Two Eagle River grads take first walk of season
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | May 29, 2025 12:00 AM
The Chief Cliff Singers sang and drummed the 2025 Two Eagle River High graduates into the packed gym Sunday for the first graduation of the season.
It was standing-room and sit-on-the-floor full for the 26 graduates, girls in white caps and gowns and boys in turquoise.
Principal Rodney Bird welcomed everyone, and Kootenai Elder Wayne McCoy said a prayer for the graduates.
Graduation speakers were Two Eagle staffers who lightly roasted the graduates and wished them good luck. Leandra Cutfinger and Bird awarded the diplomas as the audience applauded and took pictures.
Then came a favorite part of graduation — the slideshow with baby pictures, gangly adolescents, family photos and school memories.
Chief Cliff provided the recessional, as the graduates proceeded into their futures “on the wings of eagles,” as the program said.
Two Eagle River High School class of 2025 graduates: Jamian Adams, Landyn Massey, Justice Antoine, Devoni Miller, Alexis Arlee, Jade Morigeau Baker, La La Sean Big Day, Caramia Never Miss A Shot, Olivia Bruggeman, Arabella Nicolai, Sean Burrafato, Trinity Olson, Azaria Courville, Payton Perry, Talayna Endfield, Lathan Pretty Weasel, Lochlyn Finley, Ignace Eneas Quequesah, Rianna Franetich, John Stevens, Joaquim Hewankorn, Layla Tenas, Haileigh Kennedy, Myranda Jo Trahan, Vincente LaRoche and Jordan Vizzera.
Graduations continue this weekend with Ronan, 7 p.m. Friday outdoors at the high school stadium; Polson, 10 a.m. Saturday, Linderman Gym; Arlee, noon at the high school; and Charlo, 3 p.m. Sunday in the high school gym.
The final two graduations are the following Saturday, with Salish Kootenai College students at 11 a.m., followed by St. Ignatius seniors at noon.
The Chief Cliff Singers drummed and sang at Two Eagle River High School's graduation on Sunday. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS
Ronan City Council moves forward on police business, extends preliminary approval for subdivision
Ronan’s City Council dealt with lots of civic business at the July 22 meeting.
Tribal detectives and Polson police give overview of drug use in Lake County
Polson Police Chief George Simpson and Tribal Police Chief Couture partnered with two Tribal Police Drug Investigators, Will Mesteth and Vern Fisher, to provide an overview of drug trends in the community.
Standing Arrow Celebration brings dancers, drummers and visitors to Skookum Lane
The first grand entry of the 46th annual Standing Arrow Celebration was at 7 p.m. on July 18. The weather was sweltering, especially for dancers in full regalia. The powwow grounds had a new large tent for dancers to stand in as they waited to enter the dance arbor. Tarps attached to the arbor walls on the west side shielded spectators from the setting sun.