(Ethete, WY) – The Wyoming Indian High School Class of 2026 graduation ceremony was one of the largest in school history, where hundreds of family members gathered in the Alfred Redman Sr. Gymnasium to celebrate the occasion.
The graduates entered the gym while the Bear River Singers and Eagle Drum performed the Opening Song, and later the Flag Song, which were followed by an opening prayer from William C’Hair.
Emcee Josie Redman welcomed the crowd before introducing the Class of 2026 Salutatorian, Dinayla Augustine, and Valedictorian, Parlayne Ferris.
“As a teacher, I have had the unique privilege of seeing these students most every day,” Redman said. “I see them when they are tired. I see them when they are stressed, and when they are laughing. To stand here today and see them in their beautiful regalia is a moment of pure pride. … You learned Arapaho, Shoshone. You sewed, cooked, welded, worked with cars, built a shed, made track, robotics, volleyball, cross-country, basketball, and wrestling practices. But more than that, you grew up.”
“We have come a long way as a class, and to see each and every one of you today makes me feel good as we are one of the biggest classes from Wyoming Indian High School to graduate,” Augustine told her fellow graduates before fondly remembering her particpation in cross-country, basketball, track, indoor track teams, and being part of the traditional club and speech and debate team (“…even though I decided to be lame and only do basketball this year,” she joked).
Augustine then credited her parents with helping her make it to graduation. “…Thank you, Mom and Dad, for staying by my side. You’re an excellent example, and I’m glad you taught me well, not only for me but for my siblings as well, who plan to reach this milestone.”
“A few years ago, there was a time when I thought school wasn’t for me, and I’m sure you all thought that; I remember having a 56% in my American Government class, and my mom would have to bribe me with a hundred bucks or basketball shoes so I could pass,” Ferris said during his address. “And at that time, I saw school as something I was forced to do… But I’m glad I can stand here today and admit that I was wrong. The purpose of education isn’t to bring stress to our lives, it’s to help us become better people.”
Ferris later reflected on the quote “A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaker, because its trust is not in the branch, but in its own wings.”
“Meaning, even though we rely on things like relationships, money, and grades to keep us stable, real confidence comes from trusting ourselves. As we move on from high school, not every branch will hold forever. But what matters is believing we can keep moving forward, no matter what happens.”
Inez Sanchezolmos was then introduced as the ceremony’s guest speaker. Born in Lander to Merle Haas and Henry John Haas, Sanchezolmos was a Wyoming Indian Graduate who enlisted in the U.S Navy in 2002, and retired around 20 years later as a Logistics Specialist. In addition to a number of other accomplishements, it was shared that Sanchezolmos is “entitled to wear the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (6), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Medal (3), Expert Marksmanship 9MM Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.”
Sanchezolmos cited the traits of resilience, empathy, respect, and accountability as the marks of a good leader, and spoke on the importance of fostering relationships with mentors.
“I hope that you guys find a mentor; I hope that you guys find a leader to emulate who will help guide you with all the decisions, consequences, and opportunities, whether you decide to leave the reservation or not,” she told graduates. “You are all leaders. You will leave this graduation ceremony and inspire many more young students, scholars, and athletes who look up to you and cheer you guys on.”
Sanchezolmos also later presented her and her husband Hugo’s namesake scholarship, the Sanchezolmos Scholarship, to Roland J. Burton and Colton J. SunRhodes. Roland Robinson also announced Parlayne Ferris as the 2026 recipient of the Shotgun Scholarship, before listing off the other various scholarships that students earned.
Before the scholarships were given out, two Wyoming Indian educators were recognized: Principal Pam Gambler for 31 years of service and science teacher Scott Krassin for 36 years of service. Gambler was credited for her work as a history teacher and volleyball coach, in addition to her later administrative roles, and for consistently advocating for her students to pursue higher education. Krassin was acknowledged for the variety of science classes he taught, coaching track and the Electric Feather Robotics Team, working with Skills USA, and fostering a love of all things space by organizing the school visit from Nicole Mann, the first Native American woman in space, and overseeing the NASA Hunch program, where student work ultimately assisted with the Artemis moon mission.
Following a class video presentation from the Year Book students and Mr. Reindhardt, and words from Principal Gambler, it was officially time for graduates to receive their diplomas.
The Wyoming Indian High School Class of 2026 included:
Caleb J. Addison
Jennetta A. Antelope
Dinayla J. Augustine
Matthew J. Austin
Adriano C. Brown
LaDainian J. Brown
Nicholas W. Brown Jr.
Roland J. Burton
Talissa B. Cadotte
Mitchell J. C’Hair III
TayaAvy J. Dixey
Parlayne C. Ferris
Takara P. Ferris
Natasha K. Friday
Gabriella N. Headley
Amani J. Iron Cloud
Temiah J. Kaulaity
Raelynn S. Logan
David R. McElroy Jr.
Isabella J. Mesteth
Heeyei Nütou Monroe-Black
Benjamin B. Niedo
Jailynn P. Norse
Aaron L. Perry Jr.
Aven L. Posey
Atsa Biyaazh Roanhorse
Julius J. Robinson
Alícia R. Sanchez
Jamie L. Shoyo-Ferris
Cordell E. Spoonhunter
Hayden J. Spoonhunter
Khilen E. St. Clair
Colton J. SunRhodes
Joey B. WallowingBull
Kimora E. Washakie
h/t Vince Tropea
Class Flower
Blue Tulip
Class Colors
Columbia Blue, Red, and White
Class Theme
We are resilient, and we are soaring into our future.
Class Quote
“Paín made us stronger, fear made us braver, and Wyoming Indian made us wiser”
Class of 2026 Class Song
American Teen -By Khal