(St. Stephens, WY) – Family and friends packed the St. Stephen’s gym for the 2026 graduation ceremony last Friday, which began with the student procession led by members of the Arapaho Warriors Legion Post 96. CPL Billy Farris Hiinono ei’ Beni’iineno and the Eagle Drum group.
Superintendent/Principal Kimberly Summers hosted the ceremony, and following an opening prayer from Michael Redman, she introduced the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, Tyson Whiteplume, and the Salutatorian, Ezekiel Divers.
Whiteplume expressed pride in his fellow classmates for their accomplishments, and thanked his coaches, family, teachers, and elders who helped him get to the stage. For his parting words to the graduates, he read a quote popularized by SpongeBob SquarePants: “You never really know the true value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.”
Divers reflected on how much their graduating class had grown since freshman year and cited their resilience in the face of “anything that was thrown our way.”
“Each of us has a story worth telling,” Divers said. He also credited those who helped his class make it to graduation day. “Let’s take a moment to honor our teachers and mentors, whose guidance and support played a pivotal role in our journey.”
Following Eagle Drum performing the Honor Song, Superintendent Summers thanked the school board members in attendance, and introduced the guest speaker, John C’Hair.
C’Hair shared the history behind his name and spoke on the origins of St. Stephen’s school before offering some words of encouragement.
“You must make some honest effort; with your determination… you will be able to accomplish whatever it is you are seeking in life,” C’Hair said.
Inez and Hugo Sanchezolmos then took to the podium to present the Sanchezolmos Scholarship to Salutatorian Ezekiel Divers.
Inez explained that she had served in the U.S. Navy for over 20 years, and that when she and Hugo retired, she asked her mother, Francis ‘Merle’ Haas, what she could do to give back to her community, and the Sanchezolmos Scholarship, now in its second year, was born. They now give out at least one scholarship to St. Stephen’s, Arapaho Charter, and Wyoming Indian each year.
School Counselor Charlotte Longenecker then recognized the staff and individuals who helped set up the ceremony, thanked the student class representatives for their work during the school year, and read some of the graduates’ accomplishments and future plans.
“The whole time I’ve been at the high school, you’ve been at the high school, so we started here together, and now I get to see you off to your next chapter,” Superintendent Summers told the graduates before certifying the diplomas.
Longenecker then awarded the diplomas and announced the St. Stephen’s Class of 2026, which included:
- Tyson Whiteplume
- Ezekiel Divers
- Arieona Arthur
- Kyle Black
- Jordan C’Hair
- Kyrynn Hernandez
- Sunray Lopez
- Tristin Monroe
- Jayden Moss
- Jamonte Roberts
- Uneik Spoonhunter
- Rocco Wallowingbull
h/t Vince Tropea