OASIS Graduates Four Today

From left: Alyssa Ledgerwood, Rion Brandt, Marta Branch and Piper Fohrman at today's OASIS Commencement ceremonies. Aaron Thomas Willbanks, who also earned a high school diploma, was not present at the ceremony.

Rion Brandt, Piper Fohrman, Alyssa Ledgerwood and Thomas Willbanks were honored today at the OASIS (Orcas Alternative Student-Initiated Studies) High School Commencement Ceremony.

The students all completed either a high-school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certification.

Orcas Island School District Superintendent Barbara Kline congratulated the students as “independent learners… who have finished this important step and are ready for their next step.”

OASIS co-founder and teacher Marta Branch described Brandt, Fohrman and Ledgerwood, who attended the ceremony at Emmanuel Episcopal Hall, as “Three of the most gutsy young women” and saluted their educational journey “with great respect.”

Ledgerwood, who was valedictorian, said that she used to think “hanging out with friends” was the most important use of her time. That changed when she became a mother two years ago; “I knew I had to graduate to give my son everything he deserved.” Now, with a second son, she says, “The least I could do for [my sons] is be a good example … Once I knew I could do this, I can get through everything.”

Rion Brandt, who will enter the U.S. Army next month with a job in law enforcement, completed 10 classes in seven months while working fulltime during the summer. She had previously earned a GED, and needed the diploma to be accepted into the Army. She has enlisted for a five-year term.

Piper Fohrman passed the five tests to earn her GED,  and thanked her grandparents, father, friends and teachers “who convinced me to keep coming back.”

Fohrman thanked Marta Branch with a quote from Dan Rather; “The dream begins with the teacher who believes in you… who tugs and pushes you, sometimes with a sharp stick called truth.”

Branch told the assembled guests at the Commencement Ceremony, “[OASIS students] do things differently, and take longer to pursue education on our own terms, in our own time frame, and in our own arena,” Branch said. “You can hold your head up high.”

Having achieved diplomas and the GED (a series of five subject tests), is a requirement for many jobs and higher education, Branch noted, and those who have achieved those goals earn 13% more earning power than high school drop-outs.

“We need the young energy you see before you. You can’t be a quitter and sit here.” She praised the students who “asked questions, chose to be part of the process and initiated their own studies; you’ve made me a better teacher, and the world a better world.”