Student Achievement Celebrated at American Indian Graduation Banquet

By Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, May 18, 2015

On May 13th in the Rolf Olsen Center in Onamia, 17 recent high school graduates were honored for their hard work and commitment to their studies. Guest speaker Suzanne Wise, Commissioner of Education, spoke highly of each graduate. Other speakers included Nay Ah Shing School Principal Noah Johnson and Onamia Principal Jason Vold. Congratulations to each graduate on your achievement and we apologize if we missed any names.

East Central

Jessica Benjamin

Hinckley-Finlayson

Daylon Feuerhake
Taylor Jackson
Laikora Thompson
Jacob Stenger

Isle graduates

Makina DesJarlait

McGregor graduates

Ashlinn Moore
Brandon Wilkie
Casandra Hill

Nay Ah Shing graduates

Dallas Anderson
Sage Boyd-Davidson
Jakob Cash
Paige Mitchell
Tahnisha Sam

Onamia graduates

Brittani Benjamin
Sierra Churchill
Anna Davis
Jasmine Fetters
Mariah Harrington
Noel Kegg
Samantha Mitchell
Ethan Smith

To learn more about each graduate, we had them answer a series of questions about future plans, favorite memories and their greatest strengths. Once again, congratulations to all of this year’s graduates!

Mariah Harrington, 18
What’s next after high school?: I plan to work and attend college.
What’s your favorite memory of high school?: Too many amazing memories to name but my most recent memory is preparing to graduate.
What you will miss most about high school?: Learning from teachers that have been great mentors to me.
What are your greatest strengths?: I possess many great attributes, many qualities such as persistence, dedication, and intelligence. I have a great personality but most importantly a big caring heart.

Anna Davis, 18
What’s next after high school?: College.
What’s your favorite memory of high school?: Sports.
What you will miss most about high school?: Friends.
What are your greatest strengths?: Sports and language.

Samantha Naomi Mitchell, 17
What’s next after high school?: College.
What’s your favorite memory of high school?: After school activities.
What you will miss most about high school?: The sports.
What are your greatest strengths?: Determination, drawing, and math.

Ethan Smith, 17
What’s next after high school?: I am going to get a job, and relax this summer.
What’s your favorite memory of high school?: When I was in the 8th grade, that was the best year I have had.
What you will miss most about high school?: I will miss my friends.
What are your greatest strengths?: To keep on doing what I do.

Noel Kegg, 18
What’s next after high school?: Dental assisting school in Tucson, AZ.
What’s your favorite memory of high school?: Class trips.
What you will miss most about high school?: Basketball season.
What are your greatest strengths?: Very outgoing and love to travel to youth conferences.

Sierra Churchill, 18
What’s next after high school?: Spend summer in Arizona and off to college in the fall.
What’s your favorite memory of high school?: Making new friends.
What you will miss most about high school?: The extra curricular activities.
What are your greatest strengths?: I’m persistent and goal orientated. I laugh and have fun.

Makina Anung-Ikwe DesJarlait, 20
What’s next after high school?: Looking into jobs and schools.
What’s your favorite memory of high school?: Learning new stuff to prepare for the future.
What you will miss most about high school?: Seeing everyone’s beautiful faces.
What are your greatest strengths?: Being kind to others.

graduation-banquet-2015-group
Pictured (L-R): Sierra Churchill, Mariah Harrington, Ethan Smith, Samantha Mitchell, Noel Kegg, and Anna Davis

graduation-banquet-2015-Noah-Benjamin-Sam
Noah Benjamin-Sam

graduation-banquet-2015-Makina-Desjarlait-with-parents
Makina Desjarlait with her parents

graduation-banquet-2015-Alexis-Staples
Alexis Staples