STONEY NAKODA – Titus Simeon is the first person in his family to graduate.
Sitting with seven out of the 16 Morley Community School 2018-19 graduates at a powwow held to honour their academic achievements, the 18-year-old said he was “amazed” to be where he is now.
“I feel like a bunch of weight is off my shoulders,” said Trevor Lefthand, 18, another MCS graduate, who is also the first in his family to graduate.
Officials at the school said this is the biggest high school graduating class for the Stoney Nakoda Nation has had in years. On a Nation compromised of three bands, Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley, students from all bands attend the community school and came together for the honorary powwow last Thursday (May 30).
“It has more than doubled than last year,” Melodie Bingham, Morley Community School guidance counsellor said after the powwow.
“It is close to one of our biggest [graduating classes].”
A decade ago, high school graduation classes on the Nation averaged around 17 students from 2009-15 when the graduation rates dropped to 10 students a year for 2016-17. There were only seven graduates last year.Simeon and Lefthand, both credited their dedication to education through their involvement in sports – hockey and basketball.
Speaking with the Outlook earlier this year, Lefthand said before he got involved with basketball, he would skip school a lot and was “obviously going down the wrong path.”
“Being in sports really helped me keep the negative energy away from me like drugs and alcohol and cigarettes … my relationship with basketball, it helps me in life become my own leader,” Lefthand said.
But while some graduates credited sports for their success, Bingham said the students held themselves accountable and encouraged each other.“They were really looking after each other this year,” Bingham said.
“They really encouraged each other.”
The comradery was apparent during the honourary ceremony, as the students showed each other support.
“I’m proud not just of myself, but all the graduates,” said Jestean Fox, 18, who noted she wants to upgrade her courses before choosing a career in nursing or social work.
“It takes a lot to graduate. In the last year of high school there are so many ups and downs and pressure to figure it out.”
Fox said she did not think she would ever make it “this far.”
“It feels really exciting ... a little scared, unbelievable,” she said.
Other graduates were just happy to be leaving high school.
“I am just relieved to get out,” Francine Hollowey, 17, said with a laugh.
Wamblie Littlesky, 18, agreed saying she would likely “take a year off.”While all had different ideas of what their next steps would be, from taking a gap year, to upgrading, to potentially attending Red Deer college for hockey, the graduates shared the same “surreal feeling” sentiment.
“It feels unreal – like many doors are opening,” said Triston Bearspaw, 20, who watched his younger brother Jacob Bearspaw take part in the honourary powwow.
“I’m proud to see my older brother – everyone should reach for the stars,” said Jacob, 18, who is on track to graduate next year.
The official graduation ceremony will take place on the Nation this fall.
