Orcas has said farewell to its latest class of eager, bright, motivated teens.
The 2011 class held its commencement ceremony on June 11 in a packed gymnasium.
The 39 graduates were: Lindsay Renee Anderson, Emily Ann Bodenhamer, Brooke Tianna Bruland, Leah Marie Rose Cardinell, Cody Lee Cordle, Jessica Marie Edwards, Adrien Marina Erickson, Makala Rose Forster, Adria Nicole Garcia, Lee Emerson Gibbons, William Seabern Gieger, Thomas Frederick Granger, Kailley Alaire Grantham, Jacob Gordon Hansen, Piper Anne Hayworth, April Michele Hofmann, Dylan Fred Holmes, Ashley Renee Janssen, Patrick William Lancaster, Michael W. Langworthy, Ariel Leckband, Justin Albert Leidecker, Halley Paige McCormick, Sarah Lynn Miles, Connor James O’Neill, Iris Rose Parker Pavitt, Haley Louise Paulson, Jamison Collister Rose, Ruby Alissandra Sale, Serena Pauline Sanders, Annalies Schuh, Cameron Christopher Smart, Taylor Benjamin Smith, Sabina Margaret Smith-Moreland, Carly Temple-Wareham, Makenna Thomas, Jacob White, Alexander Michael Zderic, and Jacqlynn Carol Zier.
All the class speakers injected a heavy dose of humor into their speeches. Parker-Pavitt, senior class president, told of some of her classmates’ flubs, like someone asking “what is that wall in Berlin?”
“For all of our faults, we are a capable lot and sometimes we don’t get the credit we deserve,” she said. “But sometimes neither do you – our parents, mentors, and community.”
Salutatorian Sanders wrote a poem based on memories she collected from each of her classmates and co-valedictorians Zier and McCormick traced their journey from elementary (fierce playground sports) to middle school (“we could see high school through the windows) to their senior year (when “grades matter to more people than just your parents”). The good friends also announced their co-presidential campaign of 2028.
Commencement speaker Janet Brownell talked about her school and university experiences, including a high school principal who wrote on her records “Brownell has no capacity towards leadership.”
“To that I answer: I may not have capacity toward being a leader, but today I’m giving the 2011 commencement speech and Mr. Fine you are not,” she said.
Among her advice was a top 10 list: get a passport; stay kind; give your time to a worthy cause; learn to cook one thing really well; when looking for a partner, look for humor above all else; if you keep a diary, beware that someday, someone will read it; don’t ever settle for mediocrity; thank your teachers; love your parents as much as they love you; wherever you go, go with all your heart.
To read Brownell’s speech in its entirety, go here.
Scholarship recipients
Madrona Club Scholarships: Haley Paulson, $1000; Jamison Rose, $500.
American Legion: Kyle Folk Memorial Scholarship, Lee Gibbons, $1000; American Legion Citizenship Award, Dylan Holmes, $250, American Legion Inspirational Award, Iris Parker Pavitt, $250; Voyle B. Martin Academic Scholarship, Ariel Leckband, $1000.
Key Bank: Academic, Serena Sanders, $1000; Academic, Dylan Holmes, $1000.
Kiwanis Club of Orcas Island: Lee Roach/Bill Marks Memorial Scholarship, Jacqlynn Zier, $1300; Kiwanis Community Service Scholarship, Makala Forster, $1300; Orcas Kiwanis Scholarship, Lee Gibbons , $1000; Kiwanis Youth Scholarship, Halley McCormick, $1500; Kiwanis Club Hat Draw Award, Cody Cordle, $400.
Orcas Education Association: April Hofmann, $500.
Orcas Island Education Foundation: Dare to Dream Scholarships, Sabina Smith-Moreland, $500; Kailley Grantham, $500. OIEF Scholarships, Makenna Thomas, $1000; Lindsay Anderson, $1000; Halley McCormick , $1000; Jacqlynn Zier, $500; Iris Parker Pavitt, $500; Serena Sanders, $500.
Farm to Cafeteria Awards: Iris Parker Pavitt, $300; Makala Forster, $300.
Islanders Bank: Sabina Smith-Moreland, Makenna Thomas, Lindsay Anderson, and Dylan Holmes.
Island Artisan Scholarship: Piper Hayworth, $1000.
American Legion Auxiliary: Sally Hart Memorial Scholarship, Ariel Leckband, $1000; Mid Flaherty Memorial Scholarship,
Dylan Holmes, $1000; LarVerne Key Memorial Scholarship, Iris Parker Pavitt, $1000; Velma Doty Scholarship, Sabina
Smith-Moreland, $1000; Auxiliary Scholarship, Makenna Thomas, $500.
Masonic Lodge Scholarship: Lindsay Anderson, $1500; Ariel Leckband, $1500.
Booster Club Scholarship: Ariel Leckband, $500; Lindsay Anderson, $500.
Lions Club : Leonard Wellman Memorial Scholarship, Serena Sanders, $2000; Jim Golithon Memorial Scholarship, Jessica Edwards, $2000; Vic Hughes Scholarship, Dylan Holmes, $2000; Joseph Bond Scholarship, Lee Gibbons, $1000; Clara Abrahamsen Scholarship, Makenna Thomas, $1000; Orcas Lions Scholarship, Makala Forster, $1000; Orcas Lions Scholarship, Jacqlynn Zier, $1000.
Jeff Patty Scholarship (Orcas Firefighters Assoc.): Lindsay Anderson, $500. This scholarship is renewed every year for four years.
San Juan County Sheriff’s Guild Scholarship: Ruby Sale, $500; Michael Langworthy, $500.
Key Club: Halley McCormick, $250; Serena Sanders, $250.
Fidelis Circle Graduation Recognition Award: Carly Temple Wareham, $300; Sarah Miles, $300.
Public School Employees Union Scholarships: Justin Leidecker, $200; Dylan Holmes, $200; Emily Bodenhamer, $200.
Odd Fellows: OASIS student Breena Benthin; Dylan Holmes.
Daniel and Margaret Carper Foundation Scholarship: Dylan Holmes, One year’s tuition at Eastern Washington University.
Ralph E. White, MD Memorial Scholarship: Haley Paulson, one year’s tuition, fees and books at Western Washington University.
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival Young Musician’s Award (Supported by the Thyra and Bud Anderson Advised Fund ): Kailley Grantham, $500; Cameron Smart, $500.
National Merit Scholarship: Halley McCormick, $2500.
