By Alan Sorensen
ROCKY BOY Members of the Class of 2000 lined the Rocky Boy High School foyer in their red caps and gowns as anxious parents, relatives and friends awaited their entry to the gym Wednesday evening.
When drummers Alvin Windy Boy and Charles Gopher began singing the traditional honor song, the procession began 69 Head Start graduates making their way through the crowd.
Cameras flashed and fans oohed and aahed as the tiny graduates of Rocky Boy's three Head Start schools proceeded to their assigned seats to the left of the stage.
Skits and songs and sing-a-longs brightened the evening. Head Start volunteers were honored and Earl Arkinson presented the Class of 2000 with eight sweetgrass braids donated by his cousin, John "Roddy" Sunchild.
The graduates of Little Cree Center at the Agency, Brittany Raining Bird Center at Bonneau Village, and Little Children's Center at Box Elder made their way onto the stage as their names were called to collect their diplomas.
Each of the graduates was presented gifts at the conclusion of the ceremony and cakes and juices were served all around.
The theme for this year's class was "Moving into the millennium: Respect us and honor us; we are your future."
Scheduled to pick up their diplomas Wednesday were: Jonnie Rose Bacon, Alyssa Baker, Clayton Big Knife, Zachery Bigbow, Brandi Buffalo, Jaylyn Chiefgoesout, Jerod Coffee, Jonahs Demontiney, Lola Demontiney, Gordon Denny Jr., Mariah Deserly, Faulishina Eagleman, Tamera Enemyhunter, Peggy Sue Favel, Lauren Ferguson, Jacinda Four Colors, Amanda Four Souls, Lanni Four Souls, Caitlyn Gamble, Christian Gardipee, Adrian Goggles, Jestina Good Voice, Leah Gopher, Stanley Gopher, Sierra Grimwood, Brittany Henderson, Zachariah Henderson, Blayke Henry, Kallie Jo Henry, Stephanie Hobbs, Mark Jarvey Jr., Darien LaFromboise, Christina LaMere, Heather LaMere, Jasmine LaMere, Sheyleighn LaMere, Richard Lujan, Darien Martin, Mercedes McDowell, Shoshana Denny, Shayla Medicine Horse, Jessi Mitchell, Jennadee Morsette, Misty Nault, Tristan Parisian, Wilbert Parisian, Cherise Pease, Ayanna Placencia, Matias Riotutar, Rebecca Rosette, Jade Saddler, Sheron Saddler, Jasmine Small, Shelby Small, Dakota Standing Rock, Kelsey Standing Rock, Nancy Sutherland, Tiana Sutherland, Zachery Sutherland, Brandon Valesques, Tia Watson, Tyann Watson, Brandon Weasel Boy, Michelle Weasel Boy, Leilani White Horse, Tia White, Angel Windy Boy, Lauren Windy Boy, Marquita Wright.
The class and its parents, friends, and relatives gathered in Beaver Creek Park at 11:30 a.m. today for a year-end picnic.
