May 29, 2015 VO LUM E 1 4 | IS S U E 27 | FREE
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Class of ’15: Warriors shine through
Arapahoe High School graduates celebrate their accomplishments with the ceremonial hat toss to wrap up commencement exercises at Littleton Public Schools Stadium on May 21. Photos by Chase Ellis
Class presents superintendent with quilt from Arapaho tribe By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com
T Arapahoe High’s Class of 2015 keynote speaker Michael Carlson lets out a smile as he hands the commencement ceremony over to Principal Natalie Pramenko.
Mark Soldier Wolf, a Northern Arapaho tribal elder, addresses the Arapahoe High School Class of 2015 to showcase the unique relationship between the school and the Arapaho people.
he dreary morning of May 21 suddenly seemed bright and warm and full of Warrior spirit when Arapahoe High School Principal Natalie Pramenko presented retiring Superintendent Scott Murphy with a gift that was fitting in many ways: a quilt handmade by members of the Arapaho tribe on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. “We hope it brings you warmth and comfort, and reminds you how much you are loved by all of the Warriors,” said Pramenko prior to the introduction of the graduating class of 2015. “I don’t know what to say,” said Murphy, obviously touched. “It’s so kind of you, and it is kind of cold out here.” Pramenko introduced Mark Soldier Wolf, who recently turned 86 and is the only living elder to have helped cement the school’s relationship with the tribe in 1993. The elders decided AHS was a place deserving of their respect and endorsed the school’s “Arapahoe Warrior” mascot, which was designed by Arapaho artist Wilbur Antelope. “The relationship is very special, and it exists only because of a mutual respect,” he said. “May the Great Spirit always walk with you on your journey.” Commencement speaker Mike Carlson, who graduated with a 4.132 grade-point average, urged his peers to embrace the Warrior spirit. “Warriors don’t simply survive the day, they seize the day,” he said, conjuring memories of going out to lunch with friends, lip-synching contests and rounding up a team for dodgeball. “Not because you would win, but because there is no better group of people you’d rather lose with.” Pramenko noted there wasn’t a lot of losing going on for this year’s class. There was plenty of winning on the athletic fields, the group raised $11,000 during Warrior Week for the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, and the students collectively earned $21 million in scholarships. Poignantly, they also created the “Deliberate Acts of Love and Kindness” campaign in honor of their fallen fellow student, Claire Davis, who would have graduated last year. Jack Reutzel, LPS board president, sent the graduates out into the world with the admonition to practice understanding people, perceptions and relationships. “The ability to understand your fellow travelers is of paramount importance,” he said.