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By Teresa Simpson
Whitman County Gazette 

Whitman County 2023 graduates

 

Roger Harnack | The Gazette

Oakesdale's Jackson Perry flexes during the Nighthawk's graduation ceremony.

COLFAX — Several small high schools across Whitman County hosted commencement ceremonies for high school seniors June 2-4, and more are yet to come. Here's a brief synopsis of each school's graduation:

Colton

Eight seniors walked in with pomp and circumstance to the high school gymnasium where they had spent the last four years and sat waiting to receive the diplomas they'd been working towards.

Graduates included Rachel Michelle Becker, Salutatorian and National Honor Society Member; Sidni Yu Chang Whitcomb, Valedictorian, and National Honor Society Member. National Honor Society Members Wyatt Bruce Jordan, Alyssan Marie Kerr, Jaide Marie Jane Reisenauer, Grant Charles Wolf. The final graduate was Jaidyn Nicole McBride.

Father Steve Dublinski started with an invocation, followed by a welcome from Mr. Wyatt Jordan.

After four years of hard work, several students proudly received scholarships for their post-secondary plans.

Becker took the podium, "Of course, we did not have the normal high school experience; the pandemic took away most of our freshman and sophomore year," she said, stating that despite the challenges thrown at them, it did not break them but made them stronger.

She stated that the sports at Colton High School helped make her stronger mentally and physically.

Whitcomb followed, stating that she was lucky to have the chance to grow up in the community.

"My family took a chance to send me here," she said.

Whitcomb explained that they learned more about their passions and dreams as they became sophomores and juniors, and by senior year they learned just how fast four years can fly by.

"We're ready to spread our wings and fly," she said.

"My message is to be yourself and dream big, don't be afraid to make mistakes," Whitcomb added, thanking the school and community for the lessons they've learned and the experiences they had.

Garfield-Palouse

The Garfield-Palouse communities met to celebrate their 18 graduates Saturday morning in a packed gymnasium.

Gift bags for the seniors lined the right-hand wall, and families and friends circled in expectantly, waiting to see the young men and women take the next big step into their lives.

Rileigh Almazan, Kara Blomgren, Kennedy Cook, Colby Dugger, Berlyn Hegg, Aaliya Holbrook, Mathew McNeilly, Laynie Southern, Caleb Zehm, Joshua Appel, Carson Cochran, Auron Demand, Kodi Mae Gibler, Ava Hemphill, Kendra Lentz, Megan Olson, Blair Wilson, and Isabel Zeller all proceeded, some with caps decorated to commemorate the big moment.

Once seated, Class Valedictorian and ASB President Kendra Lentz took the stage to lead the crowd in the pledge of allegiance.

Principal Mike Jones took the podium, welcoming the crowd and thanking everyone for their involvement in the Garfield and Palouse School Districts and continued support of its programs, as well as everyone involved in making the graduation possible, including the Viking Crew, who supplied the seniors with the gift bags against the wall.

He then addressed the graduating Class of 2023, officially congratulating them.

"I encourage you to lean on those close to you and remember Gar-Pal will always be here to help and support you," Jones said, adding that he is confident they are ready for the next step and is thankful for the impact they've had at Garfield Palouse High School.

He proudly presented Salutatorian Colby Dugger to the podium, who greeted everyone good morning before taking a moment to reflect on the incredible journey he and his classmates have embarked on, including the pandemic.

"Despite these adversities, we have demonstrated immense resilience and perseverance to arrive at this significant milestone," Dugger stated.

Dugger shared moments they had with their favorite teachers, thanking them for the knowledge they had imparted and the people of the community who provided unwavering support and guidance.

"I would like to leave you with the words of one of my favorite individuals, 'May we all work diligently, aim for the stars, and always remember to take it easy there, pilgrim,'" he said, inviting Co-Valedictorian Megan Olson to the podium.

Olson greeted everyone with a smile and good morning, stating that 1375 days ago, they entered the halls as freshmen, excited to begin their journey together. Olson noted that this wasn't the beginning for most of them, though, reliving moments that the small Class had spent together.

After thanking everyone who had helped them get there, she shared advice her grandpa had given her with fellow graduates.

"Since I was young, my grandpa always told me to keep adding tools to my toolbox," she said, advice which allowed her to pursue opportunities she would never have thought possible. She emphasized the importance of always taking advantage of a chance to learn something new and added that you never know when that tool might come in handy.

"I'm confident that if we follow this advice, we can accomplish our goals and create opportunities that will lead us to success in this next chapter of our lives," Olson said, thanking everyone again, inviting Valedictorian Kendra Lentz to the podium.

Lentz thanked everyone who had helped them on their journey toward the moment and reflected on the time spent with her classmates.

"As cheesy as it sounds, it really does feel like just yesterday we were bright-eyed freshmen, obnoxious middle schoolers, and adorable kindergartners. Now we're sitting up here with our funny little hats and taking that next step," she said, noting that as much as it's going to be a change not seeing them every day, she is excited for all of them to start this new chapter in their lives.

"Whatever you've decided to do in life, I have no doubt that everybody here will find some success and happiness," she said, once again offering the deepest thanks and a final goodbye.

The students proudly accepted their scholarships, followed by a video slideshow of their journey through the years, received diplomas, and gave loved ones roses and hugs with tears in their eyes before throwing their caps up in the air to signal the leap they plan to take into their futures.

Oakesdale

Under a blue sky in Oakesdale Saturday morning on the football field, the Oakesdale community celebrated the graduation of 12 seniors.

The score clock signaled 2023, and a bleacher with hot pink roses contained the large banner simply saying, "Finally," the Class of 2023 motto.

Graduates later gave the roses to family, friends, and community members who turned out to support them. And support they had.

Despite extra seating and bleachers, the ceremony was essentially standing-room only, but some family and community members brought camping chairs and blankets for a seat.

The hour-long ceremony included speeches from Salutatorian Austin Goyke, co-Valedictorians Jessie Reed and Marilla Hockett, and Superintendent/Principal Jake Dingman, whose graduating daughter Emily Dingman led the Class in the turning of tassels.

"Look at this class," Goyke said during his address. "All I see is success. We, as the Class of 2023, will go down in history in Oakesdale."

"Being a Nighthawk is better than being a Spartan or a Viking," Reed said about competing schools in nearby communities.

According to Reed, the Class has become "one big family" and has "finally made it."

Superintendent Dingman offered anecdotes on the students and their history in Oakesdale schools.

"I declare the cinnamon roll war over," he said, addressing Reed, who, over the last year, expected him to provide her with pastries. From her seat, Reed held up a box of fresh cinnamon rolls.

Overall, he called the Class of 2023 "an exceptional group," adding he was "pleased to get to know you as you are."

Dingman then presented the Class with diplomas, and the ceremony ended with "Pomp and Circumstance."

St. John

Family, friends, and faculty gathered in the St. John Endicott High School to celebrate 16 graduates Sunday, June 4, at 2 p.m.

Addisen Becker, Dylan Berg, Jeremy Jones, Austin Kendall, Alysa Nichols, Beaumont Clark, Brennen Gonzales, Olivia Kjack, Roray Maloney, Colton O'Keefe, Paloma Sandoval, Kyra Holt, William Hubert, Parker McLaughlin, Pedro Molina, and Holley Thomas all made their way into the auditorium decked in Eagles colors of red and yellow to bring in the next chapter of their lives.

Mrs. Suzanne Schmick welcomed everyone, followed by guest speaker Mr. Jerek West, after which Salutatorian Rory Maloney gave a speech.

Valedictorian Addisen Becker, Kyra Holt, and Olivia Kjack spoke about their time in high school and their next steps.

The graduates received awards, followed by a senior class presentation, and each proudly accepted their diploma.

Their motto is "Get After It!" Mr. White.

Tekoa

Tekoa High School's gymnasium was packed Saturday afternoon, June 3, as family and friends crowded in to honor 16 graduating seniors.

Class President Jadin Campbell opened commencement with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed up by Whitney Bloom singing the National Anthem.

Salutatorian Angelina Nocker, Valedictorian Eliona McElderry, and teacher Courtney Schmidt took turns at the podium offering advice and reflecting on the Class of 2023's exploits.

"Never settle for having your best behind you," Nocker told her classmates, encouraging them never to forget what they learned in Tekoa schools.

Teacher Katherine Burg stepped in to rattle off the scholarships and achievements of each graduate.

"I am very proud of all of you and am glad to have known you," Burg said

Schmidt, the Class of 2023 adviser, told the graduates to live in the moment and look to the future.

"Be present; take it all in," she said. "Live in this moment."

The adviser told her students to remember how to take a joke and not to lose their sense of humor.

"Please state funny and light-hearted, as light-hearted as you can in this world," she said, noting that a sense of humor will help them through rocky times.

But when humor isn't enough, she reminded them to ask for help.

"It's hard to be vulnerable and ask," she said. "But please ask and accept it."

Schmidt said she believes the Class is capable of great things.

That light-hearted personality shined as McElderry took the podium.

"There seems to be no sign of intelligent life," she said, getting a chuckle from classmates and the crowd.

McElderry then recounted the shenanigans of each of her 15 classmates.

She concluded with words of wisdom she pulled from "Toy Story."

"You have a playdate with destiny," she said, noting they never have to go through anything alone. "You have a friend in me... I love you all to infinite and beyond."

The ceremony concluded with a video of the highlights of the seniors' lives on campus and at school activities.

Principal Yolanda Bone presenting the class for diplomas that were presented by the School Board president.

Olivia Harnack | The Gazette

The St. John Class of 2023 walks to receive their diplomas.

The program closed with a farewell barrage of "dad jokes" by graduate Savannah Rinehart.

— Publisher Roger Harnack contributed to this report.

 

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