The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is proud to recognize and celebrate recent graduates and their families. These accomplishments reflect hard work, dedication, perseverance, and the support of the families and community members who helped encourage each student along the way.
Aaliyah Simpson is graduating from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. She plans to continue her education with the goal of becoming a licensed physical therapist. Aaliyah is the daughter of Charisse Godfrey, granddaughter of Pamela Taylor, and great-granddaughter of Beverly Cash.
Dr. Zoë M. Harris, daughter of Gordon Harris and Judi Urquhart, granddaughter of Barbara Hicks Harris and JD Harris, and great-granddaughter of Frank E. Hicks, earned her PhD in Community Health Sciences from the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her dissertation was titled “There Could Never Really Be Justice in Stolen Land: An Indigenous Approach to Police Violence.” Zoë currently serves as Associate Director of the UIC Native American Support Program and is the Secretary for the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project.
Tara Spearin completed Cosmetology school. She is the daughter of Dionne and Walter Spearin, sister of Tiffany Dovner, granddaughter of Sonya Avant, and niece of Joan Avant Tavares and Vangie Lee. Tara is also the proud mother of three daughters: Calianna Curtis, Raegan Curtis, and Saydee Santos.
Teddy and Maria Hendricks are proud to announce the graduation of Gianni Marie Sharai Hendricks, granddaughter of “The General” Ted and Mary Anne Hendricks (Nipmuc). Gianni graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design on May 29, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sequential Art. She is looking forward to continuing the exploration and creation of comics and graphic novels with a strong Native voice, along with an exciting large-scale art installation and an atelier program abroad in the coming 18 months.
Congratulations to all of our graduates. Your achievements are a source of pride for the Tribal community, and we wish you continued success in the next chapter of your journey.
Families and community members are encouraged to share news about graduates, educational achievements, career accomplishments, and other important milestones for future Mittark consideration. Please email submissions to Steven Peters at steven@smokesygnals.com.
