BRIGHTON — Brighton Councilman Larry Howard and his office honored 2025 high school and higher education graduates with the Education Department on May 27 at the Florida Seminole Veterans Building on the reservation.

Councilman Howard opened the dinner celebration by congratulating the graduates and their parents for their hard work.

“I appreciate all that you do, all the work you’ve done. But don’t let today stop, keep it moving,” Howard said.

The dinner recognized five higher education students and 28 high school graduates.

“Keep up the good work, keep striving, go and do something … and come back to work for our tribe,” Howard said.

Joseph John was a guest speaker at the dinner. He congratulated everyone and spoke about his experience as a Dartmouth College student and employee with the tribe.

“You have faced the world that hasn’t always made a space for you, but still, you made a place for yourselves. You didn’t just survive, you rose to the occasion. Be proud of yourselves and your family. … Graduation took effort and growth,” John said.

Along with a dinner, students took photos, received gifts and certificates, and heard from Miss Seminole CeCe Thomas, Education director Russ Brown and learned about the tribe’s Work Experience Program.