Frontier Academy graduates honored during Riverton School Board meeting

(Riverton, WY) – Fremont County School District 25 honored several high school graduates from Frontier Academy during a Riverton School Board meeting Tuesday.

The graduates in attendance Tuesday included Kylee Ann Blumenshine, Cheyenne Elizabeth Haviland, Joaquin Little Red Lonebear Janis, John Eben Magnan, and Preslee Lynn Mills, with Talon Kyzar-Scott Prestwich not present. 

Blumenshine

Frontier Academy Teacher Ross Ziegler began the ceremonies by introducing Blumenshine, who he called a “great example (of) the power of positive relationships.”

“She built positive relationships with some staff members, and I truly believe it changed her life and made her want to become a high school graduate,” Ziegler said. 

One of those staff members was Riverton High School Math Teacher Heather Buchanan, who said she was “super proud” of Blumenshine and all of the Frontier Academy graduates.

“They have shown us some strength,” Buchanan said.“(They) made it through the finish line.”

For Blumenshine, crossing that finish line meant overcoming some “obstacles in life,” Buchanan said, commending Blumenshine for her perseverance.

“You’re a winner,” Buchanan said. “I can see that in all of you guys.”

Blumenshine said Frontier Academy helped her navigate those “bumps and detours life threw in my way.”

“I’ve learned so much from the staff – math, science, and life lessons,” she said. “The Frontier staff taught me true kindness and acceptance. They also taught me to have fun and enjoy life. … I’d like to thank (them) for helping me through high school and life. Thank you all for giving me a second home full of love and learning.”

Blumenshine also thanked her parents for “pushing me through and giving me everything I needed during high school,” and she thanked the Riverton School Board for “giving me this opportunity (with) Frontier.”

“I was very behind when I first started attending Frontier, (but) thanks to the help and support I received, I’m graduating early,” she said. “I worked very hard for my diploma, and I’m very excited to move on to the next chapter in life.”

After graduation, Blumenshine plans to work and attend college to earn her cosmetology license. 

Haviland

Frontier Academy Academic Coach Rhiana Edgeington introduced Haviland to the School Board this week, calling her “a totally different girl now” from the person who originally “came to us from Vegas” in 2023.

“(She had) culture shock, very much,” Edgeington said. “Her guard was up. (But) we pushed her, and somewhere along the line she dropped her guard, and we really got to know the real Cheyenne. She’s resilient, she’s reflective, and she’s a true problem-solver. Give her the space where she can work out her problems, and she will do it herself.”

Edgeington’s “favorite thing about Cheyenne,” however, is that “she truly cares.”

“She cares deeply – which is why it is no shock that she is now taking a CNA class and pursuing a better future for herself,” Edgeington said. “We are so proud.”

Haviland thanked the school board, the superintendent, the Frontier staff, and her loved ones for supporting her as she completed high school in Riverton.

In particular, she said Frontier Academy Teacher Robert Winn was “the constant yet soft shove I needed to focus on my classes,” while Ziegler offered “a helping hand” in math,  Frontier Academy Teacher Kimberly Ibach provided “peace of mind for English,” Social Worker Nicole Schoening “helped remind me there was a future that I wanted,” Success Coach Shanell Stanley “withheld my classes from me so I would push through the ones I had been avoiding,” Edgeington was “my advice-giver for any personal problems,” and Principal Justin Taylor had “a vision for me even on my rough days.”

“You reminded me there’s a possibility to prosper, and you made it so that I had a chance, no matter what,” she said. 

Lonebear Janis

Winn said he “struggled” while preparing his speech honoring Lonebear Janis, who he called a “low-maintenance” student.

“He showed up, he did his work, (and) asked for very little help – but when he needed it, he would get it,” Winn said. “He just went through very, very smoothly through our program.”

In fact, Winn said Lonebear Janis is graduating “ahead of schedule.”

“He had that goal in mind last fall, and he worked hard (and) got what he needed to done,” Winn said. “He really stepped it up a notch.”

In addition, Winn said Lonebear Janis is “a gentleman, he’s respectful, he’s courteous, he’s kind, (and) he’s reliable.”

“(He) would go get a project, get it done, crank it out, and every time it was done really, really well,” Winn said. “Your skills and your personality will take you a long way in your next step. I’m just really proud that you made it here.”

Lonebear Janis said Frontier Academy helped him “in a big way” – not just by allowing him to graduate early, but “by showing me I can do more than I once thought.” 

“The staff at Frontier (have) all helped me out at one point, and I am very grateful for them,” he said. “I would not have been able to do it without their support.”

He also thanked his parents, “who have been there for me and kept pushing me to finish,” as well as the school board, “for giving me this opportunity at Frontier.”

“I worked hard to earn this diploma, and I’m ready for the next step,” he said. 

After graduation, Lonebear Janis said he plans to study to become an electrician at the Wind River Job Corps Center and possibly take on a second trade there, too.

Magnan

Like Haviland, Ziegler said Magnan underwent a “great transformation” at Frontier Academy, where he went “from struggling in school” to “being referred to (as) ‘one of the smart kids.'”

“It shows what you can do when you really want something,” Ziegler said, referring to Magnan’s goal to join the Marine Corps.

Magnan said the Marine Corps motivated him to “get done even faster” with high school so he could be ready to ship out next month.

“I will be the first Marine in my family,” he said, thanking Frontier Academy for helping him “graduate faster (than) expected.”

He also thanked his family and friends “for supporting me through this,” and he thanked the school board “for giving me this opportunity at Frontier.”

“I worked hard to earn this diploma,” he said. “I’m excited to move on and become a Marine.”

Mills

Mills was the last graduate to be introduced Tuesday, with Winn describing her as both “quiet” and “very powerful.”

“She’s very, extremely smart, (and) she has one of the best smiles that you’ll ever see,” Winn said. “It’s sometimes hard to get it out of her, but when it comes out, it can change the room almost instantly.”

Mills was “always polite” and “patient” at Frontier, Winn said, and she was “very kind” and “courteous to her fellow students.”

“I really think you’ll do great things,” he said.

Mills said she doesn’t yet have a “planned outcome for what my future looks like,” but she already has a job “working with young children,” and she plans to “happily continue” down that path “until I find a different interest to pursue.”

“If you want, we are always here to help you, and we can get you through the next step to college classes,” Winn said. “For now, just enjoy the little kids, because I’m sure they are a ton of fun.”

Mills thanked the school board and Frontier staff, whose support “has pushed me so far in my education, which has led me to this opportunity of graduating early.”

“Frontier (has) helped me grow as a person and academically throughout my time there,” she said. “Frontier has shown me that my education means something, and they have given me opportunities to strengthen it.”

She also thanked her parents, who “have supported me and helped me grow into the person I am today.” 

“I’ve worked hard to earn this diploma, and I’m excited to move on into my next stage in life,” she said. 

FCSD 25 Superintendent Jodi Ibach thanked all of the Frontier graduates “for being here and sharing your words about Frontier and your future plans.”

“Best of luck to you all,” she said.

For more information, call FCSD 25 at (307) 856-9407.