There was not a dry eye inside the Talking Stick Resort Ballroom on June 25 as 16 students graduated from the Accelerated Learning Academy in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Members of the 2024 ALA graduation class are Isabelle Adams, Diante Lee Anderson, Charlotte Carlisle, Larissa Chavez, Larrissa Ciarra, Angelita Kay Chiago, Joseph Preston Enos, Benjamin El Rayno Francisco, Tashmahhag Lois Hight, Louis Matthew Jackson Jr., Sabrina Joleen Kavoka, Nicholas Daniel Lewis, Erin J. Martinez, Rosario Anna Martinez, Johnny Charles Perez III, Faith Smith and Juan Smith Jr.

As the graduation song “Pomp and Circumstance” by English composer Sir Edward Elgar played through the speakers, the graduates’ families and loved ones cheered as they watched their graduates file into the ballroom. Education Native Language Culture (ENLC) teacher Ipa Dutchover served as the host for the graduation ceremony. “It makes me feel extremely proud and grateful to see so many of our graduates wearing their traditional clothing, celebrating our people,” said Dutchover.

Following the posting of the colors by members of the Pee-Posh Veterans Association, Sheryl Houston, assistant/acting superintendent for Salt River Schools, shared positive remarks about the graduating class.

“Congratulations to the class of 2024. You have worked hard and persevered at ALA. You have not only fulfilled the graduation requirements, but also learned life skills that will help you in the future,” she said. Superintendent Houston also provided kind words to the graduates’ families and loved ones for supporting them on their academic journey. “I wish you joy, success and confidence in the future,” she added.

Also in attendance were the new 2024-2025 SRPMIC royalty. Miss Salt River Sialik King spoke first in O’odham and then in English as she greeted everyone and congratulated the ALA graduates. Miss Salt River First Attendant Zoe Hernandez, Miss Salt River Second Attendant Evevannah Garza, Jr. Miss Salt River Diondria Pilger, Jr. Miss Salt River First Attendant Tiaré Begay-Smith, and Jr. Miss Salt River Second Attendant Aiyanna Toya all provided their congratulations to the graduates during their introductions.

The festivities and congratulations continued as Johnny Perez III was selected to represent the ALA graduating class and provide the student address. To assist with his speech, Salt River Schools Early College Advisor Davina Leon approached the podium and asked Perez’s parents to come up to the stage as well.

“My experience at ALA is filled with fun memories such as Fall Overhaul, field trips and many more,” said Perez in his prepared speech, which was recited by Leon. “Take pride in how far you’ve come, have faith in how far you’ll go, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Congratulations, class of 2024.”

Each of the 16 graduates had their moment in the spotlight as they walked across the stage and were congratulated by SRPMIC President Martin Harvier, Vice-President Ricardo Leonard, members of Tribal Council and members of the Salt River Schools Education Board, as well as representatives of the ALA Administration and Salt River Schools. Royalty greeted the graduates as they exited the stage and turned their tassels from the right side to the left, denoting that they are officially high school graduates.