Two Eagle River School graduates 18 students
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PABLO — Yamncut drummed and sang the processional as 18 graduating seniors walked to the dias. Friends and family crowded the gym at Two Eagle River School at 4 p.m. on May 23 to honor the class of 2010. Cameras flashed as girls in white graduation robes and mortarboards and the boys in red seated themselves and prepared to receive their diplomas.
Mistress of ceremonies and TERS Principal Clarice King called on Dennis Villegas to begin the 2010 commencement with a prayer.
Rob McDonald, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Communications Director, gave the commencement address. During part of his speech, McDonald told the seniors the tribes need water scientists, doctors, teachers, artists, grant writers, dentists, engineers, tutors, poets, and administrators as well as many other professions. He also said the best workers all said no matter what you do, try to have fun doing it.
Quoting Mary Schmich, McDonald said, “Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. … Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. … Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. … Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements. … ”
McDonald ended by telling the graduates the tribes are anxiously awaiting their return.
Then McDonald turned the microphone over to TERS board trustee Jerry Brown. Montana has five Gates Scholars, and two are from TERS so Brown asked for a hand for 16,000 years of traditional Indian education before congratulating Gates Millennium Scholars Tiana Ness and James Maestas III.
Juan Perez from Salish Kootenai College presented a one-year tuition waiver to the students before King and Brown passed out diplomas.
Darkening the gym, audience members and graduates were treated to a slide show of the class of 2010 through the years.
Graduation ended as Yamncut drummed the graduates into the commons for a celebration with cake and congratuations.
The TERS class of 2010 included:
Jaylen Ren’ee Carpentier, Selah Marlene Carpentier, Jacinta Elizabeth Chief Stick, Adele Louise Frost, Kathleen Rose Howard, Shun Ikegai, James Edward Maestas III, Mona Meyer, Samantha Lee Ann Ness, Tiana Marie Ness, Lonnie Kass Curtis Old Shoes, Andrew Bennett Ostrander, Cedric Jaylin Russell, John Emery Steele, Ashton Sharain Swaney, Jordon Piya Wilder, Karsyn Keann Wilder and Douglas Leo Wynne.
