It’s the end of the school year. High school seniors are entering a new phase of life. We attended the Haines High School graduation ceremony.
On Tuesday evening the class of 2023 was celebrating and graduating.Twenty one students wore gowns, caps and smiles. The celebration was made more lively by the songs they sang.
In a commencement speech that echoed across the high school gym, teacher Pete Degen, enjoined students to walk softly on the earth, it’s the only one we have. And to live simply, love generously, care deeply, and speak kindly.
More songs followed.
Superintendent Roy Getchell says he was pleased with the way the students drove the event.
Getchell: “It’s a school based ceremony, so they work with the principal, they work with Ms Boron, and they choose some of the different songs and some of the different things that occur during the ceremony,and so they are part of that planning process. Now there is definitely things that we choose and guardrails that we put in place, but it’s their ceremony, so we want to make sure that it reflects the class.”
Eight graduates became members of the National Honor Society. Many maintained a high grade point average. But Getchell says this only shows a small part of the group’s wide ranging talents .
Getchell: “There are some things that are not necessarily known in a graduation ceremony, like somebody’s abilities in other areas, and that is a talented class whether it is in the classroom, or out in our shop or doing different things here and there, just super capable students that I feel really confident in all of them.”
Student Alison Benda was the valedictorian. In a touching speech she spoke of the nature of success, and wished for health, love and happiness to her cohort. To be free and follow their dreams.
One by one the students received their diplomas. They ceremoniously moved the tassels on their graduation caps from one side to the other, and detonated the confetti cannons.
Getchell says he will remember the class of 2023 fondly, and not just because his daughter Avary is part of it. He demurred when asked about any youthful shenanigans he might remember the class by.
Getchell: “I think that anything they ever did that was a shenanigan was done in a good spirit and with a good heart. They are just all such great young people. They like to have a good time, and they like to laugh, but anything that was done was done in a good way.”
The students ended the ceremony by walking out of the gym to the grassy field outside the school. They were soon joined by their families and friends.
Some shared their plans for the future.
Avary Getchell: “In august I’m moving to South Dakota to go to school to become a teacher.”
Luke Davis: “Next is Eastern Oregon University where I’m going to run cross country in track and field,and study exercise science.”
MacKenzy Dryden: “Next for me, I’m going to be heading to Fairbanks to attend University of Alaska Fairbanks. In August. I’m going to study psychology and a minor in justice.”
Tydus Woodfin: “I’m planning to enlist in the air force and I’ll be in Texas, most likely.”
Mathilda Rogers: “Next I’m going abroad, I’m going to Austria first after working the summer in Haines on a fishing boat, and then I’m going to Scotland. Travel and working and I’m going to some ceramic classes. So I’m kind of the rogue one of the class, a little bit.”
Jacob Weerasinghe: “I will be going up to Anchorage to study business management. The airline industry ifs of interest to me and I’ll be spending a semester overseas in Dubai to further my studies. So I’m really excited for that as well.”
Superintendent Getchell says it is bittersweet to see the students each go their own way.
Getchell: “They are super close, I feel they have really strong relationships. And I felt really fortunate about that for being the father of a student in a class like that. Graduation is the end of an amazing chapter. But a new one begins today for each one of them. So I’m excited for all of our graduates and what their next chapter is going to look like.”
