“In an eagle, there is all the wisdom of the world.” Lame Deer, Minnicoujou

PABLO — Fourteen Eagles, and one there in spirit, proceeded from the back of the Two Eagle River School gym onto the commencement stage on Sunday night, to officially be transformed into high school graduates. They accepted their diplomas under the watch of Salish Kootenai College President Joe McDonald, who urged that this not be the last diploma they secure. Whatever you begin, finish it, he said. Want it bad enough - and don’t let the myriad of obstacles of the world get in the way.

“Be happy, this is a moment to be happy,” McDonald said.

Two school founders, Clarice King and Jerry Brown, gave hugs along with the certificates. The new grads watched a slide show that looked back on the journey as an end to the evening.

Before the ceremony, graduate Kris Mahkuk was gathered with his classmates getting ready to walk under the arch full of red and black balloons, with family and friends surrounded them.

“It feels good,” Mahkuk said. “It’s a once-in-a-lieftime thing, it  doesn’t happen every day.”

Mahkuk will prepare this summer for his first semester of college at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo where he is planning on beginning a major in graphic design.

Several students were awarded SKC scholarships.

He’s hoping he can transfer to the University of North Carolina, near where he was born, to finish the degree.