gneese@mininggazette.com

BARAGA — Thirteen students received their associates degrees at Saturday’s Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College commencement ceremony, which also included awards for outstanding students and faculty.

Commencement speaker was Kathleen Smith, a member of the KBOCC Board of Regents. She joined the board in 2019, the year after graduating from KBOCC as valedictorian. She now works with 11 member tribes in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota at the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission as Manoomin Ganawandang, or “she who takes care of wild rice.”

A graduate of the college, she told the students of her journey. She fought wildfires in California’s Mojave Desert, for the Bureau of Land Management. When she was passed over for promotions to engine operator, she successfully sued the federal government, eventually becoming an engine boss.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College graduates stand with their diplomas after Saturday’s commencement.

After rolling a BLM water tender on a mountain road fighting the San Bernardino wildfire, she became an at-home mother, then a plant technician for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Natural Resources Department, then eventually habitat specialist.

“The reason why I tell my story is to inspire you, and you can move forward with your calling or your life journey,” she said. “Your journey is what you will find that will inspire you. The future is in front of you. And if you’ve made it to this point, you can inspire others, and you can do anything that you set your mind to.”

Valedictorian Kristy Laramore addressed the crowd Saturday. She graduated with a degree in environmental science. In January, she began a career as KBOCC’s admissions counselor. She is also pursuing a second associate degree in Anishinaabe studies.

She joined the college after a friend convinced her to enroll in 2021. She quickly fell in love with all of it — even the deadlines.

She thanked her fellow graduates.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College President Lori Sherman and KBOCC Board of Regents member Kathleen Smith place a blanket around graduate Destine Alvardo-Seymour as she receives her diploma at Saturday’s commencement ceremony.

“I know how hard you all worked to be here today, and I’m so proud of you and honored to share this moment with you,” she said.

After the ceremony, graduates formed a reception line, where they received hugs and congratulations from a long line of well-wishers.

Environmental science graduate Victoria Ripley was also convinced to join KBOCC by friends, who told her to enroll and better herself.

“It felt nice,” she said. “It felt like I accomplished something. I think I’m the first one in my family to graduate.”

Her favorite memories of the school will be the time she spent doing fieldwork with fisheries.

“I love getting my hands dirty and playing with fish,” she said.

She plans to attend classes at Michigan Technological University in the fall and earn a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation. She hopes to work for the KBIC’s Natural Resources Division.

Before students received their diplomas, awards were also presented to outstanding students.

Leeah Owens was named Student of the Year, while Freshman of the year went to Shiloh Lussier.

In the business department, Leroy Gauthier received an award for students who have overcome obstacles but remain vigilant in furthering their education, while Richard Tilson received the future entrepreneur award.

Departmental student of the year awards also went to graduates Trevor Tangen, Victoria Ripley and Destine Alvardo-Seymour in environmental science, Cindy Wiltse in Anishinaabe studies and Bradley Berry and Angel Loonsfoot in liberal studies.