Another year has come and gone for the Gte Ga Nes Preschool students and staff. On May 26, 2016, the FCP community celebrated along with the students the accomplishment of reaching their first educational milestone.
The ceremony started at 11 a.m. with grand entry. Fire Nation Singers and Eagle Warrior Singers were the two drums on-hand for all the songs that were sung. After the ag song, a prayer for the people was given by Billy Daniels Jr. Next in line was the veterans honor song and the welcome song.
Executive Council Member Brooks Boyd gave a motivational speech, telling the students this is the first step into their future. He commented, “You students are the future of this tribe. One day, some of you will be in my spot or even chairman for our tribe. Congrats to you all and to your parents!”
Kerry Kerner, Gte Ga Nes assistant teacher, then gave special acknowledgments. She wanted to thank the people who helped make this celebration possible. She thanked both drum groups; dancers; Jeff Keeble; Winter’s End Princess, Penelope Peters; Winter’s End Brave, Daniel Shepard; FCP Vets Post I; guest speaker Brooks Boyd; Traveling Times; all the staff at the Rec; Betsy Popp; Adam Dewing and staff; and mostly, to the parents of these students. Kerner said, “It’s hard to put into my own words exactly what I would like to say, so instead I will quote the words of another in the hopes that the message I wish to convey is unmistakably clear.” She followed with this poem from an unknown author:
Unity
I dreamed I stood in a studio, and watched two sculptors there.
The clay they used was a young child’s mind, and they fashioned it with care.
One was a teacher, the tools she used were books, music, and art.
The other a parent with a guiding hand and a gentle loving heart.
Day after day, the teacher toiled, with a touch that was deft and sure.
While the parent labored by his side, and polished and smoothed it o’er. And when at last, their work was done, they were proud of what they had wrought.
For the things they had molded into the child, could never be sold or bought.
And each agreed they would have failed if they had worked alone,
For behind the parent stood the school and behind the teacher the home.
Once finished, a slide show was then presented to the audience, which brought a few parents to tears. It is amazing how fast this time between infancy and preschool can pass. Next on the agenda was what everyone was waiting for: the handing out of the diplomas, followed by an honor song for the graduates.
After the retreat of the flags, it was time to line up to eat from Dewing’s Catering who made a delicious spread of chicken, potatoes, wild rice soup, fry bread, along with all the fixings.
These ceremonies always seem to tug at the heartstrings of everyone who participates, but watching these young minds move into the next stage of their education is always a privilege to witness. PTT wants to congratulate all the graduates and their parents on this milestone!
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