Box Elder celebrates, graduates Class of 2016

There was a sense of delight in the air as people walked into the gym at Box Elder High School for graduation ceremonies Saturday.

People carried wrapped gifts and helium-filled balloons reading "Congratulations."

Everyone was smiling, laughing and waving to friends.

Twenty-five graduates marched into as the Southern Cree played a welcome song.

Speakers talked about the renewed spirit at Box Elder and the sense of community that made it a special place.

The program was a celebration of the graduates' successes and a celebration of Box Elder community life.

Principal Jeremy McDonald called the Class of 2016 "a pretty special group."

He also praised "the support system" that had helped the students get to graduation day, the parents, friends and relatives as well as the educators.

This is the largest graduating class in many years, he said.

Much of the renewed pride was because of the success of the football team and the boys and girls basketball teams that made it to the state championships, he said. But the school is doing much more than that.

He pointed to the robotics club and the Indian business leader organization that has sent members to the state competitions.

"It's really cool," he said. "Things are happening at Box Elder."

Guest speaker Kenneth Gopher, a tribal elder, said he wanted to "encourage these kids to hang onto our ways and never let them go."

"Stay away from drugs," he implored the graduates.

He recalled his first day of school. He lived on Hill 57 in Great Falls, the heavily Native American neighborhood.

"I didn't' know how to speak English," he said.

He was raised by his grandparents, he said, because his parents were severe alcoholics, which led to his lifelong aversion to alcohol and drugs.

He said he had to quit school after sixth grade so he could raise his younger brothers and sisters.

"I wish I were your age," he said, looking out at the graduates.

But he said, at 77, he was pleased with his life, having seen his children and grandchildren raised successfully into adulthood.

The top three students in the class gave their addresses.

Jude The Boy, who had the top grade-point average, broke into tears as she spoke.

She listed off the many people she wanted to thank and the advice she wanted to leave her fellow graduates, but choked up in tears.

She got rousing applause from the crowd, who chanted "We love you."

"The only thing that defines us is our actions," she said.

"Too many young people stay away from our culture," she said.

Bodis Duran, the salutatorian, wasted no time telling the audience what was on his mind as he reached the podium.

"I'm nervous," he said.

But he told the crowd that "in my 18 years, I have learned a lot about hard work," he said, crediting friends, family and teachers.

"I want to take a moment to thank you family for all they have done for me," he said.

He thanked his classmates for their friendship, and then alluding to the scholarship he received to play for the Montana State University-Northern Lights, he said, "I hope to see you all next year at football cheering for the Lights."

Brandon The Boy lead his football and basketball teams to state championships.

"I have had a blast at Box Elder High School," he said. "I want to thank everybody for the great memories."

He said he was especially pleased to have been part of the group that invited Kenneth Gopher to speak at graduation because of the clean lifestyle he espouses,

"We should not turn to drugs and alcohol," he said, as cheers erupted in the audience.

The awards were handed out to students.

Three students received $23,100 GEAR UP scholarships over four years. Winners had to earn a high grade-point average and complete a special community project.

Brandon The Boy completed his project on "Jump Rope for Heart," Alyssa LaMere's program was on "Reading Promotion," while Jude The Boy conducted a food drive.

Five students received $1,500 GEAR UP Achievement Awards: Brandon the Boy, Jude The Boy, Carson Walks Over Ice, Alyssa LaMere and Tyrah Gopher.

The $2,000 Governor's Merit Scholarship went to Bodis Duran.

The Box Elder Pepsi Scholarship was awarded to Jude The Boy.

The recipient of the Robert Swan Memorial Scholarship was Jude The Boy.

Brandon The Boy received $500 for the Peggy Nagel Scholarship, while Jude The Boy and Bodis Duran received $250 Nagel scholarships.

Chippewa Cree tribal council member Dustin Whitford presented a $250 scholarship his family funds to Brandon The Boy.