— by Cara Russell —
They wore blue and silver robes, and before the ceremony began, a few at a time poked their heads into the gym to make sure their family had found their seats. Roses and lilies made fragrant the air, as the high school gym was transformed with row after row of chairs, pulled out bleachers, balloons, banners, and flower arrangements. On Saturday, June 14, at 2 p.m., Orcas Island High school class of 2014 held their graduation ceremony.
The graduating seniors were: Sky Bear Aguilar, Aidan Anderson, Diansa Umalena Anuenue, Christopher K. Babcock, Matthew Howard Bowen, Carra Nicole Bowes, Laurel Maya Burt-Kidwell, Caleb Michael Dean, Eric L. Eagan, Brigid Kathleen Ehrmantraut, Wayne M. Foster, Jack Gates, Caitlyn Marie Holley, Emily Frances Jackson, Joseph A. Kostechko, Zachary A. Kostechko, Lindsay Lois Lancaster, Isabella Amelia Nigretto, Sebastian J. Paige, Alex M. Rogers, Shelbi Nicole Rogers, Jack Henry Russillo, and Zachery Tillman.
A patchwork quilt, adorned with tiny patchwork handprints, hung as the centerpiece to the room. Nine of the stitched handprints belonged to OHS students; Dean, Eagan, Foster, Gates, Jackson, Lancaster, Nigretto, Russillo, and Tillman. The quilt was made when these nine students were kindergarteners in Pam Jenkins class.
Various members of Orcas Island Combined High School Band & Strings, as well as members from both the Community Band and Island Sinfonia, performed for the full gym. The music was led by directors Darren Dix, Pamela Wright, and Brigid Ehrmantraut.
One by one, speakers approached the podium, and thanked the community for their various ways of showing support, from passing school bonds, to reading with kids in the classrooms. School board Chair Scott Lancaster made sure not to look at the class while he spoke, for fear that the sight of his daughter, Lindsay, would bring him to tears.
School board vice president Janet Brownell spoke of Kline’s 43 years of working in public education. Kline began her Orcas career when she became High School principal in 1990, and then later she became superintendent in 2008. Kline will retire on June 30. “I’m getting out, while the going’s good,” said Kline. Eric Webb, will be replacing Kline. Four other staff members are also retiring this year; Sharon Harvey, Iris Graville, Gail Glass, and Marie Hilje.
Salutatorian Jack Russillo proudly stated that this class is unique, bold, innovative, and lucky. “We are the last class to be able to paint the ‘senior barn’ before it is to be torn down.”
Valedictorian, Emily Frances Jackson, remembered eating lemon drops during ‘read aloud’ in elementary school, and being late to her first day of kindergarten. She expressed that over the years, this diverse and opinionated group of individuals, couldn’t help but challenge one another for the better, and ultimately encourage their best thinking and best work because of it.
Class President, Aiden Anderson, took a selfie with the entire gym attendance as his background. “Yeah, that one’s going on Instagram,” he said. Anderson ended his speech quoting Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Co-Valedictorian, Brigid Kathleen Ehrmantraut talked of ‘fiction and endings’ stating that “no stories go on forever. . . and endings open up to new beginnings.”
It was a very touching moment when the class presented the first annual ‘senior appreciation award,’ to MS/HS Office Manager Georgie Philbrook. Inspired by an anonymous donor, the seniors were given the privilege to vote for one person they felt had been an influence on them. “This person is the first and last face you see every day,” said Russillo, and a standing ovation ensued as Philbrook accepted the award. “This is very unexpected,” said Philbrook with a joyful smile. “Now I know why they said I had to come today.” Philbrook’s impact has recently been felt by all, as she has been out of school for the last month for health matters. “I will continue for a while yet,” she announced before returning to her seat in the front row.
Awarded scholarships were announced to the tune of $110,000.00, given by the community to the graduating class of 2014.
The Commencement Address was given by elementary school teacher, Mandy Randolph, who had been a prominent face from 1st to 4th grade. Randolph spoke of how growing up on Orcas eighteen years ago and growing up on Orcas now, really is not all that different. “There is still the same amount of compassion and investment in the community. It’s really not all that different, except we didn’t have cell phones, or Facebook then, and if we wanted to hang out, we did it in front of Con’s (The Village Stop). And if our parents wanted to get a hold of us, they would have to call the pay phone outside of the store.”
Randolph left the graduates with a piece of wisdom that was given to her years ago by her college professor. “Asking is free. The worst that can happen is someone will say no. People won’t know what you want until you tell them.”
The Class of 2014 slideshow followed. Principal Kyle Freeman gave the Certification of Completion of Requirements, then Freeman, Scott Lancaster, and Janet Brownell presented the diplomas.
Congratulations to the OHS class of 2014! Explore. Dream. Discover.
