Gila Crossing Community School promotes eighth grade class

June 3, 2016

Mikhail Sundust

Gila River Indian News

Thirty-three students bade farewell to Gila Crossing Community School with cheers of appreciation at the eighth grade promotion on May 17.

Family and friends packed the gymnasium of the Komatke Boys & Girls Club to congratulate the students.

Principal Jeremy Copenhaver said he is proud of the students and feels that they have grown considerably, both academically and socially.

In her farewell address, Valedictorian Tafv Dillon thanked the school, its teachers, and the families in the audience for preparing the students for the road ahead.

She said that while the school she’s been attending since kindergarten may appear unassuming on the outside, “it sure seems to provide amazing opportunities to its students” on the inside. Likewise, Dillon said, while she and her peers are seen as outsiders, within them they have the same talent and power as anyone else to make a difference.

To her fellow students, she said, “It makes me so happy to see that you all turned out to be amazing people, always willing to take the challenges that face you. ... May your education flourish, and may there be no person or obstacles to keep you from reaching your goals.”

Tafv will attend Betty Fairfax High School this fall. Her long-term goal is to study obstetrics.

Dillon is a disciplined, hard-working student, whose family places great emphasis on culture and education. As Dillon’s father Anthony pointed out, “It’s only a promotion, not a graduation.” He said, “Education is infinite. You can learn anything when you put your mind to it.”

The school also places an emphasis on culture and extra-curricular activities such as sports, gardening, and helping students prepare for their futures in high school and beyond.

Copenhaver congratulated the students and said he can’t wait to see them all graduate high school as the class of 2020.

Gila Crossing Community School class of 2016:

Ky Allison

Rayanna Avery

Civlik Avila

Priscilla Bilagody

Tafv Dillon

Jordan Enos

Damien Evans

Nicholas Hendricks

Alexander Jackson

Ja’Lonie Jackson

Kyle Jackson

Eleena Kisto

Jordan Lewis

Juztin Lopez

Matthew Ludlow

Christina Madrid

Xavier Mallow

Aurelio Morrillo

Samuel Nanty

Malaya Pablo

Shawn Peltier

Lorenzo Peters

Serenity Silvas

Aaliyah Soke

Jonathan Soke

Mikhala Sosolda

Devin Standing Elk

Ada Stevens

Tehya Tashquinth

Eliza Tate

Carlos Verdugo

Marcus Villa

Eleanor Zambrano