Graduation programs are on the way

Senior classes at Naselle and Wahkiakum high schools will graduate in the next two weeks.

The Naselle commencement ceremony will be this Saturday, 4 p.m., in the high school gymnasium.

Class valedictorian is Grace Zimmerman, and salutatorian is Katie Green.

Kayti Nelson will give the welcome at the ceremony; Grace Zimmerman is the class speaker, and Rob Dalton is the faculty speaker.

See Page 10 of this edition for photos of the graduating class. The Eagle will publish profiles of Zimmerman and Green next week.

Wahkiakum's graduation will be June 13, 7 p.m., in the high school gymnasium.

Dylan Hansen is class valedictorian, and Madison LaBerge is salutatorian. Following are profiles of these two seniors.

Dylan Hansen

Dylan Hansen, the valedictorian for Wahkiakum High School’s Class of 2014, is the son of Eric and Beth Hansen. He will graduate with a 3.81 GPA.

Hansen will attend Western Washington University this fall and begin his studies in English Literature. He hopes to be a writer.

Technically, he already is one.

“I like writing,” Hansen said. “I just like creating worlds for people to experience. Or showing people what I’m thinking, to bring them into my space.”

For his senior project, he wrote a story that he hopes to have published. With help from Mrs. Petterson, he sent the story to a couple different places, but hasn’t heard anything yet. He’s already begun another story with the same goal in mind.

The most recent attempt has clarified his desire to write. That and Mr. Cox.

“All my teachers are really good,” Hansen said, “but the person who pushed me most was Mr. Cox. He was a really good English teacher. I don’t think he knows the effect he had on me. He taught me to think more critically of writing and what we were reading.”

His father and sister influenced who he is today and who he wants to be.

“My dad taught me that actions and character are what make a man,” Hansen said, “and to do the right thing when no one was looking. My sister, Morgan, showed me how to live life the way you want, to live it to the fullest.

“You are either going to do what you like or do what makes you money, she said, or try to do something where you can do both.”

Hansen played football and was on the track team. He was the senior class president and the ASB president. He was active with FFA and 4H. He also volunteered at St. James with the daycare and the Youth Adventure Program.

“When I’m done with everything,” he said, “I want to be able to tell a bunch of stories. I think having a bunch of stories is better than having a lot of money.”

Madison LaBerge

Madison LaBerge, the daughter of Patti and Peter LaBerge, is Wahkiakum High School’s Class of 2014 Salutatorian. She will graduate with a 3.759 GPA.

She plans to attend Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande in the fall and eventually follow in her grandfather, Roy LaBerge’s, footsteps by becoming a pharmacist. She’s looking forward to the change.

“I’m ready for something new,” LaBerge said.

LaBerge was an active student. She acted as coordinator for the Blood Drive for two years, was the junior class secretary and on the Prom committee. She joined FFA and the Key Club, but closest to her heart was the time she spent on the field or on the court with her teammates playing softball and volleyball. She was also a cheerleader and spent one year on the basketball team.

Her favorite class was in science, a good sign for the future pharmacist.

“My favorite subject was chemistry and Mr. Rooklidge was a good teacher,” LaBerge said.

“Madison is amazing, “Principal Stephanie Leitz said, “she just quietly goes about her business and gets things done.”

It sounds like LaBerge has the very qualities she will need to make her challenging and exciting dreams come true.