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Soon-to-be Gladstone grads get send-off, advice

Haley Gustafson | Daily Press Shane Mitchell, Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company co-founder and performer, dances Monday morning during the Native American Send Off Ceremony held for Gladstone High School seniors. The event, which featured speakers and performances, was held in honor of graduating seniors. In addition to the send off ceremony, the seniors also participated in Decision Day, which allowed the soon-to-be graduates to announce their future plans after high school.

GLADSTONE — Gladstone High School seniors had an eventful last full day of school Monday. Various events were held in their honor throughout the day, including a ceremony to announce their future plans, a Native American Send Off Ceremony, and a senior cookout.

Kicking off the festivities was the Decision Day ceremony, which allowed the soon-to-be graduates to announce their plans for next fall to school staff and students, including which colleges, workforce, or military endeavors the seniors chose to pursue.

During the ceremony, gift cards, T-shirts, and other prizes were offered to the underclassmen in the audience, as each of the 114 soon-to-be graduates were called onto the stage in the high school’s auditorium.

To conclude the event, High School Principal Brady Downy offered some words of advice for the seniors, who will graduate on Saturday.

“At the end of the day, it’s your positive attitude that will carry you over,” said Downy. “If you don’t like something, do something different.”

Following Decision Day, the seniors made their way to the gymnasium where they gathered in a circle to be honored by the Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company of Crystal Falls.

Included in the send-off ceremony were dances that showcased the Native American culture, as the dancers were dressed in traditional regalia. The performances showcased Native culture, while also sending the message to the seniors and others in attendance to never judge and always respect other people’s heritage, said Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company dancer Ronnie Preston.

“There is nothing more exciting to me than to teach the youth what it is we do,” said Preston. Preston was the main MC for the ceremony, telling stories and the history behind each dance and what it represents.

Yvonne Eastman, Title VI Indian Education program director, said she hopes the ceremony helped the seniors go off into their next adventure in life with a sense of purpose and respect.

“I hope they left with the sense that they determine who they want to be,” said Eastman, adding having the dance company come in was also to open the student’s eyes and “change the mindset of the culture” of the Native peoples.

Eastman explained that this was her first year putting the send-off ceremony together. Gladstone has held the Native American send-off ceremony for years.

At the end of the ceremony, High School Principal Brady Downy and other staff presented the seniors with an award feather, which is highly honorable in the Native culture.

The seniors ended their day with a cookout and activities, including disc golf, dunk tanks, and other games.

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