Naselle seniors are on their way

With the toss of a tassel, the Naselle Grays River Valley High School Class of 2015 put a cap on 13 years of education last Saturday.

The ceremony began the usual way, with Pomp and Circumstance and a formal procession. Twenty seniors in blue robes took their seats in front of a supportive crowd.

Emily Gjovik welcomed everyone and, Valedictorian Chloe Zimmerman stepped up to the podium.

"Today is a day of gratitude for me," Zimmerman said. She encouraged her classmates to appreciate their relationships and to do their best.

"Fill your life with people who make you happy," she said. "Life is best when you have people to fall back on when you aren't at your best."

Emily Gjovik, the class speaker, began by thanking the Academy until Zimmerman stepped up to point out that it was graduation, not the Oscars.

Gjovik reminisced and shared class stories and jokes, taking time to focus on each of her classmates.

"I've seen most of you practically every single day for the past 13 years of my life, and this is where we part ways," Gjovik said. "This is where we begin to actually contribute to this world. My advice to you is to be kind."

The band played "All of Me" and then it was time for the senior slide show.

Scholarships were presented and then diplomas. Superintendent Lisa Nelson stepped forward to present the class.

"Who packed your parachute?" she asked the Class of 2015. "You all have someone who provided what you needed to help you get to this point in your lives. That person was someone you counted on. Your safety net, so to speak. Have you thanked this person and given this person the respect that is due? Sometimes the struggle of life causes us to overlook what is most important. We forget to thank or honor our parachute packer.

"Tonight is about two things. It is about honoring you and your achievements and everything you've accomplished but it is also about sharing the moment of gratitude and thanks for those who packed your parachute."

Nelson invited Salutatorian Amethyst Wirkkala to stand and lead her class in the Tassel Ceremony. Caps were tossed, and the class, one by one and two by two, left the stage and walked back the way they came, exhibiting a range of emotion, mostly joy.