VCS graduates ready for their next steps towards adulthood

TOWER- “I know I haven’t been at this school very long,” said senior Ashton Cook, “but I feel like every one of you is family. Before I came to this school, I didn’t really feel like I had any sort of impact on anyone. I felt like another minnow in my old school. When I came here, I was greeted by everyone and treated like part of a family. By the end of my first year, I felt like I really belonged here.”
The unofficial theme at this year’s graduation ceremony at Vermilion Country School was family, and how a non-traditional learning environment can help students reach their potential, and be ready to move on to college, the workplace, or other pursuits.
The mission of Vermilion Country School, a grades 7-12 public charter school, is “Developing successful adults with skills to enrich their communities and the environment.”
The graduation ceremony started out with a presentation of eagle feathers to the four graduates with ties to the Bois Forte Band: Annakeiah Chavez, Alyssa Costello, Emilie Wojcik, and Abbi Zapata. Bois Forte Spiritual Advisor Vern Adams explained the significance of the feathers, which are only gifted for a significant achievement.
“These four students are very deserving,” Adams said. “The eagle feathers will help them to be strong.” The students then tied their feathers to their graduation mortarboards, letting them hang alongside the traditional tassel. These graduates were then presented with a gift of a blanket, and in turn, they presented gifts to Adams.
Senior Abbi Zapata spoke about the confidence she had gained since she started in the school as an eight-grader.
“If you asked eighth- grade me to speak at graduation,” she said. “I would have run out of the door. But now I know that is an opportunity I had to take, and I don’t want to regret anything.”
“I’d like to thank the teachers and paras for being themselves, for teaching us, and also making us feel like a family.”
Zapata said while she knows that high school graduation is a big milestone, that “it doesn’t just end here. This is the first major step in the journey of our lives, and I’m so proud of all you, my fellow classmates.”
“Biimadiziwn means the good life [in Ojibwe],” she said. “I hope you all strive for the good life, whatever it may mean to you.”
Abbi’s mother, Adrienne Whiteman, also spoke to the students, school staff, and assembled families that filled the empty school building. Earlier in the week, students and staff had cleared out all the furniture, books, and other equipment, which is being stored in the gym while the school building undergoes a major renovation this summer.
“I have so much gratitude for the VCS faculty,” Whiteman said, noting that Abbi’s older sister, who graduated last year, is now in the Navy, and that Abbi is headed to Fond du Lac Community College later this summer.
“They have supportive, positive relationships with their students. I truly appreciate all you have contributed.”
Whiteman presented beaded medallions she had made to the teachers and other school staff.
Breitung Police Chief Dan Reing was the guest speaker, chosen by the senior class. Reing, who previously was a classroom teacher, often visited with students during lunch, and helped plan the Arrive Alive demonstration held in early May, which involved spending a lot of time with the three seniors, Ashton Cook, Alyssa Costello, and Haedyn Miller, on that planning team.
“I saw maturity and growth with these students,” Reing said.
“This class has so much potential and so much ability.”
Reing reminded the students that their future hasn’t been written for them.
“You are no longer a student,” he said. “You now need to make adult decisions. Put your talents to good use. I can’t wait to see what you all become in the next 10, 20, and 30 years.”
Senior Ashton Cook echoed these same sentiments during the closing of his remarks.
“Find something you are good at, and do it forever,” he said.
The graduating class included seven students this year, six current VCS students and one PSEO student, plus one student, Ivy Reichensperger, who graduated mid-year. PSEO student Emilie Wojcik will be completing her four-year degree at the University of Minnesota- Moorhead. Costello and Zapata will be attending Fond du Lac Community College, along with a 2022 VCS graduate who took a year off to work. Chavez is attending Minnesota North- Itasca. Kaelean Fulton-Shaffer will be enrolling in a CNA program, and then will work on continuing her education in nursing. Miller is not yet sure of her plans, but college is one of the options she is considering. Ashton Cook has enlisted in the U.S. Army.