Tribal college celebrates commencement

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet conferred associate degrees and diplomas on the 157 students from its class of 2021 during a virtual commencement

ceremony May 13.

College president Stephanie Hammitt held out hope that it will be the last ceremony of its type in a while.

"We find ourselves once again celebrating apart and virtually, rather than together," she said. "But our enthusiasm and happiness for your accomplishments is not diminished."

The 2020 Student of the Year, Hope Calogero, and the 2021 Student of the Year, Taria White, also addressed the graduates. In her inspirational address. "They say sky's the limit, but I don't believe that, reach beyond the stars because you never know who is watching you," White said. "You are a role model to everyone, whether you see it or not."

In addition to the virtual ceremony, small in-person celebrations were held at the college, including pinning exercises for the nursing program graduates on May 12 and a graduate parade on May 13.

The following students from the area earned college degrees and/or diplomas and are members of the 2021 graduating class at FDLTCC.

Barnum

Christine Evans

Carlton

Alexander Bodin

Elijah Blue

Haley Adkins

Laura Bodin

Lia Waltjer

Megan Bodin

Natasha Johnson

Pamela Polo

Saydee Clemens

Cloquet

Aaron Baxley

Ahna Anderson

Alexis VanderPoel

Allison Lussier

Autumn Moynan

Bailey Robinson

Carrie Lewton

Cedar Melby

Clair Friedman

Dallas Borske

Danny Jackson Jr

Dawnis Braddick

Elizabeth Rilea

Ellen Sakellariou

Emily Lockling

Erik Petoletti

Evan Streblow

Hailey Anderson

Jamie Williams

Jennifer Clark

Jessica Benson

Jonah Randa

Jordan Paulson

Kaden Crane

Kaitrin Ward

Kayla Larsen

Kelsey Warner

Kevin Blacketter

Kylie McKeon

Lainey McKeon

Laura Fink

Linzie Clayman

Maria Sajdak

Melanie Trieschmann

Nevaeh Bridge

Nicole Barousse

Rhiley Smith

Sarah Durfee

Shania Delille

Sharon Anderson

Shawna Pokornowski

Sherri Wuollet

Tara Schaak

Timothy Bongs

Tyler Koskela

Victoria Jarvi

Esko

Avery Liljegren

Dariano Giancola

Kieran Sinnott

Lucas Pyrlik

Scott LaVoie

Floodwood

Brina Johnson

Mahtowa

Kylee Berquist

Susan Higgins

McGregor

Taria White

Moose Lake

Jadie Guyer

Kortney Johnson

Proctor

Ellie Majerle

Sarah Stewart

Trace Norton

Saginaw

Boyd Billman

Sturgeon Lake

Moriah Gill

Skyla Thompson

Wrenshall

Kristen Egeberg

Leigha Hashey

Tanner Carlson