Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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High school seniors from Richland to River View received applause, advice and their diplomas Friday during graduation ceremonies throughout the Mid-Columbia.
Family and friends of graduates packed stadiums or auditoriums across the region to cheer or shed a few tears for graduating seniors from Richland, Hanford, New Horizons, Connell, River View, Columbia, Othello and River's Edge high schools.
Graduations continue today with ceremonies for graduates at Kennewick, Kamiakin, Southridge, Pasco, Kiona-Benton City, Touchet, Riverside Junior-Senior, Dayton, Washtucna, Liberty Christian, Grandview and DeSales (Walla Walla) Catholic high schools.
Richland High
Richland High's Class of 2009 learned to adapt.
During an extensive renovation of their school, they dodged construction cranes and made their way to class. When officials beefed up enforcement of a cell phone ban, they gave their fingers a workout and started to text.
"Parents, we will never text like them," said teacher Shawn Murphy to laughs from the large crowd at the school's commencement ceremony at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.
Those aren't the only skills the 400-plus seniors gained during their time at Richland High, speakers said. They became accomplished artists and athletes. They earned at least $1.8 million in scholarship money, and more than a dozen made the choice to join the military after graduation.
"We came. We saw. We conquered," said salutatorian Wesley Rawlins. "Now on to bigger and better things."
The other salutatorian was Christopher Squier. The valedictorians were Brian Chou, Whitney Landon, Sarah Vukelich and David Wang.
Murphy said the students will need all they learned at Richland High as they go out into the world and try to make a difference. But they're up for the challenge.
"If you leave here and follow your dreams and do your best ... you'll make us proud," he said.
New Horizons
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the graduating class of New Horizons High School is ready to face the future.
Class valedictorian Mei Mei Stephens compared the journey of she and her classmates to the cycle of the mythical bird as she spoke during the ceremony at the Byron Gjerde Center at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.
The students first had to commit to attending the alternative high school, or build their nests, Stephens said. Then, "we had to set ourselves on fire," she said of the commitment students made to their school work.
"The pile of ashes was slowly changed into the people you see before you today," Stephens said. "The future is now open to us."
Nayeli Berenice Aranda, salutatorian, also spoke: "We find ourselves today at a day we thought would never come," she said. "Be proud to know you have accomplished an amazing goal."
As Superintendent Saundra Hill presented the 50 graduates of the class of 2009, the standing room-only crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
Hanford High
Seven valedictorians offered sage advice to about 300 of their peers at the Toyota Center during Hanford High School's graduation.
The speeches focused on past triumphs, future successes, their remodeled high school and never forgetting who helped them along the most: Family, friends and teachers. One theme that permeated several speeches, often with more than a hint of nostalgia, was nap time.
Valedictorian Max Li noted middle-schoolers get an average of nine hours of sleep, while high-schoolers average about seven. The average Advanced Placement literature student, Li lamented, got about 11/2.
"It makes you wonder how we ever resented nap time," he said to laughter.
Other valedictorians were Ayrald Hubert, Amanda Johnson, Tamar Oostrom, Cecil Qiu, Crystal Silvia and Roanna Wang. The salutatorian was Yang Hu.
During the ceremony, 10 foreign exchange students were honored, as well as the top 4 percent of the senior class, the Senior Class Council, honored guests and ASB Executive Council.
Noah Schwebke, Jay Daffe and Qiu -- played Jack Johnson's Better Together to a clapping crowd, saying it was their senior song.
Connell High
Connell High School's commencement ceremony was part graduation and part pep rally -- a fitting atmosphere given the outdoor locale.
About 108 seniors clad in purple and gold received diplomas at the ceremony, held in right field at Esser Field. Beach balls bounced, bubbles floated and spray string discharged as the seniors struggled to contain their excitement.
Valedictorians Alexa Easterday, Joel Crowther and Eva Grassl and salutatorian Aaron Hawkins shared advice with the class, including nuggets from Benjamin Franklin, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Albert Einstein and Spock.
Many students wore sunglasses, either for the setting sun or their bright futures. Video cameras and posters were signs of proud parents, families and educators.
Superintendent Gregg Taylor used a quote of his own to point the students in the right direction.
"There'll be two dates on your tombstone, and all the world will read them," he said, reciting the quote. "But all that really matters is the little dash between them. And I think that's so important. How we live out that dash is truly the difference it'll make."
River View High
Math, history and science weren't the only things the students in the Class of 2009 learned at River View High in Finley.
"We've received an education in life from each other," said valedictorian Sadie McKee during the school's commencement.
About 70 graduates took classes, played sports and flexed their creativity through music and other forms of art. They've made an impact on the school, speakers said.
"The Class of 2009 is an amazing group of young adults," said Principal Russ Hill. "I could not be more proud of their accomplishments."
Hundreds of friends and relatives packed the school gym for the ceremony. Salutatorian Anne Steagall also spoke, along with seniors Katie Westfall and Cheyanne Hansen. Popular teacher Bobbie Marlow, who died unexpectedly earlier this year, also was recognized.
Teacher Jennifer Ward, who was selected by the class to speak, encouraged the students to pursue their dreams in the future.
"Life is something to experience," she said. "Love what you do, get good and it and be proud."
Othello High
Othello High School's graduates marched under a cloudy sky wearing something along with their red and black gowns. The class of 2009 showed its love and respect for classmate Jacksen Ashton, who died Feb. 2, 2008, by wearing pins with his photograph underneath their gowns.
Valedictorians Aaron Gerber and Jessica Schmidt addressed the crowd.
"I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not so sure," joked Gerber. "Now we must be sure we make the right decisions."
Schmidt addressed her 152 classmates, recalling their journey from kindergarten to graduation.
"After we leave this stadium, the rest of our lives begin," she said.
Gerber, recipient of the $2,000 Jacksen Asthon memorial scholarship, and three other graduates joined the high school band to jam to an '80s flashback series of songs including Thriller and Eye of the Tiger before awards and diplomas were presented.
Columbia High
Columbia High School graduates were greeted by family and friends holding giant "Congratulations!" helium balloons and bouquets of flowers as they walked into the school's gym in purple caps and gowns.
But before the ceremony began, the 70 members of the Class of 2009 scattered into the crowd to present their parents with a single yellow rose.
Valedictorian Libby Campbell told her classmates not to be afraid of the future, while salutatorian Courtney Roaden said graduation isn't an end, but a beginning to an "amazing journey."
"As we gather here tonight, we are in the presence of a moment," Roaden said. "... This is the moment that we begin our future. ... This is it. This is our moment."
Instead of making predictions for the future, Seth Shelton opted to reminisce.
He talked about how in eighth grade, they had a yoga session in the high school baseball field and how two classmates tried to raise worms and hamsters in their middle school locker. When he reminded everyone how they beat Finley in football -- at Finley's homecoming -- when they were sophomores, the seniors cheered.
Shelton then repeated a quote he said he found on the internet: "If at first you don't succeed, do it like your mother told you to. She's always right."
River's Edge High
As friends and family hollered from the audience, Sam DeBrine pumped his fists and stepped up to the microphone.
"I really hope I look as ridiculous as I feel right now," he said, running his hands over the black robe and grabbing the tassel on his cap. "This thing has got to go!"
And so do the graduates of River's Edge High School, who overcame obstacles and a disinterest in school to walk off the stage Friday with diplomas and plans to continue their education.
DeBrine was one of 27 seniors to graduate in the class of 2009. They marked the occasion with festivities in the Chief Joseph Middle School theater before a packed crowd.
Several said they never imagined being there, but credited the Richland alternative school for being "a comfortable learning environment."
"River's Edge is our home and anyone that goes here -- teachers and students alike -- are just a great big family," said graduate Matt Roake. He felt lost at Richland High as a junior 21/2 years ago, and came to realize at River's Edge that he can do anything if he just applies himself.
Jereny Mendoza, named student of the year, said her parents worked hard to give her a brighter future. But until enrolling at River's Edge she was miserable and "just wanted to go free and be wild." Now she is entering Eastern State University in the fall with help from "a lot of money" in scholarships.
"I am glad the school exists or I would have dropped out ...," Mendoza said. "Once again, I thank you for opening my eyes."
The class to date has received more than $8,000 in scholarships.
Also graduating Friday were seniors from Sunnyside Christian, Warden, Kingspoint Christian, Sunnyside, Moses Lake, Royal High, Waitsburg, Walla Walla, Wahluke and Mabton high schools.
* Reporters Kristin M. Kraemer, Sara Schilling, Ingrid Stegemoeller, Drew Foster, Joe Chapman, Paula Horton and Dalina Castellanos contributed to this report.
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