Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

On Friday, June 24, 2016, more than 200 people attended the 2016 graduation ceremony at the Salmon River Arena, where 102 students received their diplomas. The students, their families and friends were all smiles as the school paid tribute to the hard work and accomplishments of their graduating students.

An ensemble of Junior/Senior high band students and community members performed Pomp and Circumstance for the students as they walked into the arena and onto the stage. The senior choir opened up the ceremony by singing O Canada and senior Adriana Reardon beautifully performed the Star Spangled Banner. The Akwesasne Women Singers sang their beautiful, "Sken:nen" (peace), song and senior Sierra "Iehahseranonwes" George flawlessly delivered the Ohenton Karihwathkwen.

Superintendent Dr. Stan Harper greeted guests and praised the hard work of the Salmon River seniors. He also thanked the parents and families for the help and support they give year after year to their students.

Valedictorian, Zachary Smith, and Salutatorian, Jacob Bero, thanked the people who have helped them on their high school journey, as well as gave their Class of 2016 some words of wisdom and encouragement. "I know throughout high school there are times when it feels like nothing is ever going your way and life just seems to constantly throw you curveballs that are impossible to hit. But in the end, you all prevailed and succeeded in graduating. Awesome Job!" He ended by giving his final tip "at times when it seems hard to smile, try your best to think of something positive in the situation. So go ahead, show that smile, it can make a world of difference".

Mr. Bero concluded his speech by telling his classmates that "Each of us here tonight, have been given choices we thought were the best for us to get us going in the right direction. Each of those decisions has helped us form into who we are and where we are headed. Most of us are college bound, some are going into the service, and others are starting jobs. We are all alike in that when we leave here, a new beginning with new opportunities will await each of us. I wish my class the very best and hope they take advantage of the opportunities they come by in the future."

Salmon River Central School Class of 2016.

SRCS Board President, Sheila Marshall and High School Principal, Michael Warden, presented the diplomas to the graduating seniors. Diplomas were awarded to: Kaylee Adams, Kearin Adams, Kanahiio Angus, Quinn Armstrong, Mia Arnold, Hunter Bashaw, Shayla Bender, Thomas Benedict, Troi Benedict, Jacob Bero, Jordan Bigness, Makayla Bigtree, Keyalee Billie, Caitlin Bilow, Cheyenne Boardway, Joseph Boland, Danielle Bowles, Brittany Brooks, Shawn Brown, Bryton Burns, Savannah Carle, Brittany Cassavaw, Mesa Cole, Sunilaya Cole, Marli Conners, Thomas Cook, Lexi Cree, Kenneth Cree, Isabella Dearmayero, Ryan Deragon, Tara Deshane, Antoine Domino, Diondra Dyer, Alex Figueroa-Rosa, Jenna French, Avery Gardener, Dawson George, Sierra George, Brittany George-Mitchell, Kera Ghostlaw, Jonas Gray, Jeremy Hebert, Dylan Holden, Isaiah Humiston, Lawrence Jackson, Reese Jacobs, Alan Jacobs Jr., Jehnson Jacobs-Dumas, Dominick Jerin, Keaton Johnson, Mallory Johnson, Karoniate, Norman King, Mya Laffin, Carly LaFrance, Aiden Lazore, Mara Lazore, Tsioweriio Lazore, William Lazore-Benedict, Alyssa Maneely, Matthew Martin, Kyle McClarrie-Mitchell, Jesse McDonald, Molly McDonald, Francis Mitchell, Kelby Mitchell, Lakeisha Mitchell, Amber Montoya, Kyle Neufang, Malekka Oakes, Raven Oakes, Marissa Pannhurst, Karlie Papineau, Chantell Paquin, Karhatiron Perkins, Lauren Perkins, Mackenzie Phelix, Konwahonkarawi Porter, Adiana Reardon, Mercedes Rivers, George Roller, IV, David Roundpoint, Caroline Russell, Tyler Sisto, Tianna Smith, Zachary Smith, Waylon LaFrance, Jacob Sunday, Ronni Sunday, Colton Tarbell, Raine Tatlock, Lorna Thomas, Otto Thomas, Hailey Thomas-King, Isabella Thompson, Niiostosera'ah Thompson, Shaylin Thompson, Travis Thompson, Renae Tremblay, John White, Jordan Wood, Latesha Woodard.

Congratulations Class of 2016! Best wishes in all your adventures.