Congratulations to all Mashpee Wampanoag 2022 graduates!
Students who were not featured this month may submit your grad info to Cameron Greendeer at Cameron.Greendeer@mwtribe-nsn.gov for inclusion next month.
Chloe Ling Jonas graduated magna cum laude from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, western MA. on Sunday, May 22nd. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English and minored in Film.
Born extremely premature at 27 weeks and weighing only 1.5 lbs, Drs. from Boston Children's Hospital said she might not walk nor talk.
She defied all odds and rallied. Chloe is a graduate of WLRP's Turtle Camp, and the Language Department's Native Tribal Scholars Program. Alright Chloe!
Robert Norman Dias Jr graduated from Sturgis Charter School on June 4th. Robbie is the son of Robert and Katie Dias, grandson of Norma Dias, and great-grandson of Norman and Joyce Dias. While attending Sturgis, Robbie was a member of the International Baccalaureate program (IB). He was also captain of the varsity basketball and varsity lacrosse teams. Robbie will be attending Elon University in North Carolina this fall, majoring in business/finance.
Trey Peters graduated from Mashpee High School. He is the son of Jermaine Peters and Jessica Souza. Trey is a 3-year member of the football team and 4-year member of the lacrosse team. He plans on furthering his education at Cape Cod Community College in the fall.
Mason Hendricks graduated with his associates in Human Services on May 22 from Bristol Community College. He also made Deans List for the last 4 semesters maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He was the recipient of Perseverance and Excellence in Humanities award. Mason is the proud father of Giavanna Francis Hendricks and the son of Lawrence Hendricks Sr and Jody Santagate. Mason will continue his education in the fall working towards his bachelor’s degree at Fitchburg State University.
Lawrence Hendricks Jr, "Junie" "Swift Deer" son of Lawrence Hendricks Sr and Jody Santagate graduated from Wareham High on June 3rd. Junie was the recipient of the Dean of Student Award as well as the Cape Cod Community College Scholarship. Junie is continuing his education this fall at Cape Cod Community College, working on a degree in aviation mechanics.
Brianna Cheatham, is Finnegan Award Nominee and Graduate of Boston College’s, William F. Connell School of Nursing. Brianna Cheatham, daughter of Rachelle Jonas, Granddaughter of Richardson and Margaret “Maggie” Jonas, has accomplished much in her quest toward a nursing career. Brianna, according to Dr. M. Colleen Simonelli, Dir. of Nursing’s letter to the nominating Committee at the Boston College, William F Connell, School of Nursing, and I quote “is a leader with strong service orientation who has devoted a great deal of energy toward promoting the success of others. She exemplifies the motto ‘Ever to Excel’ through her personal accomplishments, but also strives to improve societal health and assist others to work up to their own potential.” During her high school years at Mashpee Middle-High School, Brianna volunteered her time and talents to the Riverview Dance Heroes, a program focused on students with learning and cognitive challenges. By her senior year she was responsible for leading the program and training the incoming volunteers. She was also a leader in her tribe, as the Secretary of the Youth Council for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, a part of her heritage and at BC, Brianna served as Secretary and Co-president of the Cape Verdean Student Association, also a part of her heritage. Her life and heritage have been the catalyst for propelling Brianna’s life goals. Her Grandmother, a nurse for 26 years, was the example that led Brianna into the nursing field. She demonstrates the same compassion and dedication to nursing as did her beloved Grandmother Maggie. Brianna graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and plans to continue her nursing career at Boston Children’s Hospital in pediatric oncology. According to Dr. Simonelli, “she, Brianna, has the drive, commitment, and invaluable education to provide exceptional and compassionate health care and to “set the world aflame!
Alex Miller had a severe case of school phobia since he was in kindergarten. After getting off the bus, he turned and started walking home, and the principal had to fetch him more than once. By the time he reached third grade, he had declared that he wanted to quit school at age sixteen and get a GED. We advocated for testing, and after a long battle, the school administration agreed to pay. Alex was placed on an IEP and bounced around, pushed through the broken educational system, and ended up in a slew of “alternative education” classes in HS. Finally, at the age of sixteen to the day, Alex dropped out of school. Unfortunately, the system failed to recognize my son’s and many Native sons’ unique learning styles. He then sailed through the process of acquiring his GED and flourished as a successful student at Cape Cod Community College. Alexander resumed his studies and enrolled in classes at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, MA. He is graduating Phi Theta kappa, class of 2022, made the honor roll, the Dean’s List, and received the English Department’s Award for Creative Writing.
