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POST
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court
Exchange students: Learning the language,
culture
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NHS graduation -- Celebrate |
Thousands turn out under threatening skies for the
annual rite of passage |
By Schellene
Clendenin, Newberg
Graphic reporter
E-mail Schellene at
sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com
|
Looking out over the 369 students preparing to graduate was like
watching the waves of a sea of blue and gold.
Students were chatty, hugging each other and teachers, most
laughing, some with moistened eyes, and talking about what they will
do during the summer.
In addition to being the largest class to graduate, the seniors
were the first to have met the increased graduation requirements in
math as well as the senior project, made mandatory this year.
Few students wore gold tassels, signifying that he or she was a
recipient of an honors diploma. Gray tassels meant they were members
of the honors society.
“It’s pretty ... awesome,” said honor student Ashley Anderson
before the ceremony. “I’m stoked.”
Nathan Anderson, also wearing the tassels and preparing to attend
Linfield College in the fall, agreed. “It’s exciting.
I’m definitely ready (to graduate), go to work and earn a lot of
money.”
A couple were more blunt about their expectations.
“I’m glad it’s over,” said James Wolfer. Wolfer will return to
school in the fall at George Fox University.
Cassie Woldridge agreed. “I’m happy I don’t ever have to see
this school again. I’m moving to Montana.”
There were also feelings of sentiment from others attending the
ceremony, including teachers past and present.
Anne Kern returned to Newberg High School to walk with students she
had taught from the time when they were freshmen. Kern resigned her
position as a chemistry teacher at NHS last year to return to school
for a doctorate program in science education at the University of
California at San Diego. There a five-hour organic chemistry exam
has given her a new respect for the students at NHS.
“It’s easier to give a test than to take one,” she laughed. “I
didn’t realize how spoiled I was with these kids. This year has been
an interesting one for me. I learned a lot about how kids think.”
Students still e-mail Kern, and she said she enjoys receiving the
tidbits of news. “It keeps me in touch with reality.”
Returning to NHS has been bittersweet because she misses her
students and teaching so much. She even had to be reminded of all
the reasons not to return. She said she needed the closure: “I
needed to say goodbye.”
The graduation ceremony was also the last for science instructor
Randy Trani, who served as faculty speaker for the
event. Trani accepted a position as 7-12 grade principal for the
Corbett School District beginning in the fall.
Trani offered this advice to the graduating class: Do what you
ought to do, when it ought to be done, as it ought to be done,
whether you want to do it or not.
Soon enough the sound of the graduation march wafted through the
open doors of the gym and students and staff walked out to the Loren
Douglas Field to chairs lined up before a makeshift stage. Family
members and friends waved and shouted, tooting horns and whistling
as flashbulbs popped.
Music was provide by members of the graduating class, speeches were
given by school district superintendent Paula Radich and NHS
Principal Bill Smethurst and then the valedictorians’ presentation.
Dream, learn, love, change, friend, ambition, challenge, persevere
and renaissance was the message displayed by the dozen honor
students.
Trani’s speech kicked off the celebration, rising to the stage to
tell his last story. He was once young like them, he told them;
smart like them, good looking like them and now leaving like them —
only it took Trani five years to learn enough to leave.
“It’s always sad when the kids leave,” Trani said. But, he added,
there is also the feeling of accomplishment as a teacher.
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From
June 16,
2004, Newberg Graphic
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