Salish Kootenai College commencement celebrated June 8
Berl Tiskus
Was’tewin Smiley and her children enjoy mom’s graduation day.
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Brandon Gerrity, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry Wildland Fire, prepares to shake the hand of Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Tribal Council Chairman Joe Durglo.
Berl Tiskus
Father and daughter graduates April Charlo and Glenn Jorgenson celebrate commencement exercises at SKC.
Berl Tiskus
Wilbert Michel and Linda King lead the grand entry into SKC’s graduation.
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PABLO — Yamncut drum played as Salish Kootenai College class of 2013 followed Linda King and Wilbert Michel into the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center for commencement on June 8.
Jason Smith, former SKC graduate and current Director of Indian Affairs for Montana Governor Steve Bullock, offered graduates a “free fundamental formula for success.”
In his journey, Smith said he relied on his cultural and family relationships, and he advised the class of 2013 to do the same.
“Listen and learn these ways,” Smith said, adding that he travels home to the sweat lodge to relieve stress.
Smith also advised graduates to find a career and a mentor that inspires them and to keep in touch with SKC friends and to work with more former graduates, Smith said.
As state director of Indian affairs for Governor Bullock, Smith said, “I feel as prepared as on person can be ... I love this job.”
Interim SKC President Elaine Frank must love her job since she was given a Pendleton blanket in a moving presentation by Virgil Brave Rock, SKC social work department.
“They say leaders are like eagles. You don’t find them in flocks, but one at a time,” said Brave Heart, describing Frank.
Louise Andrew and Catherine Andrew, both raised in Niarada, received SKC honorary degrees.
Frank said an honorary degree is presented to a person who has made a difference for SKC or shows the essence of what SKC is about.
Then the SKC class of 2013 received their diplomas. Receiving 190 degrees, the SKC class of 2013 180 graduates included:
Tribal Historic Preservation A.A.
Angela Lukes
Regina Mad Plume
Melanie Manuel
Kathryn McDonald
Hydrology A.A.
Steven Ashley
Robert Davis
Jacob Feistner
Computer Engineering B.S.
Matthew Friedlander
Secondary Science Education B.S.
Adrienna DeCock
Elisabeth DeRoche
Racquel LittlePlume
Trisha Ollinger
Melody Small
Psychology B.A.
Cecilia Arnoux
Tara Avila
George Madman
Jennifer Madruga
Phylicia McDonald
Psychology A.A.
James Barrett
Wayne Burland
Jessica Courville
Brianna Couture
Anita Harrison
Melissa Mock
Kyler Rutz
Gregory Sheumaker
Early Childhood Education B.S.
Donna Pace
Early Childhood Education A.A.
Rachael BigSam
Michelle Brown
SallyAnne Jack
Mary Pierre
Michelle Williamson
Elementary Education B.S.
Lona Burns
Juanita Costilla Sure Chief
Emerald Green
Anastasia Incashola
William MacDonald
M’Lissa McElderry
Michelle Mitchell
Francy Moll
Christopher Morigeau
Heidi Spotted Bear
Elizabeth Tailfeathers
Carla Whitegrass
Elementary Education A.S.
Olivia Asencio
William Bass
Kylie Black
Alicia Deneault
Aimee Dixon
Sunni Dixon
Jamie Fuchs
Melissa Henderson
Cassidy Johnson
Elizabeth Jordan
Kiersten Kautzman
Theresa McNair
Ryon Noland
Dakota Peterson
Christa Red Crow
Paul Succo
Environmental Science Terrestrial B.S.
Burdette Birdinground
Dezerae Lorash
Rheana Marchand
Austin Moran
Jerome O’Brien
Cody Sifford
Environmental Science Terrestrial Resources A.S.
Harvey Sansavere
Environmental Science Fisheries & Wildlife B.S.
Shaylene Piedalue
Thomas Tall Bull
Forestry Wildland Fire B.S.
Carrie Fahlgren-Prewett
Forestry B.S.
Brandon Gerrity
Irene Martinez
Louie Moses
Shaylene Piedalue
John Young
Forestry A.S.
Shawn DeFrance
Bennett Everett, Jr.
Robert Jensen
Bruce Maestas
Rheana Marchand
Kelly O’Bennick
Matthew Weingart
Robert O’Connor
Bachelor of Social Work
Danielle Green
Neil McGill
Elizabeth Swope-Koepplin
Faith Tallwhiteman
Business Entrepreneurship B.A.
Casey Askan
Urban Bear Don’t Walk
Karly Bird
Alicia Ladd
Marshall Pablo
Ronda Quequesah
Business Management A.A.
Karly Bird
Jossie Dick
Shelley Dick
Chanona Greiff
Michael Guilez
Amanda Harriman
Ciera Kennedy
Josh Krump
Abigail Lake
Cody Marchand
Amber Matthews
Nicole Pierre
Beau Prairiebear
Allena Roberts
Alexandria Smith
Brenda Stapley
Natasha Vargas
Candace Weed-Butz
Information Technology B.S.
Chawn DuBack
Brandyn Limberhand
Robert O’Connor
Jessica Parker
Antoine Paul
Information Technology A.S.
Kevin Big Man
Thomas Fleming
Brandyn Limberhand
Robert O’Connor
Robert Sanchez
Information Technology Media Design A.A.S.
Cody Basler
Adrienne Gilson
Joseph Jack
Life Science B.S.
Jamie Cahoon
Was’tewin Smiley
General Science A.S.
Loretta Grey Cloud
Trey Saddler
Blake Wombold
General Studies Pre-Engineering Civil A.S.
Alvin Mitchell, Jr.
Fine Arts A.A.
Kayla Johnson
Liberal Arts A.A.
Kenneth Edmo
Sean Jubb
Randy Ramos
T’Adore Tomeo
Native American Studies A.A.
Ambrose Caye
Native American Studies Certificate of Completion
Christopher Lefthand
Business Technology A.A.S.
Deanna Bates
Alisha Thomas
Isaac Wal
Ilene Well Known
Dental Assisting
Certificate of Completion
Monica Christ
Tiffany Cole
Felicia Higgins
Cortney Mourlas
Kyani Murphy
Rocky Reynolds
Taylir Schrock
Katelyn Stinger
Office Professions
Certificate of Completion
Alice Caye
Kaylynne Flett
Jillene Graves
Alyssa Moran
Travis Pierre
Alisha Thomas
Johanna Whiteplume
Medical Office Clerk Certificate of Completion
Alice Caye
Jillene Graves
Shannon Hubert
Alyssa Moran
Travis Pierre
Angelica Shining Double
Alisha Thomas
Jenalei Weatherwax
Johanna Whiteplume
Highway Construction Certificate of Completion
Anthony Chaney
Fabian Deneault
Anthony Evans
Tavian Hando
Brian Heikens
Don Houle
Glenn Jorgenson
Rick Lund
Justin McBroon
Austin McCleary
Alden Running Crane
