Fort Peck Community College Celebrates Graduation
Fort Peck Community College held its graduation ceremony at Wolf Point High School on Friday, May 12.
College president Haven Gourneau noted that the graduates experienced quite a journey. She said COVID-19 created many challenges for both students and instructors.
Gourneau explained that COVID pushed FPCC to embrace on-line education. Staff was dedicated to make the changes. Laptops were provided for all students.
“The students sitting here hung in and trusted Fort Peck Community College,” Gourneau said. “They did a new learning format while still having to take care of families and study.”
Valedictorian Antoinette Chase told audience members how she was a teen mom at the age of 15 and didn’t have any intention to furthering her education at that point. She later enrolled in a program to help young people graduate and go into business.
A decade and two children later, she has accomplished her dream of earning her degree at FPCC.
“I’m so happy I didn’t give up,” Chase said.
She urged people to get things done today and that it’s never too late to reach your goals.
Salutatorian Tracie Coursey of Browning said she was proud of herself to earn the degree while taking care of her family and working full-time.
Coursey thanked her parents and family for their support. She noted that daughters, nieces and nephews look up to her.
“There were many times during my journey that I wanted to give up,” she said.
Fanci Jackson was the winner of the Student of the Year award.
She explained that COVID provided her with an opportunity to further her education. She is thankful for stipends and incentives.
The class of 2023 included Tia Azure, Alexandria Beston, Emerson Birdtail II, Jeb Boettger, Sarah Boettger, Chantell Buckles, Monica Campbell, Antoinette Chase, Tracie Coursey, Anessa Day, Elizabeth Deserly, Jordis Ferguson, Keyvin Four Bear, Callyn Gourneau Wagner, Hilary Gourneau, David Grainger, Mauri Gourneau Grandchamp, Michelle Harada, Fanci Jackson, Yvette Kawasaki, Melissa Kozmo, La-Faye Lizotte, Janet Lone Bear, Darwin Longtree, Dusti Marottek, Malia McNabb, Rhonda Mitchell-Lilley, Kyrsten Miller, Charla Patton, Kristin Petersen, Aimee Plummer, Glenna Red Eagle, Shanna Robertson, Phyllis Runs Through, Lori Sande, Abriana Scott, Melvin Scott III, Brinton Sears, Kylee Sears, Celesse Shields, Jared Standing, Stacy Standing, Tana Two Bulls, Jennifer Walking Eagle, Pamala Youngman and Elizabeth Zimmer.
Graduates not attending were Joetta Allrunner Fourstar, Patrick Bad Bear, Aimee Black, Nicholas Blount, Troy Brown, Wesley Brown, Donelle Buckles, An’Julie Cantrell, Willow Coefield, Lafon Copenhaver, Evron Davis Jr., Taylor Day, Tomee Escarcega, Keri Fox, Shantell Fowler, Katherine Hamilton, Elizabeth Higgins, Jonnie Huerta, Dana Hughes, Camilla Jensen, Payton Klinger, Erica Lamebear Sorrels, Lindsay Leno, Casee Lepper, Elizabeth Lingle, Alexxis Mcelwee, Reagan Mecham, Tristan Miller, Connor Perry, Tiara Whitmus, Dana Ryan, Noah Rucus, Carri Sifford, Kelly Stevenson-Sargent, Kaiden White Bear, Robert White, Andrea Wilson, Ashlee Wilkening, Danford Wineinger and Jennifer Yellow Hammer.
