A diverse class of scholars, athletes, artists, debaters and multi-linguists graduated from Orcas Island High School during a commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 17.
The class was comprised of: Cyrus Amour, Luke Bronn, Michael Chesher, Ella Conrad, Ricardo De Anda, Tara Dobos, Carlos Erazo, Rodrigo Erazo, Jacqueline Figueroa, Anneke Fleming, Axel Greening, Bethany Hansen, Miles Harlow, Emma Heikkinen, Stephen Hohman, Charlie Holmes, Aidan Kruse, Rowan Lister, Devon Mann, Kai McGregor, Henry McMurray, Pearl Mudd, Evan Murphy, Jordan Randolph, Sandy Rost, Gunnar Sandwith, Matia Schwartz, Olivia Smith, Ivan Velazquez and Grayson White.
Valedictorian Heikkinen, salutatorians Hansen and Bronn and class president Schwartz all gave speeches, and Tara Dobos gave long-time guidance counselor Nancy Wrightsman a special class award of $1,000.
The speaker was Coleen O’Brien. She began teaching at the district in 1981 and was the principal of the elementary school from 1992 to 2007. The class of 2017 had her for principal for kindergarten through second grade.
O’Brien told the students, “You are in charge. Keep your eyes open and listen to the voice that says ‘yeah, go there” or “no, don’t.’ And don’t ever sell yourself short.”
The scholarship recipients were announced at a celebration of success of June 16; see below for results. A total of $116,000 was given to students.
American Legion
Citizenship Award: Devon Mann and Luke Bronn, $250 each.
Voyle B. Martin Post 93 Academic Scholarship: Bethany Hansen, $1,500
Claude A. Rubeling Memorial Academic Scholarship: Emma Heikkinen and Luke Bronn, $1,500 each
Jack Cadden Memorial Academic Scholarship: Miles Harlow, $1,500
Sons of the American Legion
Steve Resch Memorial Scholarship: Bethany Hansen, $2,500
American Legion Auxiliary
Sally Hart Memorial Scholarship: Miles Harlow, $1,500
Lar Vern Key Memorial Scholarship: Jordan Randolph, $1,500
Mid Flaherty Memorial Scholarship: Charlie Holmes, $1,500
ALA Scholarship Honoring Carol Clark: Emma Heikkinen, $1,500
ALA Scholarship Honoring Jan Cleveland: Bethany Hansen, $1,500.
Islanders Bank
Bethany Hansen, $1,000
Madrona Club
Madrona Club: Bethany Hansen and Grayson White $1,000 each
Robin DiGeorgio Scholarship Rowan Lister $2,000
Orcas Island Education Foundation
Academic Scholarship: Emma Heikkinen, Bethany Hansen, Luke Bronn, Devon Mann, $1,000 each
Dare to Dream Scholarship Matia Schwartz, Ella Conrad, Rowan Lister, $500 each
OIEF/Marian Berdan Scholarship, supporting women pursuing studies in math or science: Bethany Hansen, $500
OIEF/Realtors Scholarships: Sandy Rost and Devon Mann, $1,000 each
Orcas Education Association
Rowan Lister: $500
Public School Employees
Jordan Randolph and Ella Conrad, $200 each
Orcas Online
Michael Chesher, $500
Orcas Island Booster Club
Jordan Randolph and Rowan Lister, $500 each
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
Supported by the Thyra and Bud Anderson Advised Fund
Marilynn Anderson Young Musician’s Award: Michael Chesher, $500
San Juan County Sheriff’s Guild
Rowan Lister and Jacqueline Figueroa, $500 each
Kiwanis Club of Orcas Island
Kiwanis Leadership: Luke Bronn, $1,200
Kiwanis Community Service: Emma Heikkenen, $1,200
George Garrels Memorial: Bethany Hansen, $1,200
Harriet Miller Memorial: Charlie Holmes, $1,200
Bob Otis Memorial: Devon Mann, $1,200
Bill Westlake Memorial: Miles Harlow, $1,200
Lyn & Glenna Richards Voc-Tech: Jordan Randolph, $500
Lyn & Glenna Richards Voc-Tech: Henry McMurray, $500
Bill Marks Hat Draw Award: Jacqueline Figueroa, $400
Masonic Lodge
Vocational: Matia Schwartz and Henry McMurray, $1,000 each
Academic: Rowan Lister and Charlie Holmes, $1,500 each
Lions Club
Jim Golithon Vocational: Matia Schwartz, $2,500
Vic Hughes: Emma Heikkenen, $2,500
Joseph Bond Vocational: Miles Harlow, $2,500
Abrahamsen Family Vocational: Henry McMurray, $2,500
Lions Club Foundation: Charlie Holmes, $2,500
Leonard Wellman Academic: Bethany Hansen, $2,500
Odd Fellows
Cyrus Amour and Kai McGregor, $1,500 each
Jeff Patty Scholarship
(This scholarship is renewed for four years): Ella Conrad, $500
Fidelis Circle Awards
Axel Greening and Pearl Mudd, $200 each
Island Artisan’s
Visual Arts: Luke Bronn, $3,000
Visual Arts: Matia Schwartz, $2,500
Ottley Briggs Schonberger
Luke Bronn, $1,000
Daniel and Margaret Carper Foundation of Orcas Island, Public School Student Scholarship
(This scholarship is renewable for four years.)
Ella Conrad, $10,000
Henigson Public School Student College Scholarship
(This scholarship is renewed every year for 4 years.)
