In a small, tight-knit community tucked within Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Shyanna Halfaday is redefining what’s possible. A 2025 graduate of Nah Tah Wahsh PSA / Hannahville Indian School, Shyanna has made school history: not just for her academic accomplishments, but for the quiet strength and purpose that have guided her every step of the way.
Shyanna is the first student in Nah Tah Wahsh’s history to graduate having already completed 19 college credits, a milestone that reflects both her academic commitment and her passion for learning. It’s an accomplishment that would be notable for any student, but for Shyanna, it carries even greater meaning. Raised on the Hannahville Indian Reservation in a region where poverty is a daily reality, she has had to navigate challenges far beyond the classroom. But instead of letting these obstacles define her, she chose to rise.
“I just try my hardest,” she said, reflecting on her time in high school. “Even when no one was necessarily pushing me to get good grades, I kept going. I wanted to do well for myself. I wanted to be the best I could be.”
Shyanna’s college journey began with a psychology course that immediately sparked her interest in the social sciences. From there, she dove into classes focused on sociology, leadership, social psychology, Native American studies, and social work. These subjects weren’t just academic interests; they aligned with something much deeper: a calling to support others.
It wasn’t long before she found that calling had a name—school social work.
“I had a counselor in fifth grade who really listened to me,” Shyanna said. “She gave me good advice and made me feel like I mattered. Later on, when our school got a social worker, Roberta Wright, she was that person for so many of us. She’d let you take a break if you were having a bad day, and she always showed up at our games and cheered people on. That really stuck with me.”
For Shyanna, that impact was more than just emotional, it was foundational. When she had the chance to take an Introduction to Social Work course through Bay College, it solidified her interest. “I learned that social workers help guide people to resources and support them through tough situations. That’s what I want to do. I want to be that person for someone else.”
In the classroom, Shyanna stood out for her intellect and discipline. But her accomplishments didn’t end there. She was named Student of the Year by The Daily Press, standing out among applicants across a tri-county area. She was also a dedicated member of the school’s Gifted and Talented Program and participated in extracurriculars ranging from basketball—where she earned 2nd Team All-State honors—to track, robotics, and even volleyball. As one of the only girls on her school’s small track team, she often trained alone and holds multiple school records.
“We don’t have a track field at our school,” she explained. “So we had to go to another school to practice. It made it harder, but I didn’t let that stop me. I wanted to be involved. I wanted to do my best, even if it wasn’t easy.”
This spirit of perseverance is something Shyanna has carried with her from a young age. She’s attended Nah Tah Wahsh since preschool and has always lived just a short distance from the school. Over the years, the school and the Hannahville community became a second home, rich in culture and connection. She fondly remembers learning the Potawatomi language and the deep sense of belonging that came from understanding her roots.
“Going to a Native school shaped who I am,” she said. “Learning Potawatomi from second grade through junior high helped me feel more connected. I didn’t realize how important it really was until I took Native American Studies and really started to understand the struggles our people have gone through. I look around, and I see that not everyone has the same support. Some of my classmates don’t have both of their parents, or they’re struggling in other ways that aren’t always visible. I’ve been one of the lucky ones, and I want to give back.”
Support, she emphasized, is the most powerful gift a community can offer. While she noted that not all teachers at her school seemed deeply invested, the ones who were—people like Roberta Wright and Officer Robinette, a Hannahville School Liaison Officer—made a world of difference. “There were days when I didn’t know who to talk to. My principal was busy, Roberta was busy, and I’d just message Officer Robinette and ask her to come talk for a few minutes. She always showed up.”
Shyanna is still deciding where she’ll begin the next chapter of her academic journey. She plans to start at Bay College and hopes to eventually transfer to Northern Michigan University to pursue her degree in social work. What’s clear, however, is that wherever she goes, she will carry with her the values that have defined her path so far: integrity, compassion, and a fierce belief in the power of encouragement.
When asked what she wishes more people understood about Indigenous communities like hers, she paused before saying something that reflects a wisdom far beyond her years: “People just need more encouragement. Especially the younger kids. They need people to believe in them, to support them. I want to be one of those people.”
Shyanna Halfaday is more than a standout student. She is a future leader with the heart of a healer, the mind of a scholar, and the soul of someone determined to make a difference; not just in her life, but in the lives of those around her.
As she graduates from Nah Tah Wahsh PSA, she carries not just her diploma, but the hopes of a community and the promise of a future where every student, no matter their circumstances, has someone in their corner.
Authorized by Northern Michigan University, Nah Tah Wahsh PSA / Hannahville Indian School is a K-12 Public School Academy located just west of Escanaba.
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