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Valedictorians, top sports athletes and biggest class clowns will undoubtedly have lasting memories of their high school days, but none of them compare to Nicky Collet.

When Collet moved her tassel from one side of her cap to the other at River City Academy's commencement on May 20, she became the first graduate in school history to do so.

Collet was the first -- and only -- RCA graduate for the class of 2009.

"We couldn't ask for a better graduate," said Gregg Wilbanks, RCA principal. "It's going to be an easy reunion for Nicky to put together in 20 years," he joked.

During the ceremony, which was held in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly chambers, Wilbanks announced Collet will receive a nearly $11,000 scholarship to be used at any one of University of Alaska's 16 campuses.

Collet said she first plans on attending Kenai Peninsula College to get her mechanical technology certificate. Collet said she also wants to pursue a tattoo artist apprenticeship.

"She's an amazing artist," said Tad DeGray, a science and language arts teacher at RCA. Two pieces of artwork Collet created while in school were presented to her at graduation.

"I'm honestly glad to be done," Collet said. "It's definitely going to be sad. I actually enjoyed school."

Collet transferred to RCA from Soldotna High School in January of 2008. She said SoHi had too many cliques for her. The decision to transfer was a good one.

"It turned out to be the coolest school ever," Collet said.

Collet said the individual attention from teachers is what she liked -- and will miss -- most about her time at RCA. Teachers weren't seen as just teachers but friends, Collet said.

Formerly Peninsula Optional High School, RCA focuses on project-based learning and self-structured activities. The school opened in 2007.

When Collet transferred, she came with 15 of 22 credits needed to graduate from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. After just 51 weeks at RCA, Collet graduated with 33 credits.

"She has a high school career and a half," Wilbanks said. "That is absolutely incredible."

Wilbanks said Collet was a tremendous role model for other RCA students.

"She always did (her schoolwork) with a pleasant, upbeat, can-do attitude," he said. "I can't say enough good things."

Collet said she'd like to leave her underclassmen with this thought: "Keep in there, you'll get your work done."