Students Hear Success Stories During Fort Peck Youth Summit

Area students heard success stories from “hometown heroes” as part of the Fort Peck Youth Summit held in Poplar last week.

April Youpee, a 2004 graduate of Poplar High School, discussed her pathway to success as an attorney in Los Angeles. After graduating from Harvard University, she earned her law degree from the University of Montana.

She said she always knew that she wanted to become an attorney. “People thought I would like to be a lawyer because I liked to talk and argue,” Youpee joked.

She encouraged students to start thinking about college early. She urged the young people to “think big.”

Youpee noted college isn’t the right path for everybody though. Her husband, Migizi Pensoneau, is a producer of “Reservation Dogs” after dropping out of college.

He got started in the entertainment business when he and his brother began to create “silly videos” on YouTube.

Pensoneau told students when they know what they want to become, opportunities will arrive in their lives.

Youpee said students should be proud of being from a reservation.

“I know where I’m from, and who I am,” she said. “Remember you’re from this place, and it’s a good thing.”

Pensoneau added that people should stay in touch with their family and friends. A lot of individuals don’t have as good of a support system of those from a reservation.

Youpee also said she treasures her roots. “It really has been a super power for me.”

Richard Dionne, a 1999 graduate of Poplar High School, went on to play collegiate basketball and then compete in the Continental Basketball Association.

“Basketball was kind of my talent to experience a lot of different things,” Dionne said.

Dionne, who played in many places including Hawaii, said he couldn’t travel many places when he was growing up in Poplar. He teases that going to the Pizza Hut in Williston, N.D., was a big deal back then.

He has now been a school counselor at a school in Washington state for 16 years. He has always wanted to help students in that fashion. “I love being part of that process every day,” he said.

Dionne urges students to set goals and be dedicated to achieving them. “Whatever your passion is, make sure you work for it.”

He added that it’s important to have positive peers who encourage you to meet your goals and to keep the big picture in mind.

Other guest speakers for the “hometown heroes” portion were Chelysa Owens-Cyr and Morning-Rose Louie.