Community College Holds Graduation
Fort Peck Community College celebrated its graduation with honor songs and special speakers at Wolf Point High School on Friday, May 8.
Poplar native Dustyn Azure, the head men’s wrestling coach at Eastern Oregon University, served as the program’s guest speaker.
Azure said it was special for him to be the guest speaker because he grew up on the Fort Peck Reservation and learned his first lessons of life here. “It’s not just an honor, it’s personal,” he added.
He congratulated the graduates on the hard work to achieve their accomplishments. But he reminded the graduates, “Graduation isn’t a finish line, it’s a doorway,” Azure said. “Life doesn’t got in a straight line. It twists, turns and surprises you.” He added that when a surprise enters your life, that it’s not a failure but rather just life.
Azure, a member of the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, urges graduates to keep moving forward and setting goals. He told them to remember their values, voices of elders, history and culture.
He also asked graduates to think about giving back by mentoring, supporting and leading in their communities. He said they can serve as role models to young students who are wondering if they can reach their goals.
“Your role matters more than you know,” Azure said.
Daniel Berry provided the valedictorian address. He thanked family and co-workers.
He said advisor Anthony Shields play an important role in his life. “He’s one of the people who helped me get this far,” Berry said.
The graduate added that his two years at Fort Peck Community College have been short and wonderful.
“You are all wonderful and I wish you all the luck in your future careers,” Beery said to his classmates.
Teila Lezard gave the salutatorian address.
Lezard, a mother of four including twins, said she realized she needed to keep pushing herself and move forward to achieve goals. She thanked FPCC for guiding and supporting her. She also thanked her husband and family for supporting her.
She will teach her children that they can do whatever they want to do.
Graduates in attendance included Shauntey Baker, Daniel Berry, Samantha Brunelle, Chantell Buckles, Jose’ Figueroa, Dani Gonzales, Jason Hamilton Jr., Jaeda Has The Eagle, Marlyce “Punkie” Jackson, Teila Lezard, Jeffrey Low Dog, Helen Magbanua, Robert Manning, Summer Manning, Misti Mix, Shandi Moran, Jerrid Mudgett Sr., Robert Murray III, Yolanda Parshall, Patricia Philbrick, Austin Pipe, Jared Pipe, Jonnie Potter, Margaux Runs Through, Tyson Sutherland and Joy Wolff.
Graduates not attending the ceremony were Nourah AbuShaban, Jalen Atchico, Michael Azure, Alexandria Beston, Tina Bierle, Howard Black Dog, Amanda Brackett, Kristy Broussard, Marques Brown, TeeJay Brown, Cameron Bunk, Corey Bunk, Hunter Burshia, Walker Burshia, An’Julie Cantrell, Hailen Crawford, Kristian Crowbelt-Youngman, Dale Cure, Shania Dalberg, Payton Darnell, Brittany Deavilla, Adam Erickson, Quannah First That Walks, Calvin Bear Fast, Jacqueline Glitz, Callyn Gourneau, Kylie Gourneau, Michelle Harada, Chris Headdress, Tanya Hilliard, John Hotomanie, Levi Humphreys, Brenda Jester, Alania Jones, Melesa Kling, Deacon Magnan, Tyler Melbourne, Erin Ownspipe, Charles Pribbernow, Melody Red Eagle, Justin Reddoor, Jackson Reid, Zack Rosebluff, Terry Ross, Brock Schumacher, Felicia Scott, Charles Simmons, Brandy Smith, Kholby Spotted Wolf, Kaileen Stovern, Charles Summer, Kala Woody and Dewayne Youngman.
Montana State University Northern graduates include Melissa Kozma, Rainey Azure and Dorian Talks Different. HiSet graduates are Dawnette Green, Harmony Hanson, Thomas Larson, A’mare Martell, Anika Martell, Tyren Mason, Alyssa Evans, Lanie Holen, Sarah Mc-Nerney, Jerome O’Brien Jr., Trevor Saindon, Sara Vasquez and Jaymin Wise Spirit.
