 |
         |
      |
| Volume XXIII Number 10 | July 25, 2003 |
Graduating Seniors Are Treated to Bahamas Trip
By Elrod Bowers
PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS — On July 23-27, Chairman Mitchell Cypress treated seven Seminole high school graduates to a fun-filled, five-day vacation at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.
Graduates Aaron Frank, Brittany Yescas, Gregory Thomas, Issiah Billie, Jennie Jo Billie, Megan Otero, and Pete Osceola were recognized at a July 25 banquet dinner by Tribal officials Chairman Mitchell Cypress, President Moses Osceola, Big Cypress Councilman David Cypress, Fort Pierce Liaison Sally R. Tommie and Naples Liaison O.B. Osceola, Jr.
Also on hand to honor the graduates, and provide information on educational opportunities, were Education Department staff David Brown (Employment & Training) and Lynn Himebauch.
During the ceremony, each graduate received a certificate, award and shared their plans for the future with those in attendance.
Aaron Frank- Frank, of Lakeland, will be testing for his third-degree black belt in November. Frank plans to attend Polk Community College to study Engineering.
Brittany Yescas- Yescas plans to attend Broward Community College to study Nursing.
“I have to thank my parents for getting me this far,” said Yescas, “and I’m looking forward to helping my Tribe and my people.”
Gregory Thomas- Thomas will attend Johnson & Wales University in the fall, and major in Hospitality/Business.
Issiah Billie- Billie is considering applying to Haskell University to study Physical Education.
Jennie Jo Billie- Billie plans to attend Miami-Dade Community College and prepare for law school.
“This is a good opportunity to study law and help the Tribe,” said Billie.
Megan Otero- Otero will be attending Emory University in the fall to study Medicine.
“I want to thank the elders,” said Otero, “Throughout high school, I got my strength and encouragement from them.”
Pete Osceola- Osceola plans to attend Miami-Dade Community College to study Business. He plans to transfer to Florida International University.
Chairman Mitchell Cypress congratulated each of the graduates on their accomplishment.
“You have graduated from high school and no one can take that away from you,” said Cypress.
Cypress spoke of growing up in Big Cypress and being awakened by his mother at 5:00 a.m. every morning to go to school.
“Back then, there were no Tribal programs,” said Cypress, “We would get maybe $25 a year, which we traveled to the Oak Tree in Hollywood to receive. There we would be able to visit with some the others, like Moke.”
President Osceola echoed the sentiments and encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunities that they have today.
“Back then we didn’t have many choices,” said Osceola, “For many, it was the military. Now, through the Tribe, you have many opportunities.”
Mistress of Ceremonies Sally Tommie recognized the parents as well. “Let’s thank the parents for making sure that the graduates made it through high school,” said Tommie.
The graduates spent Thursday visiting the Pirates Museum and shopping in downtown Nassau.
On Saturday, the graduates and chaperones spent a day at the Blue Lagoon Island which featured scuba diving, volleyball and a Dolphin Encounter. They reached the island by powerboat, passing along the way the house of baseball star Barry Bonds and the small island that houses Island Records.
Throughout the trip, the graduates explored the Atlantis Resort, which offered numerous aquarium exhibits, beach access, restaurants and water slides. On Sunday, they reluctantly packed up and boarded the plane back to the mainland.
“It’s good to recognize and reward the graduates on finishing high school,” said Chairman Cypress, “They deserve a small vacation before they get back out there and begin the next part of their lives.”
| Home · History · Culture · Tourism & Enterprises · Government · Services · Employment |
Copyright © MMIV Seminole Tribe of Florida
6300 Stirling Road
Hollywood, Florida 33024
Phone: (800) 683-7800
URL:
All questions/comments: tribune@semtribe.com
Webmaster: webadmin@semtribe.com
Web site maintained by Seminole Tribe of Florida