WHS graduates receive advice, awards and more

Last Friday, the Wahkiakum High School Class of 2015 joined all the alums who came before them.

In a darkened gym, decorated by Natalya Barton, balloons awaited their release, and the class motto, "Nobody can do everything but everyone can do something," sparkled in silver on a black background. The Class of 2015 entered the gym with the "Pomp and Circumstance" and filed onto the stage in robes of black and white.

Traditions shifted as the usual speech from the valedictorian and salutatorian were cut from the program.

Nevan Bingham welcomed the crowd, and then Tori Wegdahl, the faculty selection for speaker, stepped up to the podium.

She spoke confidently to her audience, packed to the rafters, about the history of her class. It was an interactive event, as her classmates stood or sat down to mark years they joined the class or moved away for a time, only to come back. She told stories on them, and they waved at the crowd, sharing in each joke when it pertained to them.

In between, she gave advice, with a little ring of a bell.

"Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, Wegdahl said. "Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours."

She told on Morgan Elliott who had broken a table her freshman year and kept a piece of it in her locker until a week before they graduated. She teased another student who had left them for Running Start and lasted only one day. He held up two fingers with a laugh, as if to say, "It happened twice!"

With all her classmates standing, she finished by saying that they would all stand with their memories, which would last a lifetime.

High School Principal Stephanie Leitz read a letter from their kindergarten teacher, Jamie Cothren.

"I hope that we will see each other again, whether you are 27 or 47 and we can look at each other with a smile and remember that once upon a time you were five and once upon a time I was your teacher," the letter read.

Leitz went on to say: "Our motto here at Wahkiakum High school, is today's decisions create tomorrow's success. Tomorrow is here.

"Know that the Wahkiakum High School staff will be rooting for you as you head out into the world to find your passions. Remember to believe in your dreams because we believe in you."

Leitz presented the class awards.

The Award for Involvement went to Jessica Thomas and Chase Grasseth. The Award for Citizenship went to Nevan Bingham and Megan Thompson. The Award for Most Athletic went to Sam Boyce and Brandon Budd, and the Award for Leadership went to Ethan Cothren and Tori Wegdahl.

The Class of 2015 was awarded a total of $279,802.09 in scholarships.

Kaylee Bryant, as class choice speaker, thanked all the people who helped the Class of 2015 to get to where they are, and showed great affection for the teachers and staff of Wahkiakum High School.

Superintendent Garrett presented the Class of 2015 and students filed across the stage to collect their diploma as each name was called.

sam Boyce opened her closing speech by pulling out a long sheet of paper.

"I'm a high schooler that just graduated," she laughed. "Do you think I would write that much?

"Whether in the class room or on the field or court," Boyce continued, "there is no I in team. Speaking of team, I love our class because of our teamwork. Yes, we get into arguments but we always end up loving each other and we are all going to miss each other at one point; we just don't know it yet. I wouldn't want to spend this night with any other class or group of friends. Thank you, my fellow classmates, for all the amazing memories I will never forget."

With a flip of a tassel and a cheer, Brandon Budd and Kael McKinley stepped forward to lead everyone in the Alma Mater.

And then, as traditions do, the formal recessional ended as the Class of 2015 joyfully left the stage, some of them in the arms of others.