David Kisto travels two hours each way to attend high school on the Tohono O'odham Nation in Arizona but he's only missed one day this year.

Kisto, 17, is graduating from the Ha:sa� Preparatory and Leadership Academy. He's recognized as a leader at the school, having served as student body president and as senior class co-president, and for heading the bowling club.

It wasn't always that way, says teacher Naomi Tokuda. He was a class clown in his freshman year but has matured into his leadership role, she says.

Kisto [MySpace.Com Page] performs traditional Tohono O'odham songs with fellow students and is part of a heavy metal band called Fractured [MySpace.Com Page} that plays clubs in Phoenix and Tucson. He plans to attend the University of Advancing Technology and turn his love for video games into a career.

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From brat to leader (The Arizona Daily Star 5/3)