Page 11 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - June, 2019

11

GRADS child.
From page 10 Being back on the reservation
“feels like home” for Lilia.
before he could play. “This is the best thing,” Lilia
“She was a big inspiration,” said. “It is the best way to get
Reynolds said. family together and celebrate
He lives in Rochester but those who finished school,
hasn’t spent much time on the moving on to their goals and
reservation in recent years. He dreams.”
spoke about how he really enjoys She said it’s a way to celebrate
being a part of events like this and be honored in a way that
one. The graduates received only family and the tribal
various gifts throughout the community can – with Pendleton
night. blankets.
For Reynolds, the best part While in high school, the
of the evening was receiving sports she participated in might
his first eagle feather. He said, seem untraditional. She played
“It’s very beautiful and close football, softball, baseball and is Erica Mendez graduated from the University of Oregon.
to my heart. To me, it signifies into mixed martial arts.
a coming of age. I haven’t had Although she loves sports, Chasing her dreams
anything else like this from the she understands the importance
tribe.” of academics and is interested
Admittedly, he’s still not quite in studying journalism in We are overwhelmed with Union. Last year, she was
able to comprehend that there is college. She already has decided happy tears! On June 17, able to backpack throughout
no more K-12. However, he said, that she wants to take a “gap- our daughter Erica Mendez Europe and study abroad
“I’m excited to get on with the year” and travel to Europe, graduated from the University in Oviedo, Spain. After
rest of my life.” where she plans to work on her of Oregon with a double graduation, she will attend
Reynolds plans on attending journalistic approach to writing. major in political science and the Berkeley Pipeline to Law
Centralia College to study Lilia’s grandmother, Lynn sociology with a concentration and study for the LSAT in
business and wants to come Hoheisel, said she wishes on immigration and preparation for law school!
back and work for the tribe after success for all of the grads in indigenous peoples. I would like to thank our
earning a degree. whatever they choose to do Four years have gone friends and family who have
Other students plan to take moving forward. She’s had by so fast. She started her been there for her during this
a break from school for a bit as numerous grandkids graduate college journey at UC Santa journey. Jay and Kris Salmon,
they travel and spend time with high school. Cruz and transferred her Alida Sanchez-Camacho,
friends and family. Seeing Lilia take that step sophomore year. While she’s JaNessa Bumgarner,
Lilia Hoheisel is originally is starting to make her feel old. been in college, we’ve been Cheyenne Marcellay-Howe,
from Washington but her She was overwhelmed with able to attend football games, the Sutter family, Bella
family moved down to Redding, pride for her granddaughter’s sorority activities and the Mendez, grandparents and all
California, when she was a young achievement. Mother’s Day Powwow! aunties, uncles and cousins.
Erica has kept herself busy There are just so many people
as an executive coordinator to be thankful for, I could
of the Nike N7 Youth fill a whole page and still
Movement; a member of the wouldn’t have enough room!
Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Erica, we love you so much
Nu and Epsilon Omicron and are so proud of you
Chapter; and a co-director of – Racheal and Manuel
the Native American Student Mendez and sister Marivella

Walk & Roll

Wednesdays

Join us as Chehalis
Tribal Wellness Center
staff walk at noon from
the clinic to Lucky Eagle
Casino & Hotel

SIGN UP AT THE ELDERS CENTER,
COMMUNITY CENTER, WELLNESS * Sponsored by the
CENTER OR TRIBAL CENTER, OR EMAIL Special Diabetes
SDICKENSON@CHEHALISTRIBE.ORG Program for Indians
Daryl Shortman graduated from Central Washington University.