A graduation ceremony was recently held for Tarkio Technology Institute students who have completed their studies in wind energy, welding and pipe welding, plumbing, HVAC, computer information technology, health occupations and certified nursing assistant, and the HALAS business program. Pictured are, from left to right: front row – Marleigh Ayers, Kailey Blocker, Kealey Blocker, Emily Blum, Haylee Clark, Dylan Drummond, Jina Harbit, Lilah Sjulin, Makayla Cochran, and Grace Pelster; middle row – Kinsey Gibson, Brooklyn Ford, Mark Whitehill, Derek Hines, Olivia Morris, Christian Fetterer, Brandt McHugh, Alyson Wooten, and Ashley Adams; and back row – Corben Fidler, Owyn Runyon, Brayden Smith, Damien Little Thunder, Michael McIntosh, Weston Klosek, Cameron Brooks, Colton Hall, and Cameron Kephart. Not pictured are Gavyn Irvine, Korbin Gates, Kelten Franklin, Noah Perrin, Zoie Rice, Jayden Girouex, Carter Magers, Luke Paul, Sherry Emerson, and Micah Emerson. (Marisa Hedlund photo)
Another round of students have found success in their studies at Tarkio Technology Institute in wind energy, welding and pipe welding, plumbing, HVAC, computer information technology, health occupations and certified nursing assistant, and the HALAS business program. Around 40 men and women took part in a graduation ceremony held in Leitch Chapel in Rankin Hall on Monday, April 28, 2025.
More than 225 parents, friends, and relatives celebrated with the students and faculty. Welding instructors Scott and Ashley Adams awarded chipping hammers, a welder’s “must have” tool, to four students for high American Welding Society (AWS) certification scores and overall academic achievement. Bing Boettner and Erica Barnes, Health Occupations instructors, recognized three students for outstanding academic performance, clinical skills, and most improved performance. Lane Seymour, HALAS Business Program instructor, introduced his first graduating class through live-streaming from their locations in Fort Worth, Texas. The two-semester class covered all aspects of starting and operating a successful business. The three businesses that the students created plans for are:
• A hospitality business providing short and medium-term stays in unique and intentionally restorative accommodations.
• A home remodeling business to provide starter financing for a residential home development enterprise.
• A video production company that will grow from a single creator to a feature movie production company.
Mark Whitehill, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) student, earned his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) 608 Technician Certificate and Brandt McHugh earned Computer Information Technology (CIT) certifications for A+ Core 1 and 2. The AWS, HVAC and CIT certifications are extremely challenging, and more importantly, are recognized by employers looking for highly-qualified new employees.
Following the ceremony, the graduates were honored with a reception. They included:
Welding Technology – Corben Fidler (President’s List, AWS GMAW National Certification, AWS SMAW National Certification); Brooklyn Ford (President’s List, AWS GMAW National Certification, AWS SMAW National Certification); Kolten Franklin (AWS GMAW National Certification); Korbin Gates (AWS GMAW National Certification); Kinsey Gibson (President’s List, AWS GMAW National Certification, AWS SMAW National Certification); Jayden Girouex (President’s List, AWS GMAW National Certification); Gavyn Irvine (AWS GMAW National Certification); Cameron Kephart (AWS GMAW National Certification); Noah Perrin (AWS GMAW National Certification); Brayden Smith (President’s List, AWS GMAW National Certification); and Damien Little Thunder (President’s List, AWS GMAW National Certification, AWS SMAW National Certification).
Pipe Welding Technology – Colton Hall (President’s List, AWS GMAW National Certification, AWS SMAW National Certification); and Zoie Rice (President’s List, AWS GMAW National Certification).
Plumbing Technology – Ashley Adams (President’s List, AWS SMAW National Certification); Cameron Brooks, Carter Magers, and Owyn Runyon (President’s List)
HVAC Technology – Mark Whitehill (AWS GMAW National Certification, AWS SMAW National Certification)
Wind Energy Technology – Derek Hines, Weston Klosek, Michael McIntosh (President’s List), and Olivia Morris (President’s List)
Computer Information Technology – Christian Fetterer and Brandt McHugh (A+ Core 1 Certification, A+ Core 2 Certification)
Health Occupations – Marleigh Ayers, Kailey Blocker (President’s List), Kealey Blocker (President’s List), Emily Blum, Haylee Clark (President’s List), Dylan Drummond (President’s List), Jina Harbit (President’s List), and Lilah Sjulin
Certified Nurse Assistant – Makayla Cochran, Grace Pelster (President’s List), and Alyson Wooten (President’s List)
HALAS Business Program – Micah Emerson, Sherry Emerson, and Luke Paul
