Tribal Education holds Graduation Recognition Banquet for GRIC grads

July 6, 2018

Roberto A. Jackson

Gila River Indian News

The Gila River Indian Community and the Tribal Education Department called on the 2018 graduates for one more night of appreciation at the Graduation Recognition Banquet held at the Boys & Girls Club in Sacaton on June 15. The graduates from high school, college and vocational schools, along with their families, were honored with a dinner, raffle and certificates. In his remarks, Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said “[The class of 2018] shows that we are growing an educated generation of Community members with their degrees, with expertise that we need in the Community.”

Gov. Lewis also discussed how the educational needs in the Community are being addressed with updates about the new Gila Crossing Community School campus. “For the first time in years, in decades, the Community is building a new school,” he said. The school breaks ground this July.

The banquet began with a procession of all the graduates in attendance followed by a blessing from the GRIC Culture and Language Teacher cohort.

Following the meal, Pete Sabori, a recent graduate from the University of Arizona College of Law, gave the keynote address. He talked about his experiences in law school and the things he learned outside the classroom. “I couldn’t have done this without the Community and Student Services,” said Sabori.

Sienna Whittington, Project Manager for the Native Youth Community Project, then read a list of names of individuals to receive their certificates. Tribal Education Department Director Isaac Salcido, along with Gov. Lewis and Lt. Gov. Robert Stone congratulated the students.

Lt. Gov. Stone closed out the evening with a final address. Stone said he was impressed by all the students. “When we have a whole house of graduates…we are doing something right.”