Over the weekend, 21 students picked up the diplomas they earned at the Kuskokwim Learning Academy (KLA). These are all students that needed extra help to graduate high school. On Saturday, friends and family crowded in the Bethel Cultural Center to watch as each graduate spoke about their experience in a unique commencement ceremony that flowed from Yup'ik to English and back again. Here is a snapshot of KLA's 2017 graduation.
In Their Own Words: Kuskokwim Learning Academy's 2017 Commencement
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Kuskokwim Learning Academy students prep for their commencement walk at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK
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Kuskokwim Learning Academy students prep for their commencement walk at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK
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Graduates of the Kuskokwim Learning Academy at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK
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Kuskokwim Learning Academy Dancers perform at the 2017 KLA graduation ceremony at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK
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Friends and family of KLA students packed the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017 to watch a slideshow featuring the recent graduates.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK
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Friends and family of KLA students packed the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017 to watch a slideshow featuring the recent graduates.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK
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KLA graduate Rhett Jackson is awarded his High School diploma at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK
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KLA graduates are awarded their hard earned diplomas at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK
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KLA graduates are awarded their hard earned diplomas at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK
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KLA graduates are awarded their hard earned diplomas at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Saturday, May 13, 2017.
Christine Trudeau / KYUK