TISHOMINGO, Okla. — Pomp and circumstance filled the air as 17 graduating students from the Chickasaw Nation Tishomingo Head Start program marched down the aisle, their family and friends cheering them on.
Chickasaw Princess Kaley Reed and Chickasaw Junior Princess Taylor Komalty shared the Lord’s Prayer in sign language after the ceremony began.
“Our commitment is to enrich our children and families through education. Your child has completed the first step to building a strong foundation for growth and advancement,” Chickasaw Nation Director of Early Childhood Development Tatum Sallee “Thank you for entrusting your child to us this school year, and we look forward to their continued success as they become our future leaders.”
As the students were called up one by one, Chickasaw Nation Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby and Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Education Nathan Elliott handed out the diplomas, taking pictures with each smiling child.
Of the 20 total graduates, 17 were present and walked across the stage as April Smith, a teacher at the Tishomingo Head Start program, announced what each child wanted to be when they grew up. Some wanted to work in public service as soldiers, police officers, firefighters or teachers, while others wanted careers in medicine as dentists or doctors. Two wanted to be singers, one hoped to become a pizza maker, another wanted to work with numbers and one aspired to work in an animal shelter. Also among the students were an aspiring ghost, a future superhero and the ice-slinging Disney princess Elsa.
The students also recited the Pledge of Allegiance, said a prayer in both the Chickasaw and English languages and sang three songs, including one in the Chickasaw language about colors.
Professional photographers were on-site to photograph graduates receiving diplomas and the photos are available for families and friends at Chickasaw.net/2026Graduation.
About the Chickasaw Nation Head Start program
The Chickasaw Nation Head Start is both a federally and tribally funded program that promotes school readiness using center-based curriculum for children ages 3 to 5.
The educational philosophy employed by the program is based on the principle that early childhood education should address children’s needs in all areas of development, including physical, social, emotional and cognitive health and well-being.
The Chickasaw Nation Head Start program began serving the Chickasaw Nation in 1978. Since inception, it has graduated thousands with multiple generations having completed the program.
For applications or additional information, visit Chickasaw.net/EarlyChildhood or call (580) 223-6276.