FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHOCTAW, Miss. – On the evening of June 3, 2026, Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) held a special graduation ceremony at the Silver Star Casino and Convention Center in Choctaw, Mississippi, honoring its Early Childhood Education graduates from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians community. The event celebrated the accomplishments of BMCC’s Pikes, who earned their degrees through the college’s HOPE program.
Family members, friends, tribal leaders, faculty, staff, and community members gathered to recognize these outstanding graduates, whose degrees will help them continue serving the Tribe’s youngest members through the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Department of Early Childhood Education (DOECE).
The ceremony opened with a processional and welcome from Master of Ceremonies Andy Hardy, followed by a welcome presented in the Choctaw language by 2025–2026 Choctaw Indian Princess Lexi Camille Rodriguez, DOECE Brave Ezra’Ky Bell, and Princess Koa Alex-Wilson. Then Bogue Chitto Tribal Councilman Kendall Wallace gave the invocation before BMCC President Dr. Duane Bedell shared an inspirational message with the graduates.
“It was truly an honor to be part of this historic celebration with our Early Childhood Education graduates here in the Choctaw community,” shared Dr. Duane Bedell, BMCC President. “Witnessing their perseverance and accomplishments firsthand was incredibly special, and I could not be more proud of each of them. On behalf of Bay Mills Community College, I want to commend our ECE students for the difference they are making in the lives of today’s children and for the lasting impact they will have on future generations. Their success is a testament to their dedication, their love for the Choctaw people, and the bright future they are helping to build.”
Mississippi Choctaw Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben gave the keynote commencement speech, in which he acknowledged what the graduates had accomplished and urged them forward as they begin the next phase of their education and careers. Following the address, President Bedell, Chief Ben, and the BMCC ECE department congratulated each graduate as their names were announced during the presentation of diplomas.
“This is an incredibly proud moment for these graduates,” remarked Chief Cyrus Ben. “As educators, they are already making a difference in the lives of our Choctaw children and communities, and this accomplishment reflects their dedication not only to their own growth, but to the future of our Tribe. Their hard work and sacrifice deserve to be celebrated. On behalf of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of our Tribal member graduates.”
After the diploma presentation, Heather Stelzer, Chair of the Early Childhood Education program, honored Tina Routh, Director of the DOECE, for her many years of devoted work, strong leadership, and dedication to helping students succeed. As a token of gratitude for the enduring influence she has had on the program, its learners, and the future of early childhood education across the Tribe, Routh received a special gift from each of the graduates.
“We are incredibly grateful for our long-standing relationship with the Mississippi
Choctaw Early Childhood Program and the unwavering commitment they have shown to professional
growth and educational excellence,” said Stelzer. “Tina Routh’s leadership has been
truly inspiring, encouraging, and supportive for staff members to further their education
through the HOPE program. It has been an honor to witness the dedication and perseverance
of both the graduates and current students. We are so proud of all they have accomplished
and excited for the positive impact they will continue to make in the lives of children
and families.”
Reflecting with gratitude, Routh said, “Having Bay Mills partner with our teachers to help them achieve their educational goals has truly been a blessing. My mother always told me, ‘Do better than I did.’ Today I find myself sharing that same message with our staff—encouraging them to continue growing, learning, and reaching new heights. This accomplishment is not only a success for these dedicated teachers but also a source of pride for the Choctaw people. Earning a degree while working full-time and balancing family responsibilities is no small feat. The hard work, determination, and sacrifices made along the way have not gone unnoticed. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the families, friends, and coworkers who supported our graduates throughout this journey. Your encouragement and assistance played an important role in their success. Congratulations to all of our graduates. Be proud of what you have achieved and continue striving for excellence. The future is bright, and this is only the beginning.”
Each graduate was then presented with a congratulatory gift by Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben before the ceremony was concluded with a benediction by Councilman Wallace. Graduates, families, and guests gathered after the ceremony to celebrate their achievements.
Overcoming Barriers Through the HOPE Program
The HOPE program has demonstrated significant success in supporting AIAN Head Start Program Partners’ staff in achieving their educational goals through BMCC’s Early Childhood Education program. However, many graduates face barriers such as travel distance and associated costs, which limit their ability to attend the official BMCC commencement ceremony in Brimley, Michigan held annually in May. To ensure graduates can still experience a meaningful celebration, the HOPE Program provided stipends to two Non‑Michigan Program Partners to host local graduation ceremonies that reflect both the structure of BMCC’s commencement and the cultural traditions of their communities. As part of this initiative, the BMCC HOPE team will attend one partner‑hosted ceremony each year - with the Mississippi Choctaw ceremony being the first - reinforcing the program’s commitment to honoring student achievement and strengthening community partnerships. The grant is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), under the Head Start Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) Partnership Grant. BMCC plans to offer this stipend each spring to its Non‑Michigan partners.
“Receiving the HOPE grant from BMCC has truly been life-changing for me,” expressed
Tina Hickman, a graduate of this special ceremony who is a Tribal member of the Mississippi
Band of Choctaw Indians and now their HOPE Student Engagement Specialist. “It gave
me the opportunity to continue my education while balancing work, family, and all
of life’s responsibilities. There were times when the journey felt overwhelming, but
this support reminded me that my goals were possible and worth pursuing. It allowed
me to focus on growing both personally and professionally without carrying the full
burden of financial stress. The staff at BMCC, especially the HOPE staff, were all
very supportive and encouraging in my journey and made me feel even more confident
in myself that I could finish. Earning my degree in Early Childhood Education means
so much more to me than just receiving a diploma. It represents hard work, perseverance,
and the desire to make a difference in the lives of children and families in my community
through my work at Pearl River Head Start. I hope to continue creating positive, supportive
environments where children feel valued, encouraged, and inspired to learn. I also
hope my journey shows others, especially those balancing work, family, and school,
that it is never too late to chase your dreams and invest in your future."
About Bay Mills Community College
Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) is a tribal college located in Brimley, Michigan,
dedicated to providing accessible, culturally responsive higher education to Native
and non-Native students. Through programs like HOPE, BMCC partners with tribal nations
and Head Start programs to support early childhood educators in achieving their academic
and professional goals.
About the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Department of Early Childhood Education
The DOECE serves the youngest of its over 11,000 Tribal members through high-quality
early childhood programs rooted in Choctaw language, culture, and community values.
Media Contact:
Heather Stelzer
Early Childhood Education Faculty & Department Chair
Bay Mills Community College
[email protected]
Media Contact:
Chelsey Cameron
Media & Marketing Specialist
Bay Mills Community College
[email protected]