After a ceremony filled with song, speeches and the cheers of friends and family, 172 Soldotna High School graduates received diplomas Tuesday night.
The ceremony at the Soldotna Sports Complex provided its share of emotional moments.
Graduate Koby Vinson gave a soulful performance of “River and Roads” by The Head and the Heart. Byron Weeks, a six-year Soldotna High science teacher who has nearly three decades of teaching experience, offered words of inspiration and a few jokes during the ceremony’s keynote speech.
Four students were named as valedictorians — Ethan Bott, Melia Miller, John-Mark Pothast and Jode Sparks. Cody Quelland earned the honor of salutatorian.
With hats decorated with flowers and glitter — some declaring their future intentions, others with words of wisdom or slogans — the 2018 graduates waited nervously to mark the end of an era. They laughed, horsed around with friends and adjusted their robes — occasionally stopping for a moment to peer out the window at the line of well wishers outside.
“I’m a little overwhelmed,” Kirsten Cornelius said. “I’m just happy that I’m graduating.”
Cornelius began attending Soldotna High in 10th grade, after relocating from California. She said she’ll miss friends, but is looking forward to the next phase of her life. “I’m nervous, excited. Ready to be out of school,” she said.
Although she’s not sure if she’ll stay in Alaska or return to California, Cornelius hopes to study cosmetology wherever she ends up. She also had a few words of advice for those still on their way to graduation.
“Make sure you do your work. And stay on track.”
Shyann Jones and Loyse Pavis stood together, fixing their gowns and talking. A foreign exchange student from France, Pavis plans to return to her home country after graduation. She called her experience in Alaska “wonderful,” and said she will miss the friends she’s made here. Pavis plans on pursuing a career in law enforcement, and hopes to become a police officer.
Jones expressed nervousness, although hers stemmed from a more practical concern. “I’m scared I’m going to fall.”
She plans on studying art, although she’s not sure where yet. “I want to be a tattoo artist.”
Selby Hill, Kiernan Escott and Kealey Hendricks built a special bond during their time at Soldotna High. The three were in the first class of ninth graders at Soldotna Prep School.
“I’m glad we got to graduate with this awesome group of people,” Escott said.
Escott plans on working over the summer before heading to college in Idaho in the fall. She’s still unsure of what she wants to study, and plans on exploring the different classes.
“I have some ideas, nothing set yet,” she said.
Hendricks plans on attending Colorado State University, where she’ll major in biology with an eye on joining the medical profession.
“It’s emotional but I’m excited, happy but sad all at once. I’m excited to see new things but I’m also sad to leave Alaska,” she said.
Hill is going on mission with her church after she graduates, but plans on heading to college after that.
“I’m excited. I’m very excited. I don’t think I’m sad yet,” Hill said. “I think I’ll be sad in a couple days, but right now I’m excited.”
Reach Erin Thompson at ethompson@peninsulaclarion.com.
Soldotna High School Class of 2018
Kellie Jean Arthur
Sarah Laraine Baktuit
Bodie Charles Bergonzini
Rylee Lou Blakemore-Tester
Shayla Marie Blischke
Emily Braham Books
Ethan Michael Bott
Ashlyn Marie Branning
Tovia E. Bremond-Hilton
Gage Andrew Burns (Hankins)
Megan Dayle Calloway
Tristan Jacob Palacay Chavez
Caroline Youn Soo Cho
Cally May Christianson
Zackary A. Clark
Dominique Victoria Conner
Kristen Alexandria Cornelius
Silvestre Marcus Crampton
Brandon Daniel Crowder
Jessica Inez Davis
Darrion Ann Derflinger
Noah Briley Deutsch
JuliAnn Sage DiLucchio
Erin Jessie Dobbs
Preston Oliver Doucet
Nicholas James Edwards
Madisen C. Elder
Elijah Hunter Elsey
Austen Lars Eriksson
Kiernan Lee Escott
Zena Marina Esmailka
Derek Joseph Evans
Meeka Ivy Nyasia Exum
Megan L. Fenton
Conner Marion Fowler
Tara Lynn Frates
Brenner Jon Furlong
Jeremiah David Garcia
Tyreke Lee Gilbert
Korie Michelle Gilmore
Gavin Reilly Goggia
Rafael Gonzalez Jr.
Grace Ryan Graham
Andrew Connor Gross
Patrick Michael Gross
William John Gross
Christian Tyler Hames
Alice Han
Brady William Hanson
Melia Sarah Harding
Kealey Nicole Hendricks
Joseph Alan Hensley
Chelsey Marie Hernandez
Selby Autumn Hill
Cory Lee Hinz
John Raymond Holland
Adara Nicole Hollon
Sonya Kay Houser
Michael Allen Hughes
Delaney Jane Johnson
Shyann Dakota Jones
Curtis Joseph Kanakis
Cameron Freeborn Ketah
Quintin Douglas Kimball
Madeline Anne Kindred
Javan George King
Anthony Lee Kitson
Colter Richard Landeis
Jeremiah Jonathan Lindemann
Elizabeth Ree Lisenby
Anthony Francis Long
Myra Jade Love
Eli Jacob Lovelace
Jake Loran Marcuson
Anna Marie Martin
Kamala Danae Martin
Mariamiya Domnina Martushev
Sarah Anne McConnell
Savannah Morganmarie McDonald
Tyler Zachary McDonald
Samuel Joseph McElroy
Mathphia Russelvich McEntire
Kelly Gayle McKamy
Sean Elijah McMullen
Brittney Clarice McNeil
Loren Michael Melovedoff
Jordan Alexander Merrill
Maguire L. Merriman
Richard Bechler Metcalf
Charles Patrick Meyer
Kamry Ella Meyer
Chase A. Miller
Melia Lokelani Miller
Cody Dalton Moore
Garret Nathaniel Moore
Tehya Marrie Naylor
Cole Ryan Nelson
Angel Daniel Nelson-Estrada
Cody William Nill
Hannah Nicole Noyes
Portia Soleil Padilla
Anna Rose Petersen
Wessley Richman Petrovich
Emily Anne Pieh
Josep Carles Pons-Vives
John-Mark Dennis Pothast
Caley Elise Presley
Cody Scott Quelland
Tanner Douglas Raney
Solomon Sage Rasch
Austin Jackson Reeves
Ian Thomas Reger
Sierra Mishell Reid
Michael Eugene Reutov
Tyler Clark Reynolds
Katie Lynne Richmond
Delaney Renee Risley
Trenton Wesley Robinson
Andrea Rodriguez
Jesse Michael Rogde
Jedd Warren Rood
Joseph (Tre) Leon Rybak
Logan Lee Schrader
Jared Dakota Sears
Eli McElroy Sheridan
Brennan Juan Antonio Slats
Logan Patrick Smith
John Clayton Smithwick
Jode Ryder Sparks
Taylor Lynn Speakman
Caleb James Spence
Vanessa A. Steiner
Ella Francesca Stenga
Braden Thomas Stigall
Mikala Marie Song Swedberg
Alaina Rose Swensen
Brooke Elizabeth Tapia
Kevin Eugene William Tautfest
Braeden Lowe Tennis
Hunter Dean Thompson
Luke Alexander Trammell
Taha Cheyeanne Trigg
Haiden Thomas Tryon
Wendell E. Tuisaula
Catherine Sierra Turner
Chance Michael Turvin
Rebekah Ruth Van Hout
Sean Aron Verg-In
Koby Wayne Vinson
Cheyenne Rose Vroman
Autumn Diane Waggoner
Hannah Grace Wells
Jillyan Kae White
Hailey Kristin Wilkinson
Cody Russell Willis
Taler Thomas Willson
Michayl Hazen Wilshusen
Benjamin Adam Wilson
Andrew Byron Winslow
Savannah D. Wolfe
Whitney Paige Wortham
Denali Nicole Wurst
Connor Keidel Yarnes
A graduate listens to a musical performance during the Soldotna High School commencement at the Soldotna Sports Complex on Tuesday. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A graduate listens to a musical performance during the Soldotna High School commencement at the Soldotna Sports Complex on Tuesday. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A graduate listens to a musical performance during the Soldotna High School commencement at the Soldotna Sports Complex on Tuesday. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
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