by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Caelyn Valandra-Prue is a national class athlete and as versatile as she is maybe White River High School, South Dakota would consider offering more girls sports that what they have now.
“I play basketball, volleyball and track,” said Caelyn. “I’m a middle hitter in volleyball, and in basketball I’m pretty much all around, wherever I’m needed I can play. In track I’m a middle distance runner and sprinter: 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m.”
The 5’9” junior is from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in Mission SD, her mom is Stacee Valandra and her dad is Mike Prue and they are both from the same tribe and hometown.
National class high school athletes have high goal aspirations and Caelyn isn’t any different. “A big goal for basketball is to go back to the state tournament,” said Caelyn. “Also to score my 2,500 points, to be a four event state track champion and be All American.”
The secrets to being successful really are not secrets at all and others can follow if they can. Caelyn described what keeps her excelling at a high level: “My strengths would be discipline, competitiveness, and drive!
Discipline: It’s taken me a lot of time to realize the sacrifice and the discipline you have to have to become the athlete that I’ve always wanted to be. My family has taught me that I can’t be satisfied or try to settle. Always wanting more, so after school practices my dad would take me to do more workouts. I’ve had to learn and discipline myself to prioritize what’s important and what will get me to that next level as an athlete, I’ve given up a lot of fun things any teenager would love to do but I’ve also accomplished a lot more any kid my age has.
Competitiveness: I’ve always had a competitive family and I know what it’s like to be on top of a podium and to win, and that’s what drives me. I’ve been doubted in a lot of things that also motivates me. I don’t know what it is but when I step on the court or in my lane for a race I’m always aware of what I can do and what I’m capable of, and what I’ve worked so hard for. That competitive part of me doesn’t like to let my family or myself down.
Drive: With my family teaching me to never settle for less I have become an athlete that is never satisfied with their last performance. Even though I acknowledge my strengths I focus on my weaknesses. My goal is to be better every practice, every season, and every performance.”
“Being a young Lakota athlete my culture and values have definitely helped me through my journey,” said Caelyn. “Did my hard work and the sacrifices and perseverance I have become actually is who I am today. There have been so many times I wanted to give up or the thought of quitting might have felt easier but with my family’s support and encouragement I knew they were an option, it has taken a lot of courage to be where I am. To be different and do things different I have definitely put me in a position where most teens do not want to be. I have learned to overcome the judgment and opinions of what others think of me in order to achieve what I want and it has not been easy. Through this I have had to learn a lot about humility. A lot of my successes I celebrate with in my small circle and use their support to continue to drive me.”
“I have been doing a lot of thinking and some planning for my future,” said Caelyn. “Right now my options are open. I do have some offers and I’m trying to take things slow and enjoy the time. Athletics are definitely a big part of my future. My sports have provided me with so many experiences and opportunities. Being an athlete has opened many doors for me and I am very thankful for that. I am not sure where I’d be without sports.”
“People that have positively influenced me would be family friend Megan Kittisopikul,” said Caelyn. “She has helped me with me academics. She has challenged me to look at my academics the same way I do sports. She is always there for support and giving me advice. She has opened academic opportunities for me to grow as a student in the classroom and also in the world.”
Megan Kittisopikul described their relationship: “I have tutored Caelyn in math for years, and I had the opportunity to take her across the country to participate in the Phillips Exeter Summer Program a few years ago. Throughout this time, I saw her dedication to constantly be working out and practicing even during our road trip, her openness to new experiences and ideas, her pride in sharing her culture and background with others, and her humility in always wanting to learn more. My favorite part of the trip, though, was seeing her pick out gifts for her younger brother and sister everywhere we went and FaceTiming them to help them be part of her journey. Everything Caelyn does, she does to represent her family and tribe and to be a role model for her younger siblings.”
“The late Tonya Whirlwind Soldier was a huge supporter of me,” said Caelyn. “She was my favorite coach for many reasons. Tonya always knew what I needed as a student athlete. She was always on me to keep good grades and always at the finish line cheering me on. She never let me settle and always believed in me.”
“My dad Mike Prue had always been my number 1 coach,” said Caelyn. “He has been pushing me since I was little. He never let me settle and always wants the best for me. After school practice he will take me to do more. I have been in the gym, weight room, or running for countless hours putting in more time, sweat, and tears with him more than anyone else. Without him and his expectations for me I wouldn’t be where I am today. Wopila Tanka iciciyapiye to my dad, Megan, and Coach Tonya. Tonya, you will never be forgotten!”
Star student athletes usually have followers including athletes and parents wanting to be better. “Some advice I’d give to prospective student athletes would be you will achieve what you work for,” said Caelyn. “Nothing is impossible. It takes a lot of work, sacrifice, and discipline to be on the top. Don’t listen to the outside voices. The opinions of others should never matter. It’s all about what you want and what you’re willing to work for. Dream big, I’m behind you all the way!
“My storyline is On the Rise!” said Caelyn. “Coming from a small reservation with not a lot of opportunities and a lot of odds against me already, I have taken on the challenge of trying to be on top. Being a young native athlete, I don’t have a lot of role models that look like me. I want to be someone that our Lakota youth can look up to. I have spent a lot of hours on our broken down rim outside of my house, ran on gravel roads and practiced in hallways. I have learned that it’s not all about what is available, but more about the amount of work and effort you put into your dream. I will make a name for myself and give others just like me a sense of hope.”
“During 8th grade year I was and still am the Class A record holder in the 400m (56.4) and also state champion,” said Caelyn. “I was featured in Sports Illustrated for Kids. I placed 23rd at the South Dakota State XC Meet, and I was 2nd Team All-State for SD Class A basketball. Freshman year I got 2nd team All State for SD Class A basketball, I was nominated for track athlete of the year, and a state champ for the 2nd year in a row. Sophomore year I got 1st team All-State for SD Class B basketball, scored my 1,000 point, broke my school record for most points in a game (47), state champ in the 100m, 200m, 800m, and placed 4th as a team in the state. I was the MVP of the SD State Track Meet, and got Honorable Mention All American. I’m the Howard Wood 400m Champion in 2016, 2018, and 2019.”
“When watching Caelyn on the basketball court, there is no doubt that she is an exceptional player,” said Skye Tucker, White River HS Head Volleyball Coach. “She’s quick, can outjump anyone, and physically a strong player. What really struck me though, is how she increases the level of play with her grit, determination and will to win. When I would see her around the school, I would jokingly say, ‘See you out for volleyball next year.’ And she would smile a hesitant smile, giggle and tell me it’s not her thing. When I heard in June that she was ‘thinking’ about going out for volleyball I thought she would be a great addition to our program. With some convincing from her teammates, she showed up to a few open gyms and a couple nights of league volleyball. We laugh and joke about it now and just the other day when we went to play in the Region game she asked me, ‘Remember when I started coming to open gym in June and I was so awkward and uncoordinated?’ Yes, I remember. But even through the awkwardness, there was still something special about the potential. We had a few technical skills and tactical know-how’s to develop, but there was so much potential. That grit and determination and drive to be HER best led her to develop keen volleyball skills. But what sets her apart is she has a mental hardiness that’s hard to come by. She took her developed basketball skills (quickness, footwork, quick leaping ability and hand-eye coordination) and translated that to the volleyball court and has never looked back.”
“I first saw Caelyn when she was in the 5th grade at an elementary basketball tournament,” said Kristi Barnhart, White River HS Head Girls Basketball Coach. “Her athleticism was obvious, and body control was really special. She was naturally strong and had a keen sense of the game. For me, what really set her apart was her desire to win. Since coaching Caelyn here in White River, she always brings that passion to practice and works extremely hard at her craft. It’s always great to have an athlete like her as it brings up everyone’s level of play.”
“Everyone in the area knew that Caelyn had special talent at an early age,” said Corey Sayler, White River HS Head Track Coach. “Athletics came easy to her and you just knew that the potential to be ‘special’ was there. I’ve seen kids with talent before, you know like the ones you see at the middle school age that make you say ‘wow, they could be good’. Not all of those kids reach their potential and for many reasons, but Caelyn Valandra-Prue has done what it takes to reach her potential. She works extremely hard, and is one of the most competitive athletes I’ve coached. She is able to keep her emotions in check when the pressure is on and perhaps most importantly she has a great support system. Caelyn has put in the work and deserves all she accomplishes. She is really fun to watch on the track, from the 100m to the 800m, nobody does it better or more gracefully. I think she could compete in every event in track and field and probably do it well, and she just has great strength, explosiveness and drive to be good at everything she tries.”
Caelyn Valandra-Prue is a unique and multi-athletic example of a high achieving student athlete that is continuing to move to higher levels.
Photo Credits: Kernit Grimshaw, Shelly Bachelor and Stacee Valandra and Mike Prue Family.
