SKC graduates celebrate virtually
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PABLO – While they didn’t have the chance to walk across a stage and be handed a diploma, Salish Kootenai College graduates marked their accomplishment with a socially distanced graduation ceremony.
Graduates, faculty, family and friends tuned in to view a live ceremony that featured drums, songs, and messages from tribal leaders, fellow students and faculty, and 178 students were honored for completing programs at the college.
About 250 people were tuned into the live celebration when it started. The video’s sidebar displayed a steady stream of congratulations from graduates’ family and friends.
SKC President Sandra Boham praised the students’ commitment to their studies despite the pandemic derailing the second half of the spring semester. She used the metaphor of the bison, SKC’s mascot, to deliver a message to graduates. “Bison have a way of protecting each other and supporting each other through challenges,” she said. “You will charge into your futures.”
Student of the Year Shanell LaVallie, a rising senior who studied education, gave the student address. She spoke about growing up in the foster care system and the ways educators supported and inspired her to push through tragedies in her life.
She plans to focus on improving education for Native American children after completing her education. She told the graduates that they held the keys to navigating challenging times and becoming successful. “Look within and discover who you are in the world,” she said. “Challenge yourself to keep growing. Heal from anything that caused you pain.”
The keynote address was delivered by Arthur “Butch” Blazer, former deputy undersecretary of Natural Resources and Environment for USDA. Blazer, a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe of New Mexico, was the first Native American to hold that position. He advised graduates to listen to their elders and utilize their unique Native American identities during their careers.
Lisa Harmon, director of SKC’s nursing department, was awarded the Faculty of the Year award.
2020 SKC graduates:
Bachelor of Science Forestry: Wildland Fire Hannah M. Funke
Associate of Science Forestry: Wildland Fire Aitana Chantel Paxson and Jonathan Cody White
Associate of Science Forestry: Forest Management Ian Issaia McRyhew and Jason Ronald Clairmont
Bachelor of Science Wildlife & Fisheries: Sattie Fisher
Associate of Science Wildlife & Fisheries Kelly Velma Lynn Bolton - Geospatial Information System Endorsement: Victoria Rosalyn White
Bachelor of Science Hydrology Tyrel Eugene Fenner-Geospatial Information System Endorsement: Morgan Sage Schultz
Associate of Science Hydrology: Cody T. Goklish and Amelia Rose Pittsley
Bachelor of Arts Tribal Administration and Governance: LaRenzo W. Roanbear
Associate of Arts Tribal Administration and Governance: Gwynetta L. Hewankorn, Kaele Ivanovitch and Wade A. Kirn
Bachelor of Arts Tribal Historic Preservation: Kisha Lee Gurule
Bachelor of Arts Psychology RaeAnn L. Bement, Celestina L. Bonilla, Judith Dawn Bruins, Joanie Bull in Sight, JaNeal McDonald, Alexandra Dawn Plant and Ahleese Teton
Associate of Arts Chemical Dependency Counseling: Beverly Anne Timentwa
Associate of Arts Psychology: Hunter Bighorn, Ivory Brien, Wade Jacob Burland, Quilanna Rose Cheff, Nicole, Roylynn Crawford, Elena Mali DuMontier, Jennifer Hammond, Sharmyne Francis and Wendi LaForge
Associate of Arts Chemical Dependency Counseling: Kenneth Maughan, Camas Dakota Renault and Dustin Joseph Wiseman
Bachelor of Social Work: Mariah Armstrong, Emma Atana Charlo, Dana Lynn Comes At Night and Landon R. HeavyRunner
Associate of Arts Chemical Dependency Counseling: Jayschell Bear Below, Nicole Giles, Dominga Mia Ground, ArriAnna Yvonne Henry, Timothy Kuipers, Waylon B. Michel and Lomar Wandering Medicine Sr.
Bachelor of Arts Business Administration: Charmaine B. Arcand, Richard Pierre, Allison D. Pretty On Top ShyAnn A. Raining Bird, Amanda Kimberly Serrano, Meaghan Simeon and Tyler Cole Baker
Associate of Arts Business Management: Cherish LaChance, Tasha McDanal, Lee T. Plain Feather, Ta’Tah K. Stewart, Anthony Jade Whiteman and Eric Arthur Witts
Computer Applications Endorsement Bachelor of Science Nursing: Dusti L. Boyce-Lafromboise, Charlie Julia Buffo, Maxine Rebecca Evans, Amanda June Gilliland, Dana Kirsch, Colton Roullier and Bobbi Stammers
Associate of Science Nursing: Clare Bourdon-Higbee, Justin Lee Brester, Brooke Victoria Conrady, Jaycee Andersen, Kelsey Ann Cote, Juanita C. Gullickson, Quinn Harlan, Rebekah Hayes-Perry, Amanda Sue Hout, Ashley E. Ingram, Tinnarrie Linette Lameman, Miselli St. Goddard Martinez, Cole Thomas Meeks, Luis Antonio Mesteth, Jared Neiss, Caroline Pompa, Megan Elizabeth Roberts, Sydney Thompson, Carolyn Rose Welch and Madisen Mazie Wheeler
Bachelor of Science Information Technology: Jarvis Joseph Ashley, Derek Dorrance, Kourtney Renae Brady and Xavier Streets
Bachelor of Science Early Childhood Education Preschool – 3: Morgan Valentine
Associate of Arts Early Childhood Education Preschool – 3: Camas Levi McClure, Amy Chantay McKeever, Ely Mouser-Goklish, Katherine Peterson and Sam William Hoff
Bachelor of Science Elementary Education: Eduvina Orozco-Charlo
Associate of Science Elementary Education: Adri Antoine
Bachelor of Science Early Childhood Education: Phyllis Haynes and Faye Lynn Yazzie
Associate of Arts Early Childhood Education: Jennifer Jo Broughton
Bachelor of Science Life Sciences-Cellular Biology: Cheyne Littlesun and Mary India Ortgies
Associate of Science General Science: Maranda Susanne Crandall and Kersten Jackson
Certificate of Completion Health Science Studies: Darbee Jore-Lytle-
Associate of Arts Fine Arts: Patricia De Leon and Jalen Storm Perkins
Associate of Arts Health Promotion Practices: Felicia S. Blandov
Certificate of Completion Medical Assistant: Ashley Lyn Tryon
Certificate of Completion Bookkeeping and Payroll, Certificate of Completion Office Assistant, Computer Applications Endorsement: Amanda Baltz-Gainan
Associate of Arts Grant Projects Management: Sheldon Shepherd
Certificate of Completion Grant Projects Assistant: Allison Rae Grant
Computer Applications Endorsement: Paula B. Sayers
Associate of Applied Science Medical Assistant: Stephanie Adams, Brian BigSam and Violet Pablo
Certificate of Completion Medical Assistant: Moriah Courville, Courtney Zimmerer and Justin W. Abbs
Certificate of Completion Emergency Services: Carmelita Rose Malatare
Certificate of Completion Dental Assisting Technology, Dental Endorsement: Daniel Andraschko, Kendal Chanel Bartel, Tanesha R. Beckman, Jasmin Camacho, Tamica M’shay Cole, Cauy W. Crutcher, Shania Deike-Sims, Madison De Soto, Wynonna Fermoyle, William Godfrey, Hannah Goecke, Perez V. Hiratsuka, Julianna Johnson, Kiara A. D. Kapotak, Bryawna Kastning, Traylyn R. Kennerly, Janine Annalee Kisala, Charlie Little, Decheiya P. Littlesun, Vanessa Isabelle Elaine Luellen, Rebecca Lynch, Janejira Mahanchakul, Presleigh Olsen, Kiana Pete, Bobbi Jo Powell, Jean M. Pungowiyi-Cleveland, Lisa Marie Radakovich, Ariel Dominique Schneider, Kelly Ann Sullivan, Cheyanne Sundberg, Jaryn Tenas
Certificate of Completion Highway Construction: Charles Beauvais, Bradley Brazill, Brayden Daniel, Pauline Dodson, Travis DuMont, Donny Ray George, Coby L. Guenzler, Josiah Michael Houle, Justin Krahn, Justin Mays, Randall Ray McNair III, Elauna Nelson, Thelma Fay Pepion, Brandon Pierce, Henry D. Pretty On Top IV, Joe Rodriguez, Jason A. Sands, Julian Sorrell, Justin Wilkinson
Emergency Medical Technician Endorsement: Arionna Miller, Cristoval Serrano
Grant Projects Management Endorsement: Valerie Jean Johnson
Geospatial Information System Endorsement: Logan Swanson
