(Arapahoe, WY) – Despite a storm looming in the distance, the weather cooperated for the May 17 Arapaho Charter High School Graduation ceremony, which was held outside at the school’s new football field.
The Little Brave Drum Group performed the processional Honor Song as the graduates made their way to their seats, led by the Arapaho Dancers. This was followed by the Flag Song and the presentation of the colors by members of the Arapaho Warriors Color Guard (Martin K. Blackburn Sr., Inez Sanchezolmos, Hugo Sanchezolmos, and Felicia Antelope).
After the Arapaho Pledge and Arapaho blessing (conducted by Nora Oldman), Principal Katie Law, FCSD #38 Superintendent Curt Mayer, and school board Chairman Lionell Bell each addressed the crowd.
“Right now, it seems like forever, but in the coming days, weeks, months and years, you will come to appreciate and savor this moment right here, right now,” Principal Law stated in her opening address, which she said she wanted to keep short and sweet in order to have more time to list the student’s accomplishments later in the ceremony.
“You’ve done it. You survived high school. Four years of papers, projects, and having to wake up early every morning,” Superintendent Mayer told students when he took the podium. “And now you sit here, gowns pressed, tassels swinging, ready to walk across this beautiful field into a world that is tough and difficult sometimes, but you are ready for anything it throws at you.”
“You are not just graduates. You are inheritors of the Northern Arapaho legacy and tradition. You carry the stories of your ancestors in your blood and the strength of your communities in your heart. Our elders remind us we are the dreams of our ancestors. Today, you are not just dreams. You are evidence. You are proof that resilience is not a word, it’s a heartbeat. That education is not just about grades. It’s about rising, learning, and returning with something powerful to give back to our community.”
“Graduates, today is a milestone; you survived years of exams, essays, cafeteria mystery meat and the one group project where you did all the work, you know who you are,” Chairman Bell joked with the students. “You made it through the nightly study sessions, early morning alarms and occasionally spotty wi-fi connections during virtual classes. If that doesn’t build character, I don’t know what does.”
“But more than anything, we’ve grown. Not just in knowledge, but in resilience, empathy and creativity. You become critical thinkers, compassionate friends and courageous young adults ready to take on the world. …To our incredible educators and staff; thank you. You just don’t teach subjects. You ignite passions, feel confidence and inspire dreams. You’ve shown our students not just what to learn, but how to learn. And more importantly, how to care. You are the heart of this institution and we are deeply grateful.”
Principal Law later explained that in lieu of a formal keynote speaker, a student speaker was chosen by fellow classmates, Zona Roskowske.
Zona shared a heartfelt account of dealing with traumatic bullying years ago that led to bouts of depression, and the thought that she “didn’t even see (herself) walking across this stage in a cap and gown.”
“All that changed in 2023,” Zona explained, when her Uncle Leo Hanway told her about Arapaho Charter, and constantly encouraged her to go back to school.
“I probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him. He inspired me to graduate. …He would even ask what my plans were for after high school.”
Zona added that it wasn’t just her Uncle Leo that inspired her, but also the “welcoming” teachers at Arapaho Charter who “pushed her” to get to graduation day. She noted that Principal Law would even text her on days she didn’t show up just to check in.
“I can’t wait to get my life started, make mistakes and learn from them,” Zona later commented.
Principal Law then shared some class recognitions and accomplishments, including: students who graduated early; students who stopped attending school but came back to finish; the school’s first ever volleyball and golf teams; Kenya Rhodes (first female State athlete in school history and recipient of the Pacesetter Award); the girls who were chosen for the Beyond Basketball Tour in Spain; the students who held jobs or raised children while also earning their degree; and many others.
Principal Law then explained that instead of a traditional Valedictorian, the school names a “Student of the Year,” which was Kenya Rhodes for 2025. Rhodes was also recognized by County 10 and received a $500 scholarship for this accomplishment at last week’s Student of the Year Banquet. Additionally, Rhodes was later recognized for receiving the Underwood Scholarship, which honors a student who has embraced the Arapaho language and culture.
Other scholarship recognitions included Shawna Gardner, who received the Grandma Lucy Willow Memorial Scholarship; Julianna Monroe, who received the Wayne C’Hair Scholarship; and Nyjah Behan, who received the Leo Hanway Memorial Scholarship.
The Hanway scholarship had two requirements: the student who received it must have regularly ridden the school bus, and they had to lead the graduation crowd in a rendition of “The Wheels On The Bus,” which Behan accommodated with all smiles.
Once the recognitions wrapped up, it was officially time to award the graduates their diplomas.
The Arapaho Charter High School Class of 2025 included: Dontae Antelope, Nyjah Behan, Alissah C’Hair, Shaylena CrazyThunder, Shawna Gardner, Heaven-Leigh Valencia Johnson, Israel Lopez, Juianna Monroe, Jayla Moss, Quiana Piper, Kenya Rhodes, Zona Roskowske, and Esperanza Sittingeagle.
Before the closing remarks and recessional, the graduates were given teal carnations to distribute to people who made an impact on their lives in some way.
The Class of 2025 picks included: Motto – “Despite the odds, we made it!”; Flower – Teal Carnation; Song – Joey Bada$$ ‘Devastated.’
Congratulations, graduates!