Touching ceremony as Mount Si High School Class of 2013 heads into the real world
Published 4:05 pm Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Family and friends gathered under cloudy skies Friday evening, June 7, to send off the 344-member class of 2013 with a brief, but touching graduation ceremony. Principal John Belcher began with some impressive numbers, including 50 percent of the class indicating plans to attend a four-year college next year, 23 percent planning on two-year college, eight students planning to attend technical college, 15 going into the military, and seven who’ve already earned associate’s degrees through Running Start.
Belcher had to encourage the audience’s applause at times during his speech, so he was gratified to hear a collective ‘wow’ when he said those seven students “will be entering college as juniors!”
As heard at Mount Si graduation…
“Anyone can have an off-day, an off-week, an off-semester… but one A-minus… sorry Aja!” — Principal John Belcher, introducing valedictorian Maria Kajercline, after salutatorian Aja Corliss, who earned a 3.99 GPA with nearly all As.
“I hope you all continue to make a concerted effort to positively impact the world, through our jobs, our words, our positive attitudes, our perseverance, our small-town kindness, and the little things we do every day. Let’s all aspire to inspire.” — closing words of valedictorian Maria Kajercline’s address.
“See? I’m smart!” —a girl silently mouthing to the stands as Principal Belcher lists the class’s academic achievements.
“Are you crying?!” —between two Moms. “Oh, she always does that!” — third Mom.
“Oh! She lost her tassel, that’s 10 bucks!” — a parent watching the procession.
“Love you! Bye-bye babies!” — a senior girl entering the stadium.
Jessica Hamilton holds up 8-month-old son Joseph, while waiting for her just-graduated brother, Shawn McNabb.
Caps fly into the air in celebration.
Diplomas in hand and tassels turned, Rachel Hong, right, and friends celebrate their graduation.
Logan Meyers, Sarah Boelter, and Fred Benedix march into the stadium together.
