TRIBAL MEMBER NEWS
Graduates!
PSU Honors Indian Graduates
Five Siletz Tribal Members are Recognized
by Katy Kaady, Portland Area Education Specialist
This year at Portland State Uni
versity's Native American Graduate
Ceremony on June 8. five Siletz Tribal
members were recognized for their
achievements and their upcoming
graduation. The Portland Area Siletz
Tribal Education Program also would
like to recognize the accomplishments
of all these wonderful people:
Congratulations to SVECA class of 2007!
Siletz Valley Early College Academy graduates (I to r): Ryan Knight
salutatorian, Karli Jay, Josh Smith. Liana Kaiser. Charlie Jones, and Brittney
Payne. Not pictured: Monica Serna - valedictorian, (photo by Stephanie Morrow)
Clifford
Higgins
graduates
with a BA in
English and
anthropol
ogy and a
minor in Na
tive Ameri
can studies.
from Mom. Dad. Tashina. Stevie,
Grams, Gramps, Andy, and Big Boy
Congratulations to Kelani Tomiko
Theresa
Smith
(Bostrom)
graduates
with a bache
lor’s degree
in child and
family stud
ies and a
minor in Na
tive Ameri
can studies.
We are very proud of you, Nani, and
wish you the best in life with much Aloha!
Samantha Danielle Lynch
with so much love and happiness -
Mom. Dad, and
the Rilatos and Lynch Clan
Congratulations to Samantha
Danielle Lynch! Sam is the daughter of
Dan
and
Selene
Rilatos-Lynch; grand
daughter of Maxine
and the late Robert
Rilatos Sr., and Jim
and Cleo Lynch; and
great-granddaughter
of Tuton and Pearl
Rilatos and Honor
ary Chief Archie and
Victoria Ben.
Sam graduated
from Toledo High
School with many
High Honors, both
academically and
athletically: Honor
Society member, Honors Diploma re
cipient. and CIM Achievement. She
carried a 4.0 GPA throughout her
school career and was a valedictorian
along with her cousin/friend Ami Case.
She will attend the University of
Oregon in the fall and we wish you all
the success and happiness in the world.
Sam is the one and only young
woman thus far since the removal of
our people to the Siletz. Reservation to
have had the flower dance in her honor.
This dance represents the celebration
of her becoming a woman and helps
in the preservation of our people.
•
Not able to attend this special cer
emony was Shannon Larsen who
will graduate with a bachelor’s de
gree in English and German.
Becka Saunders will finish her fi-
nals/practicum hours and graduate
soon with a bachelor’s degree in
child and family studies.
All of these students have gradu
ated with Honors and we are so very
proud of them for all their work and
their commitment to furthering their
education. We know it’s never easy to
be full-time students and in some cases
parents and/or partners, supporting
themselves and their families while all
the time focusing on their studies.
Getting to know these graduates
has been a very special pleasure and
seeing how many of them have over
come many obstacles to reach this
point. Congratulations to each of you.
And to all our other students who
are still in the process - you are get
ting closer to your goal. We know you
will get there and way beyond this in
your life.
Burke, who graduated from Leilehua
High School in Hawaii on June 1.
Joe Scott
graduates
with a mas
ter’s degree
in education.
•
Michelle
McKelvey
graduates
with
a
bachelor’s
degree
in
psychology.
Kelani Tomiko Burke
Leilehua HS
•
Norma
T r e f r a n
graduates
with a bache
lor’s degree
in social
science.
Butler Receives Outstanding
Achievement Award
This is a big feat and will help you
and future generations to come. We
most humbly still are grateful and carry
so much appreciation for all the fam
ily and people who witnessed and par
ticipated in this historical ceremony.
Like your Grandpa Rilatos would
say. always remember where you come
from, who you are. and remember al
ways those who paid a price for you.
You're our shining star and like in
your valedictorian address, tell your
own story. Keep up the good hard
work and dedication and remember to
follow your dream. Ta gah huska sho
na schily to our “Sam I Am."
The folks at the Portland area office
would like to congratulate Gary Butler
Jr. for his most recent accomplishment.
Gary was awarded the Outstanding
Achievement Award for the 2007
school year al Reynolds Middle School.
His proud parents are Gary Buller Sr.
and Patricia Martin, and his grandfa
ther is Reggie Butler Sr.
W'e all know Gary has worked very
hard this year to receive this honor. He
has been active in many tribal youth
events and has always been one of the
kindest and most respectful young men
to everyone. He has always been there to
give a helping hand, especially to Katy
Kitady as she prepares for youth activities.
Gary’s summer plans include work
ing out at his local fitness center and
Gary Butler Jr. and Gary Butler Sr
working at the Oregon Humane Soci
ety through the Tribal Youth Education
and Employment (TYEE) Program.
Congratulations, (¡ary, on receiving
this honor. We all are so very proud of you.
July 2007
•
Siletz News
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