without having to have a title and always looks to help others on the team in any way he can.’ I believe in achieving success through hard work.”
“I’ve been known to be a person of character who leads by example,” said Alex.
Photo Credit: Justin and Angela Thundercloud Family
