Ignacio celebrates young graduates

IES 5th Grade Graduation: All the 5th graders turn and acknowledge their parents and families at the 5th grade Continuation Ceremony.

SUIMA Transition Ceremony: Holding the flags at this years Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy Transition Ceremony were Ethan Rock hold the United States Flag and Tamarius Roland holding the Southern Ute Flag.

Avaleena Nanaeto, Reynelda Martinez, Marcus Archuleta, Mark Archuleta are all transitioning out of the Academy and are headed to 7th grade at the Ignacio Middle School.

Ute Language Design Coordinator, Georgia McKinley embraces her daughter, Samantha Pinnecoose, after her retirement speech at this year’s transition ceremony. McKinley worked for the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy for 15 years and received a standing ovation from all in attendance at the transition ceremony.

Jeremy Reynolds happily accepts his certificate of achievement award from Southern Ute Montessori Indian Academy Director, Carol Olguin Baker.

Paiten Tucson proudly holds up her SUIMA certificate of achievement.

Destiny Hayes is all smiles as she receives her certificate of achievement from Carol Olguin Baker, Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy Director.

Cassidy Tahlo holds her dad’s hand as she receives her certificate of achievement at the SUIMA Transition held on Thursday, May 26.

Holding the flags at this years Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy Transition Ceremony were Ethan Rock hold the United States Flag and Tamarius Roland holding the Southern Ute Flag.

Avaleena Nanaeto, Reynelda Martinez, Marcus Archuleta, Mark Archuleta are all transitioning out of the Academy and are headed to 7th grade at the Ignacio Middle School.

Ute Language Design Coordinator, Georgia McKinley embraces her daughter, Samantha Pinnecoose, after her retirement speech at this year’s transition ceremony. McKinley worked for the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy for 15 years and received a standing ovation from all in attendance at the transition ceremony.

Jeremy Reynolds happily accepts his certificate of achievement award from Southern Ute Montessori Indian Academy Director, Carol Olguin Baker.

Paiten Tucson proudly holds up her SUIMA certificate of achievement.

Destiny Hayes is all smiles as she receives her certificate of achievement from Carol Olguin Baker, Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy Director.

Cassidy Tahlo holds her dad’s hand as she receives her certificate of achievement at the SUIMA Transition held on Thursday, May 26.

Ignacio Elementary 5th graders perform a dance to begin the 5th grade Continuation Ceremony Tuesday, May 24.

Head Start Graduates and teachers hold hands for the Round Dance to close out this year’s Head Start graduation.

Head Start Education Coordinator, Melanie Brunson thanks departing tribal member teacher Brandi Raines for her work and dedication to the Head Start over the years.

Classroom Two Head Start grads Shyla Cloud and Babie Maloid take a seat after preforming “ABC” by the Jackson 5 with their fellow classmates.

Graduates Faustino Ramas and Nevaeh Sandoval sing along with classmates to “We Must Say Goodbye”.

Students from Classroom Three preform the famous “ABC” song by the Jackson 5 at the Southern Ute Montessori Head Start’s Graduation Wednesday, May 25.

Southern Ute Montessori Head Start Graduation: Flag bearers stand center floor as everyone says the Pledge of Allegiance. Babie Maloid and Natalia Pena hold the American flag; Somer Cloud and Stephen Romero hold the Southern Ute Tribe’s flag; and Faustino Ramas and Matthew Maestas hold the SUCAP flag.

Students of the Ignacio Elementary Kindergarten class each spoke of spelling out K-I-N-D-E-R-G-A-R-T-E-N, during the Kindergarten graduation ceremonies, Wednesday, May 18 in the Ignacio Elementary’s Cafe’ Lupe.

Ignacio Elementary Art Teacher, Ms. Lisa Brown gave the Commencement Address with the help from Kinder students, painter Leroy Blauert, and assistants Kieley White Thunder (center) and Selia Montoya.

Ignacio Elementary Kinder Graduation: Kinder students perform a song at their graduation Wednesday, May 18.

The Ignacio Elementary Choir sings the National Anthem opening up the 5th grade ceremony Tuesday, May 24 inside the Ignacio High School Auditorium.

Damarion Goodtracks receives his certificate of completion of the fifth grade at Tuesday nights 5th Grade Continuation Ceremony held at the Ignacio High School. He and his fellow classmates will be attending Ignacio Middle School next year

Ignacio Elementary recognized 5th graders who completed all 100 levels in a typing course.