The 76th Commencement Ceremony took place on May 30, 2026, as students gathered with their friends and family to celebrate their accomplishments. The commencement ceremony began with the Posting of Colors by the Apache County Sheriff’s Office. Following this, the National Anthem was beautifully performed by the SMIS Choir. An invocation was then given by Father Solomon Nwokocha. The Masters of Ceremony for the 2026 commencement were juniors, Rhyley Meyers and Caleb John.
After welcoming the honored guest, Principal Tazbah Yazzzie presented the three special St. Michael Indian School Legacy awards, sharing, “Today we present three legacy awards that honor the vision, faith, and perseverance of remarkable individuals who shaped our school.” The first honor, the Sister Katharine Barrett Award, is given to a student who demonstrates service and loyalty to the school community. This award was presented to Ryan Legah. The second, the Sister Mary Honora Award, is given to a student who reveres and honors the traditions and culture of the Navajo people and other members of the school community. This award was presented to Grant Meyers. The final honor, the St. Katharine Drexel Award, recognizes a student’s commitment to personal dignity and respect for the rights of others. This award was presented to Brooke Bitsoi.
The program continued with the Salutatorian Address given by Adien Dennison, Class of 2026. He began by recognizing those who supported him throughout his time at St. Michael Indian School, including his teachers and family, reflecting, “There are many firsts for us, and let’s move forward and embrace our future. Like right now, we are the first class to graduate in the new gym, ‘The Nest.’ So make sure to smile for the cameras. Thank you all for attending and celebrating with us today.”
Next, the Valedictorian Address was delivered by Kaiden Ahasteen. He congratulated his classmates, saying, “I am so happy and proud to be here today among all of you for this joyous occasion. To all of my fellow graduates, we did it! Today is the day, and I am proud and excited for us.” Kaiden shared a meaningful story about how his father encouraged him to always do his best. He recalled his early years in elementary school when he joined the cross-country team. At the time, he quickly realized it was much more challenging than he had expected and began to feel discouraged. He went to his father and told him that he wanted to quit. His father simply told him, “No.” When Kaiden asked why, his father responded, “Quitting is the easiest thing someone can do.” He expressed that he wanted to remind his fellow graduates that even when something feels difficult or overwhelming, perseverance matters. His message encouraged the Class of 2026 to keep pushing forward, to stay committed, and to never give up on themselves, no matter the challenges they may face.
After the speeches, the SMIS Choir performed “You’ll Be in My Heart,” then the Commencement Address was given by Dylan Moriarity, an alumnus of the Class of 2007. In his speech, Dylan shared his journey after graduating and reflected on the values he gained during his time at SMIS. His words connected past and present graduates, reminding students of the strong community they are part of. His message was inspiring and encouraged the Class of 2026 to pursue their goals with confidence and purpose, making this moment especially impactful. After the address, graduates had the opportunity to present flowers to their parents and share short speeches expressing gratitude to those who supported them throughout their journey at SMIS and beyond.
As our new graduates take the next step in their journeys, their future plans reflect not only their individual dreams and determination but also the many ways St. Michael Indian School has helped nurture their interests, talents, and sense of purpose. Through hands-on learning opportunities, STEM-focused labs, and programs such as Pre-Med Society, students have been encouraged to explore meaningful career pathways in science, health care, engineering, service, and skilled trades. Sariah Lopez will be attending the University of Colorado Denver to pursue Criminal Psychology, while Twila Smith is set to attend Northern Arizona University to study Nursing, continuing a path toward health care and helping others. Taeden Watchman plans to begin his career in the electrician industry, demonstrating the value of technical skills and workforce readiness. Ortensia Jesus will study Animal Science, building on her passion for working with animals, while Triston Begay plans to attend the University of New Mexico to pursue Engineering. Together, these graduates represent a class prepared to enter universities, career fields, and communities with confidence, compassion, and a strong foundation for the future.
The Class of 2026 reflects the strength, diversity, and determination of St. Michael Indian School. Whether they are continuing their education or entering the workforce, we are proud of all of our graduates and celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026.
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