A warrior is one who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity, cause or conflict. Native American warriors were known for their aggression, but their aggression was fueled by their honor, pride, and sense of self-preservation. The Battle of Little Bighorn exemplifies the warrior motif. Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors joined forces in southern Montana to defeat twelve companies of the U.S. 7th Cavalry, famously led by Lt. Col. Custer. Those determined warriors proudly fought for their way of life with bravery and honor. To recognize their tenacious spirit, an Indian Memorial was erected at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. The artwork in the photo depicts how different cultures can come together to understand the past and work toward a better future.

Ripley Warriors are also energetically engaged in activities, causes, and conflicts on our ball fields and basketball courts and in our student organizations and classrooms. We aggressively engage our education and co-curricular activities with honor, integrity, and bravery like those proud Native American warriors from long ago. We embrace their spirit and honor their memory.

We are the Ripley Warriors.