The cafeteria sits empty after lunch at Watonga High School on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
The football team practices on a new field at Watonga High School, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, where about 14% of students at the school on the Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation are Native American in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Nationwide, Native students miss school far more frequently than their peers, but not at Watonga High School shown on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
A mural adorns the side of a downtown building on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Indian Education Director Hollie Youngbear poses for a portrait at Watonga High School on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Indian Education Director Hollie Youngbear poses for a portrait at Watonga High School on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. Youngbear and her colleagues work to connect with families in a way that acknowledges the history and needs of Native communities. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Alternative Education Director Carrie Compton poses for portrait in her classroom at Watonga High School on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. When students do not show up for school, Compton and Indian Education Director Hollie Youngbear take turns visiting their homes. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Decor adorns the corner of Indian Education Director Hollie Youngbear's office at Watonga High School Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Senior Happy Belle Shortman, who is who is Kiowa, Cheyenne and Arapaho, poses for a portrait at Watonga High School on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Indian Education Director Hollie Youngbear looks over a binder of info she compiles about her students in her office at Watonga High School on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. Youngbear and her colleagues work to connect with families in a way that acknowledges the history and needs of Native communities. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Empty storefronts sit on Main Street on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
About 14% of students at the Watonga High School on the Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation are Native American, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Trophies are displayed in a case at Watonga High School where about 14% of students at the school on the Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation are Native American, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Okla. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)