Journey’s end
June 4, 2016
For four years, a group of outstanding men and women walked the halls of Wenatchee High School. For four years, they toiled and fought their way through adversity using all of the courage and strength available to them in order to claim their diploma in a culminating moment of glory.
Last night, the graduating class of 2016 was able to do just that.
The ceremony began with a processional led by WHS staff and 2016-2017 National Honor Society President Moses Lurbur and Honor Society Officers Tammy Doan, Kyle Turner, Sabrina Zhu, and Karli Kuntz. After the presentation of colors by American Legion Post 10, senior Kenison Maher performed the national anthem.
Senior class adviser Brandon Harle then introduced Senior Class President Kori Martin who spoke on the high school experience. Following Martin, seniors Lili Italiane and Ethan Knutson performed “Dream” by Pricilla Ahn.
Valedictorians were honored by senior Allie Osgood, the current National Honor Society President.
The Distinguished Alumnus, Jesús Hernandez was introduced by senior Julia Jobe. Hernandez congratulated the senior class and told how high school experiences will shape their future. Following this, seniors Julia Jobe, Dalton Sugg, Sean Kelley, and John Kottcamp honored WHS retirees Chris Jeffris, Neil Zobel, Chet Cockrill, and Michelle Benner.
Faculty speaker James Elwyn encouraged the senior class to emulate key characteristics that members of his swim team demonstrated and was followed by seniors Emma Malmin and Silas Abbot performing “7 Years” by Lukas Graham.
Student Speaker Sean Kelley told the senior class to hold on to their hats and get prepared for life, and debunked the message that high school is the best four years of your life. Finally, WHS Principal Eric Anderson expressed his confidence that the senior class will be successful in life and declared them ready to receive their diplomas.
Nothing could capture the range of emotions of the crowd and assembled seniors as they were finally able to move their tassels from the right side of the cap to the left side. Excited for life, happy to be finished with high school, and proud of all the things they managed to accomplish. Also sad that this leg of their journey has come to an end, and possibly already missing all of the underclassmen that they are leaving behind.
They will be missed in return.