Saturday, May 14th 2011, at Eastman Hall the Johnson O’Malley (JOM) committee hosted the 5th Grade Honoring, 8th Grade Honoring and Senior Feather Honoring Ceremony. Grand Entry began with the drum group: Perry Bobtail Bear, Jim Bill Ross, Everett Weston, Francis Eastman, Brian Thin Elk, and James Crawford while Tom Allen Jr. of the Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Post presented The 38 Eagle Staff. Master of Ceremonies Reverend Ron McKinney – Native American Student Program Advisor began by welcoming those in attendance and introducing the speakers: Dr. Renate Schroeppel- JOM Director & FSST Education Coordinator; Mr. Tony Reider – FSST Tribal President; Mr. Janna Ellingson – FPS District Director of Curriculum; Student Speakers: Rio Lake – FPH Senior; James Crawford – FPH Class of 2015; and Mr. Brendan Streitz – FPS Computer Science Instructor – Guest Speaker.
 The honoring ceremony began with the 5th grade students receiving a blessing and a dream catcher made by the Native Culture club. And the 8th grade students receiving a blessing and a gift of sweet grass then the 5th & 8th grade students were sung honor song. The 2011 seniors received a blessed feather/plume, after the feather tying ceremony the seniors were sung an honor song.
After the honoring and feather tying ceremony the students and their families enjoyed a potluck  dinner.
Thank you for making FSST’s 2011 Honoring a success. The FSST Education department and the Johnson O’Malley committee, would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the following organizations and individuals:
Kendra Burshiem
Dr. Renata Schroeppel;
Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Post #6597;
Flandreau singers:Perry Bobtail Bear, Jim Bill Ross, Everett Weston, Francis Eastman, Brian Thin Elk, and James Crawford;
Reverend Ron McKinney, emcee;
Brendan Streitz, FPS Computer Science Instructor;
Tom Allen Jr., spiritual leader;
Tony Reider, FSST President;
Janna Ellingson, FPS Curriculum Coordinator;
Julie Stephens, Contract Administer;
Carol Robertson;
Amber Allen for help with the program and pictures;
Philip Allen for securing the feathers;
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe;
FSST Executive Council;
FSST Wellness Center;
FSST Tribal Office and Maintenance staff;
David and Myrna Louis for providing the medicine wheels;
First American Mart, for donating ice;
Grace Moore Senior Citizen’s Center, for providing sandwiches;
Royal River Casino, for providing the sound system;
Beverly Wakeman, for prep and cleanup;
Sarah Treeptop and family for overseeing and serving the meal;
Elders for their help and guidance
And a special thanks to Rev. Ron McKenney, Beverly Wakemen, and Mike McCurry for folding every last chair and table and washing every last dish.
Also, thank you to the parents and families for supporting your students.
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