By Joe Morey
New Editor
Celebrating the largest graduating class of the LCO Ojibwe School, the Class of 2022 saw 22 graduates honored at a commencement ceremony in the LCO School Gymnasium on May 27, 2022.
2022 Class Valedictorian Isabelle Trotterchaude said she was proud of her class for where they got after going through the Covid 19 pandemic for their sophomore and junior years.
“I can’t wait to see what you all do and accomplish in the future,” Isabelle told her classmates. “As for me, I will be attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities this fall.”
Isabelle credited her parents and grandmother for her success due to all their support.
For most of her speech, Isabelle spoke in fluent Ojibwe language and credited Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language School.
Salutatorian, Nevaeh Cross, also thanked her parents for pushing her to get this far. She also wished all of her fellow graduates good luck in whatever they choose to do.
Dr. Mike Sullivan, the keynote speaker, told the graduates that the Elders have always told us to go and get your education, learn the language and come back and help your people.
“As we move into the future, I’m not sure those words are still echoed to our graduates, especially the part about learning our language. It’s important. All those elders, it’s what they wanted for us. It’s why this school was started. So do that, it’s never too late,” Sullivan noted.
