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| Volume XXV, Number 8 | June 11, 2004 |
By Susan Etxebarria
BRIGHTON — A memorable ceremony was conducted by the First Indian Baptist Academy in the church chapel on Thursday May 27. This ceremony celebrated Trina Bowers’ high school graduation.
Bowers, from the Brighton reservation, was the one and only senior in this fairly new private Christian school. She graduated with straight A’s.
Many family and friends attended the ceremony, which also included the 2003-2004 School Year Awards for all the students.
Bowers opened her inspiring farewell speech with her special 11 stanza poem in which she wrote about the lessons she has learned growing up.
“ I am two small words, and yet, it’s a powerful place to be. It’s my life and I’m living it, I am everything you see,” the poem begins.
“ I am responsible for my actions, and all the things I say and do. I am responsible for my behavior and how I interact with you,” Bowers continued. “I am responsible for the level of my work, and the choices I make. I am responsible for the values I profess, and for the ways that I communicate.”
With her two grandmothers and grandfather present, aunts and uncles, mother and father and younger brother, Bowers also expressed her gratitude for all they have done for her.
“ I wouldn’t have made it this far if it wasn’t for the love and support I received from my parents, family and friends,” she told the audience. “My parents have taught me the rights from the wrongs, my family has taught me that everything is possible through the hands of God, and my friends have taught me to be trusting and honest.”
She is the only graduating senior this year. But, the academy, now ending its fourth year, is growing steadily as parents begin to realize the tremendous advantages of a private school on the reservation, emphasizing smaller class sizes and individual attention, respect for and emphasis of Seminole traditions and culture, inspiring children to set goals, especially reaching for educational achievements. Trina is one of the early pioneers.
Next year the graduating class will be much larger. During this 2003-2004 school year, enrollment tripled, and the school had 40 students.
Awards were also given to students in all grades for academic excellence, attendance, the Bringing Up Grades, or BUG award, and the Kiwanis Kindness award.
The students given certificates for all A’s -or all A’s and B’s were, as follows: Baxley Ashton, Lois Billie, Paul Billie, Marilee Johns, Matthew De Hass, Taylor Johns, Marilee Johns, Kalgary Johns, Nicholas Nix, Robert Parker, Kaley Riley, Jennifer Tommie, and Marshall Tommie.
The ceremony had special meaning for Pastor Wonder Johns. All the students participated in the ceremony by performing before the audience either singing songs or performing skits.
“ It is such a pleasure to see all the kids get up and speak,” Johns said. “Go to public schools and see how many Indian kids get up and speak. I get a joy out of this.”
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