June 8 - Seminole Tribe of Florida

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The Seminole Tribune 10 June 8, 2007 GraduateContinued from page 1her the Seminole ways. “She inspired me to learn ourculture but she always pushed me to get an education,”she said.By the time Cypress returned to college threeyears ago, she was already working for the Tribe asthe culture teacher at Ahfachkee School. Now shewants to continue further in her college education andobtain a bachelor’s degree, and then, if possible, amaster’s degree. “I tell my students what I havelearned from my life. If life doesn’t turn out the wayyou think you want it, you have to just pick yourselfup and keep on going.” Someday you will reach yourgoals, she said. Even if it takes a lifetime.“My grandmother wasn’t there to see megraduate. She passed away. But my mother, Agnes B.Cypress, was there. I was her first child to graduatefrom college,” Cypress said.A couple of her own children are now attendingcollege. Desiree Kari Jumper is the first to earn adegree.Jumper plans to return to school as well. Sheintends to get her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education.“I came from a big family and I love children,”she said. She hopes she will be able to teach one dayat a Seminole Tribe school. “My ultimate goal is tocome back and teach for my people, but life doesn’talways work out the way you want,” she said, echoingher mother’s sentiment.Jumper graduated from Clewiston HighSchool in 2001. She said college is hard work. “Themain reason I have been able to get through school isbecause of my family. They came to visit me often.They came when I got awards. They were so supportive.My father, Danny Jumper, came to see me andencouraged me.”“It’s very important with the way the world isgoing for Tribal members to get educated and comeback to the reservation and take over the leadership ofTribal departments,” she said.Jumper is expecting a child this fall, but shesaid motherhood won’t stop her from going back toschool after the birth. “I don’t have an excuse. If momcan go to school at 51, with eight kids, I can do it.”Seminoles Graduate from Hollywood ChristianBy Sandy HamiltonHOLLYWOOD — May 25, 2007 is a daythat will be forever remembered by Zachary JamesBattiest and Shelby Osceola. It is the day that theygraduated from high school.Along with 42 other seniors, Zach and Shelbyreceived their diplomas at an awards ceremony atHollywoodChristianSchool.Itwas an emotionalceremonythat includedseverallaughs whenbaby picturesof the graduateswere displayedon awide screenfor all toadmire. Threevaledictoriansprovidedwords ofinspirationSandy HamiltonZachary James Battiestand Dr.Wesley Scott,who graduatedin 1982,motivated thestudents to prepare for what he called the race of life.Zach’s spirits were high as he made funnyfaces at the camera. A more subdued Shelby lookednervous and excited.A talented artist, Zach intends to pursue acareer in the entertainment industry. His charisma,which seems effortless and natural, along with his talentand dedication to his craft, can only lead himalong the road of success.Submitted by Tabitha OsceolaShelby OsceolaShelby, a volleyball player and NationalHonor Society member who received a college prepdiploma, will pursue a career in veterinary medicine.An accomplished rider, she received a rodeo scholarshipto Troy University in Alabama.Rubi-Anne Alexander (C) shows her diploma in the company of her family.By Adelsa Williams-RiveraSAN MARCOS, Texas — Tribal citizenRubi-Anne Alexander came a long way from home tofocus on her studies, and her hard work undoubtedlypaid off.Rubi-Anne is the daughter of CatherineTommie Alexander and thegranddaughter of LindaTommie from the BigCypress reservation. Theyare all members of the Birdclan.On May 18, Rubi-Anne received her eighthgrade diploma from theprestigious San MarcosBaptist Academy in SanMarcos, Texas.Formerly known asa military academy, theschool is celebrating 100years of Texas tradition.The early morningcommencement ceremonybegan with a grand marchprocession of the studentsas the middle school bandmembers played “PershingRiffles” and the “Ode toJoy” from Beethoven’sNinth Symphony.The speaker for theevent was the Rev. CoreyBearden, the youth director at San Marcos FirstBaptist Church.“Keep a positive attitude, keep the desire toAdelsa Williams-RiveraRubi-Anne Alexander walks the stage.Adelsa Williams-RiveraRubi-Anne Alexander Graduates Junior Highexcel and always a thirst for the prize,” Beardenadvised the new graduates.Rubi-Anne began attending the boardingschool less than a year ago and said she looks forwardto returning next year as she moves on to high school.Her proud parents, her five siblings and eventhe family’s dog made the roadtrip all the way from the BigCypress reservation in Florida toattend the graduation. Not onlydid they show their support anddedication on that special day, butthey also made the trip severaltimes in the past year to visitRubi-Anne, pick her up and dropher off during spring break, andattend parent weekend.The Seminole Tribe’seducation advisors guided Rubi-Anne to find the academy sheattends. The school offers juniorhigh students a special learningskills program, a foreign languagedepartment, military scienceand Christian studies. Theacademy’s curriculum is designedto meet individual students’ needsalong with providing a generalprogram to prepare them for collegeand other opportunities afterhigh school.Rubi-Anne said she wasexcited to return and meet upwith all of the wonderful newfound friends she’s madeduring her time in Texas.Rubi-Anne Alexander with some of her closest newfound friends.Adelsa Williams-Rivera
The Seminole Tribune 11 June 8, 2007Emma BrownTeacher Jenny Johns (back row) with the Pull-OutCouncil, (L-R) Ivess Baker, Maude Gopher, J.T.Smith and Kiylier Baker, make a presentation atthe End of the Year event.Kindergarten student Alicia FudgeEmma BrownEmma BrownBrothers (L-R) Yopalakiyo and Imillakiyo OsceolaEmma BrownReading and Writing Creek teacher Jenny Shoremaking a presentation with Kindergarten students(L-R) Jaylon Baker, Tavis Jumper and J-Wayco BillieEmma BrownStudent Emery Fish and mother Monica Johns review thecarving work that he completed during his Arts and CraftsPull-Out classes.Emma BrownLanguage Arts teacher Jenny Johns with fourth grade students(L-R) Breana Billie, Jennifer Tommie, Layton Thomas,J.T. Smith, Myrick Puente, Braceton King and BrookeOsceola, who are doing a presentation demonstrating theirknowledge of Creek prepositional phrases.Emma BrownCarving teacher Joey Micco (R) talks to mother Monica Johns(C) about the work her son Emery Fish (L) made during hisArts and Crafts carving classes. Lahna Sedatol is seen next toMicco looking at the artwork selected to be placed in the Pull-Out yearbook.The BrightonPull-Out ProgramCompletes Fifthand Final YearBy Emma BrownBRIGHTON — Thefifth successful year has comeand gone for “PemayetvEmahakv” or the BrightonPull-Out Program. On May 18the teachers and staff of thePull-Out Program hosted anend of the year celebration forthe parents and community ofthe Brighton reservation.This gathering was anopportunity for the teachers ofthe program to share theirunique teaching approach andto display the leaps and boundsgained by the students throughtheir culture and languagedemonstrations during the program.Upon arrival, parents andguests were able to visit eachclassroom to see what the studentshave been participatingin. Students were also giventheir yearbook, the first in thePull-Out program, and theyenjoyed seeing their picturesfrom the past few years andhaving friends, family and staffleave them a lasting message inthe autograph section.Following the classroomvisits, Director ofEducation Louise Gophershared a little of the history ofthe program with the audienceand how, through the supportof Okeechobee County SchoolBoard and the support of pastSuperintendent PhoebeRaulerson, the Pull-OutProgram was able to become areality.Brighton resident andmother Rita McCabe onceasked the question, “Why can’twe be pulled out one day aweek to learn about our culturejust like students are pulled outone day a week to attend thegifted program?”With this question inmind, Louise Gopher alongwith others from the CultureDepartment met withSuperintendent PhoebeRaulerson who said, “Do it!”So they did, and completedtheir fifth year on May 18.Following remarks fromGopher, Pull-Out’s StudentTribal Council members introducedthemselves in the Creeklanguage and led the audiencein the Creek and Americanpledges and the singing of theHappy Birthday song in Creek.Next, Gopher introduced themany dignitaries from Gladesand Okeechobee counties whowere present, along withCouncilman Andrew BowersJr.Phoebe Raulersonshared that it is such a joy tosee what the Seminole studentshave done over the years andthat her concerns about theTribe losing its language motivateher to be completely supportiveof such a program. “Ifyou no longer have your languagethen you no longer havea Tribe,” Raulerson said.Before lunch, the teachers ofthe program demonstrated theirteaching technique, calledAcquired Second LanguageAcquisition.Each grade demonstratedthe ASLA program andtheir knowledge of language byuse of nouns, verbs, prepositions,etc. After lunch, the staffpresented students with specialrecognition awards. This was aspecial day for the students andstaff for the Pull-Out Program.It may have been the last dayof the “Friday school” but it isthe beginning of something bigfor the students of the BrightonReservation.The vision of having“our own school” will come tofruition Aug. 20 when thePemayetv Emahakv CharterSchool opens its doors to thestudents of Brighton. This hasbeen a dream for the Brightoncommunity for years andthrough the vision, dedication,and perseverance of theCultural Education Departmentand Education Department thedream will become a reality.The Charter School is planningan open house to take placesometime in the fall.Emma BrownPull-Out students (L-R) Rylee Osceola, Bethany Billie andLanie Sedatol autograph yearbooks. Donovan Osceola is seenin the background looking at his Pull-Out certificates.Emma BrownMother Claudia Olivarez with her fifth grade son ChristopherOlivarezEmma BrownLanguage Arts teacher Jenny Johns with the fifth grade Pull-Out class providing the audience with a Creek reading demonstration.The class is reading the Creek book “Estvn SukkoceCeyacv?” The students are (L-R) Emery Fish, Kiylier Baker,Randy Shore, Jessi Osceola, Christopher Olivarez, KirstinDoney, Maude Gopher and Marshall Tommie.Emma BrownStudents (L-R) Layton Thomas and Randy Shore look at thePull-Out yearbook they received.Emma BrownPull-Out student Jalynn Jones proudly displays the artisticproject she made in her Arts and Crafts classes.Emma BrownMother Avalon Puente reviews the work her son Jaden completedduring his Pull-Out Reading and Writing Creek classes.Emma BrownSecond grade students (L-R) Ruben Burgess, Alexus James, BethanyBillie, Diamond Shore, Odessa King, Rylee Osceola, Trevor Thomas,Jaden Puente, Sean Osceola, Crysten Smith and Lanie Sedatol maketheir presentation.Emma BrownLanguage Arts teacher Jenny Johns makes a presentation ofthe Creek words for nouns with students Royce Osceola andRichard Smith during the Pull-Out event.
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June 8 - Seminole Tribe of Florida

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