Nikiski Middle/High School graduates 31 students

Under the painted gaze of snarling Nikiski bulldogs, Nikiski Middle/High School’s 31-student graduating class entered the college health club Monday night holding white lilies whereas the college band carried out “Pomp and Circumstance.” While households and buddies seemed on, graduates made their solution to the entrance of the health club to rejoice their tutorial achievements.

Student Body President Madalyn Stichal gave the ceremony’s opening remarks, throughout which she urged her fellow classmates to imagine in themselves and shared that her apprehension about graduating had become pleasure in regards to the future. Stichal mentioned her friends have helped her change into the particular person she is at present and that she is trying ahead to seeing what all of them obtain.

“As students and friends, we have made many memories together, many good and some bad, most of which we can now look back on and laugh,” Stichal mentioned. “We went through so much during the past decade … despite the fighting, we never hesitated to have each other’s backs. I consider myself lucky that I met you all and to be a part of the strong bond we have created.”

Also in attendance Monday have been Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Director of Information Services Eric Soderquist, faculty board member Patti Truesdell and faculty board member Jason Tauriainen, who represents Nikiski.

Class Valedictorian Levi Anderson carried out a rendition of John Mayer’s “Stop This Train” and mentioned he’s struggled this yr with the excessive expectations he’s placed on himself. Now, he mentioned he’s specializing in simply being himself, despite the fact that he’s undecided what that “self” appears like but.

“If you constantly make decisions based on what you think other people want you to do, you’ll never be satisfied in life,” Anderson advised graduates.

In his graduation tackle, Nikiski Middle/High School instructor Jesse Bjorkman — who was chosen by the category of 2022 to talk — drew laughs from the group. Bjorkman inspired graduates to go ahead in life with kindness of their hearts, to be humble of their pursuits and to by no means surrender simply because one thing is tough.

“You guys, it’s been my pleasure to teach all of you,” Bjorkman mentioned. “There’s immense creativity, will and drive in all of your class. All of you are gifted with some amazing gifts, skills, tools and abilities.”

Class Salutatorian Rylee Ellis mentioned she felt pressured to go away Alaska or to attend a four-year college after commencement, however that neither choice was engaging to her. She mentioned she’s staying in Alaska and goes by means of a web-based program to get her profession diploma as a veterinary assistant.

“I’ve learned more than ever this year, that whatever makes me happy is the right choice,” Ellis mentioned. “ … You know what’s best for you and that’s the beautiful thing about life: We have the ability to choose for ourselves. Sometimes what we choose may not be the right choice, but we live and learn.”

Nikiski Middle/High School’s 2022 graduation ceremony may be streamed in full on the college’s Facebook web page.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

Graduates

Levi Anderson VH

Emiliana Britton

Jane Churchill

Emily Durfee *

Camry Ellis

Hannah Ellis

Rylee Ellis S

Ayden Fleming

Jordyn Flynn

Shylea Freeman

Rory Gilmartin *

Lucas Graham

Simon Grenier

Patrick Henry

McKinlee Jeffreys

Kellee Martin

Preston Moore

Ashton Morris

Sammariah Napoka

Alen Nelson

Dyson Nelson

Ethan Nelson

Matthew Parazoo

Alexander Ross

Ava Sonderland

Madalyn Stichal *H

Wyatt Stormer

Jaycee Tauriainen

Ariel VanZandt

William Warren

Jade Williams

——

Key:

* – National Honor Society, gold cords

V – Valedictorian

S – Salutatorian

H – Honors diploma, silver cords