by Heather Wallace
Sounder contributor
Thirty-one years ago, the Orcas Island High School graduating class of 1994 became the first group of students to walk the path towards commencement in the newly built high school gym.
This past Saturday, 39 compassionate, strong-willed, passionate individuals representing the Class of 2025 repeated that same walk down the path towards new adventures, new challenges and new horizons.
And although these two graduating classes are separated by three decades, there is something very similar about them — and every class that has come before and between them. No, it’s not the student who beats to their own drum. It’s not the grade point averages or the person you knew would succeed.
It’s the community that supports them.
Community has always been the core of what makes this island what it is. Being part of it – however little or much time that may be – allows one to gain a deep understanding of why it is so incredibly special.
The annual Celebration of Success, an event that welcomes the entire community to an awards ceremony for student achievements, provided a small taste of what growing up on Orcas feels like. And the type of monetary support offered to the students by its residents.
This year, the Orcas community collectively awarded the class of 2025 with almost $400,000 in scholarships. In addition to monetary awards, students were recognized for their work in community service and leadership, diversity, dual language proficiency, environmental work, arts and academic excellence. Of the 39 graduates, 18 achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher, and ten earned recognition in the National Honor Society. Additionally, 14 of the graduates earned the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy (“WSSB”). Established in 2014, the WSSB achievement recognizes public high school graduates who have attained an intermediate-mid proficiency in English and one or more world languages, including American Sign Language and Tribal languages.
And while the competition for the scholarships was fierce, each student was encouraged by their classmates or groups of “fans” cheering from various pockets around the school gym.
“Sometimes I forget how lucky we are to be in a community like this,” says Molina Stone, daughter of former OHS alumni Eddie and Fiona Stone. “I think I’ve definitely taken it for granted. All these moments…it makes you realize how cool each individual [classmate] is. We’re a little bit of a dysfunctional family at times, but I love it because we’re completely different from each other. We all are kind of glued together in a sense, because we share [this experience of] living on this island.”
Stone will be attending the University of Montana in the fall through the Western Undergrad Exchange (“WUE”). WUE is a highly competitive program that provides students in 15 participating U.S. states, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, access to in-state tuition rates, at participating schools. She will be part of an accelerated nursing program and is interested in exploring rural healthcare solutions.
The theme of community continued into the graduation ceremony on June 14 where Salutatorian Juliette McKenney reflected on a “community filled with human connection and love” and Senior Class President Lili Malo reminded her classmates to be grateful for their time on Orcas.
“We had the divine luck of being raised on Orcas with a community completely unique,” said Malo, in her address to her classmates and community. “Tourists say this island is a magical place, but what they don’t know is the true magic of Orcas lies in the hearts of its locals. This community instilled in its youth so much more than I can describe. Without each member of this island we, the Class of 2025, would not be here. From our teachers, to the ferry workers, thank you. As the class of 2025 heads out into the world we are incredibly lucky to carry a little bit of this magical community with us.”
Incredibly, 11 of this year’s graduates are children of former OHS alumni.
“Growing up on Orcas, you don’t realize how special the experience is,” says Sada Sasan Ashcraft, whose daughter Ava graduated. “I really only understood it after I moved back and was able to raise my four children alongside my amazing parents. The magic and legacy really shows through as your children grow up.”
Keynote speaker Lauren Schuler Donner gave the Commencement Address and encouraged the graduates to follow their passions and put down their phones.
“Look up, work in your community…because the world is waiting for you,” she said.
Donner also offered examples from her own experiences in the film industry, reminding them that failure is simply a stepping stone.
“Opportunities can be disguised as detours,” she said. “Rejection is redirection, not failure.”
James “Jimmy” Taylor, a beloved custodian at Orcas Island School District, was also recognized through the Senior Appreciation Award. This award was created to honor a staff member at OHS and is nominated through letters written by members of the graduating class. In a heartfelt tribute, Malo read a letter she had submitted, honoring the work, dedication, and kindness Taylor has shown to students throughout the years.
As the ceremony came to a close, attendees laughed and cried while watching the much-anticipated senior slideshow and presentation of diplomas. Family, friends, and community members gathered in the commons area and outside the high school to take photos and offer their congratulations before the graduates loaded into festively decorated vehicles for the senior parade through Eastsound.
“Our future depends on you,” said Board Chair Greg White to the graduates during his welcome address while urging them to focus on their futures through a famous quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Congratulations class of 2025!
Scholarship awards
American Legion Voyle B. Martin Post #93
Post Academic Scholarship in Memory of Don Gerard: Molina Stone, $1,500
Academic Scholarship in Memory of Claude A. Rubeling: Kristian Freeman, $1,500
Vocational Scholarship in Memory of Claude A. Rubeling: Kiley Quill, $1,500
Post Academic Scholarship in Memory of Gordon Latimier: Lluvia Quintero-Carrion, $1,500
American Legion Leadership Award & Medallion: Lili Malo, $250
American Legion Leadership Award & Medallion: Kristian Freeman, $250
Sons of the American Legion
Sons of the American Legion Scholarship: Athena Moore, $1,500
Allen Minnis Memorial Vo-Tech Scholarship: Otto Sprenger, $1,500
Jim Passer Memorial Scholarship: Dagny Krüger, $1,500
American Legion Auxiliary Unit #93
Gloria Johnson Memorial Scholarship: Kristian Freeman, $2,000
June West Memorial Scholarship: Kiley Quill, $2,000
Lillian Rouleau Memorial Scholarship: Mira Johnson, $2,000
Lou and Sue Parberry Memorial Scholarship: Romero Lago, $2,000
Veterans Legacy Scholarship: Molina Stone, $2,000
Banner Bank Scholarships
Lluvia Quintero-Carrion, $500
Daniel Kasperski, $500
Sylvia Johnson, $500
Valery Melendez Rodriguez, $500
The Exchange Arts Scholarship
Sintia Cruz Hernandez, $3,000
Fidelis Circle Awards
Robin Limbach, $200
Marley Moxley, $200
Sintia Cruz Hernandez, $200
Funhouse Commons
Funhouse Commons College Scholarship Funded by the Daniel and Margaret Carper Foundation
(Scholarship is renewed every year for up to four years)
Ava Ashcraft and Lluvia Quintero-Carrion, up to full-ride
Henigson Public School Student Fund Funded by the Henigson Family
(Scholarship is renewed every year for up to four years)
Dagny Krüger, $12,500 x 4
Funhouse Commons/The Island Hardware Vocational Fund
(Scholarship is awarded over multiple years)
Alexandria Sanders, up to $3,500
Otto Sprenger, up to $3,500
Kiley Quill, up to $3,500
Funhouse Commons/The Pichu Fund
(Funded by the Foster Family Pichu Fund)
Sintia Cruz Hernandez, $2,000
Funhouse Commons/Realtors of Orcas Island
(Funded by Orcas Island Realtors)
Isaac Figueroa, $2,000
Island Artisans Visual Arts Scholarships
Mira Johnson, $3,000
Gracyn Chamberlin, $1,000
Kaleidoscope Scholarships
Lluvia Quintero-Carrion, $500
Ava Ashcraft, $500
Alexandria Sanders, $500
Madrona Club
Madrona Club Scholarship: Sintia Cruz Hernandez, $3,000
Robin DiGeorgio Endowment Scholarship: Forest Frausto, $4,500
Robin DiGeorgio Endowment Scholarship: Gracyn Chamberlin $4,500
Robin DiGeorgio Endowment Scholarship: Daniel Kasperski, $4,500
Anonymous Donor: Kiley Quill, $3,000
Orcas Education Association Scholarship
Sofia Padilla, $500
Orcas Island Booster Club Scholarships
Romero Lago, $500
Isaac Figueroa, $500
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
Marilyn Anderson Young Musician’s Award: Romero Lago, $1,000
Marilyn Anderson Young Musician’s Award: Solianna Halabisky, $1,000
Orcas Island Education Foundation
OIEF Scholarship: Kristian Freeman, $7,500
OIEF Scholarship: Juliette McKenney, $2,500
OIEF Scholarship: Molina Stone, $2,500
OIEF Scholarship: Henry Walker, $2,500
OIEF Scholarship: Mira Johnson, $1,000
OIEF Scholarship: Sylvia Johnson, $1,000
OIEF Scholarship: Dagny Krüger, $1,000
OIEF Scholarship: Sofia Padilla, $1,000
OIEF Scholarship: Dante Ljubic, $1,000
OIEF/Hobie Alter Scholarships: Romero Lago, $3,500
OIEF/Hobie Alter Scholarships:Kiley Quill, $3,500
OIEF/Marian A. Berdan Scholarship: Solianna Halabisky, $1,000
OIEF/Thurman Bond Scholarships: Solianna Halabisky, $2,500
OIEF/Thurman Bond Scholarships: Alexandria Sanders, $2,500
Orcas Island Volunteer Firefighter EMT Association
OIVFEA Public Safety Scholarships: Molina Stone, $2,500
OIVFEA Public Safety Scholarship: Lluvia Quintero-Carrion, $2,500
Orcas Island Lions Club & Foundation
Orcas Island Lions Club in memory of Tanya Hutchens: Molina Stone, $4,000
Abrahamsen Family Memorial Scholarship: Gracyn Chamberlin, $4,000
Joseph Bond Memorial Vocational Scholarship: Alexandria Sanders, $4,000
Jim Golithon Memorial Vocational Scholarship: Forest Frausto, $4,000
Leonard Wellman Academic Memorial Scholarship: Dagny Krüger, $4,000
Vic Hughes Memorial Scholarship: Kristian Freeman, $4,000
Orcas Odd Fellows Awards
Sofia Padilla, $2,500
Dante Ljubic, $2,500
Orcas Online, Inc.
Terry Cairns Memorial Scholarship: Alexandria Sanders, $500
Terry Cairns Memorial Scholarship: Sylvia Johnson, $500
Terry Cairns Memorial Scholarship: Demetrio Salinas-Cruz, $500
Terry Cairns Memorial Scholarship:Henry Walker, $500
San Juan County Sheriff’s Guild Scholarships
Alexandria Sanders, $500
Mira Johnson, $500
San Juan Masonic Lodge #175 Academic Scholarship
Molina Stone, $2000
Steve Resch Memorial Scholarships
Ava Ashcraft, $3,300
Satya Curcio Photography. Islanders cheered on the graduates in what has become another parade tradition on Orcas.
Satya Curcio Photography. Introducing the Orcas Island High School Class of 2025.
