BSU Breaking Barriers

       Sonoma Paiz and Jerome Frazier made Bemidji State University history as the first American Indian Homecoming King and Queen. They were one of twelve couples nominated by organizations within the University and voted in by the student body.

      Sonoma Paiz is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa and is currently a senior with a major in Community Health and a minor in Exercise Science. She lives on campus with her five year old son. She plans to graduate this spring and move to the metro area to pursue a master’s degree at the U of M.

      Jerome Frazier is Ho-Chunk and Santee Sioux and is a senior with a major in Social Work and minor in Chemical Dependency. He is married and has five children. Along with having a family Jerome is employed full time. He plans to graduate in the spring and work in the Bemidji area.

      The King and Queen would like to thank the American Indian Science and Engineering Society for the nomination and for all the student support. They would like to encourage all young adults to pursue a higher education, to believe in themselves and never give up hope.