Tribal Graduates

Kayden Joseph-Mitchell grew up in Central Point Oregon and is graduating 8th grade from Scenic Middle School. He aims to one day be an engineer. His parents are Tyler and Rebecca Mitchell. His Tolowa ancestors are Tamyra Finigan, Marilyn Mitchell and Harvey Moorehead.

He participated in Junior Comets Soccer, Sources of Strength, T.A.G, and was a member of the National Junior Honors Society. Kayden was awarded the rotary student of the year and also received the principals award. His words of advice are work hard and do your best.

Makinsey Grace

Lemley is graduating 8th grade and going into the first year of high school. She is graduating from St. Bernard’s Academy.

Her grandma is Michele Vagle, her great grandma is Sharyne Harper, her great-great grandma was Sylvia Stewart White, her great-great-great grandma was Bertha Grimes Stewart and her great-great grandfather was Joseph Fairchild Hostler.

Mackinsey played basketball and volleyball for SB and AAU for Humboldt Wild. She also enjoys playing softball and will be starting up again next year for SB. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. In her free time she likes to ride quads and attends a youth group at her church to grow closer to God.

Dominick Miller graduated 8th grade from Redwood Elementary School and plans on attending Del Norte High School. Dominick’s parents are Kurt and Megan Miller. Other family members are Kara Brundin Miller(grandmother), Thomas Brundin Sr.(great Grandfather), Laura Scott (great-great grandmother), Alice Charley (Great-great-great grandmother), Willie Scott (great-greatgreat grandfather). Dominick’s favorite things to do are: baseball, basketball, fishing and being outdoors. Dominick’s advice to others “Don’t do drug’s”.

Deja Travis is graduating 8th grade from Smith River School. She is an honor roll student. She plays Volleyball, Basketball, Softball and Cheers. She enjoys spending time with family, playing with her nieces and nephews, hunting, fishing, and practicing her cultural ceremonies. Deja's parents are Troy and Nicole Travis. Her grandparents are Rick and Florene Travis and Susan Smith.

Kanyon Starkey, is a 8th grade Graduate from Crescent Elk. He is a three-sport athlete and on the Honor Roll. He is active with the Grange showing animals. If he's not with his family or close friends in his free time, you will find him hunting, fishing, or riding his quad. He is a hard worker and is excited to graduate and become a DN Warrior.

Jasmine O’Loughlin

will be graduating 8th grade from Monument Middle School in June 2022. Jasmine is the daughter of Sean and Kristina O’Loughlin, she has 2 brothers, Dylan and Kenai. She is the grand-daughter of Richard Moorehead Jr. She is also the great granddaughter of Richard and Dixie Moorehead and Charlie and Thelma Whipple. She is a very gifted student and athlete, as well as a social butterfly. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her time in elementary and middle school. She is a beast on the Basketball and Volleyball court. Jasmine will be attending Fortuna High School in the fall. We are very proud of the woman she is becoming.

Wyatt Petrie is graduating 8th grade from Azalea Middle School. He enjoys soccer and dirt bikes. His parents are Elsie and Chris Petrie. His grandmother is Lisa Blagden Sopiwnik.

Louis Baca is graduating 8th grade from Sierra Middle School. He will be going into high school at Lincoln High School in Stockton, CA. He wishes to one day be a pro football player or kinesiology major. Louis's parents are Jessica Salmans and Angel Baca Sr.

Louis's grandma is Stella Salmans (Moorehead) his great grandfather was Frank Moorehead and his great grandmother was Maggie Moorhead (James).

Louis participated in baseball during school and took honor history and science classes. Louis enjoys working out, classic car shows, bike riding and playing football.

Delaina Bommelyn is graduating 8th grade from Redwood Elementary. She is the daughter of Allen and Shelly Bommelyn. Her grandparents are Bill Bommelyn and Diana Bommelyn and her Great Grandparents day-sri Eunice Henry-Bommelyn and James Bommelyn. Delaina played volleyball and basketball during her 8th grade year. Her main hobby is art and drawing and playing softball. She will be attending Del Norte High School in the fall.

Mattigan Richards, will be at-

tending Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. She grew up in Keizer, Oregon. Mattigan played high school and club level basketball. She is graduating from McNary High school in Keizer, Oregon.

Mattigan is wanting to be a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon and work for Shriners Children's hospital. She shared she has had three different surgeries at Shriners in Portland, Oregon. Her parents are Walter and Sasha Richards III. Her Tolowa ancestor is Walter (Red) Richards Jr.

Cheylei Erkkila is graduating from Siuslaw High School in Florence, Oregon. Bryon Remington, grew up in Harbor, Oregon and is graduating from Brookings Harbor High School. He plans on joining the job core.

Bryon's parents are Robin Campbell and Mike Remington. His grandmother is Nellie Fox, he also descends from Cha met and Da ho tra. He played baseball throughout school and during his junior year they won state.

Bryon's words of advice are "do your school work while you can and enjoy high school."

Madison Mykenzie Balcom is graduating

Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon on June 11, 2022. Her mother is Mandy Balcom.

Madison Harralson is a high school graduate.

Morgan J. Dobrec, daugh-

ter of Douglas S. Dobrec will graduate with honors from Kennewick High School in Kennewick Washington on Saturday June 11, 2022. In ad-

dition she will also graduate from Columbia Basin Junior College with her Associates Arts Degree on Friday June

17, 2022 with honors. Morgan has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her entirety of high school and college. Morgan will continue her education in the fall and is interested in animals and criminal justice. Congratulations sweet daughter of ours. Love Mom and Dad

Tara Nicole Hernandez, In the Fall she will be attending Stanislaus State University in Turlock California where she will be majoring In Art. Tara was born in El Paso, Texas where she spent the first 4 years of her life. After that she moved to Modesto, California with her mom and siblings Elizabeth and Derrick, where she has lived since. Tara will be graduating at the end of May from Grace Davis High in Modesto California in the top 5 % of her graduating class. Tara has taken the following honors classes: Secondary Math I honors, Pre AP Secondary Math 2, Pre AP Secondary Math 3, Pre AP Physics, Honors English 3, Pre AP Chemistry, Pre Ap Biology, and Pre AP Calculus. She had a total cumulative GPA of 3.97.

Tara is hoping to find a career in art or a similar field. She was raised by her mom Misty Ann Hernandez (Whipple) and her father is Christopher Edward Hernandez. Tara's Tolowa ancestor’s are her grandfather Ricky Whipple and great grandfather James Wesley Whipple.

Tara's words of advice to other students is "don’t commit crimes."

Thunder BearHeart Tvrdik. We are so very proud of you Thunder. He has grown into such a wonderful young man. Never a dull moment with him around. Thunder is graduating for Del Norte High School and has taught us just as much as we have taught him. Reach for the stars! Love Always, Mom, Grammy & Paw, Grandma, Shelby, Raven, Ashley, and Hannah.

Thalia Keuth is graduating from Castle Rock. Her parents are Christy Crawford and Steven Keuth. She plans to seek schooling to do nails. Thalia participated in basketball and volleyball. Thalia's Tolowa ancestor is Nadine Green. Savannah Kelly is graduating Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, Oregon She will be attending Oregon State University in the fall, located in Corvallis, OR. Savannah will be studying engineering, she is hoping to focus on either electrical or chemical engineering. Her parents are Brandy and Christopher Kelly. Her tolowa ancestors are Emily Phillips and Harriet Smith. Savannah was apart of the National Honors Society at her school. And is receiving a scholars distinction award and a chord for her time spent toward the National Honors Society. Her advice to other students is to "keep your goals in mind and always know what your striving for".

Paula-Angelique Lopez is a high school graduate. She is a honor roll student. Paula is kind hearted, and a hard worker. She has lots of family that love her and support her. She plans to attend college in the fall she’s going to go into the medical field. The sky is the limit--

Grace Jacobs grew up in Crescent City, CA. She will be graduating from Del Norte High School. She plans to attend school to become a dental hygienist. Grace's parents are Ericka Brundin and Ben Jacobs. Her grandparents are Eric Brundin and the late Marie Sue Brundin. Her great great grandmother was Ione Moorehead Hinshaw and her great great grandfather is Thom as Brundin, Sr. Grace participated in Dance at Del Norte High School. Hailey Joy, her mothers name is Stephanie Sample and her fathers name is Travis Joy, he passed away when she was very young. Her grandparents are Ron and Lorena Joy. They are her biggest supporters and they are the people who inspire her to keep going.

She has a younger sister named Jayden Joy, she is her best friend and she is so proud of her for becoming the young lady she is today. Hailey loves to spend time with family as much as she can, family is really important to her. Hailey plans to go to cosmetology school to become a hairstylist, this is something new she recently got interested in, but it seems like something she said "she would really enjoy doing."

Kylie Leavelle is graduating from Grants Pass High School. She plans to attend Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Her interest are within arts and theater. Kylie's parents are Kimberly and Chad Leavelle. Her grandparents are Eric Brundin and daysri Marie Sue Brundin. Her great grandparents are Theodoore Moorehead and Isable Whipple.

Kylie participated in Z club which is an activist and community service club. She also participated in the Native American Student Union and the Scroll Club, school newspaper. Her advice to other students is to "do your homework on time and don't be afraid to speak up in class". Jayden Joy, My mothers name is Stephanie Sample and my fathers name is Travis Joy, he passed away when I was very young. My grandparents are Ron and Lorena.

Jayden is graduating from high school a year early.

Chulhs Bates Nik-wec Bates Machelle Bates

Chulhs Bates is graduating 8th grade from Crescent Elk. Chulhs excels at whatever he tries. He just wrapped up basketball on the Crescent Elk A's team and moved right into his wrestling season. Chulhs is having his best year ever academically. He will go on to Del Norte high next year. He is very strong in our culture as well. He knows how to skin and process a lot of different animals for regalia, has put some time in canoe making and is a big help when we are gathering maple bark for skirts or basket materials. Chulhs has a big heart, he makes us very proud parents.

Nik-wec Bates is graduating 12th grade from Del Norte High School. He has taken advanced English classes, up to calculus, and two years of Yurok language. He will graduate with his A-G requirements but is going to serve in the army upon graduation as an aircraft electrician. We could not be more proud of him. Nik-wec is strong in our traditions and is very active in our community.

Nik-wec is an outstanding brother, son, nephew, and uncle. We are very proud of Nik-wec. Machelle Bates is graduating from Cal

Poly Humboldt with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work! As a mother of 7 with two grandchildren, she is a busy woman.

Machelle is the site director of the After School Program at Margaret Keating. She also holds an Associate’s Degree in Early

Childhood Education as well as one in Behavioral and Social Sciences. Machelle intends on serving broken moms as a social worker someday, as she shared she once was one of those broken mothers. She has a unique set of skills to offer the families of our community.

In conclusion Machelle said " I want to thank the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation for their monetary support in my academic journey, that has been key to our success. It has been an amazing journey!

BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES

Don James has graduated with an Associates of Science in Business Administration. Don was blessed with several family members responsible for raising him. His paternal father is day-sri Leonard Donald James Jr., his grandparents are day-sri Leonard Donald James Sr & day-sri Jean James. His Great Grrandparents are day-sri Jasper James & day-sri Lottie White. His uncles and aunt are day-sri Kenny James, Ronald James Wilma Hoffman, and Carl James. His mother and second father are Donna Kassens & Kieth Kassens (poppa). Maternal grandparents were Betty Fitzhugh and day-sri Don Young and day-sri Mel Fitzhugh.

Don has been blessed with 8 children in his life. Some are grown and navigating life and the other 5 children are running around the house, learning to become great community members. He is also blessed with 4 grandchildren. All of his family members have been instrumental and are still very important influences in his life. He states "I am a better person for having them be a part of my life and have tremendous respect and love for my family".

Cherish Hernandez,

will graduate from Northern Arizona University in May 2022. Her degree is a BS in Exercise Science and minors in Spanish and Psychology

After graduation from Northern Arizona University, She will continue her education at Hawai’i Pacific University. She works to graduate in June 2024 with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. After that Cherish, plans on landing a job with the opportunity to give back to her community!

Her Great Grandmother was Ione Moorehead Hinshaw. Her Long term goal is to specialize in prosthesis and open her own practice.

When asked who inspired you to seek a higher education degree? Cherish said, "My mother, Rachel, she is the strongest woman I know and has so much passion for education and learning. Also my Aunt Jennifer who inspired me to become a physical therapist and always motivates me to keep going." Regin Loftin grew up in Crescent City, California and is graduating from Oregon Institute of Technology. She graduated from Del Norte High School in 2016, went to Shasta College to play volleyball and graduated with an associates in Physical Education in 2018. In June 2022 she will graduate from Oregon Institute of Technology with her Bachelor’s in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. Regin is currently working at Sacred Heart in Spokane, Washington and plans to work there to gain work experience and hopefully move back to California.

Her parents are Reggie and Jenni Loftin, her grandmother is Toni Whipple, and her great-grandmother was day-sri Thelma Whipple. Regin is in the native American club, Nuclear Medicine club and also played and coached volleyball. She received Dean’s list and President’s list. The best advice I can give she said " is that is its okay to not know what you want to do in your career. I encourage to use college to navigate your passions." Her most used quote to get her through tough times is, “If you can’t beat the fear, just do it 21 scared.”

Daniel Thompson is graduating with a Bachelor in International Relations and Diplomacy. His family bloodline includes the Blagdens and the Thompsons. Daniel grew up in McKinleyville, CA. He is a proud husband to his wife Kristen Thompson who is also a student that is about to graduate. His studies are through an online International Relations program at New England College that allows him to attend as an active duty Marine Raider for MARSOC. With his degree, he will retire from the military to work for a three letter agency. Daniel also studies, practices, eats, sleeps, competes in, and coaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a Purple Belt. Daniel's advice to all, is to remember that every moment you put off your ambitions, is a missed opportunity to see all that you can dream of.

MASTER DEGREE TRIBAL GRADUATES

Emily Reed, graduated in early 2022 with her Masters Degree in Management and Leadership. She grew up in Smith River, CA. Her parents are Janelle and Earl Brown. Her grandparents are Phyllis Covey and Betty Brown. She descends from the Richards and Critser families. Emily has three young daughters.

I want to thank my family for supporting and believing in me. As many know without a strong foundation, stability is impossible. I hope to be a beacon of possibility for other Tribal Citizens to follow their educational goals and dreams. Thank you Tolowa Deeni' Nation Tribal Council past and present for supporting the higher education program. The financial support gave me the opportunity to succeed. 22 Noe Guerrero, will graduate in June from University of Oregon with a Masters degree in Education. He graduated from the Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in 2020.

He grew up in Wapato Washington and graduated from Wapato High School. His current career path is to teach Middle/ High school. His parents are Arturo and Bernadine Guerrero. His Great Grandmother is the late Ethel M. Van Pelt – Chase, and his great great grandmother is the late Rose Lopez - John. He enjoys lifting weights and exercising. His words of advice are "We can’t ask for strength if we aren’t ready to be strong when we need to be. Nothing comes easy, somethings require more effort than others. When the time comes, be ready to give that effort.