Ty was a three-sport student-athlete who maintained above a 4.0 GPA and was the salutatorian at Todd County High School. He was part of two All Nations state championship teams for the Falcons and was named Offensive MVP at the championship in 2023. The All Nations Conference named him the League MVP two years in a row and he holds the record for most rushing yards in a career. 

He played in the Native American Youth Foundation Football All American Game in December 2024, was named an Academic All State selection by the South Dakota High School  Coaches Association and was selected as an All American by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association following his senior season.

He qualified for the state track and field meet in four events during his senior season and won multiple Lakota Nation Invitational and Region 7A individual and team championships in track. He was also a standout basketball player for the Falcons, earning all conference honors as a sophomore and junior in the Big Dakota Conference and helping his team to the LNI Mako Sica championship as a senior.

He was a member of the National Honor Society and was voted both Homecoming Prince and King by his peers during his junior and senior years of high school, respectively. He participated in many activities in the summers including playing with traveling teams in baseball and basketball, where he created friendships with many teammates and their parents. He participated in the Football For Life camp throughout his high school years and won camp MVP honors in 2024. A children's magazine in North Dakota, ImagiNative Roots, featured Ty in an issue for their "Sports Shoutout".

Ty passed away June 22, 2026. He is survived by his parents: Sarah Valandra Shoon and Shastri Shoon; sisters: Sharell, Stevie, Rosilee, Jacee and Ciara Jo; brothers: CJ, Cayde and Andrew; grandparents: Paul Valandra and Cheryl Three Stars Valandra; aunts: Teri and Rachel; uncles: Elijah, Travis and Don; and his hunka mom Lisa White Pipe.