Tribal Youth Helps Rebuild His Fire-Damaged School

Participates in Fiesta Bowl with Champion Boise Broncos

By Robert C. North Sr.

NEW MEADOWS, Idaho — Tribal citizen, Wyatt Deitz, 11, son of Erica and Bruce Deitz of New Meadows, Idaho, said he “felt sad” for two reasons. First, his school music room and gym were severely damaged due to a fire caused by faulty wiring, but the fire did not spread to the entire school due to fire walls.

“I was also sad because our music teacher travels to school for 45 minutes each day, and he did not have a music classroom to teach in and he has been traveling this same route for 25 years,” Wyatt explained.

So Wyatt wrote to the Seminole Tribal Council and requested assistance to help rebuild his music classroom and gymnasium. He further explained that without the music classroom, students from Meadow Valley School had to be transported to an “old folk’s home” for music class. Wyatt, a clarinet player, stated that he and his classmates “wished we could have our music class back.”

“Wyatt was compelled to help his school,” said mom Erica Dietz “I’m glad that Max B. Osceola, Hollywood Council Representative, could help. It gave my son closure to know that his school was going to get help.”

The Seminole Tribe sent a check to Wyatt’s school to assist with covering the damages.

“We were in shock,” exclaimed John Preston, principal of Meadows Valley Elementary School, “We [the Meadow Valley School District] send our thanks to the Seminole Tribe of Florida.”

Wyatt said he feels better now that hopefully his music classroom and gymnasium will be repaired by the time he starts school again in the fall, when he will be entering the sixth grade.

If assisting his school was not enough, Wyatt also recently participated in a summer football camp at Boise State University. The Boise State Broncos were the come-from-behind, Cinderella story winners at the 2007 Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Ariz., defeating the Oklahoma Sooners

Wyatt, along with approximately 2,000 youth from several northwestern states, learned football skills and tactics and then played “Bronco Ball” — a non-body contact form of football developed by the Boise State coaching staff. This all took place at the state-of-the-art Calvin-Williams Facility and Bronco Stadium, and on the famous “Big Blue” Astroturf.

When asked about his participation in the football camp, Wyatt smiled from ear to ear.

“We got to work with ‘Coach Pete,’ ” he said. “He told us, ‘No free lunch... no whining, no pouting... nothing will come to you for free... you have to work for what you want!’ It made sense to me and the other kids. We all worked hard and had a good time playing ‘Bronco Ball’ and practicing.”

After the football camp came to a close, the youth participants were able to get an autograph from the coach. Wyatt said he was happy to get his Bronco Ball cap signed and wore it with pride. He plans on going again next year.

“I’m glad Coach Peterson made the statement about working hard,” mom Erica said. “It just reinforces what we teach in our home. Our children are special to us and we want the best for them. Whenever there is an opportunity like this, we make sure that we have them participate.

“In this case our eldest son was able to experience getting coached by the Boise State football players and coaching staff,” she continued. “The program is a good step into getting focused on college and playing college football. Wyatt wants to get a degree in business and play college ball. He plans on using his degree in case he doesn’t get into the NFL. It’s never too early to teach your children about planning their future.”

Wyatt is a former resident of the Hollywood reservation, where many of his immediate relatives live. He is an on-going member of the Boys & Girls Club of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and likes to spend as much time at “the Club” when he comes back to Florida for visits with his extended family.