COMMENCEMENT: Richard Smith (left), CHS Class of 2017 valedictorian, and Kendra Panther, salutatorian, move their tassels on their mortarboards signifying their graduation from Cherokee High School during commencement ceremonies at the Charles George Memorial Arena on Saturday, May 27. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather photos)
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
“Don’t count the days, make the days count,” was the motto for the Cherokee High School (CHS) Class of 2017. That Class made the day count and took a step towards their future as CHS held its annual commencement ceremony in the Charles George Memorial Arena on Saturday, May 27.
“Class of 2017, I have known most of you all of your lives,” said Debora Foerst, CHS principal. “And, I’ve been given the privilege of getting to know all of you over the past several years.”
She praised the graduates for how they have grown and matured over the years. “Your Class motto says, ‘Don’t count the days, make the days count’…you Class of 2017 have met every single graduation requirement established by the state of North Carolina and the Cherokee Central School System and you made those days count. Regardless of whether you’re heading straight into a career or heading off to college or the military, my prayer and hope for you now is that you will leave Cherokee High School today and still make your days count.”
Principal Foerst gave the following account of the upcoming future plans for the Class of 2017, “Nineteen (19) of you are headed to Southwestern Community College, five to Western Carolina University, two to Haywood Community College and one to each of the following: AB Tech, Queens University, UNC – Pembroke, Institute of American Indian Arts, University of Alabama, Appalachian State University, Eckerd College, University of California at Berkeley, Northeastern Oklahoma, and the Marines.”
AWARD: Lew Harding (right), Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 Commander, presents an American Legion Award to David Andrew Griffin.
Kendra Panther, salutatorian, commented in her address, “Today is an important event and one that we will never forget. After more than a decade of getting up at 6:30am, getting homework done every night and stressing over tests or assignments, our time at Cherokee Central Schools has now come to an end.”
She added, “Although we fell at times, we learned along the way. It all helped us out in the end. The trial and errors we encountered in middle school helped shape our paths through high school. As we entered into high school, we had no idea what to expect. All we knew was that we were starting our last four years of school.”
Panther concluded by saying, “Our futures are bright, and we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for our amazing teachers.”
Richard Smith, valedictorian, stated, “Today is the start of a new beginning and new opportunities for us.”
He said some classmates are going to college, while others are entering the job field or the military, and he thanked those who helped everyone succeed. “We wouldn’t be here with the help, guidance, and encouragement from our parents, friends, and teachers.”
CELEBRATE: Christus Della Guadalupe Cedillo is all smiles as she lines up with the rest of her class following the opening processional to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance”.
Smith wished his class well and noted, “I hope to see each of you succeed in your future field.”
During the program, several awards were given out. Lew Harding, Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 Commander, presented the American Legion Award to David Andrew Griffin. Then, Loretta Bolden presented the NAIWA Award to Kendra Panther and Richard Smith.
The Cherokee High School Class of 2017 included the following: Richard James Smith (highest honors), Kendra Leauana A. Panther-Wildcatt (high honors), Trinity Denali Bean, Sydney Audena Bird, Terrell David Bradley, Christus Della Guadalupe Cedillo, Fabian Kane Crow, Jennifer Aidan Crowe, Karli Janie Davis, Mary Ann Driver, Chelby Shyann Driver Owle, Stephanie Marie Frame, Reilly Kathryn George, Jeffery Scott Girty Jr., Menoch Runningfox Grant, David Andrew Griffin, Tsa li Wa guli Jackson, Livia Marie Lambert (highest honors), Alyssa Mercedes Land, Xavier Cain Locust, John Nathaniel Lossiah, Madison Shirlene McCoy, Teanna Celine McCoy, Steven Jarret Meuse, Lloyd Joshua Mitchell, Louwana Jo Montelongo, Taylor A’Yasti Nelson, Austin Wesley Earl Niccum, Megan Makenna Paugh, Kimmemelah Chontay Perkins, Noah Thomas Pete, Devona Ashlie Reed, Lucy Anita Reed, Oksana Edita Rivera, Aaron Ira Smart, Jacob Colby Smith, Steven Lee Swayney, Ethan Aniyosgi Swearengin, Mikhail Jayan Swimmer, Kyla Ranee Taylor (highest honors), Anthony Ray Toineeta, I-La-Ya-Ni Blake Wachacha, Alex Scott Kahdot Walker, Kendric Jayce Watty (honors), Dylan James West, Tyberius Jon West, Kyleigh Brynn Wiggins, Shyreece Deanne Williams, and Lukus Ray Woodard.
