NHS graduation: High hopes

The stretch of road that joins Wahkiakum and Pacific Counties was decorated on June 9 with blue and gold balloons and signs marking the places where graduation parties would be held later in the evening. Naselle-Grays River Valley Seniors were celebrating their high school graduation, and the community rose to the occasion. At the school, cars overflowed from the parking lot though the Class of 2012 was comprised of only 20 students; a symbol of local support.

The ceremony began on a light note with Austin Smith offering a warm welcome to his "Wahkiakum friends" and then doing a little dance.

Next, faculty speaker Scott Smith stood at the podium in a bicycle helmet and presented the class with an analogy about riding a bike, and more laughs ensued.

A slideshow, presented to a pitch black gymnasium, inspired "oohs" and "aahs" highlighting the tight knit group’s progress through high school.

Counselor Justin Laine, Principal Karen Wirkkala and Assistant Principal Jon Tienhaara presented scholarships to the accomplished group. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were divvied up to the graduates including an Emory University Merit Scholarship awarded to Valedictorian Alana Darcher in the amount of $93,236.

Finally, diplomas were presented.

“Your diploma is not just a piece of paper,” Superintendent Rick Pass told graduates. “It is an opportunity. It is up to you to decide what to do with it.”

With the majority of this talented group seeking higher education and enough drive to get there, this community has high hopes for the class of 2012.