NHS graduates close knit class

Naselle/Grays River Valley High School seniors breezed through their commencement ceremony Saturday with a look back at their past and an acknowledgment of their potential for success in the future.

The 22 classmates spoke of their close bonds, and they took in scholarships totaling over $150,000.

Valedictorian was Taylor Wasmundt, and salutatorian was Haleigh See. They and Cody Cooley were honored for maintaining grade point averages of 3.75 or higher.

In her Valedictorian Address, Wasmundt commented that many of the students had been in school together since preschool. "We are like family, with ups and downs and tears and joys," she said.

Class Speaker Nathan Reitz echoed that comment and said that parts of those relationships will stay with the students forever.

"We will always make decisions with a piece of each other in our minds," he said.

Scholarship awards included:

Taylor Wasmundt: John and Pearl Doll Memorial Scholarship, $1,500; Naselle Education Association / Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars Sturgeon Derby and Car Show (Derby) Scholarship, $500; Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association District IV Athletic Directors’ Scholarship, $350; Naselle Assembly of God Church and Youth Group Scholarship, $100; PeaceHealth Scholarship, $1,000 per year. Wasmundt plans to study nursing at Lower Columbia College.

Haleigh See: Lyle and Elaine Patterson Tribute Scholarship, $1,000; Bud and Dot Mickelsen Tribute Scholarship, $1,500; Bobbitt Hall Memorial Scholarship, $500; Naselle Assembly of God Church and Youth Group Scholarship, $100; Washington State Elks Association / Long Beach Elks Lodge Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarships, $1,350; Manhattanville College Trustees’ Scholarship, $20,000 per year over four years ($80,000). See plans to study physical therapy at Washington State University.

Cody Cooley: Harry Thornberg Memorial Scholarship, $1,000; Derby Scholarship, $1,000; Naselle Lutheran Church Scholarship, $500; University of Puget Sound Trustee Scholarship and Puget Sound Grant, $21,000 per year over four years ($84,000). Cooley plans to study medicine and attend University of Puget Sound.

Airi Kondo-Matthews: Naselle Education Association / Bank of the Pacific, Naselle Branch Scholarship, $2,250; Derby Scholarship, $1,000; Mark Linquist Memorial Scholarship, $1,000; Seattle University Bellarmine Scholarship, $10,000 per year over four years, $40,000. She plans to study public relations at the University of Washington.

Nathan Reitz: Lyle and Elaine Patterson Tribute Scholarship, $1,000; John and Pearl Doll Memorial Scholarship, $1,000; Woodworkers’ Association Local #536, $600; Long Beach Elks Lodge / Washington State Elks Association Scholarships, $1,500; Friends of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Scholarship, $1,000; Willamette University Academic Leadership Award, $13,000 per year over four years ($52,000); Jason Lee Award, $5,000 per year over four years ($20,000); University Grant, $3,500 per year over four years ($14,000); Oregon State University Tuition Award, $3,000 per year over four years ($12,000); Washington State University Science Opportunity Grant, $4,000. Reitz plans to study atmospheric science at UW.

Kaelee Dearmore: Carson Burkhalter Memorial Scholarship $1,000; Derby Scholarships, $900; Naselle Assembly of God Church and Youth Group Scholarship, $100; University of Idaho Discover Idaho Merit Scholarship and Tuition Waiver, $6,000 per year over four years ($24,000). Dearmore plans to study sociology/criminology at the University of Idaho.

Kyle Mullins: Mae Streifel Memorial Schlarhips, $500; Puggy Busse Memorial Scholarship, $500; Derby Scholarship, $1,000; Wahkiakum West Communications Scholarship, $750; Mark Linquist Memorial Scholarship, $500; Ralph and Marie McGough Memorial Scholarship, $150. Mullins plans to study pharmacy and attend Western Washington University.

Chase Chapman: Ralph and Marie McGough Memorial Scholarship, $150; Jacob and Wilhelmiina Pakenen Memorial Scholarship, $1,000; Helen Jones Memorial Scholarship, $1,000; Ron Holm Memorial Scholarship, $500. Chapman plans to study business at WSU.

Alex Bighill: Reuben Penttila Memorial Scholarship, $500; Alpha-Theta ESA Local #3711 Scholarship, $250; Naselle Assembly of God Church and Youth Group Scholarship, $100. He plans to study law at WSU.

Nicole Tarabochia; Margaret Hill Memorial Scholarship, $500; Derby Scholarship, $500; Wahkiakum Community Network Youth Initiative Scholarship, $2,000; Hancock Forest Management Scholarship, $500; Wahkiakum County Employees’ Union Local #1557W Scholarship, $400; Alvina D. Frisbie Scholarship, $750 per year renewable for four years, ($3,000). She plans to study dental hygiene at Clark College.

Ollie Baker: Derby Scholarship, $500; Alpha-Theta ESA Local #3711 Scholarship, $250; Pacific County Sheriff’s Reserve Scholarship, $250; Larry Martin Memorial Scholarship, $500; Clatsop Community College Success Grant, $900 per year over two years ($1,800). He plans to study nursing at Clatsop College.

Kaila DaVall: Emma Hold Memorial Scholarship, $500. She plans to study library science at Tacoma Community College.

Megan Agee: Wahkiakum West Communications Scholarship, $75; Concorde Career College Careers That Work Scholarship, $1,000. She plans to study dental hygiene at Concorde Career College.

Maureen Fontanilla, Roy Nelson Memorial Scholarship, $1,000. She plans to go into the Job Corps and study to be a medical assistant.