WHS graduation: Away they go

Last Friday, the Wahkiakum High School Class of 2018 graduated in front of a crowd of families, friends, teachers, staff, and community members.

The Wahkiakum High School Class of 2018 graduated in front of a crowd of families, friends, teachers, staff, and community members.

Valedictorian Morgan Bashore welcomed the crowd with some thoughts about youth and the positive features of change.

"I used to believe that high schoolers had everything together," Bashore said. "Now in the position that I lionized as a child, that delusion I once held is absolutely disintegrated. Now I know hardly any of us have anything quite together, let alone everything. I know we have a million things and more left to learn...

"I know that even at 18 years old and a legal adult, I still need an adult. What we do know for sure is that our time here is done. We are not meant to spend our lives with the same people in the same place forever. We need to branch off and have new experiences with new people."

Zach Brown had the rare honor of being asked to speak by both the faculty and his class. One at a time, he asked each of his classmates to stand as he described them or shared a memory.

"This class is special," Brown said next. "It may not have gotten the most scholarship money, may not have the most athletes, may not be the most involved, but the thing that makes this class special is our resilience. Other classes in the past haven't gone through what this class has experienced and be able to overcome such hardship. This class has experienced real world problems at such a young age like anxiety, depression, substance abuse, addiction, eating disorders, getting kicked out of the house, and the loss of a parent.

"Problems that most people go through later on in life, and yet this class is here, ready to take on the world. Maybe it's getting a job right after high school, going to college to get a degree, or serving our country...all of this is done by the attitude of each individual of this class....we have one choice every day...and that is our attitude. I believe the Class of 2018 embraces the idea of having a great attitude and that will guarantee a successful life."

Principal Stephanie Leitz encouraged the graduates to have courage and not fear failure; to continue to set goals and take advantage of opportunities that come their way; to be resilient; assume the best of others and to be optimistic; to be confident and a creative problem solver; and not seek perfection but strive for excellence.

She then announced the selections for several awards.

Kayla Bowcutt and McKenzie Menard received the Involvement/Activities Award, Zachary Brown and Madison Mace took home the Athletic Award, Grayci Thomas and Ben McClain received the Citizenship Award and Morgan Bashore and Casey Wilson were honored with the Leadership Award.

After the traditional slide show, Superintendent Bob Garrett presented the class and diplomas were handed out.

Mica Kincade not only earned her high school diploma on Friday night, but a representative from Lower Columbia College presented her with an Associates of Art Degree.

Salutatorian Casey Wilson closed the ceremony with a few words, tassels were turned, and a sea of red confetti filled the air.

The Class of 2018 was offered $356,551 in scholarships. Wilson was offered nearly a third of that total.