Rocky Boy grads move on to the future

The 2015 graduating class of Rocky Boy High School entered the next phase of their lives Thursday.

Robert Murie led the ceremony with a prayer after the graduating students entered the gymnasium to the beat of the Southern Cree Jrz drum circle.

"It's our language and our ceremonies that built this land so we could have a home," Murie told the crowd of family and friends gathered to witness the youths embark into adulthood.

The co-salutatorians, Ariana Marie Gopher and Savannah Don Stump gave tearful thanks to those who helped them through their high school careers.

"Keep pushing yourself to bigger and better things," Gopher said to her classmates.

Valedictorian Isiah James Murie also spoke to the crowd and his classmates.

He told his friends that it was not the school they were going to miss, but the memories intertwined with their experiences in the school that they were going to miss.

"Family of 2015, you are a beacon of opportunity and the hope and future for our community," Isiah Murie said.

After close to $300,000 in scholarships given to many of the students were announced, the students finished their over a decade of secondary school and stepped into the world as certified adults to their next endeavor of life.

The 2015 Class of Rocky Boy High School are:

Trista Jonelle Dion Arkinson

Tristen Alex Belgarde

Kiona Larainne Gardipee-Cantrell

Chayse Jude Coffee

Jai-Lynne Mary DayChild

Junior Joseph DayChild

Lauren Rose Four Colors

Amanda Janelle Gopher

Ariana Marie Gopher

Ellijah "Bubby" Serrel Gopher

Ryan-Nycole Henderson

Shadow Chase LaForge

Cecil Dean LaFromboise

Bailee Laine Louis-Clark

Isiah James Murie

Margaret Rose Nagel

Levi Terrance Olson

Lonnie Burke Plain Bull Jr.

RoseAnn Saddler

Raenell Micah Singer

Sage Trent Stone

Savannah Don Stump

Bradley Bear Standing Rock

Thalia Sharlene Vazquez

Allison Kate Windy Boy

Gina Ann Zarco