Orcas High School Graduates Begin a New Era

 — by Margie Doyle —

Two by two, Orcas High School graduates greet each other before mounting the stage for Commencement Exercises

Amazing. They did it again. Orcas Island High School graduated 25 Seniors at Commencement on Saturday in a gym filled with families, friends and well-wishers.

School District Board President Janet Brownell introduced the ceremonies, saying they “speak to the high school student in all of us, and makes everything we do worthwhile.”

That theme was echoed by Superintendent Eric Webb at his first Viking graduation. After noting that raising their children is probably parents’ “greatest and most rewarding accomplishment,” he marveled that, on Orcas Island he’s witnessed,  “by far the most supportive and dedicated family, community and school staff I’ve ever seen.”

Middle/High School Principal Kyle Freeman spoke fondly of the graduates, whom he first met when they were in the 7th grade. He announced that the Orcas community had given over $95,000 in gifts to the graduates, aside from the scholarships that many students earned in their pursuit of higher education. Freeman also acknowledged the state program that gives funding support for those students who maintain a high level of scholarship during their high school years.

Students Hannah Brunner-Gaydos, Melanie Flint, Mikaela Hansen, and Taj Howe were singled out for their acceptance into the National Honor Society. Membership is based on a student’s fulfillment of four requirements: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Salutatorian Hannah Brunner-Gaydos praised each of her fellow graduates with grace and humor for the unique gifts and lessons they gave to their class.

Senior Class President Jay Zier, praised by Class Advisor Natasia Meskew for his deep confidence and sincere humility,”  said, “It’s an honor to speak on behalf of my class.” He’d polled his fellow seniors and gave their replies on the advice they would give each other, which ranged from “Be fly;” “Walk on the wild side;” “Celebrate victories, accept losses with grace, be kind to each other;” and “Stay Golden.”

Valedictorian Taj Howe spoke of being awed by the idea of giving advice to his fellow graduates, and said, “Look to your role models, whether they’re celebrities, or parents, neighbors or teachers. What are their stories and how did they get where they are today?”

He spoke of his own fear and said, “It’s okay to be afraid of the future… though fear can sometimes be hard to let go of, it can provide incredible motivation.”

He challenged his peers, “Make your life a story worth telling, and be part of someone else’s too.”

Norm Stamper gave the Commencement Address, and spoke of the conversations he’s had recently with the graduates. He mentioned their goals to motivate and lead, to make a difference in the lives of children, to help and serve their community, to travel and explore, to express themselves and their world in the arts. He riffed on Socrates’ observation, “An unexamined life is not worth living,” to say “An unlived life is not worth examining.”

He challenged the students to clarify their passions and their callings, “however long it takes.” After exploring the tension between vision and reality, he quoted Michael Jordan: “I have failed over and over and over again; and that is how I succeed.”

Following the awards of diplomas to the 25 graduates, the shifting of the graduation cap tassels from left to right, and the march of the honored students out of the gym, refreshments greeted all who celebrated Orcas High School Commencement 2015.