Smoke signals., July 15, 2006, Page 7, Image 7

Smoke Signals 7
Tribe Holds Annual Honor and Recognition Ceremony In Grand Ronde
1 35 Tribal members recognized for educational achievement.
JULY 15,2006
By Ron Karten
This year's Education Division Hon
or and Recognition Awards filled the
gym with the young and the eager and
the beautiful along with their proud,
doting and picture-taking parents.
And there was a lot to be both proud
and thankful for.
Tribal member Alicia Selwyn, who
will attend Portland State University
in the fall, said that her success so far
has come with "a lot of self-motivation,"
and in "times that I struggled, the Edu
cation Department had my back."
Drummers Community member Crystal Chulik (Tlinget),
singing and drumming at the center of the picture, has been
active in the community, and done well in school despite
many difficulties. Her mom, Lee Chulik, sits to her right, or
left as you look at the picture.
As a one-time intern in New York
City for the Museum of Natural His
tory, Selwyn added, "It's all about
taking advantage of the opportuni
ties as they come.
Tribal member Allison Empey, a re
cent graduate from Stanford Universi
ty, encouraged younger students about
"not being afraid to set high goals and
believing you can reach them."
"My family was vital to my success.
I encourage all parents here to stay
involved in your kids' education."
"You are tougher than you think
so rise to the
challenge."
"Keep go
ing," is the ad
vice that Tribal
member Chris
Martin had for
the audience.
Four were
celebrated for
earning grad
uate degrees,
1 1 for bachelor
degrees, three
for Associate
Degrees, 6 for
Trade Certifi
cate degrees,
19 for GED
degrees, 37 for
High School
degrees, 21 for
I .
Tribal member & Education Manager Jackie Grant
8th Grade graduation, and 12 for pre
school and HeadStart graduates.
Fifteen full-time undergraduate
students were recognized for receiv
ing Tribal Scholarships, as was one
part-time undergraduate. Eight
full-time graduate students were
recognized as were three full-time
Vocational Training students and one
part-time Adult Vocational Training
student. And this year's Eula Petite
recipient also was honored.
Pre-school graduates all received
the book, There Was An Old Lady
Who Swallowed A Trout, and indi
vidual eagle feathers. Older grads
received blankets.
Community member Crystal Chu
lik (Tlinget), daughter of Wayne and
Lee, all who have been involved in
the Grand Ronde community for
years, fought back from a devastat
ing car accident six years ago and
some personal difficulties along the
way to graduate from McMinnville
High School in 2001, and from
Chemeketa this year with an Associ
ate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree,
enabling her to go to Oregon State
in the fall.
Parenting Class Held In Grand Ronde
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Success The Housing, Social Services and Education Departments
sponsored a 13-week "Making Parenting A Pleasure" course in Grand
Ronde.. There were 13 graduates including Tribal member Erica Mercier
pictured here with Parent Instructor Tiffany Otis.
HeadStart Conference Held In D.C.
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Education Importance The National Indian HeadStart Directors
Association conference was held in Washington, D.C. on the week of June
1 8- 22. Congressman George Miller spoke of the importance of HeadStart
funds and education as a whole during the closing ceremonies.
Hide Tanning Workshop Held
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Hide & Seek From left is Rodney Suderman, Marilyn Kamna and in the
background, Tribal member Lewis Riggs, all part of the Hide Tanning Class held
in early June. Students learned how to remove the flesh from the hide and
soak the hide. They worked on antelope, raccoon and bear skins. Part two of
the class was unscheduled as Smoke Signals went to press, but it is planned for
August. Students will learn finishing techniques in the second class.
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