Lac Seul Education Authority celebrates this year’s graduates

Jesse Bonello - Staff Writer

Family members, friends, and school staff joined together at the community centre in Whitefish Bay on June 25 to celebrate Lac Seul Education Authority’s 25 grade eight graduates.
The Lac Seul Education Authority administers the schools in all three Lac Seul First Nation communities, which include Obishikokaang Elementary School in Frenchman’s Head, Morris Thomas Memorial Christian School in Whitefish Bay and Waninitawingaang Memorial School in Kejick Bay.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox and Lac Seul First Nation Chief Derek Maud congratulated the graduates during the ceremony and told students to continue pursuing education no matter what life throws at them.
“You might fail a test, you might have homework to do that you don’t want to do, and you might even lose people in your life… But you have to keep going. You keep working, keep going to class, and keep going to school,” said Fox, encouraging the students to never give up.
Lac Seul Education Authority, education director Eric Bortlis shared that the education authority has seen its two biggest grade eight graduating classes in back-to-back years.
“Last year we had 26, and this year we have 25… I think knowing that students are making it all the way through is really powerful. We’re not losing students, which means we’re being engaging and they’re finding value in the education, so that’s meaningful,” said Bortlis.
Valedictorian speeches were presented by Cole Trout, River Southwind, and Terrance Angeconeb.
Students were then presented with graduation gifts, Sioux North High School hoodies.
This year’s grade eight graduates from Obishikokaang Elementary School were: Rayden Gray, Jordan Bunting, Logan Jacob, Arden Bunting, River Southwind, Aaron Lawson, Talijah Mattinas, Haileigh Kejick, and Natalie Binguis.
This year’s grade eight graduates from Morris Thomas Memorial Christian School were: Donna Gray, Kai Bull, Quentin Bearman, Terrance Angeconeb, and Jaylynn Bull.
This year’s grade eight graduates from Waninitawingaang Memorial School were: Cole Trout, Daviegh Carpenter, Grady Tudor, Jasmin Bone, Kaleb Trout, Kurtis Brisket, Miguel Bearman, Michelle Littledeer, Serenity Quequish, Tammy Quedent, and Eridesa Kenny.