Students of the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy said a children’s prayer in Ute, written by the late Annie Bettini, to close the annual Transition ceremony on Thursday, May 23. The students say the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance and sing the flag song to begin their days at the academy. Lower Elementary guide Shawna Steffler (with mic) was the M.C. for the ceremony. Shawna will not be returning next year, but said, “My journey with each child and teacher at the academy has taught me that we have wonderful, amazing students and guides.”

Southern Ute Veterans Association members carried the colors, followed by the transitioning students, to begin the Transition ceremony.

Southern Ute Tribal Chairman Jimmy R. Newton Jr. welcomes relatives and loved ones to the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy’s Transition Ceremony. Members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council also made welcoming remarks.

Angelo and Pamela, parents of Saniyya Valdez, infant at the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy, accept a certificate from Director Carol Olguin.

Lower Elementary student Dominique Rael received a special recognition certificate for perfect attendance for the entire 2012-13 school year.

Primary Two student Jeremy Reynolds will transition into Lower Elementary next year. Ute Language Guide Crystal Ivey assisted Carol Olguin in giving out the certificates.

Upper Elementary transitioning student Andrew Morgan proudly poses for a photo with sister Ava-Sage Morgan, a toddler student, and father Virgil Morgan.

Academy students performed the skit “Tüpüichi Uvwevi,” or “Stone Soup,” an old folk story in which hungry strangers persuade local people of a village to give them food. It is usually told as a lesson in cooperation. Lakota TwoCrow narrated the skit, while students played the characters. The dialogue was in Ute.

Randy Herrera (left) and Kean Cantsee speak to fellow students Ebony Gomez, Reynalda Martinez, Aveleena Nanaeto, Jawadin Corona and Dustin Sanchez. All played characters in the skit “Tüpüichi Uvwevi,” or “Stone Soup,” which incorporated the Ute language.