A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Above are Massena High School Class of 2019 members Tylen Thompson, Ethan Thomas, Landon Laffin, Terrell Thomas, Jacob Thompson, Hodesidahe Martin, Myles Lafrance and Jonathan Barclay. In front is Massena High School teacher and Mohawk Club advisor Robin Logan.
Above are Massena High School Class of 2019 members Mallory Sunday, Karihwaierithon Jacobs, Keri Horne-Burns, Kaylee Smoke, Keely Thompson-Cook, Layla Bush and Chrissy Benedict. At far left is Massena High School teacher and Mohawk Club advisor Robin Logan.
Graduates are all smiles as they enter Massena Arena for the June 29 graduation ceremony.
Salutatorian Hayden Hoerner addresses his classmates.
Octavia Viskovich gives her valedictory speech.
Honors graduate Karihwaierithon Jacobs receives a feather along with her diploma.
Massena High School teacher hugs Mallory Sunday after presenting her with a feather along with her honors diploma.
Keely Thompson-Cook is presented with a feather after receiving her honors diploma.
By Andy Gardner
Twenty Akwesasne students received their diplomas from Massena High School as part of the Class of 2019 on Saturday, June 29.
Akwesasne grads included Tylen Thompson, Ethan Thomas, Landon Laffin, Terrell Thomas, Jacob Thompson, Hodesidahe Martin, Myles Lafrance, Jonathan Barclay. Ronin Jareo, Joseph White, Mallory Sunday, Karihwaierithon Jacobs, Keri Horne-Burns, Kaylee Smoke, Keely Thompson-Cook, Layla Bush, Chrissy Benedict, Aleesha Smoke, Drew Hamelin and Alexis Terrance.
Native American grads, in addition to their diploma, were presented with a feather. Robin Logan, a Massena High School teacher and Mohawk Club advisor, presented graduating students with the eagle feather, acknowledging their accomplishment.
The Native students had the option to dress in traditional regalia or wear a purple Haudenosaunee sash. Each student proudly presented themselves with their own personal mark.
Hayden Hoerner was the salutatorian. In a portion of his speech, he told his classmates to be meticulous about achieving success.
"Sweat the small stuff," he said. "At the end of the day, the small stuff accumulates to the big stuff."
Valedictorian Octavia Viskovich used her speech to warn her classmates to be careful when people looking for leadership make big promises.
She alluded to when in junior high, she was running for class president and after preparing a speech, lost to another student whose entire speech was "Free iPads and comfy chairs."
"You shouldn't vote for someone based on promises. They might go unfulfilled," Viskovich said.
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