Three unique commencement ceremonies are coming up this weekend in East Jefferson County, with Port Townsend, Quilcene and Chimacum all awarding diplomas to graduating seniors described as “great” and “amazing.”
Quilcene’s ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday in the high school gym at 294715 U.S. Highway 101 will also serve as a reunion, since it is the 100th commencement for the rural school.
Graduates from across the decades plan to be in town for the momentous occasion, said senior class adviser Veda Wilson.
“It will be like no other graduation before,” Wilson said. “We are wound up about it.”
Port Townsend High School’s ceremony, which will be at 7 p.m. today at the McCurdy Pavilion in Fort Worden State Park will award diplomas to 117 students described by Principal Carrie Ehrhardt as “a great group of kids.”
“They are successful, thoughtful, caring and funny,” said the principal who has worked with the class for the past four years.
“They have all shown great leadership and have continued to grow and mature.”
In Chimacum, more than 50 percent of the 83 graduating seniors are headed to college, said Principal Whitney Meissner.
“They have earned more than $300,000 in scholarships,” the principal said.
“This class has really come together. They are an amazing group.”
Chimacum High School will hold its graduation at 1 p.m. Saturday at McCurdy Pavilion.
Port Townsend
Port Townsend High School’s ceremony will recognize valedictorians Madeline Levy and Kylen Solvikand and salutatorians Emelina Berkshire and Bella Fox Garrison.
The class speaker will be Mackenzie Sepler, and the faculty speaker will be Chunpeng Stankus.
The Andy Palmer Scholarship will be awarded to Ashley Nolette.
Three foreign exchange students also will receive honorary diplomas.
The school band and orchestra will play several selections before the commencement, and two surprise musical numbers, a vocal and an instrumental, will be performed by students.
Attendance is by ticket only. Free tickets are available from graduating seniors.
Chimacum
Doors will open at noon for the 1 p.m. commencement for Chimacum High School.
Addresses from valedictorian Cali Kopeczick and salutatorian Abigail Person are part of the program.
Also speaking will be class president Chloe Robocker and student-selected speaker Devin Manix.
Senior Hailey Beres and social studies and history teacher Richard Gifford will address the graduates as well.
There also will be a live student performance of the class song, “Come Together,” by the Beatles.
Meissner said those who attend should expect to be entertained.
While at Thursday night’s graduation rehearsal, she said, “I have never laughed so hard in my life.”
Quilcene
For the 100th commencement, Quilcene High School graduating seniors have some special things on hand to entertain family, friends and faculty, Wilson said.
Twenty-eight students are expected to receive their diplomas, and at least a dozen have earned college scholarships.
The graduating class raised $5,000 over the course of their high school years to make the event quite special, Wilson said.
“This is a close, close class,” said Wilson, a graduate in ’75.
“They don’t fight with each other. They argue, and then they move on, which is unusual.
“They are a close bunch, and I think 13 or 14 have been together since preschool.”
Pam Mack, district superintendent secretary, Class of ’81, was selected by the students as a guest speaker.
Also speaking before the crowd will be Rick Bancroft, Class of ’82, whose son, Brandon, will be among the graduates.
Science teacher Charlie Baker won’t be able to be at the commencement because of health problems, but senior Faustino Suarez will read his speech.
Valedictorian Claire Shraeder and Jake Murray, salutatorian, will speak, as well as class president Jake Murray.
Clallam County
Two commencement ceremonies are planned this weekend in Clallam County.
Eight students will receive diplomas from Clallam Bay High School at 2 p.m. Saturday in the school gym.
Thirteen students will participate in the Crescent High School graduation ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday in the school gym in Joyce at 50350 state Highway 112.
Sequim and Port Angeles public school districts will conduct graduation ceremonies Friday, June 17.
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Philip L. Watness is a freelance writer and photographer living in Port Townsend. He can be reached at whatnews@olypen.com.
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
