Layla Buckskin, a senior this year, has been a part of the Newspaper staff since her freshman year. She has written many powerful stories and is very passionate about her culture. She loves expressing herself through sewing, beadwork, and traveling across the US and Canada to sing and dance at Pow Wows. But before doing anything she truly loves she makes sure her priorities are straight and what needs to be done is finished.

“Don’t be afraid to go after what you want to do, and what you want to be. But don’t be afraid to be willing to pay the price.” Quote from Lane frost. This quote is one of Buckskin’s favorite quotes. She is willing to do what she loves and speak for what she loves and is “willing to pay the price.” Although she is a very well kept person, with the right people and topic of conversation she is definitely one of the people you would want to talk with for hours. She likes to describe herself as very approachable and dependable; Layla is there for you when you need her the most. She never just thinks of herself she thinks of everyone as a whole, so when asked what one thing she would like to change she responded with “For sure something that would benefit everyone as a whole.”  Her change would be more affordable higher education and just making basic needs more affordable for everyone.

One of the most exciting things about being a senior is your last year of high school. When given the question “what are you most excited for this year?” She answered back with “finally graduating” Layla plans on taking a year off just to get a taste of what being an adult is actually like and having more freedom. She does plan on going back to school after. One of the colleges she is most interested in is UTTC, United Tribes Technical College, which is located in Bismarck, North Dakota. Where she would love to major in something that had to do with human development such as Psychology. Buckskin wants to have a more “one on one career” 

When it comes to names, Layla wasn’t always a fan of her own. But honestly who hasn’t gone through that? She definitely has grown to love her name even more knowing the story behind it. Layla, who is strong and independent, definitely fits the name given to her. She is named after a famous Boxer Laila Ali. She was given her name by her grandfather who was a boxer himself for over 20 years.

She has always been passionate about sports but her two favorites were basketball and volleyball. Though she hasn’t had the time or chance to get back into them she does plan on starting those up again. Buckskin’s number one place to travel is definitely Italy or Spain, for the yummy food and of course the scenery. Hot or cold? And with no hesitation Layla answered with cold. “You’re more comfortable when cold” Especially when it comes to weather, when it’s cold you can layer; when hot you can only cool down so much. 

The thing that gets her up in the morning is knowing that she’s almost done with high school. That is her biggest motivator, just knowing that she is so close to being independent and is ready to make her mark on the world.