(Fort Washakie, WY) – The Fort Washakie High School Class of 2025 graduation ceremony was held last weekend, where family members and loved ones packed the gymnasium to see these Eagles fly on to that next stage of their lives.
Before the ceremony began, the graduates were celebrated with a parade.
The ceremony then opened with a Processional and Flag Song from Scout River, who also later performed the Victory Song and the closing Honor Song. The Richard Pogue Post #81 conducted the presentation of the colors, and Shoshone Language Teacher Arlen Shoyo recited the prayer invocation.
Science teacher Dr. John Gookin then welcomed the crowd, and thanked the Veterans and Elders in attendance.
“I’m sure it felt like a long road with a lot of hard work, (but) hard work pays off, and here you are,” Gookin told the graduates.
“Today’s bittersweet, though; we have an empty chair,” Gookin lamented, referencing the chair in graduate’s row left empty for Stephanie Bearstail, who tragically passed away in March and would have been graduating with the rest of her class.
“Stephanie Bearstail, one of our sisters we lost back in March… It’s a terribly sad situation that we lost a dear friend. She was a very strong student. She was doing college classes.”
Gookin then presented a painted skull made in her honor, which will be placed in the library.
After Superintendent Deb Smith, school board Chairman Tex LeClair, and Graduation Speaker/Social Studies Teacher Lincoln David addressed the graduates, the Salutatorian, Bria Smith, and the Valedictorian, Zydreus Friday (who also designed the skull) spoke to their peers.
Following the addresses, History/Government Teacher Dylan Moellendorf then announced the graduates as they received their diplomas.
The Fort Washakie Class of 2025 included: Memphis Barnaby, Shane Burson, Eagle Bull Coulston, Mellissa Engavo, Patience Engavo, Ada Enos, Zydreus Friday, Love Hereford, Jayvion Judge, Hailee Lone Dog, Layla Mulford, Darrell O’Neal, Benjamin Quiver (who was also one of County 10’s Students of the Year), Lexi Redbear, Daedre Shoyo, Kymara Shoyo, Bria Smith, John Spoonhunter II, Aloysia Warren, Kezia Washakie, Skyler Washakie, Carmelle Welsh, Linden Whiteplume, and In Memoriam Stephanie Bearstail. (Apologies if we didn’t get a photo of your kiddo! The procession turned into quite a cluster towards the end!)
Class Flower
Hibiscus
Class Colors
Silver, Black, Maroon
Class Motto
“Ike aku, ‘ike mai, kokua aku kokua mai; pela iho la ka nohana ‘ohana.”
“Recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped; such is a family relationship.”
Congratulations, Class of 2025; go Eagles!