Saginaw Chippewa Academy families finalize school year with fun festivities
7/20/2015 10:54:00 AM - Tribal Observer

Saginaw Chippewa Academy families finalize school year with fun festivities

By Joseph V. Sowmick, Photojournalist

Regardless of age, everyone can relate to the excitement of summer vacation, and the Saginaw

Chippewa Academy families finalized the school year with a frenzied flurry of fun festivities.  

The week-long celebration began June 2 with the annual 2015 version of SCA Field Day.

SCA Physical Education Instructor Chloe Updegraff said the aim for the Tuesday SCA Field Day was to have a “Survivor” theme. 

“The older grades (3-6) participated in events that created a mentality of teamwork and school pride,” Updegraff said. “Students were divided up into squads of eight students, with teachers and teacher’s assistants, along with members of the AB (Anishnaabe Bimaadziwin) team working as squad leaders.” 

Squads accumulated points by searching for an immunity idol, with a 10-station workout circuit, and going through an obstacle course, finishing with a giant puzzle.

“Students then participated with their squads in a team sports survivor, where they played against each other in kickball, tug-o-war, giants/wizards/elves, and lacrosse,” she said. “The cultural significance of lacrosse was also discussed with squads, and students were encouraged to bring their own sticks.”

The younger students participated in similar events, and all students were able to enjoy a healthy lunch together as an entire school.

Updegraff said everyone had a great time, and the day was filled with lots of laughs and good, healthy competition. 

She said a thank you to the SCIT Housing Department is in order for allowing use of their facilities for the afternoon.

On Wednesday, June 3, it was back to the SCA field for an end-of-the-year powwow.  The SCA student drum joined the visiting Walleye Singers and provided the heartbeat for a series of student dance exhibitions.

The occasion also showcased an introduction of the new SCA Junior Warrior and Junior Miss and their alternates. 

The four students were selected were Junior Miss Sara Saunders, Junior Miss runner-up Alberta Trepanier, Junior Warrior Kenneth Wemigwans and Junior Warrior runner-up Christopher Spencer-Ruiz.

On Thursday, June 4, the SCA kindergarten class got an opportunity to go through as graduation ceremony as they get ready to take that next big step into first grade.

On the last day of school, the SCA sixth grade Class of 2015 took center stage as a packed house of families, friends and teachers celebrated with the graduates on June 5. 

Tribal Education Director Melissa Montoya greeted each student as Andre Leaureaux, Matthew Quaderer, Liberty Morland, Lars George, Francis Sheahan and Bryan Sam received their diplomas.