Class of 2010 looks to the future

The Class of 2010 graduated Friday night. The 35 students dressed in graduation robes, black for the men, red for women, ended their high school careers with much happiness and with what sounded perhaps like a little uncertainty and uneasiness about the future.

The 2010 Valedictorian Erin Turner told an audience of more than 300 parents, friends and family she had enjoyed her time in high school and she could imagine that in perhaps 20 years she could see herself sitting in the audience watching her children standing on stage receiving their own diplomas.

Turner’s hard work at Wahkiakum High School and in the community earned her a total of $216,350 worth of scholarships.

Salutatorian Jordyn Wirkkala addressed the audience, saluting her parents and those who had helped her through her high school years. At various moments her tongue-in-cheek comedy routine produced ripples of giggles and peels of laughter throughout the school’s auditorium. “I also want to salute drill instructor Erin (throwing her another salute) for being such a good tutor,” said Wirkkala.

Wirkkala also received $54,200 in scholarships including Seattle University and the Our Saviours Lutheran Church.

The Class Choice student award went to Andrew Weiler. Weiler said he remembered thinking about going to high school and, “I remember I was going to be the lone wolf, but when I got here and started meeting all my classmates, well, my wolf pack suddenly got a lot bigger.”

Weiler received $5150 in scholarships from the River Most Memorial Scholarship Fund; the Doumit Scholarship Fund; and the courthouse scholarship fund from AFSCME (local 1557).

The Faculty’s Choice award went to Jeffery Vik. Vik thanked the teachers, staff and fellow students for the award.

During the second half of the ceremony students Evelyn Clark and Ashley Helms presented a slide show.

The pictorial followed most of the Class of 2010 from the time they were children until graduation. Some images were humorous, others poignant, while other images charmed the audience.

As the music played and the slide show progressed tissues were quietly pulled from purses and pockets to wipe the corners of eyes as the parents watched the progression of their children from babies, children and teenagers to young adults.

The faculty choice award for Activities went to Bradlee Pugh who also received a scholarship of $4,250. Evelyn Clark also received a faculty choice award and scholarship of $15,950.

A second award for Athletics went to Tyson Bain and Ashley Helms. Bain also received a scholarship of $24,400. In addition to the faculty award Helm received a $39,600 scholarship.

The next faculty award was for Citizenship. It went to Erin Turner and Justin McClain. McClain also received a scholarship of $24,500.

The last award for Leadership went to Andrew Weiler, who in addition received a $5,150 scholarship, and Hailey Boyce who also received a $10,700 scholarship.

Erin Turner and Jordyn Wirkkala placed in the top 10 percent of students in the state of Washington, based on SAT scores. All totaled, the 35 students of the Class of 2010 received over one half million dollars in scholarships and awards.

“I just want to thank this class,” Principal Loren Davis told the audience, “they have been exceptional, and it has been very rewarding to watch them in their sports, activities and classes."

Davis said the members of the Class of 2010 are a determined, close-knit group of young men and women. “I will remember them as one of the best, regardless of their senior pranks,” he said with a chuckle. “Thank you for four great years and I can’t wait to see what you will accomplish, I will remember you all.”

Additional scholarship awards went to:

Ashlenn Coleman - $47,450.

Ryan Gunnip - $500

Nicole Hargrove $500.

Nikki Hoven - $7,500.

Bryce McClain - $1,200.

Mitch Moonen - $2,600.

Cody Olsen - $23,000

Mike Paulsen - $1,000.

Madeline Rooklidge - $43,000.

Zach Schneider - $9,200.

Michanne Sealund $31, 200.

The Wahkiakum Dollars sor Scholars made recognition awards to students with outstanding performance.

Pugh – Lions Club, Sid Parker Memorial $500. Olsen – Merriman Scholarship $1000

Sealund – Chamber of Commerce $100

Helms – Fishing Derby and Car Show $1000

Coleman – Bank of Pacific Scholarship $2,250

Rooklidge – Fishing Derby and Car Show $2000

Justin McClain – Fishing Derby and Car Show $2,000

Moonen – Lions Club, Sid Parker memorial $500 – Frances Shuster Scholarship $500

Patching – Dollars for Scholars $750 – Evelyn Budnick Scholarship $500

Bryce McClain – Sykes Memorial $300 – Kiwanis Club $750.

Clark - Fishing Derby and Car Show $2,000

Wirkkala – Fishing Derby and Car Show $2,000 – Kiwanis Club $500

Paulsen – Frances Shuster Scholarship $750 – Timber Scholarship $1,000

Boyce – Val Avalon Memorial Scholarship $1,000 – Ellen Troge Memorial Scholarship $1,000.

This year's total Dollars for Scholars scholarhips totaled $26,450.