SNOQUALMIE – A picture is worth a thousand words, but the Mount Si High School class of 2003 is worth $1.09 million.

That’s how much scholarship money was awarded to the about 250 students who walked down the aisle on June 13 as part of the school’s 59th commencement ceremony. In fact, the 2003 Wildcats were offered about $2.5 million in scholarships this year from various schools and organizations around the country.

While the class was the first in school history to break the $1-million mark in scholarship money accepted, it was a sense of community, camaraderie and caring that defined the class. Despite the accomplishment, students from the class of 2003 aren’t taking their success for granted.

“This is your life – your future,” student speaker Tianna Chelgren told the scarlet and gray clad graduates. “We have been given many gifts and it is our responsibility to use them. Now is a time for us to stretch our legs and seize our opportunities.”

With their public school lives behind them and a bright future ahead, student speaker Krista Fink summed up the upcoming years with something that a person might hear their first day of school.

“This sounds like something a kindergartner would say, but turn your dreams into bubbles. Make them big and send them into the world,” said Fink. “What we do with what we have gained is everything.”

Rich McCullough, Snoqualmie Valley School District Superintendent, applauded the group for their accomplishments and congratulated the numerous parents that packed the gym.

For the complete story with photos, pick up a copy of this week’s Valley Record