With a year coming to a close, a beginning was celebrated for several young men and women on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the parish hall of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

One by one, they proceeded in caps and gowns flaring Viking blue to a podium to receive a diploma or equivalency and walked away former OASIS (Orcas Alternative Student-Initiated School) students. They were Eli Bruce, Philip Ghazel, Lily Huffstodt, and Carly McNulty. (Justyn Rath was not present.)

The piece of printed parchment may have meant more to them than it will to some of Orcas High School’s class of 2010 simply because it didn’t come easy.

“OASIS allows kids who are late types of people, like me, who want to come back and finish, or people who needed to go at a slower pace. It allows students to get the work done,” graduate Philip Ghazel told the Islands’ Sounder.

Ghazel, 21, has been living in Bellingham for the last four years and came back this summer to complete his secondary education through OASIS over the summer. Ghazel, who is currently taking general classes at Whatcom Community College, is leaning toward a psychology or education degree.

Ghazel admits it’s ironic that education may become his field of study after a circuitous path to graduation, but he finds systems of education, curriculum, people and relationships topics that have always interested him.

Through his own educational path Ghazel learned it’s important to teach students to develop their own ideas as well as how to study and get assignments done in the right learning environment for them.

Valedictorian Lily Huffstodt said OASIS made it possible for her to work and go to school at the same time.

“It helps a lot of kids get where they want to go,” Huffstodt said.

Graduating early, Huffstodt wants to eventually go to college and learn more about her interest, photography. At only 17 years old, Huffstodt has been taking photos for eight or nine years.

Huffstodt, who has juggled school, two jobs, and photography, is saving her money to travel. She’s thinking of Canada, Hawaii, or England, but knows she wants to go “all over the place.”

The OASIS program has approximately 60 participants. There are many reasons why OASIS is the right choice for a student, including preference for family-based learning, medical conditions, employment to support themselves or their family, or to specialize in a non-traditional subject area.

Each OASIS learning plan is individualized allowing for subjects that are not regularly offered on the schedule, more challenging study for students who need a faster pace to stay engaged, slower pace for subjects that present difficulties, and General Equivalency Diploma preparation.

“It’s an opportunity to continue your education if you’re not finding a place in the regular high school,” OASIS learning plan consultant Jill Sherman said.

Huffstodt said OASIS teacher Marta Branch went out of her way to help her graduate.

“Marta has helped tons of people graduate. Everybody loves Marta. She actually helps people,” Huffstodt said.

Branch said OASIS is not for everyone, but it is great place for the non-traditional learner who understands the value of education. OASIS students quickly find the privilege of flexible attendance comes with the responsibility of completing all the work on their own.

“It’s ironic that they often feel that I have done so much for them, since often my role is really that of cheerleader. I tell them over and over that they can do this. I call and remind and nag and cajole and generally hold them accountable, and then they do it. And then they are incredibly inspired and energized,” Branch said.

Branch’s favorite part of the commencement ceremony is hearing what education has meant to the individual students.

“All of the students have the opportunity to speak. When they do, they tend to blow us away,” Branch said. “They find that adult self within, whom they will count on for the rest of their lives. This is very empowering and evident in their remarks and speeches. Best of all, they know that they can go and do whatever else is now in their heads to do.”