It was an exciting and emotional week at Noli Indian School on the Soboba Reservation as eighth-grade students were promoted and seniors graduated.
The Soboba Sports Complex was filled with family members and other supporters for the 10 middle schoolers who were being promoted on June 2. Principal Donovan Post welcomed all who came to “help us celebrate achievement” and thanked families for their support and time. He thanked and introduced the Noli School Board, for everything they do in the best interest of the children. In attendance were President Sandra Boniface, Vice President Lucille Briones, Secretary Avellaka Arviso, and Members-at-Large Mia Gonzalez and Darryl Silvas.
Post, who started as an English teacher at Noli, more than 25 years ago, recalled teaching many family members of the current students, including their parents. “That feeling of family is what makes us strong and that’s what makes it worth it,” he said. “It’s not just having a Tribal school that is Tribally controlled on a Reservation, but that sense of family.”
Traditionally, Post asks all students if any would like to give a speech at the ceremony and Victoria Boiso, who hopes to be valedictorian of the Class of 2029, stepped up to the podium. The outstanding eighth grader already has her sights set on attending Cornell University after she graduates from high school.
“I pride myself on being a leader,” she said. After thanking her friends and classmates for the many middle-school memories, she recited a poem she had written for History teacher and AVID Coordinator Lorin Alvarez, who is leaving Noli.
“In every lesson a world to explore, you opened doors we hadn’t seen before,” she read, in part. “Thank you, Alvarez, for all that you’ve done, we’re going to miss you tons and tons.”
With tears in her eyes, Alvarez took the stage and presented several students with their AVID honor cords. Then she presented each student with their Certificate of Achievement/Promotion.
After the promotion was official, guests were treated to a student-made slide show that shared some of the highlights for each student and for the class as a whole.
Those who qualified for promotion, with their Tribal affiliation, are: Victoria Boiso, Soboba; Samantha Gladin, Sioux; Ani Hampton, Soboba; Celine Hollingsworth, Soboba; Tamara Hurtado, Soboba; Harlow Ortiz, Los Coyotes; Tukwut Ortiz, Soboba; Lylianna Procela Gemmell, Tohono; Kenneth Razon, Soboba; and, Gabriel Romero, Yaqui.
On the morning of June 3, seniors and their families were invited to a luncheon where the students received special recognition for accomplishments during the year. The Sports Complex was set up with a table for each senior that had their photos and a program for the commencement ceremony, being held that evening at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center.
Noli’s Class of 2025 are Babe Briones, Soboba; Valedictorian Daigan Cyhan, Pechanga Band of Indians; Johnny Gutierrez, Soboba; and Salutatorian Arionna Ward, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.
The event also served as a college-signing day as the students were given a symbolic certificate to sign, acknowledging their commitment to higher education goals. Post said, “You take all our hopes and dreams with you; you are our future.”
Daigan is headed to UCR to study biology for a career in the medical field, Arionna received a full-ride scholarship to Redlands University and will major in business and finance that will enable her to help her Tribe, Babe will enroll in the FABTECH program at The FAB School to become an automotive welder and Johnny plans to become a history professor, beginning his studies at Mt. San Jacinto College.
Senior Advisor Jacquelin Phillips presented individualized recognition certificates.
“My most valuable moment was watching your students grow,” she told the families, and to her students she said, “Thank you for letting me push you.”
Multiple achievement awards and recognition for leadership, academic excellence, participation in AVID and ASB and more were given to the seniors. The Principal’s Award was presented to Daigan for “Outstanding Academics” for his 4.0 GPA.
Crystal awards for earning the top two spots in their graduating class were presented to Daigan, whose “accomplishments have set an inspiring example” and to Arionna “for consistently producing at the highest levels.”
That evening, seniors watched the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center fill up for the commencement ceremony. As each one took the stage, a prerecorded message was played, where they introduced themselves, thanked special people in their lives, shared a memorable high school moment, and a favorite quote.
Babe Briones has attended Noli since ninth grade and his favorite quote is by rapper King Von, “If you ain’t ready to lose, you ain’t ready to win.” Daigan Cyhan began at Noli in sixth grade and chose a quote by musician Drake, “Never let success get to your head, and never let failure get to your heart.” Johnny Gutierrez also started at Noli in sixth grade and shared, “Let everything happen to you, beauty and terror, just keep going, no feeling is final” by Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke. Arionna Ward enrolled at Noli in her sophomore year. Her favorite quote is by American writer Mercedes Lackey, “If it’s stupid and it works, then it’s not stupid.”
Principal Post reflected on the 27 graduations he has been part of and thanked Tribal Council and the School Board for all their years of support. As a Soboba Tribal member himself, he said the campus has always had a strong sense of community.
Daigan participated in the “Calling of the Four Directions” and Desert Cahuilla Birdsongs led by his uncle John W. Contreras and family. Daigan’s mother Tashina Miranda Ornelas coordinates the culture department at Noli and she and her daughter, who is a student there, joined other bird dancers.
In her speech, Salutatorian Arionna said, “As we begin a new chapter of our lives and our paths go in different ways, we will always share the memories here at Noli. Live with no regrets and be true to who you are.” She thanked those who attended the ceremony and those who couldn’t be present but are watching from above, with the best seats.
“Even though they couldn’t be with us on our special day, they are always walking alongside us and will always be with us in our hearts,” she said. Arionna wore a memorial medallion with a photo of her beloved grandfather Michael Salgado and the words “Always Pops.”
Valedictorian Daigan shared that attending Noli has been one of the greatest experiences of his life. “Being able to attend an all-Native American school has meant a lot to me,” he said. “I think that the cultural impact that it has had on me was very key to the person I am today.”
Principal Post shared the special acknowledgement each graduate received from Assemblymember James C. Ramos that read, “On behalf of the California State Assembly and as Chair of the California Native American Legislative Caucus, it is my privilege to present you with this certificate of recognition for your graduation as a 2025 Noli Native American student. Your tireless efforts and educational achievements are a testament to all that is to come. I wish you the best in your future endeavors as a Native American scholar. Congratulations.”
Post then invited Chairman Isaiah Vivanco to the stage and stated the students have met all requirements set forth by the state of California, the Department of Education and the Bureau of Indian Education and he was nominating them for graduation.
“I accept your nomination and declare these students to be graduates of Noli Indian School,” Vivanco said. Loud applause followed and the students turned their tassels and left the stage to meet with their families and friends.
Photos courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
