Arlee graduates encouraged to maintain a sense of humor

By Jennifer McBride/Leader Staff

ARLEE — Mike Jetty, keynote speaker at the Arlee High School graduation ceremonies, told the 26 graduates of the class of 2008 to remember two things: always keep a sense of humor and never criticize someone until you've walked a mile in his moccasins.

"Because then you're a mile away and you have his moccasins," he joked.

Jetty, 2008's Montana Indian Educator of the Year, is an American Indian education specialist with the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Besides jokes, he offered some serious advice to local graduates.

"Be who you are, but also have a sense of vision about who you want to be," he said.

The other keynote speakers were Kelsey Christopher and Annela Rova, the school's valedictorian and salutatorian respectively.

"I'm both excited and petrified about walking across the stage, but knowing I'm not alone takes the edge off," Rova said.

Besides Arlee's seniors, the district will also be losing six teachers to retirement. Superintendent John Jay Miller said, between them, the teachers had 168 years of experience in education. High school/junior high school principal Richard Bachmeier, English teacher Jerry Parson, second grade teacher Kassie Parson, counselor Larry Cocchiarella, Salish teacher Frances Vanderburg and sixth grade teacher Carmie Espinoza all stepped down from their positions. Miller offered them plaques and lifetime passes to any district activity. Math teacher Cole Maxwell, though not retiring, is also leaving the district.

Scholarships

Kelsey Lenore Christopher, Valedictorian. Parents: Roger Christopher/Elizabeth Reinhardt. Outstanding Academic Excellence Award; Perkins Scholarship - University of Montana — $1,900 two year Renewable; Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative Scholarship — $ 500; George and Faye Harris Memorial Scholarship — $1,000; Friends of Arlee: Ted Hesse Scholarship — $2,000; Arlee Teachers Union Scholarship — $250; Arlee Community Scholarship — $300; Mission Valley Power Scholarship — $125; Gonzaga University Dussault Scholarship — $24,000 over four years.

Annela Rose Rova, Salutatorian. Parents: Timothy and Cherokee Rova. Outstanding Academic Excellence Award; Arlee High School Salutatorian Scholarship — $200; Governor's Community Service Scholarship — $1,000; Friends of Arlee: Ted Hesse scholarship — $1,500; Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative Scholarship — $500; Mission Valley Power Scholarship — $125.

Danna Marie Clizbe. Parents: Dan and Becky Clizbe. Outstanding Academic Excellence Award; Muralt Family Foundation Scholarship — $1,000; Gene McKnight Memorial Scholarship — $100; Friends of Arlee: Ted Hesse scholarship — $1,000; Arlee Community Scholarship — $300; Arlee Music Boosters Scholarship — $300; Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative Scholarship — $500; P.R. Felker Scholarship — $1,000.

Scott Charles Fisher. Parents: Andrew and Karen Fisher. Outstanding Academic Excellence Award; Friends of Arlee: Ted Hesse scholarship — $1,000; Gene McKnight Memorial Scholarship — $100; Arlee Community Scholarship — $300; Arlee Athletic Boosters Scholarship — $300; P.R. Felker Scholarship — $1,000.

Samantha Josephine Scheeler. Parent: Sherry Scheeler. University of Montana, college of technology, William J. Gallagher Scholarship — $370; University of Montana, college of technology, Jean S. Baucus Foundation Scholarship — $1,800.

Chelsea Marie Espinoza. Parents: Carl and Denise Espinoza. Johnson and Wales Scholarship — $500, 4 year renewable.

Abbe Jewell Bridgewater. Parents: John & Liz Sykes. FFA, Jason Waite Scholarship — $750.

Mark Francis Felsman. Parents: Mark Felsman/Carole Sorrell. Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600.

Phillip Cody Haynes. Parent: Sharon Haynes. Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600.

Megan Marie Inmee. Parents: Eneas Inmee and Linda Matt. Mission Valley Power Scholarship — $125. Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600.

Desmond Louis Joseph, Jr. Parent: Clarice Anderson. Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600.

Sarah Mae McClure. Parent: Alane McClure. Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600.

Austin Lee Moran. Parents: Ernie and Lynette Moran. Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600.

Ozzie Jordan Old Person. Parents: Georgie and Alfred DeRoche. Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600.

Richard Donovan Pierre. Parent: Francis L. Pierre. Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600.

Kendra Elaine Sanchez. Parents: David and Angelika Sanchez. Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600.

Melinda Sue Smith. Parents: Dude and Rebecca Smith. Outstanding Academic Excellence Award; Friends of Arlee: Ted Hesse scholarship — $1,500; Arlee Community Scholarship — $300; Salish Kootenai Tribal Scholarship — up to $5,000/ year — renewable. Salish Kootenai College Scholarship full one year tuition — $2,600, Mission Valley Power Scholarship — $125.

Jefferson Davis McKinley. Parents: Lawerance and Debbie McKinley. Outstanding Academic Excellence Award; Imagine America Foundation Scholarship.

Kaylina Haugestuen Ursua. Parent: Jill Ursua. Outstanding Academic Excellence Award.

Keegan James Fluke. Parents: Bill and Dorothy Fluke. Outstanding Academic Excellence Award.