Class Acts: Graduation 2022

Graduation

Springfield | Creswell | Cottage Grove | Pleasant Hill

■ Senior portraits

■ Coverage of ceremonies

■ Superlatives and scholarships

20 22

Thursday, June 23, 2022

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AB UT E C VER

e Chronicle a ended six gradua on ceremonies in June, and our photographers covered the events om Spring eld to Creswell to Co age Grove. Bradley Cook captured our cover photo during urston High School's ceremonies, delivering a compelling photo that captures the iumph of gradua on for a class that has endured a global pandemic duringits career.

STAFF

Noel Nash Publisher

Erin Tierney

Lillian Sta ord

Ron Hartman

Dana Merryday Writers

Bradley Cook Bobby Stevens

Bob Williams Photographers

Amy Saling Turner

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Springfield High School

VALEDICTORIANS

Ashley Bakker

Katie Anderson

Melia Cook

Addison Sattler

Ryan Hinton

SALUTATORIANS

Braeden Reynolds

Jordan Pageau

Madelyn Nover

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Kazia Franklin

Kellen Bond

Bailey Posey

Chase Sattler

Sydney Sattler

Dylan Swearingen

Carlos Vasquez Lopez

Braiden Summers

Isabel Ilia

Melody Lopez-Tellez

Andrew Harwood

Pamela Gomez

Looking onward toward the crowd – be it in bleachers, fold-up chairs or auditorium seats – eyes squinted and smiles widened as the Classes of 2022 locked eyes with their loved ones, all beaming with pride om a milestone well-earned.

Ron O erstedt, re red Spring eld educator, took to the stage at Silke Field last week to celebrate Spring eld High grads.

He said that for most of the graduating classes, the road to gradua on was like being on a eeway: “S aight, fast, maybe a pothole or two, but essen ally an easy ride. Other classes took a detour or two along the way … but you, you’ve been o -roading,” he said. “ e last few years were hard. You had to relearn how to learn. I had to relearn how to teach. It was a constant s uggle to adapt to changing rules and expecta ons.” But those challenges will reap even greater successes, he said.

– Erin Tierney

Photos by Bobby Stevens

Springfield High School Graduates

Brianna Abreu

Jada Abron-Hylton

Elijah Gregory Agee

LillYana Aguilar-Rucker

Josseline Alarcon Lara

Esperanza Maria Alejandre

JorgeDaniel Alfaro Garcia

Jimena Alvarado-Candelas

Cristian Alexander Alvarez-Alvarado

Charlie Dee Aman-Wilde

Priscilla Ancheta

Katie Lynn Anderson

Daphney Arambula

Mercy Victoria Arellano-Kennedy

Melanie Marie Arzaga

JesseJo Austin-Chicarino

Kyle Raymond Babcock

Ashley PriyaBakker

Baldomero Balcazar

Guadalupe Viridiana Baltazar Hernandez

Sunnshine Star Barnett

Erica Marie Bartlow

Joshua T. Barto

Edgardo Bautista Gallardo

Kylen Thomas Bell

Payton Mackenzie Berona

Jentry Joseph Bethel

Amanda Jane Beyerlin

Aidan Carroll Boals

Margaret Grace Boggs

KellenDouglas Bond

Angieleen T. Bordeos

Sara Murphy Boucher

Jayden Odell Bounds

Victoria Tegen Boyst

Gavin Michael Branch

Katelyn Michelle Branson

Caprice Bumstead

Andrew Sato Burris

Jennifer Carlos-Sandoval

Cesar Carlos Arellano

Tatyana Jene Carr-Mitchell

Jennifer Ceja Batres

Zack Barkley Chace

Diego Nicolas Chacon

Madelyn Hope Chappell

Ailee Elle Charlton

Edith Camila Chirinos

Kya Anne Cline

Jackson Caleb Coats

Sebastian Thomas Cochrane

Emily Rose Cockrell

Jordan Adam Cockrell

Jaden Lee Cole

Meaghen Dela Luz

Amberly Cole

Gavin Scott Colter

Melia Christine Cook

Chloe Elizabeth Cooper

Jayden Daniel Crain

Alexis Cruz

Adian Tyler D'Agostino

TJ Von Daniel

Shealynn Christine Davis

Joshua Keinth De Leon

Isabelle Mardie DeLeon-Howarth

Rowan Delara

Kaiden Joseph Delatorre

Christopher Steavenson Deras

Nathan Fernando Deras

Lucas Montara Devine

Liam Anthony Dixon

Piper Ffiona Edwards Sugg

Hollie E Elliott

Shakiya Ellison

Ryan Scott Evangelho

Mazith Savas Evans

John Albert Fallenstein

Felix Alex Farias

Samia Fentress

Aimee Ferrell

Clayton A Fisher

Conner J Fisher

Izaiah Jaze Fisher

Kazia Breann Franklin

Larissa L Frey

Tanner Ray Gaffney

Morgan Daniel Gallardo

McKenzie Anne Galloway

Sarai Galvan

Joshua David George

Andy German Hernandez

Perla Lucero German-Hernandez

Slade Nicholas Gilbert

AarunNikolas Gilman

Avrilla Serene Giron-Unger

IsabelC Goldstrand

Pamela Gomez-Morales

Isai Gomez-Villanueva

Fernando David Gonzalez

Jose Gonzalez Figueroa

Alex Gonzalez Lopez

Rachel Gordillo Valdiviezo

Ava Jean Gore

Olivia Elise Greene

Luka Dean Griffin

Kevin Owen Guard

Ali Yael Gutierrez

Isabela Angelina Habana

Irelie Faith Hammerquist

Andrew Isaiah Harwood

Chloé Jane Heckard

Jeremy William Hendricks

Colton Joshua Herman

Angelica Gloria Hernandez

Maria Victoria Hernandez

Meliza Angela Hernandez

Sarah Mariah Hernandez

Lilli Amara-Janet Hiestand

Brayden Alexander Hilderbrand

Anthony Michael Hill

Ryan William Lin Hinton

Chelsie Noelle Hodgins

Anthony Steven Hoffman

Maleena Chantha'jone Hogan

Chase W Houlihan

Olivia Marie Huss

Isabelle Victoria Ilia

Ryan Iosbaker

Lisako Jekkar

Katherine Darline Jensen

Desiree Jimenez

Zoe Grace Johnson

Alex Lane Jones

Emily Elizabeth Jones

Emma Nicole Jones

Honei Danette Jones

Ruth Cierra C. Jones

Cameron Analynn Jorkan

Peter Joseph Keith

Connor Edward Kelley

Shyann Marie Kephart

Makyla E Killingbeck

Talon Russell Klopp

Springfield High School Graduates

Jaime Lea Koltai

Ethan Michael LaBrasseur

Karla Mari Lackey-Evangelista

Evan Niel Laudati

Dylan Lister

Quentin Avery Lister

Kailyn Colleen Loper

Mia Elizabeth Lopez-Garcia

Ruby Lopez

Jillian Marie Lunyou

Emily Marie Machleit

Tino Carlos Macias

Emily Alaina Magill

Keeli Makala Martin

Jairo Martin Lorenzo

Diego E Hernan Martinez

Gabriela Martinez-Contreras

Adriana Martinez-Villalvazo

Jaya Joel Nicholas Mattes

Louise E Mazet

Rori McCaffrey

Kristal L McCracken

Quentin James McDonald

Kate Leonis McGlynn Myrick

Hunter Michael McKinney

Delaney Nicole McLaughlin

Jahi Demarious McLaughlin

Yessica Mejia Gonzalez

Kevin Mendez Canchola

Tyler Andrew-Stephen

Merideth-Loveall

Christopher C Michael

Laurel Marie Michna

Luke Owen Moon

Victoria Morales

Karla Daisy Moreno Calvo

Olivia Grace Morgan-Urie

Victoria Anne Mowder

Nolan Avery Mower

Dylan Michael Napier

Benjamin Nathan

Michael James Newell

Amirah Makayla Nohrenberg

Andrew Lee Nohrenberg

Madelyn Renee Nover

Cristian Leonardo Nunez-Ochoa

Ira Emma Leigh Madison Obregon

Julissa Ochoa-Alvarado

Alexis Jasmine Oelke

Eric Anson Olson

Ashan Wynter O'Neil

Carmen Estefania Ortiz

Le Lani Janae Ortiz-Elliott

Cassandra Osornio Madrigal

Amanda Jane Ostrander

Samuel James Oviatt

Angel Adrian Padilla Lopez

Jordan Marie Pageau

Ayona Dawn Patrick

Mackenzi River-Marie Phillips

Maria Destiny Platt

Cody Michael Plumlee

Cody Xander Pohl

Madison Marie Pope

Bailey Jo Posey

Paris Y'vone Raya Price

Lillyann Beth Quackenbush

Havan Nicole Ragan

Santi Ramirez

Iris Anaid Ramirez-Alvarez

Koda Rancourt

Natalie Raelynn Rawson

Evelyn Rochelle Razo Sanchez

Malita Reese

Sara Regalado Moreno

Gisselle Monique Reyes

Braeden Isaiah Reynolds

Lucas Rain Richardson

Katarina Lee Richmond

Gustavo Javier Rivera Chavez

Keyana Rain Roberson

Jasmine Robertson

Ofelia MagaliRoblero Morales

Cesar Rodriguez Romo

Kiana Elena Rodriguez-Row

Jeremy Nathan Romero

Xavier Sean Kittrell

Eric Ruede

Holly Salic Barillas

Amelia Victoria Sanchez

Jose Manuel Sanchez-Delgado

Diana Santiago

Sierra Noelani Santiago

Martin Yovani Santiago Lopez

Addison Jillian Sattler

Chase Scott Sattler

Sydney Sattler

Arwen Alexandria Schlueter

Tohtehl Franklin Reid Scott

Janery Marisol Servin Duran

Sabrina Mozell Louise Shaddon

Erik James Sherman

Adriana Dawn Smith

Justin Cash Smith

Koleby Allyn Smith

Makena Smith

PJ Smith

Elijah Thomas Snyder

Charity Luv Elexis Sparks

Kimberly Jo Bernadine Spriet

Jessica Anne Springsteel

Lilly Ann Stechelin

Silas James Sterup

Alex Lynn Stevenson

Olivia Emma Stewart

Dravan Riely Stone

Andrew M Stroud

Braiden John Summers

Dylan Scott Swearingen

Mahealani Ruta Te'o

Mason Lee Teuscher

Aurora Munoz Thompson

Valentin Lyle Tiburcio

Jacob PatrickTremarche

Jesstin Matthew Troute

Deisy Urenda

Juan Carlos Valdes Linares

Sergio Antonio Valenzuela

Anahi Valladolid-Sandoval

Hazel Van Ummersen

Kaiden Chase VanEtten

Carlos Rafael Vasquez Lopez

Zachary Vega

Jordan Vega-Seaman

Suly Maribel Velasquez

Santiago Velazquez

Aaron Sinclair Vest

Noemi Madrigal

Navjot Singh Virdhi

Chelse RoseLee Ward

Lillix Ann Ward

Colin Robert Warner

Jacquelyn Eloisa Weathers

Zane Richard Webb

Isaiah Israel Whaley-Arias

Alexis Elizabeth Whittlesey

Kaleb Gordon Woods

Thurston High School

By RYLEIGH NORGROVE Ryleigh@Chronicle1909.com

On a drizzly Saturday a ernoon, the urston High School Colts donned red and black “epic umbrellas” to fend o the rain. No ma er the weather, students were all smiles as the graduates took the stage.

Drew Benne is one of urston’s valedictorians, to her, the whole ceremony felt “bi ersweet.” “When I think of urston High, I think about iendship. I would go to the football games or spend me with my iends here. It’s a lot of really good memories here,” Benne said.

e ceremony took place at the new urston Athle cs Stadium, with family members and iends lling the stands. And unlike the last two years of zoom school, “real pants were involved.”

“Now be honest, raise your hand if you ever turned your camera on!” eshman English teachers Robin Erickson and Erica Peirson said, while giving the keynote address – only a few hands went up.

e pair likened the urston High Class of ’22 to Odysseus on his grand adventure across the Aegean Sea. ey were admi edly surprised they were chosen to speak at commencement, they said. “ e uth of the ma er is that we were tough on you. But so is high school. In plain fact, as we heard om your ASB and

class presidents and vice presidents today, the last four years have been an odyssey for you, and your last normal year was with us,” Peirson said.

Like Odysseus, the urston High School seniors underwent “lotus moments” while resis ng the urge to binge-watch Ne lix during class, fought o “the one-eyed cyclops” zoom camera and eventually, “sailed home” to campus for senior year.

“You've endured a long and arduous journey to get to this moment,” said Erickson. “When we studied the Odyssey together, we worked to answer the ques on of whether the champion is a heroic person or not? In the end you are each the hero of your own story. ere will never be another class like you. You are resilient, courageous, resourceful, smart. And although it took Odysseus 10 years to get back home a er his journey. You need to know that this house is your house. We are so honored to call you our heroes.”

VALEDICTORIANS

Madison Balcom

Drew Bennett

Auron Cramer

Rylee Custer

Kathrin Dorman

Kobe Edwards

Chaya Highfill

Kellen Humphries

James Lovdokken

Allison Westover

Liam Woodward

SALUTATORIAN

Luke Foshay

Micah McGillivray

Kaitlyn Moorhead

Photos by Bradley Cook

Thurston High School Graduates

Ellie Agajanian

Caidience Aguilar

Joshua Akerson

Lucas Aldous

Alekzander Ames

Lyndsey Anderson

Shaelie Anderson

Jillian Andrews

Ruby Arnold

Natalie Averill

Madelyn Backer

Jacob Baez

Colleen Bailey

Madison Balcom

Cole Barber

Victoria Baringer

Dakota Belk

Collin Bell

Drew Bennett

Isabella Bevans

Kaelynn Bishop

Tristan Bixby

Alyssa Blilie

Bailee Boardrow

Tuscany Bollman

Alex Boring

Josie Bridges

Nathan Brubaker

HayleyBrunscher

Lu Ella Brunton

Joshua Buller

Edgar Burboa Rodriguez

Logan Burket

Gus Burrell

Isabella Burrell

Regan Campbell

Isabella Cardone

Madelyn Carlton

Payten Carpenter

Quealey Carpenter

Teagan Carter

Karlie Cartwright

Morgan Casley

Noah Casteel

Keenan Castillo

Paris Chafin

Kodi Chapman

Delaney Cheesman

Landyn Chenoweth

Matthew Clay

Branton Clement

Devin Corgain

Max Cornelius

Charles Craig

Auron Cramer

Michelle Creech

Nolan Crist

Tanner Crosswhite

Cody Cruz

Evan Culp

Sophia Cummings

Rylee Custer

Kalista Daharsh

Tristan Daniluk

Samarah Davis

Avery Dawson

Jeydan Deflyer

Keannan Deleon Guerrero-Bowditch

Brandon DeLuna

Arden Dersham

Grace Dillon

Kenidee Dinkheller

Taylee Dixon

Tyler Doolittle

Kathrin Dorman

Ethan Dotson

Brooke Downs

Kacen Dyson

Kobe Edwards

Owen Efseaff

James Fay

Alexandra Ferguson

Haylee Ferguson

Lucas Fetters-Meyer

Tesa Fisher

Logan Fletcher

Isaiah Flores

Syrus Flores

Sean Forceskie

Luke Foshay

Avery Fuller

William Gamble

Benjamin Genthner

Brooke Gillaspie

Damon Gongora-Davis

Natalie Gonzalez

Anahi Gonzalez Duarte

Malika Gradall

Nathaniel Griffiths

Emalee Grissom

Luis Guzman-Cornejo

Carson Hall

Jonathan Hall

Jackson Harris

Hunter Harwood

Ryan Hiaasen

Chaya Highfill

Mason Hill

Ryan Hoskins

Isabelle Howard

Aidan Howe

Alex Huaracha-Canchola

Jocelyn Hubbs

Cherokee Huck-Chance

Emily Huff

Kellen Humphries

Sophia Humphries

Dakota Imponen

Summer Jacaway

Alex Jackson

Johnathan James

Daisy Jennings

Ty Johnson

Alyssa Jordan

Brianna Jovel-Lopez

Katie Judson

Riyen Kauffman

Anthony Kearns

Haley Kester

Coy Kistner

Lily Klews

Braedon Klutschkowski

Gavin Knights

Rylan Koozer

Dylan Kranzush

Erik Lane

Paris Lange

Madison Laurell

Gavin Levesque

Shelbi Lillingston

Bryson Lindsay

Devon Liu, Isaac Lopez

Jaiden Lopez

James Lovdokken

Flipping out

Chronicle photographer Bradley Cook captured Thurston HS senior Tony-Younger Standifer celebrating his degree.

Thurston High School Graduates

Kayla Luquez

Sierra Martin

Kyrin Mason

Eduardo Matheus

David Mayberry-Doyle

Trinity McBride

Micah McGillivray

William McGinnis

Aisling McMullen

Leo Mendelssohn

Berlyn Merrick

Alydia Metz

Ashley Metz

Ty Meyer

Anthony Middleton

Easton Miller

Seth Miller

Nehemia Mmari

Paige Montano

Sophia Montgomery

Kaitlyn Moorhead

Emma Motsinger

Dani Nelson

Jacob Newell

Gabriel Ngariki

Justin Noble

Brooklyn Omlid

Cruz Ortiz

Abigail Oshins

John Osorio

Evelyn Osorio-Villada

Lane Palahniuk

Chasity Panko

Shye Parsch

Kate Paskett

Lynlee Patrick

Trevor Patterson

Christopher Patton

Casson Pearson

Skyler Peckels-St. Onge

Desmond Pelroy

Miguel Perez

Javier Perez Roman

Fredrick Phillips

Hayley Pitt

Autumn Prieto

Ethan Putnam

Lluvia Ramos Cabrera

Broc Rasmussen

Dakota Rausch

Autumn Rayfield

Abagail Reeves

Justin Reno

Kevin Reyna

Khalil Reynolds

Isaac Ritter

Dafne Rivera

Larissa Rivera

Sylvana Robinson

Alex Roldan

Briana Roman

Jovani Romero-Alvarado

Emily Rothrock

Jordynn Russell

Jacob Rutherford

Lucia Sade

Jefferson Savage

Bailey Schleicher

Trevor Schmidt

Rhylie Sevits

Breydon Simmons

Gabriel Sinniger

Hannah Sinsabaugh

Logan Slonecker

Hannah Smith

Jefferson Smith

Megan Smith

Kaylee Sparks

Courtney Spencer

Cane Spicer

Jacob Spoon

Anjulina St Clair

Nyole Stack

Bailey Stafford

Hailey Standifer

Tony-Younger Standifer

Grayson Starck

Griffin Stehr

Amber Stephens

Dylan Stephens

Cheyanne Stewart

Averie Stockwell

Lucas Stutesman

Kaci Sumnall

Kat Tabor

Sirivimol Taemvong

Madelyn Thomas

Emma Thompson

Sawyer Thompson

Leanna Thornton

Courtney Tiernan

Wyatt Tiller

Wiley Toy

Duncan Trenary

Jasmyne Turner

Freya Vickoren

Sara Wadley

Olivia Wages

Mieli Ward

Robert Warnick

Brooklynn Werder

Allison Westover

Maile White

Palmer Wiedenmann

Kianah Wilkes

Jordan Wilkinson

Elijah Williams

Isabella Willis

Nancy Wingo

Ryan Wipfel

Dominick Wolf

Desmon Wood

Liam Woodward

Rhoman Ybarra

Photos by Bradley Cook

By RON HARTMAN Ron@Chronicle1909.com

CRESWELL – Years om now, the 2022 Creswell High School Gradua on Ceremony will be remembered for its “Perfect 10” group of honorees.

There wasn’t just a two- or three-way tie for valedictorian honors, there was a 10-way deadlock!

“ ey all took advanced-placement classes, and they just all happen to be girls,” academic adviser Mona S er said of the 10 girls who nished with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

She said the excellent grades were no surprise.

“We knew when they came in as eshmen that they were all really good in middle school,” S er said. “I think they set their mind to do this, and they did it.”

The 10 valedictorians – Abbe Grubbs, Addeline Garzanelli, Gabby Halgren, Lilly Heltman-Hogg, sisters Emma Kersgaard and Julianne Kersgaard, Karinna Leonard, Emma Maness, Emme Whitson and Emily McGuire, along with salutatorian Cassidy King.

See CRESWELL – 15

Photo by Bob Williams

Creswell High School Graduates

Corbin Allison

Gregorio Castro

Cristina Duenas-Alvarado

Yelitza GonzalezGonzalez Tayla Hahne

Aidan Higgins

Grace Bagenski

Adilene Cortez-Vargas

Emmye Fetters Logan Gordon

Jurny Halverson

Sophia Janezic

Abigail Booher

Cheyanne Cross

Reece Germen

Kyle Guthrie

Audrey Hecker

Julianna Kersgaard

Kendra Anthony

Julianna Colunga

Zachery Esgate

Harmony Goodman

Gabriella Halgren

Angel Jaime-Ruiz

Connor Baggerly

Anthony Cox

Adeline Garzanlli

Abbe Grubbs

McKenzie Harrold

Emma Kersgaard

Tyler Brainard

Ki'ala Cruz

Tyler Goertzen

Hannah Gwaltney

Lilliann Heltman-Hogg

Cassidy King

Gonzalo Cardenas

Raina Davis

Ivan Gonzalez

McKenzie Hager

Chance Hemenway

Carter Kruger

Creswell High School Graduates Creswell High School Graduates

Lily Lamm

Gavin Mallory

Spencer Ocumpaugh

Jayden Pratt

Colton Spence

Caden Walker

Arian Lawson

Camrin Marple

Savanna Oliver

Naizak Rainwater Ayden Stubbs

Noah LeMay

Emily McGuire

Nola Perez

Kaitlyn Robinett

Caleb Wiktorowski

Joseph Lanz

Emma Manes

Jakob Odell

Samantha Racelis

Evan Stephens

Kira Weigel

Chance Leach

Leona Marquess

Cody Pellerin

Blake Reece

Amalia Torres

Emme Whitson

Johnathan Lenhard

Johana Vasquez-Reyes

Beau Welch-Whitehorse

Genesis Velasquez-Vasquez

Kira Miller

Anan Perry

Kendyl Seiber

Jordan Williams

Karinna Leonard

Nicole Murphy

Wyatt Petrasek

Andrew Smathers

Benjamin Walker

Creswell High School

CRESWELL continued from 12

“It’s awesome to share this honor,” Addie said.

“It’s great to graduate with all of my iends and to see them all succeed as well,” Leonard said.

Leonard has been especially ght with Grubbs, Halgren, Maness and Whitson. ey all played basketball throughout school (even though Grubbs had to sit out her senior

season with a back injury).

So how about THAT for an achievement? All ve seniors on the basketball team share valedictorian honors.

Creswell girls basketball coach Tyler Hollingsworth, naturally, took none of the credit for the girls’ achievement.

“Whenever somebody gets a ‘B,’ we stop prac ce and have study hall,”

the coach deadpanned. “Nah, these girls have always been mo vated to succeed, on and o the court.”

As the 10 valedictorians posed together for pictures after the ceremony, they answered in unison how they were able to survive 2022:

“We all s uggled together and helped each other, and we cried together a lot.”

Photos by Bob Williams

CAPPING

Photos by Bradley Cook, Bob Williams, Bobby

CAPPING

IT OFF

Bobby Stevens, and Cee Cee Plummer

Academy of Arts & AcademicsGraduates

Alexander Watts

Seamus Oran Marx Skyleigh Mae McKibben

Sophia Thorne Maranda Surya Joyous Miller

Amber Williams Casper Robinson

Hailey Ember Knapp Imani Kamaria Bradley

Kalel Roen Atomic Chester

Orion Benson Sanders Persimmons L. Petersen

Kaysha M. Cockrell

Josey Angelica Markehe

Nicole Grace Heurgue

Audrey McCarthy

Isabel Padilla

Leo Richards

Toviel Ezra Sapon-Borson

Amaru Palma

Calvin E. Hagedorn

Elsa A. Bell Ezra J. Myers

Kat Grubb

Paul Stearns

Anthony Archer

Chase Mainenti

Kevin Harris

Phoenix Graf

Ayeden Morningstar Whitworth Boone Cefaratti Gutierrez

Douglas Clayton Sabrowski

Eden Brooke Corona Edward Nohokaha Willers

Brandon Alexander Nelson

Reign Luxembourger Roan Hanft

Lilly McLaughlin

Josh Z. Shepler Sawyer Smith

Academy of Arts & Academics

By LILLIAN STAFFORD Lillian@Chronicle1909.com

e Academy of Arts and Academics

(A3) brought an ar s c air to graduaon season – the gowns may have been plain black but students showed o their s le and personali with decorated caps and fun footwear, one student was seen wearing bedazzled heeled boots, and another wearing iridescent pla orm shoes. Last ursday, 43 seniors om A3 walked across the gradua on stage, accompanied by the A3 jazz band’s rendi on of pomp and circumstance.

A3 is a unique school with its massive arts program and modest student body of just 180 students. During the ceremony senior speaker Elsa Bell gave a noteworthy and impassioned speech, calling to ac on her fellow graduates, “ ere will not be a tomorrow if we don’t change today,” Bell said. e speech s essed how the weight

of the world has been put on this generaon's shoulders, with so much poli cal s ain and climate uncertain . A er the ceremony, Bell said, “I was so honored to get to speak for my peers and make sure

See ACADEMY – 30

Winston Scapin

Zane Verdugo

Joshua J. Zyah

Photos by Bob Williams

Academy of Arts & Academics

Senior superlatives

ELSA BELL

HONORS: Elsa Bell is the daughter of Nathan Bell. She is a Liberal Arts Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. She has been accepted to the University of Oregon and Oregon State University and has been placed on the waiting list for Reed College. She plans to study at Lane Community College as an emergency medical technician. While in high school, Elsa has obtained nine college credits through our College Now program, and classes at Lane Community College. Elsa has been Stage Manager for A3's theater productions, WOHELO recipient for Camp Fire U.S.A., a Climate advocate and the A3 Yearbook director/creator. She was Student of the Month in September 2021. Finely Academic Excellence scholarship from the Oregon State University for 1,000 per year. She has received the Summit Scholarship from The University of Oregon for $4,000 per year renewable for 4 years; a value of $16,000.

KALEL CHESTER

HONORS: Kalel Chester is the son of Aaron Chester and Mitra Gruwell. He is a Media Arts Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. He has been accepted to the University of Oregon. While in high school, Kalel has obtained 29 college credits through our College Now program, and classes at Lane Community College. Kalel has taken classes that include: Math 97, Math 95, Math 111, Math 112, College Certified Internships, and Project Creation. During his junior year he interned for DISCARD Fashion where he did photography and video production. During his senior year he interned with Elevation Bouldering Gym, where he set boulders. He has received scholarships from the University of Oregon for $4,000 per year renewable for four years; a value of $16,000, PathWay Oregon from the University of Oregon covering all tuition and fees for four years, Eugene Rotary Club for $500 and Eugene Elks Society for $500.

EDEN CORONA

HONORS: Eden Corona is the daughter of Heather Corona and Tony Co-

rona. She is a Performing Arts Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. She has been accepted to Lane Community College. She plans to earn her prerequisites at Lane Community College and study Design at the University of Oregon.

BOONE GUTIERREZ

HONORS: Boone is the son of Pamela and Orestes. He is a STEM Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. He has been accepted to Oregon State University. He plans to study Engineering. Scholarship from Oregon State University and the Rotary Club for $3,500 per year renewable for four and one years; a value $12,500.

NICOLE HEURGUE

HONORS: Nicole Heurgue is the daughter of Shawna and Bruce Heurgue. She is a STEM and health major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. She has been accepted to: University of Oregon – Admission to Robert D. Clark Honors College, Oregon State University, Willamette University, Pacific University, University of Portland-Admission to the School of Nursing. She plans to study premed at the University of Oregon. While in high school, Nicole Heurgue has obtained 16 college credits, created the debate club and a part of the prom committee. During her senior year, she interned for Lucky Paws Rescue where she helped with cleaning, organizing, and assisting in dog surgeries. She was Student of the Month in December 2021. Scholarships from: University of Oregon – Summit Scholarship

$16,000 – four years; Oregon State University – Presidenial Scholarship

$16,000 – four years; Willamette University – Directors Scholarship

$22,500 – four years; Pacific University – Honors Scholarships $96,000 –four years; and University of Portland – Presidents Scholarship $96,000 –four years.

HAILEY KNAPP

Hailey Knapp is the daughter of Tracy Stafford and Jeff Knapp. She is a photography major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. She has been

accepted to Oregon State University, University of Oregon, Arizona State University, Otis College of Art and Design, and Montana State University. She plans to study Anthropology (with a focus on Art History) at Oregon State University. While in high school, Hailey has obtained 14 college credits through our College Now program and has run Debate Club, Theater Productions including Eurydice and Dracula, has been Head of Yearbook and a member of Maintenance Crew and she was Student of the Month November, 2021. She has been accepted to Otis Institutional Scholarship from Otis College of Art and Design for $12,000 per year renewable for 4 years; a value of $48,000. Achievement Award from Montana State University for $8,000 per year renewable for 4 years; a value of $32,000. OSU Opportunity Grant from Oregon State University for $7,410. Federal Pell Grant for $745.

REIGN LUXEMBOURGER

Reign Luxembourger is the daughter of Jorjie Arden. She is a STEM and Visual Arts Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. She has been accepted to the University of Oregon and plans to study Biology and Genetics, and will one day be a veterinarian. While in high school, Reign has obtained college credits through our College Now program, and classes at Lane Community College and the University of Oregon, is part of the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington, Troop 20363, participated in SPICE science as well as the SAIL program at the University of Oregon. During her junior year she interned for the SPICE science program at the University of Oregon where she helped develop instructions for building robotic cars for rats to drive. She has been awarded a $2,000 scholarship from the UO SAIL program.

SOPHIA MARANDA

HONORS: Sophia Maranda is the daughter of Heather and Matt Maranda. She is a Performing Arts Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics and plans to attend Lane Community College in the Fall.

Academy of Arts & Academics Senior superlatives

While in high school, Sophia has played volleyball, participated and helped write State of Emergency and was stage manager, helped with costumes for Eurydice, interned at OCT, and was a volunteer with the recycling crew at Autzen Stadium.

JOSEY MARKEHE

HONORS: Josey Markehe is the daughter of Heather Kehe and Isaac Marquez. She is a STEM Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. She has been accepted to Oregon State University and plans to study Architectural Engineering. While in high school, Josey has obtained 10 of college credit and has been active in the South Eugene Rowing Club

and wss in Thailand on exchange with the Rotary Youth Exchange her sophomore year. During her senior year she interned for Lane County Public Works, where they used CAD programs to design ADA ramps. She has a scholarship from Oregon State University for $2,000 per year renewable for four years; a value of $8,000.

SURYA MILLER HONORS: Surya Miller is the daughter of Robert Miller and Anna Miller. Surya is a performing arts major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. During her junior year, she interned for the Center for Dialogue and Resolution where she helped create a class plan for a new pro-

gram they were putting on that upcoming summer.

AMARU PALMA

HONORS: Amaru is the son of Melissa and Rodolfo Palma. He is a STEM Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. He has been accepted to the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. He plans to study computer science at OSU. While in high school, Amaru has obtained 25 college credits through our College Now program and classes at Lane Community College. He has been a TA for Interactive Electronics with Kyle and during his junior year he interned for Workbook Factory where he helped design web pages and user interface elements. During his senior year he interned for the Springfield Schools Print Services where he helped do daily tasks as well as designing and coding a new website. He has been awarded the OSU Opportunity Grant – $3,468; Oregon Opportunity Grant – $2,352; Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship for $4,000 renewable for four years, a value of $16,000; and has accepted a Work Study position a value of $3,000

PERSIMMONS PETERSEN

HONORS: Persimmons

Petersen is the child of Jayle Petersen. They're a Theater major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. They have been accepted into the University of Oregon and plan to study psychology. Persimmons has been a member of the A3 D and D club. And has been awarded the PathwayOregon, the University of Oregon’s

promise to cover tuition and fees for four years, a $60,000 value as well as a $1,400 VA scholarship.

JOSHUA

SHEPLER

HONORS: Josh Shepler is the son of Valerie Shepler and Joel Shepler. He is a Visual Arts Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics. He has been accepted to Southern Oregon University and the University of Oregon. He plans to study Visual Arts at Southern Oregon University. While in high school, Josh has obtained 7 college credits through our College Now program. And has acted in State of Emergency, designed Eurydice poster, acted as Orpheus in Eurydice and designed the poster for the A3 Spring dance and music concert. Josh has been awarded the Churchill Scholarship from Southern Oregon University for $2,000 per year, renewable for four years; a value of 8,000. Apex scholarship from the University of Oregon for $2,000 per year, renewable for four years, valuing $8,000 total.

AYEDEN

WHITWORTH

HONORS: Ayeden is the son of Jesse and Raven Whitworth. He is a Music Major at the Academy of Arts and Academics and he has been accepted to the University of Oregon. Ayeden has been awarded the University of Oregon Apex Scholarship for $2,000 per year renewable for four years; a value of $8,000; and PathWayOregon, the University’s promise to cover tuition and fees over four years, a $60,000 value.

Photo by Bob Williams

By Dana Merryday dana_merryday@yahoo.com

In his comments that veered om the adi onal s le of address which incorporates lofty platitudes and poems, Herington commented on some of the challenges that both he and his students faced in the unprecedented pandemic school years leading

up to this moment.

Having taken the principal’s posi on just before everything went south, Herington compared this culmina ng event of gradua on as being akin to his “ rst” year as a principal. In many ways it was.

is was the rst year since taking the job that his students started and nished the year in the building, with no long breaks or distance learning

required in between.

The sentiment of overcoming unprecedented challenges was re ected also in remarks om the student speakers.

Nature itself seemed to want to punctuate the fact by sporadically raining on the students during their open-air ceremony as if to say you're

See GROVE – 27

A gripping new drama about truth and identity

Cottage Grove High School D

E R S E E K I G N

By Glenn B. Rust Cottage Grove High School alum

Photo by Bobby Stevens

Cottage Grove High School Graduates

Ashton Abrams

Austin Foxen Taylor Franger Ayden Freeman Lexi Fugate

Brendon Fuller

Logan Fugate

Patricia Galligan

Quiin Amex Carter Bascue

Jayden Cameron Joseph Carpenter

Teanna Child

Aaliyah Crivello

Hailey Cook

Kolby Cobb-Preza

Riley Carrigan Braeden Crites

Febronia Corona-Rodriguez

Gracie Arnold

Mikayla Carr

Abigail Aguilar-Flores Kailyn Barnes

Jonathan Bryant Braeden Buckland

Halle DeGarlais

Brook Anderson

Brendan Briggs

Hannah Cook

Forrest Dewitt Brenna Devlin

McKenzie Baker Madelyn Banks

Nathan Brinkley Hunter Broussard Shyla Browning

Ann Marie Barlow

Owen Dudley Jada Epperson

Gabriel Cortes

Hailey Carter Korbin Ferguson

Cottage Grove High School Graduates

Ashton Abrams

Sydnee McNamara Tyler McVey Kajsa Merz

Austin Moore

Alayna Morris Milo Morgan Cayce Motta

Madeline Geisler

Emma Hitt

Ty Kishen Haylie Ladd

Makani Levi

Logan Marek

Samuel Lind

Caiden Lane

Callie March

Jacqueline Lopez Romero

Logan Lowrey

Gavin Haas

Elias Garza

Gabrielle Garcia-Bryant

Jacob Herington

Bradley Keller Peyton Kidd

Ramirez Martin

Juan Antonio Gonzalez-Higareda

Hector Jimenez-Matias

Owen Land-Stockwell

Donovan Howell

Sidney Lowery

Hannah Mathis

Lorena Martinez

Jordin Hamilton Carlee Harmon

Jivan Hoyt

Cole Johns

Tiayla Harp

Walker McCauley Kelsie McDonald

Gage Lydick

Aiden Leach

Taylor McKay

Cottage Grove High School Graduates

Zander Voigt Ashley Walter Andrew Wiley Sylas Williams Savannah Willits

Joshua Nordyke

Adair Reyna

Izabell Senters Ian Shepherd

Porter Snyder

Dazjah Tinsley

Moira Struthers

Evelyn Smith

Jonathon Thornton

Crimson Tadlock

Kennedy Sturman-Royse

Alex Pacheco

Grace Sisson

Albert Newton

Kira Musslewhite

Eternity Reimche

Leah Schiewe Hemi Scott

Shelby Trisler

Valeta Oliver

Lily Riordan

John Swanson

Noe Valley Charish Tucker

Simran Pinnu Joshua Price

Alexander Rodman Brayden Russell Lila Savoie Trevor Reeder

Timothy Vance Anastasia Vasquez

Joseph Tennison

James Smith

Natalie Voelkel

Cottage Grove schools

Cottage Grove Lions

VALEDICTORIANS

• Callie March – attending LCC, major is undecided

• Hannah Mathis – attending George Fox University, Kinesiology major, plans on becoming a Physical Therapist

• Kajsa Merz – attending Oregon State University, majoring in Business

• Walker McCauley – attending University of Oregon, majoring in Business

SALUTATORIANS

• Halle DeGarlais – Attending Oregon State University, majoring in Kinesiology, plans on becoming an Athletic Trainer

• Sylas Williams – Entering into an apprenticeship to become an Electrician, plans on starting his own business

Al Kennedy HS

By Dana Merryday dana_merryday@yahoo.com

Al Kennedy High School, located at the former elementary school in Delight Valley, bene ted greatly om the ac vi shelter le over om the days of having a place for Oregon kids to go out to play in the seasonal rains.

The shelter still bearing the Basketball hoops, was the site of the rst unres icted gathering of families to watch their student’s gradua on. By con ast, at last year’s select members of the fa mily sat with their graduate, masked and socially distanced in small groups. is year

as families assembled the heavens provided a steady downpour during the fes vi es. e low clouds and rains gave a wash of gray over the surrounding hills.

At this celebra on everybody om grandma to little Suzie was there and eager to cheer on their star. Al Kennedy, a legendary educator, was known for his innovative ways to reach the hard to reach students. Rope icks, hands-on ac vi es, and me spent outdoors along with eld ips are s ll part of the Kennedy way and these were referenced in presen ng this year’s crop of graduates.

e small ght communi that is Kennedy is characterized by close relationships between staff and students. What be er way to

show this s le of educa on than by stude nts receiving their diplomas with a personalized observa on om a teacher.

Each sta member had selected four to ve students that they then shared q uali es about that student before handing them the sheepskin.

To escort them out, instead of “Pomp & Circumstance” there was the special Kennedy Song where each student had a personalized verse.

Principal H aile Ketcher after describing all of the challenges and obstacles that her students have overcome in this profound year, summed it all up by saying. “We are so proud of you!”

at was a sen ment felt by all.

Photos by Bobby Stevens

Cottage Grove High School

“Life isn’t about wai ng for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” – Vivian Greene

GROVE from 22

not ge ng o easy at the end either. The students, being good Oregon kids, hardly seemed to no ce or mind the, at mes, fairly heavy showers. A er all that they had been through up to this point, a couple of little bap sms seemed more like a blessing than anything else.

Before turning over the stage to student leadership to present these warriors their diplomas, Herington summed up these student’s High School experiences and their gradua on day weather with the Vivian Greene quote: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

And with these words the class of 2022 rose to their feet and danced hard to a brief blast of music, defying the heavens to do their damndest to these “bad-ass” Grovers.

Graduates

Katelin Winstead

Tiernann York

Piper Youngmayr

Photo by Bobby Stevens

Pleasant Hill High School Graduates

Mara Borg

Daxton Bloxham

Laura Rapnawar

Emilie Lihm-Thi Nguyen Erin Arney Erin Arney

Arabella Bernal

Rhett Edmunds

Dylan Shafor Andy Sharber

Abby Jordan

Caden Luiz

Cesca Thuresson

Alice Keepers Blake Hudson

Jaiden Boatwright

Victoria Shull

Austin Barber

Gabe Eggart Gabe Eggart

Bailey Vargas

Charles Conrad

Alonzo Pierce

Abigail Mikulich

Braedyn Cantrell

Haley Blas

John Granas

Anna Reed

Chase Huff

Holly Bonomo Riley Brown

Morgan Jurgenson Caden Luiz

Thomas Nichols

Serenity Castleberry

Kendall Savolainen

Abigail VandenDries

Cole Taylor Jordan Cosby

Blake Allen

Abby Curtis David DeBord

Pleasant Hill High School

Graduates

Speakers at gradua on were Alice Keepers, Francesco uresson, Lara Rupnawar, Isaac Stowell and Liesel Geyer

Gabe Green Garrett Holman

Jacob Pierzina

Lilah Warren Maggie Willardson

Mason BotelhoCookman

McKenzie Litson

Skyler Peters

Trevor Hart

Morgan Frederick Ashten Friedmann

Nate Placko

Gabriel Trafton

Jack O'Connor

Landon Miles

Micah Stam

Taylor Simmons

Liesel Geyer

Jillian Seitz

Natalie Mann

Trevor Quick

Stella Hucka Isaac Stowell

Josh Bryson

Kanye Jones Kloee Harris

Isabella Navarro

Lauren Ashwill

Mason Hylemon

Mirka JimenezMartinez

Tycho Butler Zane Anderson

Owen Hammond

Matthew Iten

they knew that I am proud of them and proud to be one of them.”

Adminis a ve secretary Wilson Sherk gave the keynote address, pulling out a cons uc on paper toolbox as a visual aid. He empowered students with unique air – it’s A3 a erall – and asked graduates to see the pandemic as de ning, skill-building and special. In their toolbox to cons uct a be er future: lucky charms, bumble bees and most importantly, resilience.

“Sorry, class of 2022, you've already had your gap year,” Sherk said. “So as you cons uct your life, recognize that because of your high school experience, you have these speci c tools, you'll have superior abili es. Reimagine yourself as a planet superhero because you know, the Earth s ll needs a lot of taking care of.”

Graduates shook hands with or st-bumped four members of the Spring eld school board before

receiving their diplomas om principal, Ame Beard. “We have the most amazing communi , everybody cares so much and we know every person who walks through the door,” Beard said while describing what makes A3 so special. School board member, Jonathan Light said, “I am proud of A3 because it o ers di erent opportuni es for di erent kids … it gets great results, turns out great people.”

A er several years of graduaons being virtual, outdoors, and in a limited capaci , this gradu-

a on was a return to normalcy. Humani es teacher Melanie Vetor said, “families being able to celebrate their students publicly is a big deal…it’s a right of passage for students.” Other teachers shared the same sen ment. Nissie Ellison, a long me teacher at A3, said “It's hard to put into words how good it feels to feel normal again. To have the whole communi here, everybody i s coming together and celebra ng, it's just wonderful.”

Students were enthusias c and vocal because there was a lot of uncertain at the beginning of the year about whether an in-person gradua on would be possible. Due to all of the uncertain , one graduate, Skyleigh Mae McKibben said she was “not really prepared” and the realiza on “hit her like a ton of bricks” because of the unpredictabili of the last three years.

“ ere was a huge wave of emo on,” said McKibben. “It’s s ll a lot to process.”

Crow, other rural schools enjoy milestone event

Congratula ons to each one of the 2022 graduates— not only those om Crow High School, but from all of the local schools. Gradua on has always been a major accomplishment— something to celebrate. e e ort and focus that each of us have to put in for those 12+ long years is a cause for celebraon and honor, but for this gradua ng class and the past two, ex a kudos have been earned for the disrupon of so much in their lives by the pandemic. Covid has a ected each of us, but especially our school-age children and teens who have had to completely change their educa onal

PAT EDWARDS

routines, and who have missed out on some of the most important events of their school years—things like proms and school dances, field trips, plays, athletic events and close interac on between themselves and their teachers and classmates. Some have taken the disrup on and at-home learning in s ide, but others have had a hard me adjus ng to the break in the rou ne of learning. I just want to take me to use this means to honor them with my respect and acknowledgment of all that they’ve experienced. Good job! and Congratula ons to each one of you!

For the students who will be returning next year, there is some very good news... The CrowApplegate-Lorane School Board has decided to waive all sports fees for K-12 students enrolled in the C-A-L School District for the 2022/23 school year. is involves all middle/ high school sports and TSP/Youth Wrestling. e ont o ce has sports sign up for our fall sports at the moment. Right now, they don't have many MS football sign-ups and more sign-ups for cross-coun y would be welcomed. Be sure to encourage your kids to sign up for sports, it's ee, and a very valuable experience!

Online: allthingslorane.com

ACADEMY from 19 “It's hard to put into words how good it feels to feel normal again. To have the whole communi here, everybody is coming together and celebra ng, it's just wonderful.”

– Nissie Ellison, acher

Willamette Oregon Connections Charter Academy

Willame e Connec ons Academy is proud to announce that Makennah Handsaker om Pleasant Hill and Ayanna Zelaya om Creswell are members of the online public school’s gradua ng Class of 2022. Willame e Connec ons Academy held its in-person commencement ceremony for nearly 70 graduates June 11 in Scio. e unique, tui on- ee, virtual school serves students in grades K-12 across Oregon.

Handsaker graduated with honors a semester early but she’s s ll part of the Class of 2022. She received a four-year Pathways scholarship to the Universi of Oregon where she will major in psychology. Zelaya plans to study abroad in Costa Rica for her eshman year to get hands-on learning in her major of environmental science and then return to nish her degree at the Universi of Oregon.

■ Deondre B., Springfield

■ Selena Branch, Springfield

■ Maxwell C., Creswell

■ Natalie E., Creswell, Cume Honor Roll

■ Kassie G., Cottage Grove

■ Sylvie G., Creswell, Cume Honor Roll

■ Erin H., Springfield

■ Saraia M., Cottage Grove

■ Gabriel M., Springfield

■ Elena Morris, Creswell, attending American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

A graduation ceremony was held June 11.

SIERRA PACIFIC FOUNDATION 2022 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

The Sierra Pacific Foundation is awarding over $519,000 in scholarships to 163 students as they attend colleges, universities and trade schools during the 2022-2023 school year.

“Our family is honored to continue to support students as they further their education,” said Carolyn Emmerson Dietz, Foundation President. “The commitment to helping tomorrow’s leaders remains strong. We are investing in the future and in the generations to come as we help these outstanding young people pursue their dreams.”

The Sierra Pacific Foundation grants scholarships to qualified, dependent children of Sierra Pacific Industries’ employees. Recipients are eligible for the scholarship for four years, with some granted a fifth year based on their school and finalizing their undergraduate degree or trade school program.

The Sierra Pacific Foundation is the philanthropic organization founded by the Emmerson Family in 1979. Since the inception, SPF has awarded over $9 million in scholarships. In addition to scholarships, the Foundation contributes to youth activities and other organizations in the communities where Sierra Pacific Industries operates. In 2021, the Foundation contributed $2 million to organizations in the local communities.

Aiden Tuers

Carter Bascue Emily Evans Ava Gore Brayden Hildebrand

Allison Hu

Lauren Johnson