Last summer, Sesame Street producers contacted the Valentine Elementary School in Nebraska to let them know their town was selected for an episode of the series.
Many families were contacted about the Sesame Street series. “We had to do an initial video, and two of my boys were picked in the first bunch,” said Annisa Bordeaux, of Valentine, NE. “Many videos and pictures later, taken at all kinds of locations, they let us know Tanner, our 10-year-old son who is in 5th grade, was selected to be in the series.
It’s been a long wait. I’m thankful for my experience in marketing, advertising, taking photos and videos because it helped in every step of this process. I kept in contact with the producer Jeri Rafter, a producer based out of Montana for our regional area.”
The Sesame Street episode, There’s a New Count in Town begins by showing a map of Nebraska and some cornstalks. In the video, Tanner and his family, including his brothers, parents, as well as grandparents Elroy and Sandra Two Strike in Rosebud, are all shown. The video also has a few scenes from Valentine.
“We are proud that Valentine was chosen out of all the towns/ cities in Nebraska,” Bordeaux stated. “We are very proud of our boys and specifically Tanner for presenting himself so well. It’s pretty cool to see Rosebud, scenes from Two Strike, and his grandparents as well.”
“I think it’s an awesome thing as one of our young Rosebud Sioux Tribal citizens is in a national kids video series,” she continued. “Sesame Street is now celebrating 50 years.”
“You can now mention that you know of that lil’ Bordeaux-Two Strike kid being on Sesame Street! Give Tanner a high five next time you see him! He can be found at basketball practice, on the golf course, looking to the stars, always going full blast,” Bordeaux added.
Vi Waln (Sicangu Lakota) is an award-winning journalist and editor of Lakota Times newspaper. This story originally appeared in Lakota Times.