Orcas High School said goodbye to a class of 22 graduating seniors on Saturday, many of whom have been classmates since kindergarten.

The speeches, music, and class film highlighted the students’ academic and athletic accomplishments and their enduring friendships.

The 2010 Orcas High School graduating class: Henri Bredouw, Jonathan Carrick, Alan Coe, Emily Diepenbrock, Taylor Diepenbrock, William Eagan, Joshua Inch, Daniel Janssen, Tess King, Jessica Laursen, Barbara Lowry, Tyler Nigretto, Hannah North, Alison O’Toole, Elena Padbury, Stephanie Shaw, Molly Staub, Tika Thorson, Samantha Tidwell, Jeanie Tran, Nicholas Van Maren, and Terri Vinson.

The ceremony also paid tribute to retiring teachers Tish Knapp, Katy Knollman, and Lyn Perry and football coach Dennis Dahl, who received a special chant from the seniors who played for him. The school is holding a farewell reception for Knapp on Thursday, June 17 at 3:30 p.m. in the school library. There is also a memory book for Knapp; stop by the high school office to contribute.

Lowry gave the ASB President address, reading a poem by Shel Silverstein about the many “what ifs” of life. She called her classmates a “ridiculous and inspired group” who have “helped me shake off the what ifs.”

After a class address by Nigretto, the students sang “I Get by With a Little Help From my Friends,” with Shaw on guitar, followed by salutatorian Padbury’s address and valedictorian Taylor Diepenbrock’s speech. He compared the class’s journey through high school to a ferry boat ride.

“We boarded as childish freshman, but we have disembarked as mature young adults,” Taylor said.

Computer and digital media teacher Paul Evans gave an entertaining speech, telling the audience, “It’s such a rush to stand up here in front of all of you and talk about myself.”

He called their diplomas a ticket to the “amusement park of life.”

“It gets you into the park, but it doesn’t get you on the rides,” Evans said. “Twenty years from now you will be so much more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did.”

His other advice included “take care of your family and your teeth, you’ll miss them both when they’re gone” and to “fear the automobile and put off buying a TV as long as you can.”

Orcas School Scholarships

This year’s scholarships to Orcas High School students totaled $41,000.

Madrona Club Scholarships: Jeanie Tran, Stephanie Shaw, Tika Thorson, Barbara Lowry.

American Legion, Kyle Folk Memorial Scholarship: Elena Padbury; American Legion Citizenship Award: Barbara Lowry; American Legion Inspirational Award: Taylor Diepenbrock; Voyle B. Martin Academic Scholarship: Emily Diepenbrock

Key Bank, Academic: Elena Padbury; Vocational: Barbara Lowry.

Kiwanis Club of Orcas Island, Lee Roach/Bill Marks Memorial Scholarship: Barbara Lowry; Kiwanis Community Service Scholarship: Elena Padbury; Orcas Kiwanis Scholarship: Taylor Diepenbrock; Kiwanis Club Hat Draw Award: Tika Thorson.

Orcas Education Association: Alison O’Toole.

Orcas Island Education Foundation, Dare to Dream Scholarship: Jeanie Tran; OIEF Scholarships: Taylor Diepenbrock, Elena Padbury, Stephanie Shaw.

Islanders Bank Scholarships: Jeanie Tran, Taylor Diepenbrock, Lanie Padbury, and Stephanie Shaw.

American Legion Auxiliary Scholarships, Sally Hart Memorial Scholarship: Stephanie Shaw; Mid Flaherty Memorial Scholarship: Alison O’Toole; LarVerne Key Memorial Scholarship: Elena Padbury; Mary Hillyer Memorial Scholarship: Barbara Lowry; Nina Coffelt Memorial Scholarship: Jeanie Tran.

Orcas Island Board of Realtors: Elena Padbury.

Masonic Lodge Scholarship: Alison O’Toole and Stephanie Shaw.

Booster Club Scholarship: Stephanie Shaw, Taylor Diepenbrock, Elena Padbury.

Phi Beta Kappa Award: Taylor Diepenbrock.

Lions Club Scholarships, Leonard Wellman Memorial Scholarship: Emily Diepenbrock; Jim Golithon Memorial Scholarship: Tika Thorson and Barbara Lowry; Vic Hughes Scholarship: Jeanie Tran; Joseph Bond Scholarship: Alison O’Toole and Stephanie Shaw; Clara Abrahamsen Scholarship: Elena Padbury and Taylor Diepenbrock; Horatio Alger Scholarship: Jeanie Tran.

Jeff Patty Scholarship (Orcas Firefighters Assoc): Elena Padbury. This scholarship is renewed every year for four years.

San Juan County Sheriff’s Guild Scholarship: Alan Coe.

Rain Shadow Quilting Arts Guild Scholarship: Tika Thorson.

Orcas Family Health Center Scholarship: Elena Padbury.

Key Club Scholarships: Elena Padbury and Hannah North.

Fidelis Circle Graduation Recognition Award: Hannah North.

Public School Employees Union Scholarships: Barbara Lowry, Tyler Nigretto, Molly Staub, and Tika Thorson.

Odd Fellows Scholarships: Taylor Diepenbrock and Jeanie Tran.

Orcas Christian School graduation

Orcas Christian School held its graduation ceremony on Friday, sending off nine students into the world of adulthood: Stephen Baker, Josh Griffin, Rebecca Lucas, Ashlee Minnis, Olivia Roseberry, Sam Sare, Spencer Sare, Justin Taylor, and Mackie Taylor.

Softball coach Scott Harris, who was chosen as the class speaker, said, “When I look at these faces, I know each of them. It’s an honor to be up here.”

Harris urged the students to “set their sights high.” He spoke of the “ultimate world changer” Jesus Christ, and his humility, compassion, grace, courage, love, and understanding.

“We change the world when we change one life,” he said.

Orcas Christian School scholarships

Chamber Music Festival: Stephen Baker

Lions Club: Stephen Baker

Sean and Stefanee Roach and Madrona Point Insurance, Academic Award: Samuel Sare; Community Service Award: Olivia Roseberry.

Sean and Stefanee Roach and Madrona Point Real Estate, Liberal Arts-Music Award: Stephen Baker.

Orcas Online/San Juan Web, Liberal Arts-Music Award: Stephen Baker; Academic Award: Spencer Sare.

North American Division-Caring Heart Award: Stephen Baker.

Orcas Adventist Fellowship, Spiritual Award: Stephen Baker.

San Juan County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild Citizenship: Justin Taylor.

Dr. David Russell, Science Award: Mackie Taylor.

OCS Scholarship Fund, courtesy of Frontline Call Center; Lake, Kennedy McCulloch CPA Firm; Vanderyacht Propane; Shawn Alexander, Attorney; Eric Veldman & San Juan Insurance: Olivia Roseberry, Rebecca Lucas, Sam Sare, Spencer Sare, Ashlee Minnis, and Justin Taylor.