The Indian Education Program staff honored its graduating seniors and their families at the Native American graduation celebration ceremony May 20 at Mt. Tahoma High School. Dr. Michael Pavel, an enrolled member of the Skokomish Nation and traditional bearer, was the keynote speaker. He is currently an associate professor of Higher Education at Washington State University and a nationally renowned researcher on issues dealing with American Indian and Alaska Native access and achievement in higher education.
James Miles, Puyallup Tribal Council, presented a Puyallup Tribal Honorarium of $500 to 10 graduating seniors who were winners in an essay contest. The students had to highlight an inspirational family/school/community person who inspired him or her to persevere and graduate. The Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee judged the essays.
Thirteen Native American students honored an inspirational teacher and presented him or her with a gift.
Graduates honor teachers who inspired them
Keegan Stanley honored Andrew Masenheimer, Stadium H.S.
Lindsey Wagner honored Angelina Quiles, Jason Lee M.S.
Taralyn Cooper honored Caroline Piercy, Stadium H.S.
Courtney Dennis honored Carolyn Merryweather, Foss H.S.
Valencya Holloway Factory honored Daniel Erickson, Foss H.S.
Kateri Gallo-Paul honored DJ-Dominic Crisostomo, Mt. Tahoma H.S.
Francisco Xhurape honored Dottie Harris, Foss H.S.
Colyb Esqueda honored Jean Lubken, Foss H.S.
Cierra Nelson honored Kathleen Dommer, Wilson H.S.
Tiffani MacDougall honored Kathy Georgetti, Gray M.S.
Lynia Olney honored Kevin Svinth, Wilson H.S.
Morrae Martin honored Marilyn Swanson, Stadium H.S.
Saige Scearcy honored Steven Allen, Foss H.S.
Native American graduating seniors
Wilson High School
Jasmine Manuel-Hopi Pueblo
Cierra Nelson-Cowlitz
Lynia Olney-Choctaw
Ciera Reynolds (Bomers)-Tesuque Pueblo
Lincoln High School
Marquise Henry-Puyallup
Hilary Lafontaine-Turtle Mt. Chippewa
Austin Frederick-Turtle Mt. Chippewa
Corina Wirkus-Apache/Blackfoot
Foss High School
Courtney Dennis-Yupik
Saige Scearcy-Turtle Mt. Chippewa
Francisco Xhurape-Turtle Mt. Chippewa
Valencya Holloway-Factory-Pamunkey
Collby Equeda-Cherokee, Apache, Kiowa
Mount Tahoma High School
Kateri Gallo-Paul-Blackfeet
Lindsey Wagner-Colville
Tiffani MacDougall-Chehalis
Spencer Walden –Hida/Tlingit
Stadium High School
Taralyn Cooper-Puyallup
Morrae Martin-Colville
Keegan Stanley-Colorado River
Photos from Indian Education celebration for 2010 Native American graduates May 20. Lower right photo: Superintendent Art Jarvis; Dr. Michael Pavel, keynote speaker; David Syth, Indian Education coordinator; and James Miles, Puyallup Tribal Council member helped with the presenations of gifts to graduates and scholarships.