Seniors, get ready to don your cap and gown, because graduation is just around the corner. Senior class adviser Brandon Harle sent out an email announcing the 111th Wenatchee High School Commencement speakers, who will speak to seniors at their graduation at the Town Toyota Center on June 6 at 7 p.m.

The faculty speaker is Jay Young, a 47-year social studies teacher who is retiring this year. This year’s Distinguished Alumni is Kory Kalahar, WestSide High School’s principal, and the class speakers are seniors Francesca Nevil and Eduardo Ramos.

The democratic process for electing speakers is led by the senior class Senate. To elect the faculty speaker, the senate nominates a staff member from the school. According to Harle, the decision to choose Young was an obvious one, due to his length of time teaching at the school, and the fact that he’s retiring.

“This year [the faculty speaker decision] was narrowed down quickly,” Harle said. “They (the class Senate) agreed to have Young speak unanimously.”

Senior class speakers are elected by their fellow classmates at the spring senior class meeting. The senate then compiles the nominees, and the top four picks are then amassed, and voted on. Nevil, the Honor Society president and 2015 Apple Blossom Princess, joins Ramos, FBLA president and a senior class senator, as the peer-nominated speakers.

Kalahar, a former WHS student, teacher, and assistant principal, isn’t completely new to the graduation speaker ring; he was elected as the faculty speaker in 2006. He is particularly excited to speak at the graduation, as his daughter, senior Emma Kalahar, is among the Panther graduates this year. According to Harle, Kalahar was nominated for Distinguished Alumni by community members, and chosen by the Senate.

“I am thrilled, shocked, and humbled in all respects,” Kalahar said in an email. “WHS is an amazing school with so many caring educators and phenomenal students … Thank you WHS for this great honor.”