Town salutes Haines
High School's
Class of '08
Residents gathered Tuesday night to celebrate the graduation of the
class of 2008, recognizing students and the class as a whole in a ceremony highlighted by
student musical performances.
Two commencement speakers, the salutatorian and
valedictorian and school officials sought to pass on wisdom to the 30 graduates, drawing
inspiration from literature, songwriters and the community of Haines.
Salutatorian Kelly Edmond, citing Greek and Tlingit mythology, defined
the character traits of leaders and heroes.
"A true hero is the person that does good deeds, large and small,
for others," he said, thanking a litany of heroes in the room, from ambulance crew
volunteers to radio deejays to American Legion members.
Commencement speaker Liam Cassidy, an assistant cross-country coach,
used humor and a booming voice to honor the class for its achievements and personality.
"You guys have a different set of values, and that’s what I
like about you," he said, referring to their selection of a speaker who’s spent
most of his adult life living above his parent’s garage and in a tent.
Quoting Yogi Berra and songwriters Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, the
running coach and river guide encouraged graduates to accept challenges in life. "If
you come to a fork in the road, take it," he said, quoting Berra. "And this is
one of the biggest forks you’ll come to."
Retired English teacher JoAnn Ross Cunningham told students to meet
life’s challenges with love, and encouraged graduates to use intelligence and
thoughtfulness to be individuals.
"Use your brain and your capacity for reflection to develop your
humanity," she said, adding a twist on a Socrates’ quote. "The unlived life
is not worth examining. Live your life so that it is worth examining."
Music included a duet by Evan Humphrey on violin and Teslyn Visscher on
piano and two choir performances, a duet by J.J. Lende and Kee Heywood and vocal ensemble
of Edmond, Heywood, Tristan Sebens and science teacher Mark Fontenot.
Wearing flower leis over their gowns, Lende and Heywood, accompanied by
junior Stoli Lende on ukulele, drew a standing ovation for the medley of "Somewhere
over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World," a piece originally
performed by Hawaiian musician Israel Ka’ano’I Kamakawiwo’ole. The crowd
also stood for the quartet’s a cappella performance of Billy Joel’s "For
the Longest Time."
The recessional music was Michael Jackson’s hit
"Thriller."
Twelve students graduated with honors, holding a grade point average of
3.7 or above: Hannah Brower, Kelly Edmond, Orion Falvey, Christina Gray, Christine Hansen,
Kee Heywood, Marley Horner, Chandler Kemp, Joanna Lende, Tristan Sebens, Anna Szymanski
and Teslyn Visscher.
Valedictorian Chandler Kemp asked his classmates to envision an ideal
community, describing the qualities of a small town in a picturesque setting.
"Imagine a place…where you can build your own house and catch your own dinner.
…Haines is a pretty cool town."
But he also encouraged classmates to take their traits, including their
ability to make people smile, out into life. "More of the world will get to enjoy our
presence, and we’ll get to enjoy more of the world. …Today truly is the first
day of the rest of our lives."
Ross Cunningham confirmed Kemp’s observation of the class as a
group that makes people smile, calling them a "kind, happy lot."
"You are individually and collectively strong. You are diverse,
talented, smart — a complete rainbow of promise."
Students wore a variety of footwear under their green and white green
gowns and caps. They marched in to "Pomp and Circumstance" in orange plastic
clogs, running shoes, basketball high tops, golden high heels, cut-off Xtratufs, green
canvas sneakers and bare feet.
Scholarships announced Monday included: National Merit
Scholarship ($2,500) Chandler Kemp; BP Alaska Principals’ and Commissioners’
Scholarship ($4,000) Kemp; University of Alaska Scholars ($11,000 each over four years)
Kemp, Kelly Edmond, Teslyn Visscher, Anna Szymanski; Chilkat Guides ($500) Evan Humphrey;
Haines Sportsman’s Association ($500 each) Christine Hansen, Kelly Hansen, Edmond;
Juneau Lions Club ($500) Visscher; Sealaska Heritage Institute ($1,500) Tiffany Murphy;
Haines Woman’s Club ($500 each) Kemp, Penny Fossman, JoSharon Feldman; American
Legion ($500 each) C. Hansen, Edmond, Brianna Phillips, Jodi Stickler-Ivie; American
Legion Auxiliary ($500 each) Edmond, Phillips, Hannah Brower; Pioneers of Alaska ($500)
Phillips; Chilkat Valley News ($500) Tristan Sebens; Lynn Canal Community Players ($500)
Marley Horner; Superintendent’s GCI Access Scholarship ($1,000) C. Hansen; Lynn Canal
Conservation ($500) Iris Holmes; Tamara Hyatt Hanson Scholarship ($500 each) Kee Heywood,
Marley Horner, Molly Wilson; APT Foundation for Rural Education ($1,000) Edmond; Haines
Volunteer Fire Department ($500 each) Edmond, Szymanski, Visscher, C. Hansen, Eliza Lende,
K. Hansen; Haines Emblem Club ($1,000 each) Edmond, Stickler-Ivie ($570 each) and Rachelle
Thomas, K. Hansen, Szymanski, Phillips, Carson Buck, P. Fossman, Drew Fossman; Haines Elks
Lodge ($2,000) Edmond, ($1,000 each) Visscher and E. Lende, (Teenagers of Year - $500
each) Edmond and C. Hansen; Haines School Staff ($250 each) Edmond, Heywood, C. Hansen,
Orion Falvey, Visscher, K. Hansen; Delta Western ($10,000 over four years) C. Hansen;
Chilkat Valley Scholarship Foundation ($2,250 each) Edmond, Horner, Heywood and E. Lende.
Other scholarships and honors announced were: Amelia Blilie, PITAS
scholarship to UAS (Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Alaska Schools) four-year
scholarship that covers most of the cost of attending UAS; Hannah Brower, scholarship to
Northern Arizona University, allowing 150 percent of in-state tuition; Kelly Edmond,
University of Portland, Honors Program Scholarship $600 per year for four years,
President’s Scholarship for $68,000 over four years, University of Portland School of
Engineering school for outstanding students in mechanical engineering $9,000 distributed
over four years, Society of Petroleum Engineers, $1,500, Robert C. Byrd Scholarship
$6,000; Orion Falvey, President’s Scholarship from University of Puget Sound, $36,000
over four years, Lynea Guerin, UAS educational grants totaling $3,000; Christine Hansen,
appointments to U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy, one of 62 accepted to the
Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at Marquette University of 900 applicants, Ignatius
Academic Distinction scholarship, $38,000 over four years and Magis Scholarship for
Leadership, $6,000; Marley Horner, in-state tuition scholarship to Humboldt State
University; Evan Humphrey, Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation Scholarship, $5,000,
Fred Beeler Memorial Scholarship, $2,000; Chandler Kemp, President’s Scholarship from
Montana State University, full tuition; J.J. Lende, UAA $12,000 per year athletic full
scholarship, Adams State athletic scholarship, $20,000, Adams State Good Neighbor
Scholarship, $16,800; Jasmine Phair, grants from Stoneybrook University totaling $1,900
per semester; Anna Szymanski, Robert C. Byrd Scholarship, $6,000, Williams College
scholarship, $40, 297; Carson Buck (Class of ’97), Alaska State Retired
Teachers’ Association, $2,000.
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