2023 Spokesman-Review Graduation Section

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2023!

The class of 2023: In our region, that’s 7,371 students at 64 schools. They are artists and athletes, mathematicians and musicians, immigrants and innovators. They strive to do good – locally and globally. For this class, their freshman year was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, which sent them into lockdown. They had to learn how to learn in new ways, as well as how to stay connected with friends and family.

Their stories show strength of character, perseverance and ingenuity.

They are about to start on new adventures, including college, apprenticeships, work and travel. They want to be nurses, teachers, doctors, electricians, pilots, tattoo artists and firefighters.

They’ve already achieved towering accomplishments. We can’t wait to see what comes next.

Cheers to the class of 2023!

MOLLY QUINN/FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

“

Each step you take gets you closer to where you want to be even if it’s only small steps.”

Abbi Cuzick On Track Academy

Abbi Cuzick cultivates leadership, artistic skills

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Every school has one of those students – the one who can’t be summed up in a few short sentences. For On Track Academy, that student is Abbi Cuzick.

“Abbi is quite frankly one of the most amazing students to ever grace the halls of OTA. She is everything you want in a student: smart, talented, driven and a leader. She builds stained glass panels in the advanced glass class, and she designed our yearbook cover,” teacher Erin Bangle said. “She teaches guitar lessons after school and she’s headed to Western Washington University in the fall. And the least interesting thing about Abbi is that she does it all from a wheelchair.”

At 13, Cuzick was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare form of multiple sclerosis. This variety of MS can also include other conditions including scoliosis and Type 1 diabetes.

“We didn’t know what it was at first,” Cuzick said. “I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and placed in the hospital for a couple of months.”

Her sister has the same disease, but not the accompanying medical conditions.

When Cuzick was finally able to return to school, she wasn’t the exuberant athletically inclined kid she’d been before she got sick.

“I was still walking, but not very good. Kids made fun of me,” she said. “A couple of teachers said I walked like I was drunk. It wasn’t the best of times.”

Then she transferred to On Track Academy.

“At first I was nervous, but it was really different,” Cuzick said.

“They welcomed me with open arms.”

Her artistic bent led her to the stained glass studio and also enabled her to design the school’s yearbook cover.

“I love art and being able to use my mind to create whatever I want,” she said.

She gravitated to leadership and became active in On Track’s Gender Sexuality Alliance club.

“I came up with a lot of our ideas to help keep the group together. It’s fun!” she said.

Bangle has enjoyed watching her student become socially active and spread her wings.

“I don’t know if anybody looks at her and sees the chair, she’s just Abbi,” Bangle said. Cuzick quickly became a student that staff could rely on to make other kids feel welcome.

“Abbi is one of my point people when we have new students,” teacher Kylor Allen said. “She makes students feel comfortable here.”

He’s been impressed with her natural leadership skills.

“She’s got a knack for leadership and loads of potential,” he said.

Cuzick plans to study art education at Western Washington University this fall.

“I feel like there’s a lot of things I can share because of my experience,” she said. “I feel like I have to make my own path and help other kids along the way.”

Her teachers at On Track are confident she’ll thrive in the university environment.

“She creates for herself what she wants,” Bangle said. “I respect that about her so much.”

“Abbi has pushed past the boundaries of being in a wheelchair,” Allen said. “She says, ‘This is not a limitation to me.’ ”

Their student is matter-of-fact about her often difficult journey.

“I’ve learned everyone’s path is different and different is what makes people better,” Cuzick said.

“Each step you take gets you closer to where you want to be, even if it’s only small steps.”

COURTESY

Abbi Cuzick plans to study art at Western Washington University this fall.

Even when she doesn’t win, boxing gives Ruby Lannigan an ‘overwhelming feeling of accomplishement’

SWINGING AWAY AT HER FUTURE

By Jim Allen FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For Ruby Lannigan, boxing has a simple appeal.

“I like hitting people,” said Lannigan, a senior at Lewis and Clark High School.

In fact, the attraction runs deeper.

Since joining the downtown Spokane Boxing gym two years ago, Lannigan has found a sense of community and self-motivation.

Not that she needed the latter. A self-motivator, Lannigan has been taking Running Start classes and dreams of becoming a firefighter. But first she plans to travel to Europe with her two older brothers.

Lannigan was a 15-year-old sophomore when she first walked into Rick Welliver’s gym.

“My parents were a little hesitant when I first showed interest in fighting,” Lannigan said. “People know it’s a concussion sport, but now they’re enthusiastic.”

Owners of Neato Burrito restaurant, Lannigan’s parents have even taken her to boxing tournaments as far away as Canada. Lannigan sampled other sports, “but I quit or lost motivation,” she said. “Boxing made we want to stick with it.”

Lannigan has done that and more.

She trains six days a week and has competed in six bouts. The worst part, she says, is the nervous feeling before a fight.

Lannigan won her first three bouts before stepping up in class and losing the last two.

In her most recent fight, Lannigan said she “threw some good combos that landed” and then just stood there “instead of moving my feet.”

Her opponent landed another couple of hard shots, “and I dropped,” Lannigan said. After taking an standing eight-count, Lannigan was cleared by a doctor to continue, but the referee stopped the bout anyway.

“I was actually pretty happy afterwards,” Lannigan said. “It was a tough fight and it helped me learn some stuff.”

“I always love the excitement after the winner is announced,” Lannigan said.

When the fight ends, the fighters embrace.

“The best hug ever,” Lannigan said. “It’s some girl I don’t even know. When it’s over, I’m just happy.”

“Even when it isn’t in my favor, it’s just an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment.”

For that, Lannigan credits Welliver and the other coaches, as well as the other fighters.

“It’s such a good community of fighters,” Lannigan said.

Among the boxers are local firefighters. They’ve stoked a desire in Lannigan to possibly pursue that profession.

For now, Lannigan is keeping her options open. She’s already earned some college credits through Running Start, and after spending a month in Europe with two older brothers, Lannigan is considering taking a gap year.

College is still a possibility, but she’s also interested in directly entering the work force.

“I’ve got about five different things I want to do right now,” Lannigan said.

Whatever her choice, LC counselor Stacey Donahue is confident she’ll succeed.

“Boxing I just another added layer to her accomplishments,” Donahue said. “She’s a very personable kid, always with a smile and always very respectful.”

LEWIS AND CLARK HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation

The Lewis and Clark High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 11 at the Podium, 511 W. Dean Ave.

Principal: Ivan Corley

Summa cum laude: Daniel Adewale, Ashley Bestrom, Skylar Branson, Hallie Brigham, Ayva Broadbent, Bridget Burns, Jeslyn Cai, Kara Chiang, Evan Chow, Emma Daniels, Korbin Eckert, Grace Grant, Kaitlyn Hawker, Sarah Hegde, Clare Heinen, Myles Hidalgo, Pranabh Joshi, Janee Ko, Grace Louie, Riley McElgunn, Nash McFarlane, Sophia Morris, Lyra Mylroie, Quinn Nessen, Emily Niemann, Benjamin Orton, Junyoung Park, Maggie Rietze, Laban Skinner, Elijah Soter, Sophia Thompson, Arun Waran, Molly Wisor, Allison Yinger

COURTESY

Ruby Lannigan trains six days a week and has competed in boxing tournaments as far away as Canada.

UNKIND WORDS FUEL DESIRE TO SUCCEED

Al Karkhi succeeds after family moved to U.S. from Iraq

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Unkind words from a teacher can devastate a student, but Qand Al Karkhi turned shaming words into fuel to light the fire of her determination to succeed.

In 2018, her family decided to leave Iraq and move to the U.S. When her eighthgrade math teacher found out, she called the student to the front of the class.

“Then my teacher told me, ‘You are going to be a failure. You will never have a successful future, especially in a country where you don’t speak English,’ ” Al Karkhi said. “I felt so awkward in front of 21 other students.”

Those words haunted her when he arrived in a country she didn’t know anything about aside from what she’d seen in the movies.

Instead of going to high school, she was placed back in the seventh grade in a program for students learning English.

“I was really depressed,” Al Karkhi said. “I remembered what my teacher had said.”

But she found a welcoming staff at Shaw Middle

School.

“They helped me so much – especially Miss Truman.”

Just when she began to find success and catch up to her peers, COVID-19 struck.

“It was so difficult learning online,” she said. “I didn’t know how to use a computer and I was just learning English. It was hard, but I had to deal with it.”

How she dealt with it was thinking about what her math teacher in Iraq had said.

“Every morning I remembered that teacher told me, and I pushed to do better. I didn’t want to be the person she said I’d be in the future.”

Competing with her younger brother helped improve her English skills.

“It was a challenge. Whoever spoke best got to be the translator for our parents.”

When in-person school resumed, North Central counselor Macie Pate was delighted with her student’s progress.

“She hit the ground running. She got all A’s and B’s,” Pate said. “She’s such a hard worker and she’s always smiling.”

While English still took some effort, she excelled at

something she didn’t believe was possible.

“I hated math because of that teacher,” Al Karkhi said. “But the teachers here are so kind and respectful – math is now my favorite subject.”

In her senior year, she enrolled in the pharmacy tech program at NEWTech Skills Center.

She’s enjoying her studies there, but has her sights set on a loftier goal – medical school.

“I’ve always wanted to be a doctor,” she said. “It’s much easier to enter medical school here than in Iraq. It will be easier to reach my dreams here.”

Al Karkhi has been accept-

ed at Gonzaga University and Whitworth University and is deciding which to attend.

“I’m really proud of her,” Pate said.

“She worked within the structure she was given. She went from not knowing English to being accepted at two colleges.”

Pate has no doubt that this determined student will succeed.

“She has a bright future ahead.”

Al Karkhi is already envisioning it.

“I’m excited about becoming a doctor,” she said. “I’m going back to show that teacher my degree and show her she was wrong.”

Growth comes from doing hard things

and government, and we do a lot of that at TCS, so just competing and training for that, participating in those projects and getting out in the community has been awesome,” Goldbloom said.

By Sydney Fluker FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The night before the first day of school at the Community School in 2019, TCS adviser Tami Linane-Booey received an email from a very nervous incoming high schooler, David Goldbloom.

“He appeared to have it all together and to be a really cool guy,” Linane-Booey said of her first impression of Goldbloom at orientation. “I was really surprised but I was like ‘David, don’t worry, we got you’ … he pretty quickly became a leader.”

Goldbloom said he hadn’t had the best middle school experience and was nervous about going to a school where he didn’t know anyone, especially as an introvert. Talking to people in general was difficult, but the public speaking required at the school didn’t leave much room for fear.

Now, public speaking is the norm for Goldbloom. As a student ambassador, Civics Bowl captain and a leader in TCS Inc., the school leadership program, Goldbloom has learned how to control the nerves common with speaking in front of a crowd.

“One of the biggest things about the Community School, at least for me, was that even in my freshman year, I was able to get out of my comfort zone,” Goldbloom said. “At first it was a lot of association with discomfort, but I realized going into my later years in high school that that’s actually a good thing, because if you don’t choose to do hard things, you’re never going to grow.”

Goldbloom said the Community School is a project-based learning program through which students can pursue their passions, which he used to testify in front of City Council based on a school project on water usage in Spokane.

“The thing I really admire most about David is that he just works so hard, and he works hard quietly,” Linane-Booey said. Aside from school projects, Goldbloom was captain of the school Civics Bowl team.

Civics Bowl has been “some of my best memories because I’m really passionate about civics, civic involvement,

Goldbloom will attend Eastern Washington University to pursue a degree in computer science, minoring in criminal justice. He then plans to enter the police academy to pursue his dream of working in law enforcement.

“A leadership position within law enforcement is kind of the end goal, because that’s where you can see the most change,” Goldbloom said. “If we had more people that are willing to make those changes and change the mindsets (people have) of everyday cops, I think that’s a good thing. I want to be that person.”

Prior to being adopted by his parents, Matthew and Lauren Goldbloom, in 2015, David spent four years in the foster system under the care of the Goldblooms. His interactions with the Spokane Police Department in his childhood were largely positive, but he wants to join the force to push for systemic change to help the department better serve the community.

“David is extremely hard working, caring, compassionate, thoughtful and he has just made us very proud with all the work that he’s done both in school and in his community,” Lauren Goldbloom said.

COURTESY

Qand Al Karkhi will attend either Gonzaga or Whitworth.

COURTESY

David Goldbloom wants to join the

ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL

‘HARD WORK BEATS TALENT’

Sansana Sami drops bad influences, rebounds to set sights on dental school

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Born in the Marshall Islands, Sansana Sami had no experience with racism. She was surrounded by people who looked like her.

That changed when her family moved to Spokane.

“I was in sixth grade,” she said. “Kids made fun of the color of my skin and because I couldn’t pronounce some words. I was shocked.”

Her parents wanted Sami and her siblings to get a good education and have a better future than they had on the islands.

She suffered from the poor dental care.

“I went to the dentist, and they did extractions with only numbing cream,” Sami said, of her care on the islands. “I felt everything.”

She also didn’t realize she needed glasses.

“Within a week of starting school in the U.S., Sami’s sixth-grade teacher helped her realize that she had poor eyesight, and as a result, she couldn’t see her schoolwork,” Rogers counselor Jennifer O’Halloran said.

Her first pair of glasses opened a new world for Sami.

“Everything had been so blurry,” she said. “I got glasses and thought, ‘So this is what you guys have been seeing’ ”

Her grades had suffered on the islands because of her poor vision, so she worked hard to catch up to her peers.

“I basically had to learn to read and write in sixth grade,” she said. “I felt like I was behind everyone. I felt so depressed.”

Sami focused her energy on making friends and trying to fit in. Getting good grades took a back seat, as she dealt with the hurtful remarks of others.

“I kept it to myself,” she said.

Things gradually improved for her socially, and she blossomed at Rogers.

“She has such a vibrant personality,” O’Halloran said.

Like many teens, she struggled to juggle friendships and schoolwork.

“At Rogers, I learned that grades are important if you want to go to college,” Sami said. “I was maintaining straight A’s, and then COVID hit. I’m a visual learner. Online learning was tough.”

By the time in-person school resumed, she’d started hanging out with kids who weren’t focused on school attendance or good grades.

“She made some mistakes when trying to make friends and fit in,” O’Halloran said. “But in her journey, she has learned that she can be her own best friend and that taking school seriously is in her best interest.” Sami agreed.

“I hated being a follower,” she said. “I dropped those friends, and it made me mentally and physically healthier and happier.”

With renewed focus, she zeroed back in on her schoolwork.

“She’s taken full advantage of the educational opportunities here and is excelling in her senior year,” O’Halloran said. “She’s maintained A’s all year and is taking a college-level math course.”

She also enrolled in the dental assisting program at NEWTech Skills Center. Sami is determined to ensure other kids won’t endure the painful procedures that she did in the Marshall Islands.

“My first dental experience here was so good,” she said.

After graduation, she plans to attend Spokane Community College

and then transfer to a dental school.

“Sami wants to use her training and skills to provide and advocate for dental and health care for the Marshallese community,” said O’Halloran. “She’s passionate about giving back and raising awareness of the needs of the community.”

Indeed, the pain she experienced when her teeth were extracted as a

child galvanized her.

“I’m determined to go to dental school and return to the islands to set up a dental clinic,” Sami said.

She’s drawing on what she’s learned during her time at Rogers High School.

“I’ve had to work really hard to get where I am now,” she said, “and I’ve learned hard work beats talent.”

COURTESY

Sansana Sami practices skills in her NEWTech Prep dental assisting classes.

FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL

Jonathan Garcia Carranza persevered with encouragement from friends and family when many people might have given up on the future

‘A true servant-leader’

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

A high-school career that began in trauma will end in celebration for Ferris senior Jonathan Garcia Carranza.

Garcia Carranza was 4 years old when he and his family immigrated to Spokane from Mexico. By the time he was a freshman at Ferris, they had lived here for nearly 12 years. But while Jonathan, his mother, and sister came with passports, his father was undocumented, and in November of that year, he was arrested, then deported a few months later. He visits his father every summer and they also have frequent FaceTime conversations.

“It was heartbreaking,” Garcia Carranza said. “It happened outside my house, but I didn’t see it. I tried to take it calmly, but my sister was angrier. My dad told me to keep going to school, but sometimes I didn’t want to. It was hard to do what was expected of me, but my mom worked and then took care of us, and all my friends at school encouraged me. Another friend at Lewis and Clark texted me every day telling me to get up and go to school.”

Despite that difficult beginning to his freshman year, Jonathan has been in numerous activities at Ferris, including football, track and field, Lego Club and yearbook. He is also a production assistant on the Ferris News Network, a daily video program.

That doesn’t begin to describe his contributions to the school, though. Staff members, including Assistant Principal Andrew Lewis, are his biggest fans. “Awesome” is the first word that comes to mind when they talk about him.

Lewis, who also works closely with the Ferris Associated Student Body, puts it this way: “Jonathan is so loved at Ferris. He had to battle shyness to get out of his bubble. He has not just blossomed; he has become a leader, and joined the ASB Leadership team during his senior year.

“I’ve known Jonathan since he was a freshman during COVID. I met him and his sister when we were delivering food to families, and sometimes I just wanted to see how he was doing. Here’s an example of the kind of kid he is. One time when I visited his apartment, he was going door-todoor with a wallet that he had found to see if someone there had lost it. If he sees someone in need, he jumps in to offer help.”

Garcia Carranza is especially proud of the role that he has played in helping to increase attendance and involvement in Ferris student convocations. The secret, he says, is more games and less talking.

“Our cons could get really boring,” he said. “I would see people leaving out the doors instead of going to them. But it’s different now and students are excited to attend.”

He will be attending Eastern Washington University this fall, planning to live on campus and major in early childhood education. He has not been involved in the Ferris ECE program, but his sister, one year younger, has talked with him about

FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL

her positive experience in the class.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be done with high school,” he said. “I have loved being involved with the school, because so many people aren’t. I

wanted to have a voice in the school. Our theme for this year is ‘I belong, you belong.’ ” That theme summarizes Garcia Carranza’s contributions to Ferris.

Graduation

The Ferris High School commencement will be at noon June 11 at the Podium, 511 W. Dean Ave.

Principal: John O’Dell

Summa cum laude: Lyubov Chayka, Bethaney Chisholm, Maren Forsnes, Madeline Isacoff, Shane Johansen, Cadence Lay, Cameron Lee, Jasmine Nguyen, Jessica Palmer, Brennan Roshetko, Emma Wald, Elliot Weidemann, Sienna Whitehead

“Jonathan has grown in his confidence to become a difference-maker here,” Lewis said. “He is an advocate now for himself and others, and has become a true servant-leader.”

COURTESY

Jonathan Garcia Carranza plans to study early childhood education at Eastern Washington University.

Lual makes most of high school experience in U.S.

Family fled native Sudan for Ethiopia, where she was born

By Jim Allen FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

To those who know her best, Shadle Park senior Nyabol Lual seldom has a bad day.

In fact, she’s had many –days that stretched into a decade in an Ethiopian refugee camp before Lual and her family reached the United States and ultimately Spokane.

Her remarkable story will continue this fall at Eastern Washington University, where Lual will pursue a degree in education.

Lual was born in Ethiopia after her family fled violence in their native Sudan. She recalled hunger and deprivation, but also a sense of community that bonded through hard times.

“Some days we just had to go without food, and it was

hard,” said Lual, who also had to babysit her niece while an older sister worked. For years they waited as other families moved ahead of them on the immigration list.

“It was frustrating,” Lual said.

School was almost an afterthought, even as Lual grew up speaking several languages.

None of them translated well into English when her family of eight finally emigrated to the United States in 2014. Lual made the transition from camp life to a new one on Spokane’s South Hill.

“It was very new,” said Lual, whose family stayed briefly in a hotel. She recalled her father going down the hall and naively asking a neighbor for tea.

“Culture shock,” Lual called it. School was also a challenge.

She started at Lincoln Heights Elementary School, then enrolled at Spokane International Academy for the next three years.

By the time Lual was ready for high school, the family had settled in northwest Spokane and she enrolled at Shadle Park.

Since her freshman year, Lual has embraced the high school experience.

She’s a member of the Shadle S.H.E. Women of Purpose Group, participated in a service-learning project to feed women at a local shelter and spoken to her classmates about empowerment at the Shadle Park Women’s March.

Recently, Lual participated in the “You Matter” Lunch and Learn event, a community-building activity for students.

COURTESY Nyabol Lual will pursue an education degree at EWU.

“I’ve known Nyabol since she was a freshman, and it’s been a joy to see her blossom,” said her counselor, April Eberhardt.

“She’s a very personable,

LEADING WITH CREATIVITY

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Selah Spencer, a senior at TEC at Bryant, has learned to translate her artistic skills into the field of cosmetology, including coloring and cutting hair. Spencer, who has lived in the same house her whole life, has been attending TEC since she first started school. Her two older siblings had terrible experiences in public schools and her parents enrolled Spencer and her younger sister into the alternative K-12 school at the beginning of their education in an effort to avoid problems, Spencer said. Spencer said she’s formed strong friendships at the school. “I really like how small it is,” she said. “It’s really easy to know everyone.”

Despite loving the school, Spencer wishes it offered electives like drama and choir and extracurricular activities like basketball. Some of those classes were available at the elementary and/or middle school level, but

not high school. “They don’t have a lot of extracurricular options,” she said.

When she started her junior year, she began spending half a day at the NEWTech Skills Center, where she flourished in the cosmetology program. It was a natural extension of her love of all things beauty that she’d had since she was little.

“I liked messing around with my dolls,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many times I put food dye in their hair.”

She was also creative in other areas, making clay pottery, crocheting and painting. “I just like doing things with my hands,” she said. “I’m just generally a very creative person,” she said.

Since she started at NEWTech she’s learned all about haircuts, styles, coloring, perms and relaxers. Her favorite aspect is coloring hair because it’s fun to play around with different colors, Spencer said. “I’m using the proper hair dye now,” she said. She also found other ways to be involved in her community. Before the pandemic she spent a lot of time volunteering through Holy Cross Luther-

an Church, including packing food for those in need. She’s also a member of the Spokane Public Schools Student Advisory Board, where students can give input on issues like the budget and school programs.

Spencer said she likes the idea of the Student Advisory Board but said that at times it feels like the students are asked for their opinion but are not listened to. “I feel like I haven’t seen a lot of actual changes,” she said.

Counselor Sara Duval said Spencer is a top cosmetology student who takes pride in her work. “Cosmetology is an artistic outlet for her and she shines,” she said. “The resounding theme in all that she does is she is a leader,” Duval said. “She leads by example but is not afraid to share her thoughts. Watching her grow into an amazing leader and young adult has been my privilege.”

After she graduates she plans to complete the cosmetology program at the Glen Dow Academy so she can get her license and begin working at a local salon.

sweet person, and you never know if she’s having a bad day,” Eberhardt said. “I just think she’s a leader, but she doesn’t look for the limelight.”

Instead, Lual has supported other young women and brought in new members to the Shadle S.H.E. group, Eberhardt said. She shares her own insights so that she can connect with her peers, and she follows through with projects.

“This is infectious in interactions that she has with her peers,” Eberhardt said. “She is a natural leader who puts others before herself.”

Lual plans to continue serving others through teaching, and said she was inspired by several teachers in middle and high school.

“They cared for the students and you could tell they wanted to be there and included me in a good way,” Lual said. “I want to do more work here but I also want to teach abroad.”

Class of 2023

COURTESY

Selah Spencer, a senior a TEC at Bryant, plans to complete the cosmetology program at the Glen Dow Academy.

SHADLE PARK HIGH SCHOOL

MT. SPOKANE HIGH SCHOOL

CHANGE OF PLANS

Trinity Tanner’s gymnastics injury is leading her to Alabama and

career

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

When Trinity Tanner last graced the pages of The Spokesman-Review, she was an 8-year-old aspiring Olympic gymnast.

Today, she’s a stellar student who will be attending the University of Alabama this fall on a full-ride scholarship with plans to double major in mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering.

Although injury quashed her Olympic dreams, she’s still involved with gymnastics.

“I love the sport,” she said. “I coach now.” Tanner works with kids ages 2-14 at Dynamic Gymnastics.

“It’s great to work with kids and have a positive impact,” Tanner said.

The issues that curtailed her competitive edge in the sport propelled her into a new passion – biomedical engineering.

Tanner said she suffered a severe back injury at age 12 and it took two years to get a diagnosis. While the injury was resolved at Shriner’s Hospital in Spokane, she also developed knee problems, resulting in chronic pain.

“I plan on going into biomedical engineering and focus on chronic pain treatment and diagnostic technology,” she said.

Her time at Mt. Spokane High School has prepared her for her undergrad studies.

“Trinity did four years in our PLTW (Project Lead the Way) Engineering program, as well as three years in our PLTW Biomed Science program,” said teacher Nick Herberger. “She’s incredibly curious and works ha rder than any student I’ve known.”

He’s appreciated her tenacious curiosity in the classroom.

“She always asks the question behind the question and digs deep into the layers of anything she does, not just engineering.”

Last summer, Tanner got a taste of university life when took part in the PATHS-UP Young Scholars program at Texas A&M.

The three-week residential engineering research internship allowed her to work in the lab with a professor.

“I got to stay in the dorms and got a stipend,” she said.

The internship also allowed her to connect with her extended family and her Hispanic heritage.

“My mom’s family is in Texas and Mexico, so I got to see them,” Tanner said. Her mother works for DeLeon’s Foods, and Tanner helps out during events.

“It’s great to be able to connect back with my culture through DeLeon’s.”

She thrived in her studies at Mt. Spokane.

“I really loved the engineering classes,” she said. “There was always something innovative going on. People were constantly collaborating and creating work together.”

Herberger said there’s more to this student besides intellectual acumen.

“She’s deeply creative and is incredibly caring and deeply kind,” he said. “She’s a quiet leader.”

Tanner is eager to embrace college life.

“I’m excited to have access to the labs,” she said. “I want to design diag-

Graduation

nostic technology and pain management that could have helped me and may help me in the future.” She plans to take the STEM pathway to her MBA in Alabama and study summers to complete these rigorous

The Mt. Spokane High School commencement will be at 8 p.m. June 9 at McCarthey Athletic Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St. Principal: Chelsea Gallagher Valedictorians: Willow Almquist, Graciella Alvarez, Sydney Bastian, Josaiah Bowers, Whitney Browning, Hudson Buth, Joy Clark, Ginger Conrad, Breylin Cousineau, Lillian Creasey, Ryley Davis, Avery Erickson, Payton Frederick, Madison Gerlofs, Bryten Gumke, Brooke Hammond, Cami Hattenburg, Tori Hausman, Katy Higgins, Taylor Jackson, Abigail Lagrou, Anna Miller, John Molenda, Megan Morrow, Sophie Murto, Hayden O’Neal, Olivia Olson, Nicole Ostlie, Charlotte Pedersen, Anastasiya Pikulik, Ella Pustovit, Alexander Ross, Rece Schuerman, Cady Shaw

intelligent, creative and has a great heart.”

degrees in four years.

“The University of Alabama got it right,” said Herberger. “They see her potential. She’s one of those rare people – she’s

Trinity Tanner works with aspiring gymnasts ages 2-14 at Dynamic Gymnastics.

MT. SPOKANE HIGH SCHOOL

Alaura Miller’s battles have focused her on a career in counseling

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Alaura Miller has overcome hurdles that would daunt many students. She battled dyslexia and anxiety to not only graduate but to be selected as Five Mile Prairie’s valedictorian. In addition, she will earn an associates degree from Spokane Falls Community College through the Running Start program.

In second grade, Miller was diagnosed with dyslexia.

“I remember breaking down crying because I didn’t understand why I couldn’t read when I tried so hard,” she said. “I learned skills to get around it and thrive because I had to and, after a while, because I wanted to.”

Audiobooks proved helpful because she could follow along with the text.

Five Mile Prairie counselor

Alyssa St. Clair admires this student’s perseverance.

“She works incredibly hard and is so organized,” she said. “In 10th grade, she completed her two years of Spanish in one year.” But dyslexia wasn’t the only challenge Miller had to overcome.

“I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder when I was 10,” she said. “I got counseling and got a lot better.”

Then COVID-19 struck.

“It was a struggle,” Miller said. “But I have an amazing supportive family who are always there for me.”

She used that time of isolation to figure out what she wanted to do.

“It was two years of finding myself and being comfortable in my own skin, specifically during the lockdown,” she said.

Miller emerged from that stressful time with a new goal.

“I knew I wanted to do Running Start. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it –

even with dyslexia. Five Mile prepared me for college because I learned to manage my time there.”

St. Clair isn’t surprised by the way Miller made the dual schedule work for her.

“She’s always been a high-achiever, but now she’s come into her own,” St. Clair said. “She’s decided who she wants to be.”

Miller recently launched a podcast called “LGBTea.”

“I want to create an archive of stories for the LGBTQIA community,” she said. “I’ve got two episodes uploaded and I’m going to do more this summer. I’m doing interviews with people in Spokane to offer inspiration and advice.”

Originally, the project was a community service step while she pursued her Girl Scout Gold Award.

“I became fascinated with psychology,” she said. “I found my passion.”

Miller will attend Eastern Washington University this fall.

“I started a group at Atomic Threads and then thought why not expand it to include telling these stories?” Another positive came out of the COVID lockdowns.

“In dealing with my own issues I noticed a lack of support for others. I want people to have what I had – access to a counselor,” Miller said. “My

BUILDING ON HER EXPERIENCES

Ella Ragle dreams of serving children in the health care industry

By Cynthia Reugh FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

With commencement looming, Ella Ragle is ready to move on to bigger and better things.

“It feels so good. I’m just so ready to graduate,” said Ragle, whose educational path has shifted a number of times over the past few years due to changing personal needs. She has her eyes and heart set on a job working in pediatric health care.

Ragle grew up in the Tri-Cities and lived briefly in Ellensburg before moving to Spokane where she later enrolled at Mead High School. The excitement of that freshman year was disrupted by COVID-19, which tainted nearly every aspect of her life. Ragle’s diligent focus on academics at that time was rewarded with straight A’s and a welcome escape from the pandemic chaos.

“You know with COVID you couldn’t do anything ... It was pretty hard to like, just get time out of the house,” Ragle said. “I would just do school and that’s how I spent my time.”

For her sophomore year, Ragle joined the North Star program, a Mead homeschool partnership that blends personalized curriculum with at-home learning. Among the highlights of the year was her essay and photographic entry in a HOSA-Future Health Professionals contest placing fourth statewide.

After returning to Mead High School as a junior, Ragle later transitioned to Aspire, a Mead guided learning program, with hopes of forming a closer bond with her school counselor.

“For some of my challenges, I needed that more of a personal level with the school,” said Ragle, who found a great fit with Aspire teacher and adviser Teri Inman, who has provided steady emotional support and leadership over the past year.

“She wanted a relationship with her teacher, somebody who knows her,” said Inman, who spoke highly of Ragle’s compassion and ambition.

“Ella is a brilliant student,” Inman said. “She’s just a good, steady student who helps other people as often as she can. She’s friendly and she’s inclusive and she’s one of my favorite students ever,” added Inman, who has been involved with Mead

Ella Ragle hopes to turn her natural helpfulness into a career.

alternative programs for over 24 years and often encourages teens she works with to volunteer within the local community.

That strategy was successful for Ragle, whose love for children inspired her to serve as a tutor at North Star, where she has enjoyed helping young students with English skills since January.

“There (are) a couple of tables set up where you lead different groups of games that help the kids that are struggling with

reading, to help them understand different word parts,” Ragle said. “I really like seeing the progress.” She also assists with kindergarten through second grade classes at her church. Ragle plans to attend community college in the near future, her dream job is one that combines mental health therapy with pediatrics. “Something in the health care field, but it’s kind of up for debate right now,” she said.

Rachael Albert’s zest for baking a recipe

By Cynthai Reugh FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Rachael Albert has a sweet spot for exotic desserts. Her affection for crafting macaroons, eclairs and other delicacies is icing her path toward a career in the baking industry.

Homeschooled from an early age, Albert began her journey with North Star, an alternative educational program offered through Mead Learning Options, shortly after her family moved to Spokane from Sandpoint. Her academic experience has been enriched over the years from the blended mixture of at-home instruction, personalized curriculum and local community interaction North Star has provided.

“My mom decided to put me in it, because it sounded like a really good program from where I was at,” Albert said. “It’s a lot more fun. You have the opportunity to do a bunch of other stuff you just can’t do at home, like pottery

and martial arts,” said Albert, who earned her black belt in Taekwondo three years ago. Her other hobbies including painting, drawing and playing musical instruments, such as the piano and marimba.

North Star mentor teacher Shellie Jones speaks highly of Albert’s ambition.

“She and her mom really worked hard to tailor things (to) her interests and the way that she learns and they were very focused on providing an education for Rachael that suited what she wanted to do with her life, her interests and her passions,” Jones said.

“She’s got a great work ethic and she’s worked hard and she’s been very thoughtful about the courses that she’s taking as a high schooler.”

During her junior year, a knack for cooking steered Albert into NEWTech Skill Center, a tuition-free public education service that provides handson career preparation to high school students. She found her

niche in a culinary arts program crafting elegant desserts.

“I originally went in there just for the cooking part of it, but when I started doing the baking I realized I was really good at it,” Albert said.

for success

She even won a competition among first year students.

“It was a pineapple cake with pineapple filling and a lemon frosting and orange whipped cream for decoration,” Albert said.

Her NEWTech teacher later suggested she enroll in the Running Start program at Spokane Community College with a focus on baking where Albert has excelled, savoring the creative latitude assembling desserts affords.

“When you’re decorating cakes you have the freedom to like, I don’t know, just go wild,” said Albert, who will graduate SCC with a baking certificate this summer and has already been hired to design a wedding cake after she finishes high school.

Albert hopes to sweeten her prospects for success in the baking industry with the addition of a college business certificate in the near future.

“My dream job would be to run my own bakery and be a part of that,” she said.

The

“All

Alaura Miller is both

FIVE MILE PRAIRIE SCHOOL

NORTH STAR SCHOOL

COURTESY

Rachael Albert dreams of one day owning her own bakery.

HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

‘I wanted to be that senior who welcomed others in – to say hi to the freshman’

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Mead High School is about to lose its own version of the Music Man: Nik Kar.

He plays seven instruments but focuses on saxophone and clarinet.

“I joined band in seventh grade and played the trombone,” Kar said. “It was one of the best decisions I ever made! I guess I had a bit of natural talent because I’ve had a lot of success with it.”

Kar has been part of every instrumental program at Mead: jazz, pop and concert bands, and marching band. He got a taste of being a drum major in middle school and set his sights on landing that position in high school.

He succeeded and has been a drum major for the last two years. The position combines two things he has a flair for –music and leadership.

“When the director is absent, I lead ensembles and rehearsals,” he said. “I developed a passion for it. Teaching has helped me understand what makes music, music.”

In addition to understanding the music, a drum major has to be someone people will follow.

Counselor Melanie Fender saw that ability in Kar.

“What I like about Nick is that he’s so inclusive of everyone. So many adults have said he’s kind,” Fender said. “It makes him a great natural leader who is well-respected by his peers.”

He earned that respect by intentionally getting to know his fellow band members.

“I wanted to be that senior who welcomed others in – to say hi to the freshman,” he said. “My goal was to learn the names of everyone in the marching band and color guard (70-80 people) by the first week.

“I wanted to make sure they felt like they mattered and weren’t just another person on the field.”

Band director Rob Lewis appreciates his student’s effort.

“He’s a talented, bright young man who genuinely cares for the welfare of those around him and the success of the entire group both on and off the stage,” he said.

Music also led Kar to his first job at Clearwater Music.

“I fix instruments and teach lessons,” he said. “I really enjoy it. It’s a job and a hobby.”

But his gifts go beyond music.

“It’s important to mention his contributions to our school and community academically and socially,” said Lewis.

MEAD HIGH SCHOOL

“Nick is a member of our National Honor Society, is an AP Scholar and has maintained a 4.0 GPA.”

Not easy to do when your schedule includes seven AP classes and four honors/ advanced classes.

“Math is my strong suit,” Kar said. “I’ve always loved it. English has more than one right answer. I like the order and conceptual aspects of math.”

He’s enjoyed being part of the yearbook staff, as well.

“I did the marching band page among others,” he said. “I wanted to be a voice for performing arts.”

When he’s not working, studying, or playing music, Kar volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.

“I started last summer for my vol-

Graduation

unteer hours for the National Honor Society,” he said. His parents joined him and they worked on homes in Deer Park. Kar enjoyed it so much that he’s still volunteering.

“It’s cool being part of something everybody’s working on together and seeing the finished house,” he said.

This fall he will attend Whitworth University and plans to major in mathematics education and minor or double major in music.

Kar’s kindness and leadership will be missed at Mead.

“I can’t say enough about this incredible young man,” Lewis said. “He completely embodies our Mead High School crest of mind, heart and spirit.”

The Mead High School commencement will be at 5 p.m. June 9 at McCarthey Athletic Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St.

Principal: Kimberly Jensen

Valedictorians: Ali Khalid Abbas, Danielle Beauchemin, Carter Bushnell, Andrew Champlin, Joseph Dimov, Amy Ferguson, Olivia Ferraro, Jacob Gendreau, Katie Gilb, Maya Granat, Elizabeth Hardy, Kinsey Hennessy, Ethan Hintz, Noah Holden, Alexis Jacobs, Brayden Johnson, Mallory Josten, Nicholas Kar Elijah KennedyGibbens, Mason Knigge, Raygan Mack, Nicole McGee, Misa McKenna, Natalie Millen, Bradley Mulder, Andrew Parker, Derek Prescott, Hannah Robbins, Ava Shaler, Benjamin Shannon, Vanessa Taylor, Elizabeth Terrill, Connor Valentine, Brett VanLandingham, Alea VanSickle, Kanako Walker, Isaac Wallace

Jacob Pelissero’s future plans take flight

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The most important test of Genesis Prep graduate Jacob Pelissero’s life won’t be in math or science, but will be a big step as he flies into his future.

Pelissero will attend California Baptist University this fall and study aviation, hopefully with the private pilot’s license that he intends to secure during the summer. Before he can take the test, he needs to have at least 40 hours of flight time. The test includes an oral exam followed by a 45-minute flight with an instructor.

“I started working toward my private pilot’s license about a year ago,” he said. “There was lots of bookwork in preparation for the written part of the exam, which I have already passed.”

Pelissero has been a member of Civil Air Patrol for all four years of high school. CAP is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, and Jacob has participated in search and rescue missions on behalf of the Air Force. Most recently, he was involved in the search for a lost snowmobiler in southern Idaho. He is the Leadership Education Officer for the local unit of Civil Air Patrol.

Pelissero hopes to become an Air Force pilot and eventually a commercial flight instructor. He will apply for an ROTC scholarship sometime in the next few weeks when that process opens up. He currently holds the rank of Captain in CAP, an honor awarded to less than 5% of members with at least three years of service and based on testing, leadership, character, presentation, and aerospace knowledge.

“I’ve been interested in aviation as a career since the eighth grade, when a Civil Air Patrol recruitment presentation got my attention,” he said. “But I also kind of come by it naturally. My dad is a retired helicopter pilot. We’ve lived in Post Falls for the past eight years since moving from Riverside, California.”

Pelissero has been on the Genesis Prep honor roll during every semester, serves as ASB secretary, and was selected as a representative to Boys State last summer. Without preparation, he became a senator at the convention, and he still works with the local American Legion post. He also is the announcer for Genesis Prep’s basketball and volleyball teams, enjoying the front-row seat that provides him.

Outside of school, he is involved in his church youth group at Real Life Ministries, weekly Bible study, and as a volunteer at major events at his church.

Director of Student Services Ryan Dutton describes Jacob as mature beyond his years and incredibly self-motivated at reaching his highest potential, and says, “I can’t wait to see where the next phase of his life takes him!”

Bible instructor Mike Couch concurs: “Jacob is a fine young man and a good student who takes his academics seriously as well. He has an affinity for all things having to do with flying.”

The Genesis Preparatory Academy commencement was June 5 at Real Life Ministries, Building 2, 1866 N. Cecil Road in Post Falls.

Principal: Paul C. Schroeder

Valedictorian: Tabitha Dourng

COURTESY

Nicholas Kar “embodies our Mead High School crest of mind, heart and spirit.”

THIS

Ollijah Boni*** Gonzaga University Payton Bower Eastern Wash. University Justina

Yeabsera

Gabrielle Benson Creighton University

Emmalee Beck** Gonzaga University

Kyan Blewett*

Nichole Casillas Seattle University

Darnesha Chery***

Univ. of Washington

Kayna Doolittle**** University of San Diego

Carter Durkin** University of Montana

Ryan Dougherty**** Northwestern Univ.

Thomas Edge** Gonzaga University Ashlee Everstine Oregon State University

Natalya Gadison Oregon State University

Ashley Franz** Boise State University

Ella Frear* Spokane Comm. College

Samuel Garabedian* Boise State University

Lucus Fridenmaker II Gap Year

Madelyn Greger** Grand Canyon Univ.

Jackson Floyd* Vanguard Univ. of So. CA

Brinley Fix** University of Arizona

Madison Frankovic* CO State Univ.-Global

Bianca Frank* Saint Martin’s

Joseph Gregory Gap Year

Andrew Happy*** Reed College

Sonja Grimsby*** Eastern Wash. Univ.

Aidan Hatzke University of San Diego

Lucy Gross*** University of Utah

Lance Harvey** University of Utah

Rebecca Harberts** Miami University, OH Gregorio Guglielmo* Gonzaga University

Cesar Leija* Western Wash. Univ.

Addison Litscher** Carroll College

Reagan Louie Univ. of Montana

Lucas Manfred*** Gonzaga University

Juliet McFarland** University of Utah

Kendall Loutsis Boise State University

Molly Manfred*** University of Portland

Sophia McFarland**** Notre Dame, Holy Cross Gateway

Malone** Univ. of Washington

Aaren O’Brien Whitworth University

Elizabeth Persons** Whitworth University

Romir Rajeev*** Loyola Univ. Chicago

David Mulindangwe Whitworth University David Nguyen**** Gonzaga University

Loyola Marymount Univ.

Michael Parlange Washington State Univ.

Jacobson Prosser*** University of Arizona

Samantha Mudge** Univ. of Mass.-Lowell

Isaac Muniz* Texas Tech University

Nickoloff Gap Year

Ohman Grand Canyon Univ.

Pham*** Seattle University

Reilly University of Arizona

Jamil Miller Undecided

Luke Miller*** Univ. of Washington

Lilomaiava Mikaele Eastern Wash. Univ.

Jessie Meliton-Viveros* Gonzaga University

Aidan Sanders** Whitworth University

Simon Ross Spokane Comm. College

Angelia Sanchez** Willamette University

Eli Sabata** Eastern Wash. Univ.

Katherine Schmidt*** Univ. of Washington

Christopher Shirley Udidd

Satterfield* University of Utah

Sharma** UifClifiDi John Paul Schlegel* University of Utah Caroline Shepherd** UifAlb

Scholz Wk Riley Schlomer** Gonzaga University

Joseph Shields* WhitSttUi

Discovering his passions

Stanford-bound Afework plans to major in computer science

By Emmalee Appel FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Finding the things you’re passionate about can be tough, especially in high school. But when Yeabsera Afework discovered his passion for math, science and technology, he knew it could take him places. Specifically, Stanford University.

But Afework’s passion extends beyond academia. Afework has been involved with several community outreach programs through Gonzaga Prep’s Knights of the Leash program. This program organizes students to aid in all kinds of community service.

Most notably, Afework does after-school tutoring at All Saints Catholic School, the elementary school he attended.

Afework speaks very highly of All Saints, saying it was a very welcoming environment when he moved to Spokane from Ethiopia when he was just 10 years old.

“Going into a Catholic school I think helped, they can be very accommodating, especially because when I came into the U.S., I didn’t really have that fluency in English yet,” Afework said. That community aspect also translated to Gonzaga Prep. Afework was one of two recipients of the Mike Shanks scholarship, giving him the opportunity to attend gatherings hosted by the donors and a sense they really care about his success.

“It feels good to say that I’ve benefited from there, and that now I’m able to move on to something even better now,” says Afework.

Stephen Manfred, Afework’s AP calculus teacher, said Afework really stands out as a student due to his passion.

Manfred said Afework’s

ability to light up the room is irreplaceable in a classroom –especially an advanced math classroom.

“He’s just really outgoing – he’s got such a great personality. And he tries to cover it up but he’s a hard worker too,” Manfred said. “He walks in the classroom and just brings a joy to the people around him and he interacts with his peers really well.”

Afework’s passion for math and science is something that he hopes to pursue in the future; he plans to major in computer science at Stanford.

Afework is a first-generation university student, and he said that the experience has been exciting but also a bit daunting.

“(Stanford) looks out for, FLI students is what they call them – first-gen, low-income –just to help them transition to a college environment because none of their family members really know that step in life,” Afework said. “I’m excited for what’s to come, but I’m a little scared as well.”

He said the end-goal is to make his way into the tech industry. As a first-generation student, long-term financial security and stability play a big role in the decision to attend university, Afework said.

Afework is also involved with a program called ColorStack, a tech nonprofit that aims to create academic and professional opportunities for Black and Latinx students entering STEM majors and professions.

Manfred said he has every confidence that Afework will succeed in anything he puts his mind to.

“When you look at the future, with kids like Yeabs, we’re actually in really good hands,” Manfred said. “Wherever he finds his passions, I think he will succeed.”

GONZAGA

bless you and keep you, may

May

Allyson Standiford**** Gonzaga University

Tabitha Sweeney Grand Canyon Univ.

Maria Stephanis* Gonzaga University

Jacob Thompson Boise State University

Joseph Shortell** Boise State University

Robert Strahl** Gonzaga University

Mitchel Siwinski Spokane Comm. College

Thomas Sine** University of Providence

Christian Slick Gap Year

Samantha Smith*** Baylor University Casidy Smith* Washington State Univ.

Jack Sodorff* Creighton University

Anna Sodorff* Washington State Univ.

Lucas Witherow Undecided

Shaun Wilkinson Eastern Washington Univ.

Maia Zberea** Gonzaga University

Noah Willmann-Hardesty Whitworth University

Jiacheng Zhao** Univ. of Washington

Aidyn Whitehead**** Villanova University

Izabella Yim* Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa

Jamie Wright**** Gonzaga University

Kira Wilson** Gonzaga University

Braden Zink Spokane Falls Comm. College

Kirsten Westphal Spokane Falls Comm. College

Katelyn Wysocki** University of Arizona

Olivia Wehr**** Univ. of Washington

Drake Watko Whitworth University

Kayla Wende Spokane Falls Comm. College

Nora Watson** San Diego State Univ.

Grace Warne**** Univ. of Washington

Hannah Wanner Gap Year

Sofia Visintainer** College of Charleston

Natalie Valley**** Univ. of Washington Ansley Wallace** Seton Hall University

Carter Verret Bellevue College

Sarah Turpen Washington State Univ.

Caroline Walton** San Diego State Univ.

Steven Troupin Washington State Univ.

Emelia Tilleman* University of Montana

Logan VanHook Whitworth University

Jasmine Venner**** South Dakota State Univ.

Ryan Thompson** Whitworth University

COURTESY

Yeabsera Afework will attend Stanford University in the fall.

Shcherbina uses hockey drive to reach goal of graduating early

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For Summit Christian Academy graduate Caleb Shcherbina, life is about school and hockey – not necessarily in that order.

Shcherbina, who attended the K-12 program for all but one year, is Summit’s only graduating senior, and he’s doing it two years early after completing all his graduation requirements. His 16th birthday isn’t until next month.

He started earning high school credits when he was in eighth grade, and when a school administrator told him that he could finish early if he doubled up in some of his courses, he leaped at the opportunity.

“I’ve been dedicated and disciplined in school,” he said. “Those are some of the things that I learned from hockey, that and the value of hard work and teamwork. Hockey is a big part of my life.

“I’ve never had time to be bored,”

Shcherbina said. “When I was younger, we sometimes had practice sessions at 5 or 6 in the morning, and during the season I’m playing five days a week. I’ve had to be organized and strategic to make time for both school and hockey.

“I started skating at a really young age, and my grandfather introduced hockey to me. He took me to a game, and I’ve always loved it since then. I’ve played for the Spokane Junior Chiefs and now for the North Idaho Knights. Both are ‘rep’ teams, a level above house leagues.”

Shcherbina hopes to someday become the general manager of a professional sports team, and plans to major in sports management with a minor in broadcasting or accounting in college. He will most likely attend Spokane Falls Community College this fall, and is hoping to make the Knights’ 18U team. After that, he would like to attend a university that has both his preferred major and a hockey program. But like other young players, his dream is to one day play in the National Hockey League.

GONZAGA PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Graduation

The Gonzaga Prep commencement was June 4 at McCarthey Athletic Center, Gonzaga University, 801 N. Cincinnati St. Principal: Cindy

He also has attended and competed in ACSI speech meets since first grade, and several times has been nominated to speak to the entire assembly at events.

“I’ve loved Summit, he said. “It’s been fun and a great atmosphere to learn. I’ll be sad to see it come to an end, but I

wanted to graduate early to start on my future goals and to continue my pursuit of learning. It was a hard decision, but it’s a cool opportunity and I’m glad that I accepted the challenge. I’ll miss Summit, but I don’t have any regrets.”

One of his favorite teachers, Laura Carver, noted some of Shcherbina’s qualities beyond his academic excellence: “I have always been impressed with Caleb’s work ethic and passion for learning. He is a great example of perseverance and determination. He is not willing to accept defeat and is always willing to put forth the effort and try until he succeeds.

“A successful person makes goals and uses discipline and hard work to achieve them, and Caleb has all these qualities. In addition, he has a servant’s heart and is always willing to serve others. His speech at our school’s banquet was about how Summit has influenced his life and his desire to serve God and others. Caleb is a model of what a young Christian should aspire to be.”

By Jim Allen FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Elizabeth Floch handles the questions as gracefully as she moves her wheelchair down a basketball court.

The well-intended questions come mostly from fellow students at Valley Christian, where Floch will graduate with honors next month.

“Sometimes they will ask, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ ” said Floch, who explained she was born with transverse myelitis, which left her weakened below the waist.

“But I always answer that I’m just the same as everyone else,” Floch said. “I am who I am.”

Despite the limits imposed by her condition, Floch has excelled in the classroom, the track and the basketball court – enough so in the latter that she earned a scholarship to play this fall at the University of Alabama.

That’s remarkable in any context, but Floch began life in a Chinese orphanage. While there she discovered paralympic sports, then was adopted at 10 by Clay and Jewel Floch of Spokane Valley.

Floch’s passion for wheelchair sports grew from there. Through Parasport Spokane and its director, Lisa Skinner, she found success on the track.

“I love it,” Floch said. “After school, I’m on the track, training every single day,” Floch said. Floch competes in the T54 classification, which includes athletes with spinal cord injuries but have normal hand and arm function.

Floch has succeeded at regional, national and international levels. By 2017, she was competing in Switzerland at the World Para Athletics Junior Championships, where she took a silver medal in the 800 meters and bronze in the 100, 200 and 400.

“It’s a big thing, and I’m really thankful that I was selected to be a part of it,” Floch said. “It’s really cool that I was able to participate a long way from home, getting a different experience and getting out of my comfort zone.”

A year later, Floch took three more medals at the Arizona Grand Prix. In 2019 she was back in Switzerland for the World Juniors and claimed a bronze medal.

At Valley Christian, she served as ASB treasurer and was honored this spring by the Spokane Scholars Foundation for her excellence in science.

“She’s just the most positive, gracious gal while dealing with a pretty difficult situation as far as mobility,” said her counselor, Jessic Kenlein-Burns. “She just does all the things that everyone else does.”

Actually Floch will be doing even more this fall.

For all her excellence in track, Floch prefers basketball.

“I just like the team aspect of basketball – playing for a goal at one end and then defending the goal,” said Floch, who will be on a full-ride scholarship at Alabama. Floch’s dreams go far beyond the court.

“I’m hoping one day to be a teacher, because I want help students,” she said.

COURTESY

Caleb Shcherbina is Summit Christian Academy’s lone graduate this year.

Principal: Yuliya Tarasov

BALANCING ACT: SMITH EXCELS AS GYMNAST, STUDENT

Kootenai High senior is headed to University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

By Sophia Sanchez FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Kootenai High School grad-

uate Callie Smith had to find a balance between her passion to compete and finding time to study.

“I had to miss school for sports,” Smith said. “Ultimately, I was able to keep my grades up because my teachers would always give me my assignments before, or I was able to work on them before a competition.”

Staying active being involved in gymnastics, maintaining good grades and participating in school leadership/ASB has paid dividends for Smith. She is the Xcel gold state gymnastics champion in her age division.

Smith moved from Wisconsin to Idaho when she was 13 years old. She is a summer person, she said. She loves to be in the water and participate in watersports.

During the summer, she would go sailing with friends and play volleyball and go wake surfing.

When balancing her school life with her sports life, she had to learn some tips and tricks along the way.

“When Callie is part of a team she steps up as a leader,” said Jennifer Smith, the Callie’s mother. “Even though gymnastics is an individual sport she builds up the team feeling, she helps to coach the younger girls and is an example to others.

“In school, she likes to be a part of planning for events and brings big ideas.”

Katie Ames, the school counselor at Kootenai High School in Harrison, Idaho, has known Smith for the past four years.

KOOTENAI

Graduation

The Kootenai High School commencement was June 3 at the Kootenai High School gymnasium, 13030 E. O’Gara Road, Harrison.

Principal: Nolan Kerby

Valedictorian: Tuesday Glessner

Class of 2023

Expected to graduate are: Keauna

Ames said Smith is positive and vivacious. She inspires her classmates and teammates to participate and be themselves by giving them inspiration.

“Callie has challenged herself recently to be more involved with ASB, student leadership, creation of the yearbook and taking tough courses such as physics and zoology,” Ames said. “She strives to be better and has goals outside of high school.”

Smith served as the ASB vice president, which is only offered for her senior year.

In her leadership class, Smith said they are currently working on their school yearbook, but normally they would make posters for sports, clubs, or school events.

“Callie, as a child, was happy, independent, bright and colorful, curious and caring,”

her mother said. “She is still all these things but more refined.” Smith will continue her educational journey attending the University of Wiscon-

sin-Oshkosh in the fall. She hasn’t decided on a major but knows she wants to continue to participate in gymnastics in a more fun aspect.

“She has settled into herself,” Jennifer Smith continued. “She has learned as she’s grown and been shaped by experiences through the years of her life.”

Callie Smith served as the ASB vice president at Kootenai High School in Harrison, Idaho.

LILLY GLENNIE DESIGNS HER FUTURE THROUGH ART

By Marissa Conter FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

St. George’s School graduate Lilly Glennie brings creativity and diligence to everything she puts her mind to.

“Lilly is incredibly dedicated and incredibly kind,” said David Holte, Glennie’s history teacher. “In class, her comments and questions are always well-considered and weighed before she speaks. She’s one of those students who helps make class better for teachers and students.”

This year, Glennie was selected as a Spokane Scholar and recognized for her work in the fine arts. Along with the other students chosen, she was honored at the Spokane Scholar Foundation’s annual banquet.

“Ever since I could pick up a pencil, I’ve been drawing, designing and thinking creatively,” Glennie said. “My passion for visual arts goes further than the brush on canvas, and stems from my interest in recognizing greater nuances of visual art, such as the artist’s intent and impact on the viewer.”

Glennie is a candidate for the visual arts course in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, through which she explored several mediums of art such as colored pencil, oil pastel, acrylic, graphic design, ceramics and lino printing.

During the two-year course, Glennie has worked toward putting together her own exhibition.

“The overall idea of the show was to create artwork with the subject matter of fruit,” said Allie McBride, Glennie’s art teacher. “Her big concept was mortality and decay, and how we go to the grocery store, and we want to pick out the most perfect-looking lime.

“If there’s any bumps or bruises on it, then we just discard those. What happens to that, and why is it that our society works like that?”

Another great passion of Glennie’s is her performance in aerial acrobatics with silks.

This artform involves a fabric that is fixed overhead as the performer demonstrates acrobatic movements while hanging from it. Glennie has performed at many community events as well as a lead soloist role in “Celestia,” an aerial play at Spokane Aerial Performance Arts.

“I’ve always been fairly quiet and have had low self-confidence. However, through working on storytelling through my performances, I’ve become a more confident performer and aerialist,” Glennie said. “I’ve noticed I carry myself with more assurance than I used to.”

In addition to her heavy involvement in the arts, Glennie has also been a part of the Joya High School Advisory Board since her sophomore year.

The Joya board is a nonprofit that organizes fundraisers and provides other services to support children with disabilities and their families.

She has also worked on her school’s yearbook, designing pages and this year’s front cover.

Last summer, Glennie studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art in its graphic design program.

In the fall, Glennie will attend California Baptist University, where she plans to major in graphic design and visual experience.

As Glennie prepares to graduate in the spring, her teachers at St. George’s wish her the best in her future endeavors.

“I hope that Lily continues to be a kind, compassionate force of reason and humility,” said Jamie Billings, Glennie’s Spanish teacher. “I think she is the one of the shining examples of what we hope our students are when they graduate from here.

“She really exhibits all of the best qualities of a St. George’s grad.”

‘It makes me happy to make others happy’

Sammy Lores’ family left Cuba for chance to experience American dream

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

From the restrictions and deprivations of Cuba to the freedom and abundance of the United States, Sammy Lores has traveled far.

He and his family fled Cuba in January 2022.

“I came here because life in a communist country is so bad,” he said. “No food in the market, and when you find it, it’s so expensive. Clothes have to be purchased on the black market.”

His father is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, and the family felt the strong arm of the government around their worship.

“If my dad wanted to do a week of prayer, the government wouldn’t allow it,” he said. School proved equally restrictive.

Coeur d’Alene, they were released and settled there. His father started a Hispanic church in the city.

“It’s grown to 25 people in less than a year,” Lores said.

But life in the States took some getting used to.

“Everything was so different,” he said. “Costco! Walmart! Ross! So overwhelming!”

“If you’re not a communist, you get kicked out of school,” Lores said. “I didn’t want to think like them, so I kept my mouth shut.” Their four-month journey to the U.S. took them to Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, where they were jailed because they’d entered the country illegally.

“That was a very hard time,” he said. “We’d sold everything we had to get here.” With the help of a family friend in

So was finding a school. Though Lores had graduated from high school in Cuba, the government wouldn’t release his school records, so he needed to redo his senior year. He knew exactly where he wanted to go – Upper Columbia Academy.

“I’d always dreamed of attending an Adventist school, but there are none in Cuba.”

Initially, no spots were open at the school, and Lores was put on a wait list.

“Two weeks before school started, I got a phone call at 7:20 a.m.,” he said. “They said I could come. I’m not going to lie – this has been the best year of my life.”

Teacher Judy Castrejón said Lores fit right into the school.

“He radiates love and happiness,” she said. “Sammy is such a humble young man. If he sees anyone sitting by themselves at a table, he joins them. This is the new kid reaching out.”

Lores said UCA was everything he’d hoped for.

“I like the environment. Everybody

helps each other, and I needed help to improve my English,” he said. “The teachers are so patient with me.”

He didn’t need assistance on the soccer field – he grew up playing the sport. The school’s team went to state this year and won the Fall Classic in Walla Walla.

Lores enjoys math and science. He plans to pursue a career in nursing and will attend Walla Walla University in the fall.

“Sammy is very motivated,” Castrejón said. She recalled how he described his family’s arduous journey and time spent in jail.

“He said it was the best thing that could have happened to him because he spent time thinking about what he was leaving and what he was going to.”

Castrejón has no doubt Lores will be an asset to the medical community.

“He’s very caring. I’m sure the Lord will use him in the ministry of nursing,” she said.

Lores is excited about what comes next. He expressed gratitude for Ben Rodriguez, the family friend who helped them relocate, and for Mandy Weber from the Foundation One program that helped with financial aid.

As he looks to college, he said working in a hospital setting is his great dream.

“Since I was a boy, Mom and Dad taught me to help people,” Lores said. “I feel so glad I’ll be able to help others. It makes me happy to make others happy.”

Lores

COEUR D’ALENE HIGH SCHOOL

For Coeur d’Alene’s Bobby Dorame, being part of the church worship team guided him to career goals

FINDING HIS GROOVE

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Feeling a sense of community is important to Coeur d’Alene High School senior Bobby Dorame and he’s made it his goal to help his fellow students feel that connection to their community and their school as well.

Growing up, Dorame felt like he was without direction. He played the guitar a bit, but didn’t feel passionate about it. “I got my first guitar when I was 7 or 8 years old,” he said. “At first, I kind of hated playing it. My parents had to force me to practice.”

That lack of passion was present in other areas of his life as well.

“I never really knew what I wanted to do when I grew up,” he said. “No career fields really appealed to me.”

When he was in middle school, he had a friend on the middle school worship team at Lake City Church. Dorame thought that sounded like fun. He was soon being mentored by the leader of the middle school worship team, Austin Callaghan, who he credits for giving him a passion for music.

“He was a really, really important role model for me,” he said.

Even though he had identified his passion, Dorame didn’t think he could make a living as a guitar player.

“I’m not that big of a risk-taker, to be honest,” he said.

His eventual goal, after studying business at Gonzaga University, is to open up a music venue in the Coeur d’Alene area to be a center for the musical and creative arts.

“There’s very few places for artists to perform,” he said.

As his love of music was growing, Dorame also began to get more involved in his school and community. He joined student council as a freshman and has been active every year since, currently serving as the senior class president. He spent two years in DECA and has competed at the state and national level.

He is also the youngest board member for the Kid Centric Sports Association, a local nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for extracurricular activity fees, sports equipment and more. Dorame said he wants all kids to be able to participate in sports and other activities even if they can’t afford it.

“I wouldn’t want any kids to have those kinds of road blocks,” he said.

His father was a board member, and Dorame took his place when he stepped down.

“I took on that role as a freshman and I’ve been more and more involved since,” he said. “It’s been really fun to be a part of that organization.”

Teachers Tarragh Carr and Antonio Carrico praise Dorame as a natural leader who tries to be a positive influence on his classmates.

“Bobby is a person who consistently shows his perseverance and initiatives by going beyond the basic requirements of his school work,” they wrote. “He is curious, motivated and embraces challenges with optimism and dedication.”

COURTESY

Teachers call Coeur d’Alene High School senior Bobby Dorame a natural leader with a positive influence on his classmates.

COEUR D’ALENE HIGH SCHOOL

LAKE CITY HIGH SCHOOL

LAKE CITY’S BIGGEST FAN

After concussions forced Jacob Carter to quit sports, he transitioned to a new role at school

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jacob Carter started out at Lake City High School as many do, heavily involved in sports. But injuries and a pandemic combined to instead make him Lake City’s best hype man, focused on inspiring his fellow students to be involved and have fun.

Carter’s family moved to Post Falls when he was 3 months old, then to Coeur d’Alene when he was in the first grade. He began playing football and wrestling in middle school, receiving a concussion in the eighth grade after a hit so hard that his face mask split. In his freshman and sophomore year he played football and was on the wrestling team. He thinks he got several milder concussions his freshman year, then had a more serious one as a sophomore while wrestling. That’s when his mother put her foot down and Carter quit playing sports.

“It was the best decision for everybody,” he said.

It was about that time that the COVID-19 pandemic began in earnest. Carter found himself attending classes two days a week with some of his fellow students and was cut off from the rest. He, like many others, used social media to help fill that gap and feel connected.

“Social media was kind of a saving grace there,” he said. “Quarantine was hard for everybody.”

At the start of his junior year, Carter felt adrift because he wasn’t doing his normal sports, but he was in the stands for the football games. He saw the student body president, Cayden Stone, there and Carter said Stone had such a love for

Lake City that he inspired him.

“The way I saw Lake City was just a place to go to school,” he said.

Carter was soon hyping up the crowds to support the football team, then got involved in basketball games as well. “It is the most fun, awesome thing ever,” he said. “That’s how I kind of found my love for the school.”

It was Stone who encouraged Carter to run for student body president his senior year. Carter said he originally ran as a joke. “I made a funny video and made a funny speech,” he said. “I used giant notecards. I wore a suit. I shaved my head.”

Carter quickly realized that the role was not a joke and began to take it seriously. “It got really unfunny real fast,” he said. “I like to think I was able to bring a more positive attitude to Lake City. It’s on me to set a tone for the culture.”

His goal has been to get every student involved in school somehow. “If you go to school eight hours a day and then go home, school sucks,” he said. “That’s why I encourage kids to join a club, play in a sport.”

Principal Deanne Clifford said Carter is a dedicated leader and an advocate for his fellow students. Whoever replaces him as student body president will have big shoes to fill, she said. “It was his personality, relatability and love for his classmates and community that propelled him into the position of representing our student body as their president,” she said.

Carter has been taking dual credit classes and plans to finish his associates degree at North Idaho College before enrolling at Boise State to earn a degree in nursing.

If you go to school eight hours a day and then go home, school sucks. That’s why I encourage kids to join a club, play in a sport.”

Jacob Paul Carter was ASB president at Lake City High School. “I like to think I was able to bring a more

attitude to Lake City. It’s on me to set a tone for the culture,” he said.

‘Failure

isn’t failure, but an opportunity to learn’

Izik Hicks found a place to soar at Venture High School

By Joe Everson

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

It would take a book to describe all the various twists and turns that have led Venture High School’s Izik Hicks to graduation, so only a few of the most notable will have to do.

Hicks has lived in at least 14 homes in his 19 years, including with parents, great-grandparents, foster parents and friends. He estimates that when he was 14, he moved nine times in one year. He and his sister were separated when he was 2 years old, but now talk daily. He has ADHD and dyslexia. He dropped out for a year during high school, living in his van and working, then returned for his senior year last fall.

gle-minded in his pursuit of a diploma, and a better life.

“I was determined not to let 6-year-old me down,” he said. “Instability was not a great thing, obviously, but I’ve lived with all sorts of different people, and that has opened my eyes to how similar people are, and showed me where I wanted to be and how to get there.

“The foster system failed me deeply, and I still suffer trauma from that time. I was in a shelter home for traumatized kids at 5 years old, but by 6 I had learned to navigate my own life. I told myself that I needed to develop rules for myself and stay away from drugs. The high point of that time was when my great-grandparents adopted me and I lived with them from 6 to 11.”

But amid all the difficult, sometimes traumatic, moments, Hicks has found silver linings as he became sin-

After Hicks’ great-grandfather died, he received a letter from his mother, who was do-

ing well at the time. He lived with her for several years, but when that didn’t work out, he moved randomly between Plains, Montana, and Coeur d’Alene, often without any notice or any of his possessions.

He spent his first two years of high school at Coeur d’Alene High School, where his interest in theater and acting class “gave me something to hold onto.” But he was skipping other classes, losing hope and credits until a friend told him about Venture, an alternative school with a focus on career and college preparedness.

“I skyrocketed right away at Venture,” he said. “The way my teachers explained things made sense and I got pointers on what to improve in my work. Classes there are outcome-based, so I get the chance to do things until I get them right.” It was also at Venture that he met Rachelle Smotherman and Kevin Mahoney. Smotherman is a counselor at Venture and Mahoney is Hicks’ senior adviser, and both have worked

closely with him. Smotherman connected him with Safety Net, a program that helps kids who have aged out of the foster system, and Mahoney helped him make a contact for his senior project, which eventually led to an apprenticeship and a 50-hour workweek detailing cars.

“Izik has shown incredible resilience and determination,” Smotherman wrote. “He’s been committed to finishing high school without the support that most students have, and while working to support himself. I know that he will have an amazing, purposeful future.”

Hicks now has an apartment with two roommates, and will continue to work full-time this fall. He also will continue his gig as a clown at Scarywood, in his fourth year there.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that failure isn’t failure, but an opportunity to learn. The only failure is giving up. My definition of grit is setting my mind on my goals, and recognizing that with time and patience, I’ll get there.”

LESSONS FROM THE COURT

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

It would be easy to picture Lakeside (Idaho) High School senior Vander Brown in a “Basketball Is Life” T-shirt. He feels that most of the most important lessons he has learned in life so far have come from the game.

“Basketball has taught me how to be a good human being,” he said. “It taught me respect, love, passion, and the value of working hard. It has taught me lessons that carry over from basketball to life outside basketball, especially that when you’re on a team, you’re never alone.”

He has a terrific basketball résumé, having led Lakeside to a 2023 Idaho state championship in the 1A D1 division. He was at his best when the lights were brightest, with 29 points and nine rebounds in a title game victory over previously undefeated Lapwai. He averaged nearly 24 points a game as a senior and scored 50 against Wallace during his junior season.

“There were many times before that I was unmotivated, but my vision is clearer now. Basketball has taught me that anything is possible and opened my eyes to a bigger world. It gave structure to my life and slowed it down,” he said. “I’ve learned to focus on one thing at a time, and I’m a better and smarter person because of basketball.”

It wasn’t always this way for Brown. He started getting in trouble as early as second grade, falling into what everybody else was doing.

“I wasn’t one of the worst,” he said, “but I was already heading in the wrong direction. Then my older cousin moved off the reservation for a better life. He played basketball, so after a while I started going with him to play. Before long, I always brought my ball and shoes, and I was on the court whenever I could be.”

One day, when he was 11, he met AAU coach Freddie Miller.

“He walked up to me and told me he was looking for third-graders for his team, and I’ve played ever since. One summer I even stayed with him and his family,” Brown said. “He treated me like a son.”

Vander’s basketball success didn’t come without a cost, though. He said that many of his old friends abandoned him when he returned to the reservation after tournaments, believing that he thought he was better than them.

“It got to the point where I didn’t care whether I was popular or not, but I also know that back then I was selfish as a player. Eventually I had to ask myself whether I wanted to win or to just earn individual accolades. I started reaching out to my friends, and instead of putting time into myself, I worked at getting my team locked in, for my teammates to trust me and for me to trust them.” Jaclynn Watson, Vander’s counselor, describes him as a leader in school as well as on the basketball court.

“Lakeside staff often lean on him to motivate other students,” she said, “and he is always one of the first students to step in and lead any activity. Vander is well-loved by his peers, community, and all those who have had the pleasure of teaching him.”

The Lakeside High School commencement was June 3 at Miller Court, 1255 E St., in Plummer, Idaho.

Principal: Jennifer Hall

Valedictorian: Arianna Havier

COURTESY

Vander Brown’s counselor, Jaclynn Watson, says that Lakeside staff members turn to Brown to motivate other students.

Hicks

CLASS OF 2023

SETTING THE BAR

As part of Ridgeline’s first ever graduating class, Owen Rich has helped lead the way in creating traditions for the school

By Greg Mason FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

When students could return to school in-person after a period of online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Owen Rich did so at a new school – literally.

Ridgeline High School, Spokane County’s first new high school in more than two decades, opened in fall 2021 with approximately 950 students, including Rich.

Upon opening, the Liberty Lake high school did not have a senior class, making Rich, 18, and his fellow juniors the ranking upperclassmen and Ridgeline’s first graduates.

“It’s not every day you get to be the first set of kids to graduate from a high school,” Rich said.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Rich was raised in Greenacres. He attended Central Valley High School as a freshman at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He, like others, then spent most of his freshman and sophomore years learning online.

Before Ridgeline opened, juniors like Rich had the opportunity to choose becoming a Falcon over the other two high schools in the Central Valley School District, Central Valley and University.

Rich said he preferred to attend Ridgeline to follow his band director since freshman year, Eric Parker.

“I think he really has been a blessed kid these past two years at Ridgeline,” said Holly Rich, his mother. “In his youth, Owen was taught by the adults in his life to be respectful, helpful, responsible and kind.

“He works hard toward goals, but has also made time for humor to get him through the stresses from high school.”

Owen Rich is the drum major for the Ridgeline Regiment, the school’s marching band, and president of Ridgeline’s Associated Student Body.

He also does the morning announcements and has been involved in the school’s drama program since last year. He played the role of the Wizard in this month’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

“It was a little bit of peer pressure, for sure. I never really thought I’d be a theater kid. I’ve been hooked ever since,” he said. “As for the drum majoring and presidency, I just wanted to start some traditions at Ridgeline.”

Principal Jesse Hardt said Owen Rich embodies Ridgeline’s “B.I.G.” motto: Belong. Inspire. Grow.

“He knows that we have to set the bar for the school,” Hardt said, “and if we’re going to grow as a school, with a brand-new school community and culture, it takes a leader that’s going to step up and do that.”

As a senior, Rich had to step up into the role of student body president, having been initially elected vice president prior to his senior year.

He is also a member of the high school’s Link Crew – a mentorship program in which upperclassmen “link” with incoming freshmen – and was Ridgeline’s first-ever homecoming king.

“He just decided to jump in and be a part of as much as he could,” Holly Rich said. “Even when we questioned his ability to handle the stress that comes with maintaining so many activities, he was confident in his involvement and proved himself able.”

Hardt said Rich “is the kid that I can count on and have depended on”

when Ridgeline is working on something as a school community –something that’s been especially invaluable given Ridgeline’s nascence.

“Every spirit week, he’s always leading the spirit and culture of our school,” he said. “As a principal, he’s an extension of the principal’s office because he does in the school what I like to do in the school, which is to be visible, be present, be involved.

Graduation

Valedictorian: Brock Brito

“He’s embraced that at a level that I’ve been so proud of and impressed by. He shows up.” Rich reciprocated.

“We have a super awesome (administration), which, sadly, not everybody gets,” Rich said. “We’ve been able to have a ton of fun coming up with a ton of ideas and them saying yes.”

Rich’s current plans are to attend

college for a semester or so before taking up a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Hopefully, I can figure out what I want to do in that amount of time and then come back and get to it,” he said. “I definitely would say I’m very proud to be a Ridgeline High School student.”

Owen Rich has been ASB president and a drum major at Ridgeline High School.

For Central Valley’s Farah Rabia Alayouf, the transition from Syria to Spokane was accompanied by rap

MUSICAL ADAPTATION

By Greg Mason FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For Farah Rabia Alayouf, music was key in helping her learn English – particularly rap music, since it was spoken rather than sung. She recalls listening to a particular song every day when she was in the sixth or seventh grade. While Rabia Alayouf can’t really remember what exactly she listened to the most, she does know that some of the songs – like that one – had some swear words that she had used in class, not understanding what they were.

“My teacher showed me pictures so I could understand,” said Rabia Alayouf, 19. “I didn’t even understand what they were saying (in the music), but then, when I went back, I was like, ‘Oh, crap. That was bad.’ ” Such was life for Rabia Alayouf, who at that point had just moved to the United States from war-torn Syria where she was born.

In Syria, Rabia Alayouf and her family had at one point lived on a farm where she and her family picked and pickled olives, she said. They then moved from Syria to Lebanon for a few years before moving to Turkey.

One of seven children, Rabia Alayouf said her father had to hide her older brothers at times to keep them from getting taken for the war effort. Except for one of her older brothers, who is married and lives in Turkey, her family made the trip to the U.S. roughly seven years ago, she said. Landing in Los Angeles, Rabia Alayouf and her family came to Spokane where they lived with another family for a few days. Those were confusing times, she said, as they tried to quickly pick up the culture and places in Spokane.

Rabia Alayouf started school in the U.S. in sixth grade, having been held back a year to help with the transition. Beyond speaking the language, Rabia Alayouf said English literacy was also a challenge as she had to master writing left to right and not mixing letters together.

Nevertheless, fitting in with the other kids was easy enough for Rabia Alayouf, a self-admitted chatterbox.

“I keep talking,” she said. “My friends in sixth grade – we’re still friends now, but they hated me in

middle school because I was loud and asked questions. I made a lot of friends in not even a week.” Rabia Alayouf will graduate in June from Central Valley High School. She plans to attend Spokane Community College to study radiology, inspired after seeing MRI technology in use firsthand in Lebanon where her mother was treated for cancer, Rabia Alayouf said. At Central Valley, Rabia Alayouf has been Heidi Averett’s “go-to” helpers over the last few years with school tours for new students.

Averett, who has known Rabia Alayouf for the past four years, including two as her school counselor, said Rabia Alayouf has shown incredible empathy in helping others from similar situations adapt to the culture.

“She’s so unique and she brings such a different perspective to our school and to all of the classes that she is in. People just kind of gravitate toward her and really want to know her,” Averett said. “She really values education. She has big goals for herself. I think everyone around her has felt really lucky to be part of her story.”

Graduation

St.

Principal: Kerri Ames

Valedictorian: Abigail Michaelis

Sydney Windhorst’s work to understand her ADHD is helping others

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

From a young age, Sydney Windhorst knew she was different from other students.

“My teachers would say, ‘She gets up and wanders,’ ” Windhorst said. “I was often described as a free spirit.”

In high school, she decided to research what made her school experience so different from her peers.

“I saw myself working even harder than my peers just to keep up,” she said. “Especially during COVID and quarantine.”

Her passion to understand herself better led to a diagnosis of ADHD shortly before her 16th birthday.

“I can’t believe I went all these years without knowing this part of my identity,” she said.

Once Windhorst learned what her challenges were, she found strategies that helped her thrive at Spokane Valley Tech.

“She’s chosen to challenge herself academically every semester while maintaining her school and community commitments. She has an incredibly strong 3.9 GPA,” said teacher Lori Buratto. “She participates in the National Honor Society and impressively has earned the Eagle Scout designation.”

Windhorst wasn’t content with keeping her discoveries to herself. She wanted to help other students, too.

“For my school project, I was inspired to create a Metacognitive Toolkit for Students with ADHD,” she said. “I kinda joined this ADHD community and noticed some of my peers didn’t have a learning plan or access to specialists like I did.”

Last year her project won first place in the school’s Trade Show of Innovation competition. And this year she’s taken her research and her toolkit into Sarah Phillips’ classroom at Greenacres Elementary.

“Sydney has spent this year getting a better un-

derstanding of the various ways ADHD can impact students at the elementary level and brainstorming ways to help support students at various levels of need,” Phillips said.

“Most recently, she’s been observing students K-5 and then discussing ways to scaffold techniques from her original toolbox design to those learners, as well as identifying other strategies that may be useful to younger learners. It’s been fun watching her learn and grow, as she continues her passion to help support students impacted by ADHD.” Buratto echoed that sentiment.

“She’s got intrinsic curiosity,” Buratto said. “She gives so much as a student and as a human.” One of the ways Windhorst gives is through Scouting.

“I started doing Scouts toward the end of COVID,” she said. “My brother got his Eagle Scout in 2019.” Windhorst quickly got involved with the leadership council and participated in national youth training and served as a senior patrol leader. She eyes her future with optimism and plans to attend Washington State University. She’s been accepted into the Honors College.

“I’m excited to find out what my calling is and what my career path might be.”

She’s interested in psychology.

“I job-shadowed my ADHD doc and interviewed him,” she said. “I have a lot of ideas about what I’d like to do. Ultimately, I’d like to help patients diagnose themselves. It’s really rewarding to help other people.” Her hard work and compassion have been apparent to the staff at Spokane Valley Tech.

“One thing I’m certain of,” Buratto said. “Sydney will be successful in whatever challenges or opportunities present themselves. She leans in and makes the most of it.”

COURTESY

Farah Rabia Alayouf plans to attend Spokane Community College.

Windhorst is interested in studying psychology.

MICA PEAK HIGH SCHOOL / UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL

Small school environment helped Kylie Johnson graduate on a high note

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Kylie Johnson was looking for a different type of high school experience when she signed up at Mica Peak High School. Now, four years later, she’s graduating as the ASB president and school representative to the school board.

It was the small class sizes that drew her to Mica Peak. In larger schools she was having trouble getting her work done, largely because she didn’t understand the work fully and she was to anxious to ask for help in front of everyone.

ful. I decided to try something different.”

She quickly found her home at Mica Peak, where her uncle worked as a teacher and is now dean of students.

“There was a lot of mental health issues going on,” she said. “Bigger schools were very stress-

“I immediately fell in love,” she said. “I just fell in love with the whole staff. They just make you feel like you belong.”

She’s on the school’s leadership team, has been involved in a couple of theater productions and once a month would visit the school board meeting to report on upcoming events.

Despite her fear of public speaking, she made sure to fit several jokes into each of her monthly reports.

“It is always incredibly nerve-wracking for me,” she said.

“I’ve never had a bad interaction

with them. They’re very kind.”

During one monthly report, she invited the board to attend an upcoming theater production. To her surprise, several of them came.

“I was very glad to see them there,” she said. As part of her leadership role in the school, she hyped her fellow students up to meet a goal set by Principal Kamiel Youseph last year. He promised students that if 90% of them passed their classes each quarter that he would get a tattoo, even though he was afraid of needles. With Johnson’s steady encouragement, they met the goal and Youseph got the tattoo.

Teacher Lisa Williksen praised Johnson’s advocacy for her school and fellow students and said she has set herself apart with her selflessness and kindness.

“She has participated in all aspects of our community here at

MICA PEAK HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2023

Principal: Kamiel Youseph

Mica Peak High School; leadership, mentoring, theater and has made each place and person she touches better for knowing her,” she said. “She is an individual that is empathic and steps into situations that help enable other students to move forward in their education and encourage them as a whole person.”

“I want to teach at Mica Peak,” she said. “That would be really cool.”

She said her family is full of teachers and she’s grateful for the teachers she had at Mica Peak.

“Definitely they put a lot of work into me because I needed it,” she said. “I could not have done it without the Mica Peak school teachers.”

Johnson plans to attend Eastern Washington University to study education and psychology with the goal of becoming a high school teacher.

WORKING FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM

Graduation

Isata Ville learned not only math and English, but also a whole new culture

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

University High School is a long way from home for senior Isata Ville, who grew up in Sierra Leone. She’s spent the last four years learning English and studying hard so she can go on to college.

Ville’s mother died when she was 5 and she lived with an aunt and uncle and her cousins. She said she felt “sheer love” from them and they raised her well. During all that time she was in constant communication with her father, who lived in the United States. They spoke regularly on the phone and he sent money to help support her.

Her father is from Nigeria, which borders Sierra Leone, and came to the U.S. as a refugee. In 2019, Ville decided to join him. “I wanted to live with him so I could understand him more,” she said. She was also in search of a better education. Ville said her schools weren’t bad, but were behind schools in the U.S. There are also more materials and technology available in American schools, Ville said.

When she first arrived in Spokane Valley, she began attending English language development classes at Central Valley High School because she didn’t speak English. She struggled, but kept working hard. “It was hard at that time,” she said. “I just kept going.”

Then, the pandemic hit, throwing her into the world of

The University High School commencement will be at noon June 10 at McCarthey

801 N. Cincinnati St

Principal: Robert Bartlett

Valedictorian: Corinne Howard

online classes while she was still learning the language. “It was a little bit hard,” she said. “I got used to it.” She left the ELD program and arrived at University High School in 2022, where she immediately felt at home. “I like it,” she said. “They are friendly and the teachers are helpful.” She has avoided sports because she said she isn’t good at them, but while she was attending CV she was involved in leadership. While it was fun, she stopped doing it when she transferred to University because she wanted to focus on her classes. “My focus was on trying to pass math,” she said. Teacher Svetlana Kushnerchuk said Ville has worked hard to better herself. “As an immigrant she has taken every opportunity available to succeed and build a new life for herself,” she said. “Isata stands out amongst her peers as she quietly, humbly and diligently masters the culture and language of a new land.” Though she misses her extended family in Sierra Leone, Ville said she has no regrets about leaving. While she might want to go back someday, she currently plans to work toward becoming a U.S. citizen like her father. She plans to take a year off after she graduates so she can work and save up money for community college classes. She’d like to study business administration and is also considering a dental assistant program.

COURTESY

OHMES BUILT CONFIDENCE

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The least interesting fact about Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy senior Daisy Ohmes is that she was born and raised in Louisiana, but doesn’t have a trace of a Southern accent. The rest of her story is what’s fascinating.

Ohmes moved to Idaho during the summer after seventh grade when her mother secured a position as medical director of Kootenai Health Pediatric Services. She attended preschool through seventh grade in her school near New Orleans, and her extended family has lived in Louisiana for generations, she said.

They were displaced for a few months by Hurricane Katrina, and they celebrated her first birthday in Kansas with her father’s family, she said.

“We have deep roots in Louisiana, and moving was a really big change,” she said. “The culture and weather are completely different in an amazing way. Both places have their charm. I was able to tour Charter before I started school, and after that I was really excited to come here. I felt that I would be successful and would be able to collaborate with other students who are passionate about academics and activities.”

One way that manifests: Ohmes is a talented artist and costume designer.

“I started drawing in fifth grade,” she said. “My older sister was my inspiration, and I’ve adored art for as long as I can remember. Art is a very personal process. Some people write, some do sports, and I express myself through art.”

She took only two art courses in high school, but says that those, especially during her sophomore year, taught her how to think creatively about the practicality and composition of art, and provided her with fundamental art knowledge.

“I’ve learned how to be myself and more comfortable in my own skin through art, and my goal when I’m working with younger students is to help build that same sort of confidence in others.”

Her artistic talent also led to working with theater makeup, which she describes as a new way to express herself. She also has designed costumes for drama productions, and this year finished first in that category at the Idaho state Drama Tournament and added a third-place award in makeup.

That’s just the headline for her involvement. She has been an after-school tutor at CdA Charter Academy, and during the summer before her senior year she was a math camp counselor, working with three classes of 10 students each on lesson plans that she developed. She also volunteered last summer at Kootenai Health.

During her senior year, Ohmes has taken five Advanced Placement courses, and is a two-year member of National Honor Society, serving as president this year. The CdA Charter Academy chapter of NHS raised over $4,000 for a Haitian relief fundraiser

her junior year, when she sold several art pieces, and an NHS bake sale this year raised money for Children’s Village, a local trauma-response home.

Ohmes will attend the University of Washington this fall, planning to do a premed track. But she is also intrigued by the idea of a business degree.

“I want to be a dermatologist,” she said. “And with my theater makeup experience I’ve realized how some products don’t work with certain types of skin. I hope someday to create my own cosmetic brand that is good for skin.”

Graduation

The Coeur d’Alene

Jacob Ukich raises classroom discourse ‘just by what he has to offer’

By Cole Forsman FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Through faith and a positive attitude, Jacob Ukich learned the hard way that his identity was so much more than being a soccer player.

Ukich, who’s graduating from Classical Christian Academy, has suffered two severe injuries over the past year that have forced him to take breaks from the sport he’s been passionate about since he was 3 years old. On the surface soccer was a way to be active, but really it was a large part of his identity and a competitive outlet for him and his fraternal twin brother, Ashton.

But after suffering a stress fracture in his back and a torn ACL this past December, Jacob has learned to cope with life outside the pitch through a positive attitude and his faith.

and collision that prompted a visit to the doctor’s office, where he was diagnosed with a pars defect. Such fractures can be a result of overuse and are a common cause of lower back pain in children. Ukich spent the ensuing three months recovering in a back brace.

“He’s just always put himself in anything, in soccer and academics and just in life in general. He just works hard to succeed,” said his mother, Celeste Ukich. “And then even through like these crazy injuries, he’s kept his head up and been positive. His kind of strength for a lot of this is just his relationship with the Lord and he’s used that to keep going through all this stuff that he’s had to deal with.”

His dreams of playing Division I soccer were put on hold after a stress fracture in his lower back kept him on the sidelines for six months as a junior. Ukich had felt minor discomfort ever since he suffered a minor hyperextension a few years prior, but it wasn’t until an awkward fall

“It was just a long process, and it was tough,” Ukich said. “I’m super active. My whole family is super active. And so not being able to do anything is really, really tough.” Ukich still found ways to be around the game he loved, as he watched his brother from the sidelines during practices and games. When he wasn’t spectating, he said he rode his bike as much as he could for exercise, played the drums and focused on schoolwork, but the absence of soccer was hard for him to come to terms with.

“It was hard, especially when I broke my back because soccer was a big part of my life,” Ukich said. “And once I didn’t have it, it was hard for me to kind of cope with that.”

Ukich said his faith played a large role in coming to grips with his identity outside of being a soccer player. Growing up in a Christian household, Ukich has always been involved at his church, from attending leadership classes on Sundays since sophomore year to assisting with the production and cleanup of youth groups and camps. He’s even tied his faith with academia as well with his senior thesis, in which he makes the case for Hebrew as a language and worldview being an integral part of classical Christian education. Along with soccer, Ukich has worked

Cash Thacker has balanced school with work toward fire-fighting career

By Amelia Troncone FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Hardworking yet humble are two qualities that Daniel “Cash” Thacker truly embodies. Graduating from North Idaho Christian School, Thacker has exemplified leadership during his high school career through service and a desire to help others.

Thacker grew up in Quincy, Washington, and moved to Coeur d’Alene at the beginning of his junior year. In the two years that he has attended North Idaho Christian, he has made quite the impact on his peers and the overall community.

“He really has just been a really good influence for the younger students,” said Jennifer Scott, Thacker’s school counselor. “He goes out of his way to make them feel welcome, loved and appreciated, and like they have a friend in him.”

Thacker’s mother, Lucresha Thacker, also said she believes that what makes her son stand out is his ability to lead by example and bring people together.

In addition to being a full-time high school student, Thacker is working toward being a firefighter. He has been volunteering at East Side Fire District in Harrison, Idaho, after school and on weekends since last summer, and is the youngest volunteer at his fire station.

The opportunity to become a firefighter simply presented itself, Thacker said, so he took it. Upon completing firefighting training and the firefighting final exam, he will officially become a firefighter after graduation.

“Cash’s father and I are excited to see him follow his path, whichever direction that leads him,” Lucresha Thacker said. “We are confident he will be successful in anything he chooses as he is very capable and determined.”

at

Graduation

The Classical Christian Academy commencement was June 2 at Coeur d’Alene Bible Church, 5350 N. Fourth St.

Principal: William Stutzman

Valedictorian: Ashton Ukich

Class of 2023

Expected to graduate are: Seryn Croswhite Dimitri Epling

Ruth Haaland Ella Hosfeld Aidan Paget Caylinn Reames Ashton Ukich Jacob Ukich

for academic excellence. He’s earned a 4.0 GPA while serving in student government. According to his literature and thesis teacher Jenna Bailey, who called Ukich “smiley,” he’s always been a kind, hardworking student and has dedicated himself to his studies.

“He’s just a great student, always thinking, always contributing in ways that matter and that are a fresh perspective,” Bailey said. “He’s always sort of bringing up the level of discussion in the classroom just by what he has to offer.”

While he recovers from his ACL injury, Ukich is set to graduate this spring before he enrolls in classes at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, where he hopes to continue his soccer career. In addition to taking Hebrew classes and being close to his aunt and second cousins who live nearby, he looks forward to the opportunity for him and his brother to grow as their own individuals after years of being inseparable, even if the transition isn’t an easy one.

“It’s scary, but at the same time, it’s like we’ve been together whole lives and it’s like, a lot of people know us as twins,” Ukich said. “I feel like there’s this part of me that hasn’t developed because I’ve always had him to lean on when I am uncomfortable. And so, I think it’d be good for me.”

Thacker’s go-getter nature has also been displayed through his involvement in several extracurriculars. He played football and baseball at his old high school, which he said was the highlight of his high school career. Today, he stays active by practicing a variety of martial arts, including jiu jitsu, Muay Thai and boxing.

When he isn’t studying for his firefighting course or being physically active, you can find Thacker working at his father’s industrial business and helping to build his family home.

He is a great time manager, Scott said, which allows him to balance and excel both academically and outside the classroom. What makes him especially unique though, Scott said, is his caring nature and personality.

“Cash just stands out with a really good godly character,” Scott said.

“The godly character of humility, of kindness, and being a servant are things that really stand out.”

Thacker is excited to be entering this next chapter of his life, and will enjoy the freedom that graduation will offer. He said that he is looking forward to just getting started with life.

His parents are extremely proud of the man that he has become and are thankful that North Idaho Christian School has provided a space for him to grow both as a student and as a Christian.

“We are most proud that his faith in Christ has flourished,” Lucresha Thacker said. “We are so grateful to have found North Idaho Christian School as a place for his last years of high school in which to encourage and reinforce his faith in Christ.”

COURTESY

Daisy Ohmes had “deep roots” in Louisiana before moving to Idaho after seventh grade.

Thacker

COEUR D’ALENE CHARTER ACADEMY COEUR D’ALENE

THE OAKS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY / MEDICAL LAKE HIGH SCHOOL

‘She always seems to have a smile on her face’

Malia Clancy comes alive on the court and on stage

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

You might say Malia Clancy grew up at the Oaks Classical Christian Academy. She’s attended the school for all of her academic life.

“She’s worn a uniform for 13 years,” said adviser Lynn Gibson. “I wonder what she’ll do next year.”

What Gibson doesn’t wonder about is the character and community commitment of this student.

“Malia is a young woman of quiet compassion, respected by classmates and faculty,” said Gibson. “She’s a stalwart scholar and steadfast friend. In many ways, she’s the glue that holds her class together. Whatever activity or team she’s involved in – she’s the glue.” Clancy thrived in the family atmosphere of the small K-12 school.

“I enjoyed that the seniors know the kindergartners – that community feeling of being able to know everyone,” she said.

Gibson said Clancy’s quiet demeanor belies her feisty competitive spirit.

“She’s fiercely competitive on the court, whether in basketball or volleyball.” In fact, her natural reticence van-

Graduation

The Oaks Classical Christian Academy commencement will be at 1 p.m. June 10 at Fourth Memorial Church gymnasium, 11711 E. 24th Ave., Spokane Valley.

Principal: Charlie Dowers

Valedictorian: Alexis Mérane Hart

ishes during two activities: sports and theater.

“I’ve been active in drama since fifth grade,” Clancy said. “I mostly do the musicals. I really enjoyed ‘Cinderella.’ I wore a giant ball dress.”

Gibson marveled at how naturally this student took to the stage.

“She’s an actress – she leaves her shyness at the door,” she said. “She’s a quiet person who doesn’t seek the limelight and serves in the background. The flip side is the spirited actress and athlete.”

Clancy has played on both the volleyball and basketball teams. She laughed when asked about her tenacity on the court.

“If I’m doing volleyball, I’m 100% committed – the same with basketball,” she said. “They’re both really

fun. I had good coaches who pushed me to be a better athlete and a better Christian.”

Academically, she tackled reading assignments with gusto.

“Some of the books we read really opened my eyes,” she said. “I especially liked ‘Fahrenheit 451’ and ‘1984,’ they both helped me see different things.”

When not in the classroom, on the court, or on the stage, Clancy can be found with a coffee mug in her hands.

“I really like good coffee,” she said. “Especially with dark chocolate and almond milk.”

She’s hoping to parlay her knowledge of the brew into a summer job and plans to take a gap year after graduation. She said she’s interested in attending cosmetology school.

Clancy values both the academic and life lessons she’s learned at the Oaks and said attending a school with rigorous academic standards taught her more than just facts and figures.

“It taught me to push through difficulties and have joy in hard times.”

That joy has been evident at the school.

“She always seems to have a smile on her face,” Gibson said. “We’re going to miss that.”

ADVOCATING FOR HERSELF

Medical Lake’s Jadyn Dane took control of her life to create options for herself and her brother

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Even in the best of situations, navigating four years of high school can be a challenge. Adding in a turbulent home life can make it nearly impossible.

But that is what Medical Lake High School senior Jadyn Dane has accomplished, putting together a strong academic record even as she has bounced around, as she puts it, among several different homes. In that journey, she has learned to advocate for herself in a system whose pace can frequently be agonizingly slow. In the last four years, Dane has lived with friends, in foster care, and at the Crisis Residential Center. She educated herself about her options even before she started high school, filing a Children in Need of Services petition almost four years ago, researching online and working with her guardian at the time. She is now living with a friend’s older sister.

“I just needed to get out,” she said. “I went through a depressed stage for a while, but when things got bad, it just reminded me why I needed to do this in the first place. I couldn’t make decisions to please anybody else. Sometimes it was tempting to give up, but I would remind myself that this wasn’t going to last forever.”

Dane was born in Oklahoma, then moved with her family to Missouri for several years. She, her mother, and two siblings moved to Washington when Dane was 9.

“My end goal was always to ensure that my little brother, who is 15 now, wouldn’t have to go through what I did,” she said, “that he would get the life he deserves.

“In the middle of all this, I started making friends, and in the last year I have a really good group of friends, and

I’ve been able to be a normal teenager. I’ve been inspired to be myself and to do things for me, too. It’s been hard finding balance, to find everything that I need but also to stay connected with my brother. I spend as much time as I can with him, and we talk all the time.

“I go to school for five classes a day, I meditate, and I have a job. It works because I make myself a schedule which includes time for myself, my friends, and my brother. I lean on my friends and my counselor, and I know how to find outside resources when I need help.

“It’s been hard learning to depend on other people, because I don’t have much trust in others. That’s still a struggle that I work with, trying to find people that I can trust. But I know that I can’t change what happened yesterday, and that everything that happened in my past led me to where I am now, and I like where I am now. I know when I need an emotional tune-up, because sometimes I need that to keep myself moving forward.”

MLHS counselor Lisa Prewitt says school staff recognized right away that Dane was experiencing significant challenges in her life outside school, and that she would probably need additional support.

“It turned out that she didn’t need as much we thought,” Prewitt said. “Jadyn is independent, driven, and self-motivated, and she knows what her goals are. She has the ability to compartmentalize the different parts of her life and handle all of them effectively. On top of that, she often mentors and helps others in situations similar to hers.” Dane will attend Western Washington University in the fall in pre-law, but her long-term goal is to combine her interests in business and culinary arts and to start her own business.

Graduation

COURTESY

Jadyn Dane heads to Western Washington University in the fall.

COURTESY

The Oaks Classical Christian Academy’s Malia Clancy want to attend cosmetology school.

Class of 2023

THE OAKS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

CHENEY HIGH SCHOOL / THREE SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

DIRECTING HIS FUTURE

Working in the family business helped Colin Chen develop a sense of responsibility

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Playing in band has been Colin Chen’s focus for years, but back when the Cheney High School senior was first offered the opportunity to learn an instrument in the fifth grade, he refused. He instead sat in a classroom alone while his classmates learned to play everything from the violin to the trombone.

However, his grandmother convinced him to give music a try in the sixth grade. On a whim, he picked the clarinet. It would be the first instrument of many. Over the years Chen would learn to play the saxophone, flute, trombone, mellophone, piano and bass guitar. He hesitates to pick a favorite and said that while he might be best at the clarinet, he likes playing the guitar more.

“It’s fun to play and not always the same,” he said. “What I’m the best at is not the one I enjoy the most.”

Chen grew up in Cheney, where his parents ran the China Buffet restaurant. They divorced in 2007. After his father moved to Ellsenburg and his mother developed mental health and substance misuse problems, Chen and his younger sister moved in with his grandparents, who took over the restaurant.

“In China it’s tradition for the children to live with the grandparents while the parents go out and work,” he said.

Chen has grown up in the restaurant, often translating and interpreting for his grandparents, who do not speak English. At the age of 10 he was responsible for calling wholesalers and putting in orders for the restaurant and doing other

CHENEY HIGH SCHOOL

paperwork.

“I saw it as a burden,” he said. “As I matured, I realized how lucky and privileged I have been. It really has taught me so much. It’s helped me develop a lot of my responsibility.”

Even with his family responsibilities, Chen has remained active in jazz band and the wind ensemble. Most recently he competed at the state level in clarinet and has also competed with his school’s FBLA club. He played varsity tennis all four years of high school and has been a member of Key Club for three years. He helped reboot the school’s National Honor Society club when it lost its adviser and was the ASB treasurer his junior and senior years.

Although music has been his focus for many years, Chen said he doesn’t plan to continue to study it in college and just wants to play for fun.

“Having so much experience in music, I’ve learned the value of it,” he said. “I do love it. It’s just not what I’m most passionate about.”

Teacher Shannon Root said that Chen, while very busy, has maintained a rigorous course load and earned a high grade-point average. “Colin is an excellent student who is humble, talented and involved in his school and community,” she said. “He has been a pleasure to work with and I have enjoyed our conversations and interactions tremendously this year.”

Chen wants to study computer science or graphic design and has been accepted into Louisiana State University. He said he really wanted to go somewhere out of state and his stepfather’s family is from Louisiana, making it a good fit.

Graduation

The Cheney High School commencement will be at 5 p.m. June 9 at Eastern Washington University – Reese Court, 460 N. Sixth St.

Principal: Brett Hale

Valedictorians: Mika Corneil, Nia

Guest, Olivia Hair, Valerie Hanes, Deven Helsing, Navidad Islam-Zwart, Rhyan Kucirka, Melissa Larson, Landon Moad, Teagan O’Callaghan, Charlie Rajewski, Makensie Roller, Autumn Verstrate, Myla Wong, Terrence Yu

Lilyanna Knerr ‘has persevered and taken control of what she can – her education’

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

At first glance, Lilyanna Knerr seems like any other student at Three Springs High School in Cheney. That is, until the large vertical scar on her chest reveals some of her health problems. She was born with transposition of the great vessels, a congenital heart defect where the two major arteries that carry blood toward the heart are switched. She was also born with dextrocardia, a condition in which the heart is in the wrong place. “My heart was in the wrong place and they moved it,” she said. She had heart valve surgery at age 9 and has two artificial valves in her heart. “My stomach was messed up, too,” she said. Her experiences in the health care system caused her trauma, including anxiety and depression that make it hard to leave the house. “Beeping noises and sirens make me panic,” she said. Her mother died when she was 6 months old. Knerr had a quiet childhood

and turned to art to express her feelings and emotions. “My parents kind of sheltered me for a long time,” she said. “My brother was always allowed to do things I wasn’t even though he was younger than me. I spent a lot of time inside doing music and crafts and things.” She grew up painting and drawing and currently is focusing on anime and digital art. She used to sing in the choir and has been a member of several game clubs. Her physical activity is limited to walking and weight lifting because of her heart condition. “I’ve got to be really careful doing stuff,” she said. “If I overdo it, it’s really bad.” When it came time for high school, Knerr said she didn’t fit it well at Cheney High School and had some trouble with bullies. “At Cheney, I couldn’t keep up with the teachers,” she said.

Instead she switched over to Three Springs, an alternative high school.

“The teachers are very understanding,” she said. “It’s smaller, so I don’t get as anxious.”

Counselor Travis Weese said Knerr has done well despite a life-long battle with her physical health. “Lily has been dealt a tough hand in life,” he said. “Lily, despite her early health prognosis, has persevered and taken control of what she can – her education. We are proud of the obstacles Lily has overcome and excited for her next adventure.”

While Knerr has already had several surgeries, more are in her future. She recently had a heart infection that landed her in the hospital and is waiting to hear from her doctors if she needs to have another heart valve surgery this summer, which would delay her entrance into college until the spring.

Knerr has been accepted to Evergreen State College, which she toured on the suggestion of one of her teachers. “It’s a nerdy school,” she said. “It’s an art school. It’s a smaller campus, too, so it’s not super overwhelming.”

She plans to study psychology and art so she can become an art therapist. Knerr said she has a therapist that has helped her and she wants to help in a way that she physically can. “I want to do something that helps other people,” she said.

“I’d like to help people feel better.”

COURTESY

Colin Chen has been in the Cheney High School jazz band and wind ensemble.

Knerr

Playing through the pain

Despite a medical issue that causes severe headaches and vision problems, Shaylee Bernhart is excelling in school and learning how to keep her love for music alive

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For most of her time at Post Falls High School, Shaylee Bernhart was a typical band geek, playing multiple instruments in various bands. Music filled her life, until the crushing headaches began last fall. Her headaches also came with vision problems and dizziness. What she could see looked like the black and white static from an old-fashioned television. When the pain and vision problems hit, Bernhart would have to have a friend lead her to the school nurse’s office. The symptoms would stop when she went to bed, then start up again in the morning.

“It was the same thing over and over and over again,” she said. “There were definitely a lot of nights when I was sobbing at the table doing my work, in pain.”

Doctor visits and tests led to a diagnosis of Chiari malformation Type 1, when the skull is too small for the brain and the brain begins to slip down the spinal column. It’s usually present at birth, but it can take years to develop symptoms and some people never have symptoms. The only cure is brain surgery that involves removing a

section of skull to make room for the brain. Bernhart’s herniation into the spinal column is 5 millimeters, the minimum required for a diagnosis of Chiari malformation. She’s on medication to keep her spinal fluid pressure down and Bernhart said her neurologist isn’t sure if surgery will be required. “That’s OK, because I don’t really want my brain to be cut open,” she said.

However, the medication she takes causes tingling in her hands and feet, which creates a pins and needles feeling while playing a musical instrument. An eyelid twitch also makes it hard to read music. She’s struggled to keep up in school and any sort of physical exertion can lead to debilitating headaches and can keep her in bed for days.

She started playing the flute in sixth grade, later adding the trombone. She played in the concert band, jazz band and the wind ensemble. “I like the people in band,” she said. “It’s a fun environment, kind of like a family. At one point I was in three band classes in one semester. My face was tired by the end of the day.” Teachers and staff at her school have noticed Bernhart’s struggles. Counselor Allison Vanlandingham

said she was impressed that Bernhart is still coming to class and participating in school even as she struggles with daily pain.

“Not only that, but she is among the top-ranking students in her entire graduating class,” Vanlandingham said. “Shaylee has had to wrestle with the potential for open brain surgery when her peers are thinking about prom and what dorm they are staying in their freshman year of college. Through all of this she has remained true to herself and the person she has always been.”

As she prepares to leave high school, Bernhart is also trying to come to terms with what her diagnosis means for her future. Light and sound make her headaches worse, but she’s reluctant to give up the music that has been a daily part of her life for years. She recently started learning the ukulele, which requires less physical effort than a wind instrument.

“It’s hard to play now with my migraines,” she said. “I don’t want to say I’m giving up playing, because I don’t want to.”

Bernhart plans to attend BYU Idaho and study elementary education so she can be a teacher. “I love being around kids,” she said. “Their minds are so cool to me.”

Matte Wood brought encouragement, support to the classroom

By Greg Mason FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For New Vision High School social studies teacher Rich Raynor, it’s one thing to have a student who simply does the work that’s asked of them.

It’s another when you have a student like Matthew Wood, who not only does the work, but actively wants to learn from it – while encouraging and supporting that behavior among their fellow students, he said.

“Matte’s always been really nice, but the leadership qualities have really come out (in their senior year),” said Raynor, who’s been one of Wood’s teachers at New Vision for the past year and a half.

“Matte’s changed quite a bit since they’ve been here at New Visions.”

Wood, one of New Vision’s graduating seniors this year, said they hope to pursue tattoo artistry after graduating this June. They are graduating a year early, having taken enough extra classes to do so.

Getting here wasn’t easy for Wood, who went from failing almost all of their classes in their freshman year at Post Falls High School to A’s at New Vision, they said. As a freshman, they and their fellow students moved to online learning halfway through the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which didn’t make anything easier, Wood said.

“It’s really easy to not do the work and to get very far behind,” Wood, 17, said of online learning.

Wood transferred to New Vision at the start of their sophomore year, having struggled not only with online

classes during the pandemic, but also bullying at Post Falls, said Jenniffer Wood, their mother.

“We just saw a huge change overnight, almost, with them,” she said.

“Matte is probably one of the most unique individuals – in a good sense. They just run to the beat of their own drum, has their own sense of style and doesn’t let anybody bring them down.”

Matte Wood said, “(New Vision) is a smaller school. … There’s not really anywhere to hide, so getting out of my comfort zone was probably the biggest challenge I’ve had here, but after I got out of my comfort zone, I found it very comforting.”

Wood, who has been dyeing their hair since middle school, recalls spending a few weeks during the pandemic getting a better sense of self,

saying quarantine gave them a chance to “get out of what I thought I was” and find their style. “I had people come up and talk to me and tell me they liked my clothes and it gave me a lot more confidence to get out of my bubble,” they said. “I just had to talk more and be less worried about what people thought and worrying more about what I was doing.”

Not one for college, Wood said they plan to work toward becoming a tattoo artist after they graduate. Earlier this year, they had a job shadow opportunity at Second

said. “The idea of

COURTESY

Shaylee Bernhart continues her musical passion despite her diagnosis.

LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL / MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

LIVING HER DREAM

Berklie Ogieglo wants to attend law school after she obtains her bachelor’s

By Sydney Fluker FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

When Berklie Ogieglo saw an email in her inbox from Questbridge, she couldn’t imagine the ways that program would change her life.

“If I wouldn’t have checked (my email), none of this would have ever happened,” Ogieglo said. Questbridge is a national nonprofit that connects low-income and first-generation college students with partner colleges and universities to expand educational opportunities. The result for students who are matched to universities is a full-ride scholarship, which Ogieglo received to the University of Notre Dame.

“The more I researched (Notre Dame), the more I was like ‘Oh my gosh, this is my dream school,’ ” Ogieglo said. “I would rather go there than anywhere else in the entire world.”

Ogieglo is graduating from Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, having taken all of the dual-credit college courses Lakeland offers. She received the North Idaho Student Awards Recognition award, for which the students have to be in the top 10% of their class.

“She makes what she just accomplished look really, really easy,” Lakeland principal Jimmy Hoffman said. “I’ve never quite run into a student that has what I call the X factor … She has the intelligence, but when you match that with Berklie’s character and work ethic, that’s where it becomes really, really special.”

While at Lakeland, Ogieglo tried out different clubs and activities until she found her

passion for student council her junior year. She said being a part of student council allowed her to get more involved in the community and plan events for the students, which she really enjoyed doing.

“I just love Lakeland so much,” Ogieglo said. “The staff and teachers care so much. No one cares like the teachers there do, they’re just all so amazing.”

Ogieglo said her experience at STEM Charter Academy gave her the study skills she needed to succeed in high school and kickstarted her interest in science and math. Ogieglo is enrolled in the College of Science at Notre Dame, but will not declare her major until after her sophomore year in accordance with the university’s system. She plans to pursue law school after finishing her undergraduate degree.

Though Ogieglo is excited to leave in the fall for her new journey, she is sad to be moving so far away from her dad, who she considers one of her best friends.

“I’ve always been really self-motivated, but I think the reason I’m here is just my dad,” Ogieglo said. “He’s amazing. He taught me everything – he taught me my work ethic, everything I know. He gave me all the skills that I needed to succeed.”

Ogieglo said her dad ingrained in her a passion for travel by taking her on so many road trips throughout her childhood. Now having been bit by the travel bug, she plans on doing as many exchange programs as they will let her.

This summer, Ogieglo hopes to take a couple more road trips before the final trek to Notre Dame in Indiana.

Graduation

The Lakeland High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 7 at Real Life Auditorium, 1860 N. Cecil Road, Post Falls. Principal:

Valedictorians:

Jimmy Gardiner found his place and his future

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Mountain View Alternative High School

Principal Assistant and teacher Mark Gorton has plenty to say about senior Jimmy Gardiner, but his most interesting observation may be when he compares Jimmy to iconic movie character Ferris Bueller.

Bueller, you may recall, was a largerthan-life high school senior who lives in the moment and comes to care as much about his friends as much as he cares about himself. Of course it all occurred on a day when he was skipping school, but that’s not Gorton’s point.

“Jimmy’s personality makes him Ferris-like in his ability to be liked across all subcultures of high school,” Gorton said. “He is one-of-a-kind. I have been continually impressed by his positive attitude and unwavering perseverance, and his genuine love for learning. And he is not afraid to stand up to those who would make another person’s day hard.” Gardiner has been a student at Mountain View for all four years of high school, enrolling there after two older brothers had positive experiences at the school. As he noted, there are often misconceptions about alternative schools, typically that they exist only for troubled students or those with bad grades.

“I knew in middle school that I wouldn’t fit into a ‘normal’ high school,” he said. “Kids are at Mountain View for different reasons, and I’ve met people of all socio-economic and family backgrounds. There are students there who dropped out of other schools, but others who just needed something different.

“I didn’t accept the acceptance that I re-

ceived when I started there,” he continued.

“It has prepared me for a life.

He spoke most highly of Gorton, whom he described as a “great, great guy.”

“Before I came here, I figured that I would just go to high school, get a diploma, and get a job. But Mr. Gorton pushed me gently in another direction, asking me what I wanted to do with my future and talking with me about college.

I didn’t know anything about colleges, but Mr. Gorton was always wearing his Lewis-Clark State merch, and he got me thinking.

“I have five siblings, and I will be the first to go to college. My father was a computer geek, and I loved watching him repair them. I have been interested in that as long as I can remember. I never asked for regular toys, but instead for ones with

remotes, like a mechanical garbage truck, and I loved Transformers.”

Gardiner was enrolled half-days for his junior and senior years at the Kootenai Technical Education Campus in computer repair and networking, and plans to attend LC State majoring in cybersecurity management. At KTEC, he was chosen to serve as a student ambassador, and was also selected by the Post Falls School District as a member of the district student council. Gardiner came into Mountain View with social anxiety, he said, but is leaving with high hopes for his future and a sense of optimism about his possibilities, and with leadership skills he didn’t know that he possessed. And in Mark Gorton, a role model he’ll remember long past high school.

COURTESY

Berklie Ogieglo will attend the University of Notre Dame.

LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL

COURTESY

Jimmy Gardiner will be the first of his five siblings to attend college.

LEADING THE WAY

Isabel Alapai has her sights set on nursing

By Trinity Wilhite FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

After being homeschooled all her life, Isabel Alapai entered public high school and immersed herself into leadership roles.

The 18-year-old at Timberlake High School, located in Spirit Lake, joined a plethora of clubs that enhanced her schooling and leadership kills.

Alapai said she jumped into these leadership positions because of her family. She is the oldest. Her siblings are boys. This taught her a lot about herself and others.

“That’s kind of what sparked my interest in leadership is because I was there for my family when they needed me,” Alapai said. “I was keeping them out of trouble when we were little and just everything like that.”

Using her personal experience of growing up on a farm and helping raise her family’s livestock, Alapai started in Future Farmers of America in her freshman year of high school.

“I am the president of my school’s chapter. I’ve done FFA for four years,” Alapai said. “It’s something that I’ve really enjoyed doing in high school and I really loved it.”

Graduation

Through FFA, youths can compete in different areas and involve themselves in skill building.

“I have competed in anything from livestock judging to horse evaluation to public speaking and employment skills,” Alapai said. “So, it’s a really-wide-range variety to build new leaders in agriculture and just in general. It’s something that I love doing and I had a passion for.”

Alapai said it has given her a lot of opportunities and taught her how to be a leader. Being an officer for her chapter has been a challenge and learning experience, she said.

The senior is also part of 4-H, which is another life-skills-enriching national program.

“A lot of 4-H is learning how to raise animals, learning how to cook, learning how to support yourself and then FFA,” she said. “You kind of take it to the next level and really show your interest in

different careers in agriculture and interest in that field.”

Along with being involved with these clubs, Alapai has fostered her desire to pursue a career in nursing by attending Kootenai Technical College, where she said she will earn her certified-nursing-assistant certification within the next few weeks.

Having a CNA would allow Alapai to work in the field before she gets a nursing degree.

“Already having some of that experience and knowledge going into nursing school, that will hopefully help me a little bit more,” Alapai said.

She said she plans to study nursing at Idaho State University in the fall.

“I love helping people. And I especially love helping people who maybe aren’t able to help themselves,” Alapai said. “I love being the person to help them with that.”

In her spare time, Alapai likes to go on hikes with her dogs, friends and family after school, she said.

But helping others is Alapai’s focus.

“I enjoy every minute, every minute of it even at the hardest times,” she said, “because it teaches me really valuable lessons that I will take with me my entire life.”

COURTESY

Isabel Alapai finds valuable lessons in the hardest of times.

Cross-cultural connections

By Greg Mason FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

While she knew she wanted to go to college, Dianna Demko had no idea where to start.

A first-generation college student, the 17-year-old was born in Spokane to Vladimir and Lidiya Demko, who came to the Lilac City from Belarus in 2001 when Lidiya Demko was just 18 years old. The oldest of four siblings, Demko – who is fluent in English and Russian – said her upbringing “really made me who I am today.”

“Growing up, it was a lot of trial and error for myself understanding the American culture and at school, just trying to learn certain topics, because I didn’t have that huge home support that other kids did,” Demko said.

GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a federal program aimed at supporting students starting in middle school and preparing them for postsecondary life, such as teaching them about college and financial aid, tutoring or getting them into trade school.

Demko has been a member of the GEAR UP advisory committee since March 2022.

Along the way, she was also involved in the East Valley Future Business Leaders of America and won a superintendent’s award for photography in this year’s NorthEast Washington Educational Service District 101 art competition.

She changed schools in second and fourth grades.

“We ended up moving at awkward times also when I was a kid,” she said. “A lot of that was me trying to understand (her parents), but it was also really hard because I grew up in this culture that was so different from them. To try to combine it, I honestly was sometimes a little scared and nervous about it.”

Demko, who is graduating from East Valley High School, has drawn on her life experience as a member of a statewide student advisory group for the Washington GEAR UP program.

“She’s always someone who’s willing to go out and do something new and represent herself and her class,” said David Morton, the GEAR UP Coordinator at East Valley High School.

“She’s not afraid to use her voice and express what needs to be said. She’s never afraid to challenge and express and represent and advocate for her grade level and her peers, but she does it in a tactful way.”

Demko said her committee has met once a month to guide GEAR UP administrators on what students actually want and need to move into the next phase of their lives, whether that’s college or elsewhere.

Not only did GEAR UP help Demko with her own college search, but the experience was

also an opportunity to help and advocate for other bilingual students who grew up in similar situations, she said.

“When I was in school, we didn’t have a lot of stuff like that. I was always happy for her. I always told her, ‘You have to figure out what you want to do,’ ” Demko’s mother, Lidiya, said of her daughter’s extracurriculars. “It’s always nice to be involved in school life. Whether you’re going to a

Graduation

The East Valley High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 12 at the Podium, 511 W. Dean Ave.

Principal: Matthew Stevens

Valedictorians: Abbygail Crossley, Declan Gilman, Ryan Ho, Luke Holecek, Shawnee Munns, Tina Ngo, Sydney Petersen, Trever Sandness, Jesse Stevens, Sadie Yost

school or a college, it’s always going to be some kind of new adventure.”

This fall, Demko plans to study nursing at Whitworth University.

“I just love Spokane as a place,” she said. “I got a chance to meet with some of their admissions counselors and even their director for nursing, and I just found there I would just have such a great support system for me.”

Chloe Avery balances school and figure skating

By Kaelyn New FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

If there’s one motto that guides Chloe Avery’s life – both on the ice and off – it’s to get back up and try again after failing.

The East Valley Online Learning senior and competitive figure skater hasn’t failed much, though, according to her mother, Angela Avery, and teacher, Paula Cavaness. She is graduating as a valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, and Avery said she cannot recall a time in her education where she didn’t receive an A in one of her classes.

“She’s a star student, that’s for sure,” Cavaness said.

Cavaness has been Avery’s teacher since sixth grade, when Avery first enrolled in the East Valley Online Learning program. Cavaness said Avery has always excelled in everything she puts her mind, and it has been inspiring to watch her achievements grow over the years.

“She is just a super example of what an online student can achieve and be in their life,” Cavaness said.

Avery, a resident of Tacoma, said that she chose Spokane’s East Valley Online Learning program because it allowed her to have flexibility within her schedule and figure skating training regimen. She practices at Sprinker Recreation Center in Tacoma five to six days a week for two to three hours each day.

A lot of the hard work and long hours have paid off, according to Avery. She qualified for sectionals in figure skating in 2018 and 2019.

“I feel really blessed to be connected with all the people I am with today –teachers, counselors, my parents and friends – because I would not have been here without their support and I really appreciate everyone being there for me,” she said.

Avery enrolled full time at Pierce College with Running Start during her time with East Valley Online Learning and is graduating with an Associate of Arts transfer degree.

Outside of her schoolwork and skating, she volunteers in the children’s wing at her church, Hope Fellowship.

“I really like working with younger kids and just being there for them and watching them grow is so fulfilling,” Avery said. “That’s a big part of what motivates me to be with children is just knowing that you can have an impact on their lives.” She said she hopes to carry this passion into her professional life. Her dream job is to coach figure skating.

“For me, figure skating has helped me learn a lot of life lessons that really helped me get through tough times,” Avery said. “I just feel like it would be really cool if I was able to help others.”

Entrepreneurial spirit pays off

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For East Valley Parent Partnership senior Austin Drysdale, someday turned out to be right now.

“I’ve always thought that it would really cool to own my own business someday,” he said. “I had no idea how to do it, but I watched a bunch of YouTube videos and kind of stumbled into window-cleaning, mostly because of the low cost to start up.

“I was working at Yoke’s when I was 16, but one of my friends started a landscaping business after that and hired me. Before long, he loaned me some stuff to start window cleaning, and I researched techniques, then started going door-to-door. It was rough at first because I didn’t really know what I was talking about.

It’s a lot easier now because I have a script and I know how to talk to customers. All on his own, he has taken care of permit and insurance issues and formed Northwest Exterior Works as a limited liability company. He did all that during his senior year after his 18th birthday, the legal minimum age to establish an LLC. The Parent Partnership, which supports homeschooling families through classes, curricula, equipment, and testing, provided Austin with the perfect vehicle for blending his academic work with his new business. He finished his schoolwork in the morning and conducted further research in the afternoon. “Going door-to-door is a pretty tough gig, knocking on 200 houses to get four yeses,” he said. “But every time I sold a

job, it felt great. “When I want to learn something, I learn it. We have a few business owners in the family, and their advice helped me a lot. I watched videos on business startups for months in the beginning, and I still do that. I’ve figured out that when a potential customer says, ‘I’ll think about it,’ that’s a no, so instead I’ve changed to asking people what’s holding them back.

“Some days I make a lot of money, some days none at all. I would say that the business is moderately successful. I’ve learned a lot about scheduling, taking calls and dealing with bad customers. Door-to-door is my only thing right now, but I hope to make enough to do online ads soon.”

Austin said that for now about 80% of his income goes back into the business,

Graduation

including paying for expensive equipment. His work is mostly window-cleaning, with occasional roof and gutter-cleaning jobs. He’s always had an entrepreneurial spirit, building fences and bucking hay for neighbors as he grew up.

Drysdale is going to focus on his business after graduation, hoping to expand as much as possible and hire more employees. His five-year goal is to expand into pressure-washing and do more gutter and roof work.

Drysdale’s main teacher, Kimberly Brake, has worked with him for all four years at EVPP and said, “Austin has always been an active learner and motivated to succeed. He is driven to maintain a level of personal excellence. I have been excited to watch him start his business and work hard to establish himself and grow.”

Angela Avery said her daughter is a prime example of a good person.

“She’s a very loving and kind, altruistic person,” she said. “She really cares about people, and I would say she always thinks about others ahead of herself.”

Avery will attend Liberty University in the fall, where she plans to study early childhood education. Through it all, she said she hopes to continue her philosophy of getting up after a fall and trying again.

“There’s always a chance to learn, to improve and to grow from all experiences in life,” Avery said.

Graduation

Dianna Demko won an award for this photograph in this year’s

NorthEast Washington ESD art competition.

Dianna Demko turns family journey into success story

Demko

Drysdale

A PURSUIT FOR CREATIVITY

By Thomas Connolly FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Eagle Scout, WSU Scholar recipient and Spokane Scholar recipient is quite the résumé to have as a high schooler, and these are just a few of the accomplishments of Deer Park High School’s Aaron Harris.

“I was never a particular guy that loved one subject,” Harris said. “My drive in my classes was always fueled by not wanting to do bad or fail.”

One thing Harris has not done is fail at Deer Park. For his work in the classroom, Harris is one of Deer Park’s valedictorians. Beside not wanting to fail, Harris also thinks another quality he has allowed him to flourish in the classroom.

“He’s not the boisterous leader, he’s the guy behind the guy that leads by example,” said Rachel Harris, Aaron’s mom. “When people have a question, they come to him for help or advice.”

Outside of the classroom, Harris loves being outside. As a Boy Scout, Harris was introduced to hiking, camping and fishing at a young age and fell in love with the outdoors.

Harris earned the Eagle Scout Award in the past six months, after completing his project of building a storage room at his local church.

“It was a pretty quick project because I was about to age out, and had only about three weeks left,” Harris said.

Along with his time spent outdoors with his Scout troop and enjoying nature, Harris also participates in track and field, where he competes in the pole vault and long jump.

Harris is also a passionate musician, who plays percussion and the drums at Deer Park and hopes to continue to drum after high school.

“I have been playing percussion at the school since fifth grade,” Harris said. “So, it is something I have done for a while and really enjoy.”

Harris is planning to take this percussion talent with him at his next stop in his academic journey: the University of Washington. Harris decided on UW after applying to multiple schools in the area including Washington State University.

“When I went there a couple weeks ago, there were so many options and stuff to do,” Harris said. “My brother goes to school at WSU and is on the drumline there and got to travel to Las Vegas last year.”

In the fall, Harris is planning to join the drumline at UW, and hopes to take the same trips or bigger than his brother has drumming for WSU.

Harris is still undecided on a major but has a passion for art creation and art design.

“I think it’s really cool to see Aaron, someone who is so smart, doing a more emotive task like art and not logic,” Rachel Harris said.

Art has been something that Harris has been interested in for quite some time, and he is hoping to pursue a career in art design or production after his graduation from UW.

“Down the line, I’m hoping to do content creation and maybe art directing,” Harris said. “I have been seeing some stuff recently with art direction and have found it to be really cool.”

Wolfe just earned his private pilot’s

Budding pilot Ryder Wolfe keeps reaching for the sky

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Ryder Wolfe’s love for aviation started out as an infatuation, but over the years it has become, other than his family, the most important part of his life.

“I’ve always been interested in flight,” the Deer Park Home Link senior said.

“We live near the airport, and I remember wondering how it would feel to fly.”

Home Link is a parent partnership program where parents of homeschooled children and specialists from the Deer Park school district work together to offer both academic and enrichment opportunities.

“I’ve taken probably hundreds of enrichment courses over the years with Home Link,” Wolfe said. “But I remember that when I was entering my freshman year, I needed to choose one more course, and it came down to either basketball or aviation.

“That wasn’t really the start of my interest. Before I took that class, I would read books about aviation and talk with people about it. I wanted to contact some flight schools, but COVID put that on the back burner. During my sophomore year, I contacted the local flight school and met with an instructor. I started by doing all the ground schooling independently before I started flying.”

Wolfe’s parents, aware of his interest and supportive of it, surprised him with his first flight lesson for his 16th birthday.

“I just showed up, and I was pretty nervous,” he said. “For the most part, it was just observation, but I got to take the controls when we were flying over Lake Coeur d’Alene and on the approach back home. I didn’t really start training until the next spring, but by my third or fourth flight, I could do most of the flying by myself. I soloed for the first

time during the summer of 2021.

“I suppose it could get boring after practicing the same thing over and over,” he said, “but I learn something new every time I fly.”

Wolfe got his private pilot’s license last week and learned he’s receiving an Airline Owners and Pilots Association flight training scholarship.

Now that he can carry passengers, “My dad wants me to fly him and my mom to Sandpoint and take them to dinner,” he said. Aviation may be Wolfe’s keenest interest, but it’s not his only one. He has been a Running Start student during his junior and senior years, earning an Associate of Science degree from the Community Colleges of Spokane. He hopes to attend Big Bend Community College as a second-year student this fall, and to complete the commercial pilot program in one year. And at some point, he plans to get a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

He’s not certain yet whether he wants to be a commercial pilot or to fly cargo, but he can satisfy requirements for both at Big Bend in Moses Lake.

Since that first lesson, Wolfe has paid for most of his flight lessons with his earnings from 4H projects, starting with breeding and showing heifers in the third grade, and progressing to the point where he raises and markets one steer every year. He’s the oldest of 10 children, living with his parents on the family ranch.

“Leaving my family won’t change the fact that they are my family,” he said, “and I’m always going to come home to visit and tell stories. But I’m also grateful to have the opportunities that I do.”

Wherever he lands (pun in tended), Wolfe will always remember one of the lessons that he learned: takeoffs are optional, but landings are mandatory.

COURTESY

Bound for University of Washington, Aaron Harris is interested in pursing art as a career.

DEER PARK HIGH SCHOOL

DEER PARK HOME LINK

Valedictorian Aaron Harris eyes a future in art

BREEDING SUCCESS

Kenzie Barta will put her cattle experience to use as an agriculture student at UI

By Thomas Connolly FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Showing cattle and working on your family’s cattle ranch are not the typical hobbies for a high school student, but for Liberty High School senior Kenzie Barta, she has found her passion working with animals.

“From a young age, it was never something that my parents pushed me to do,” Barta said. “I stepped outside of my comfort zone and just really fell in love with it.” Barta and her family live south of Spokane on a large cattle ranch. As a high school senior, Barta helps to manage their herd of cattle, including breeding cattle of her own.

“What is really cool about my family is that we raise our cows with our own genetics and see the work go from ground zero all the way to the distributors like Tyson,” Barta said.

For Barta, this passion for cattle has led her to the show ring. She attends about 10 cattle showings a year while also breeding her own cattle for the showings.

“I couldn’t afford the fancy lifestyle other people had, so I started to breed my own show cattle from my own breeding herd,” Barta said.

From this breeding herd, Batra has had multiple finalist steers, and it helped her earn the Star Farmer award in District V, which is awarded to the person who puts the most time and money into their farming operation.

Outside of showing cattle and breeding for shows, Barta is also involved with Liberty’s FFA program, serving as the chapter’s president.

Graduation

The

“What makes her such a good person and a student is how goal oriented and motivated she is,” Liberty teacher Steve Braun said. “She has great leadership qualities and is a natural leader.”

After graduation, Barta is planning to study agriculture at the University of Idaho in Moscow. She also hopes to work on the student-run feed lot. Despite the college being a little closer to home than she would have liked, the cattle and program UI offers checked all her boxes.

“I want to get out into the community and make a difference, and also make a difference in the agriculture community.”

Barta said. “Growing up, I wasn’t a big sports person, so Ag was something that helped me during high school.”

Barta is hoping to become an agricultural sales representative right out of college on the communications side, with her main goal to be an advocate for agriculture.

Along with being a sales representative, Barta is also planning to continue to raise high quality cattle, which she wants to sell to competitors at an affordable rate.

“Kenzie is another great example of a student from a small rural high school that is going on to have great success,” Braun said.

Multifaceted high school experience

Parker Carroll takes advantage of a wide range of opportunities, including track, band, Scouting and volunteer Fire and Rescue

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The dictionary definition of self-effacing is “not claiming attention for oneself.” A significant real-life example of that is Riverside High School senior Parker Carroll.

Twice during a recent interview, Carroll expressed surprise at having been selected as a noteworthy graduate of RHS. “Honestly, I don’t have a clue,” he said.

One Riverside teacher who is not surprised is Mary Ressa, Parker’s Spanish instructor for four years. She spoke to some of the qualities that make him special.

“It is refreshing to have a student who truly has a genuine and sincere passion for learning,” she wrote. “Parker is inquisitive and committed to acquiring and applying knowledge. He has a solid moral conscience and strong values which in combination with his intellect are powerful tools to make a significant impact in our community.”

Carroll’s range of interests seems limitless. He has been a four-year participant in cross-country and track at Riverside, and also a member of the pep and jazz bands. Outside of school, he has been a volunteer with the South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue team since his sophomore year, and last summer earned the rank of Eagle Scout .

“I’ve tried to participate in a lot of what the school has to offer,” he said, “and I try to be friendly and cooperative both inside and outside of school. I get along with pretty much everybody, but when it’s time to compete, I get serious.”

Along with everything else, Parker has earned a 3.9 GPA, and plans to attend Eastern Washington University this fall on his way to a degree in mechanical engineering, with a minor in either Spanish or Manufacturing Technology.

“I like solving problems,” he said in explaining his future academic endeavors, “and both my father and grandfather are engineers. Eventually, I hope to do some robotic stuff, but I want to get the mechanical side down first.”

Carroll’s involvement with Fire and Rescue also began with his dad, who has had two separate stints as a volunteer himself. He gave it up once to help raise his

kids, but when he resumed his service during Parker’s sophomore year, Parker joined him. He drives to the station on emergency calls, does continuing education refresher training, and recently achieved national certification as an EMT. Although his Scouting days ended when he turned 18, he hopes to return in a leadership capacity, crediting his experience there as a key factor in his development.

Returning to the question of his recognition, Parker guessed, “Maybe it’s because I try to be nice to people. I’m pretty easy-going. The biggest reward for me up until now is how all my opportunities have helped me to develop, and I’m thankful for all of them.” His biggest spring challenge, he said, was staying motivated: “I thought that I was immune to senioritis, but it got me anyway.”

COURTESY

Kenzie Barta helps manager her family’s herd of cattle south of Spokane.

Parker Carroll hopes to get into robotics eventually.

LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL / FREEMAN HIGH SCHOOL

FINDING HER SPARK

Lakeside’s Kaylie Fadness plans to become an electrician

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Lakeside High School graduate

Kaylie Fadness found her spark years ago. She hopes, following an application and interview with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 73, to join an apprenticeship program this summer that leads to her ultimate goal: to become a journeyman electrician.

Already Fadness took part in the NewTech Energy and Power course during her junior and senior years.

She and her stepfather also built a 600-amp, home-electrical service early in her sophomore year.

“I have always wanted to figure out why things work the way they do,” she said.

She earlier changed course after once being interested in becoming a crane operator.

“We thought that the physical demands of being a crane operator might be too much for me,” Fadness said, “and my stepdad told me that he thought energy

Graduation

and power would be a good path for me.”

She’s always valued his guidance, she said.

“I started working with him when I was 10,” Fadness said.

“I would help him whenever I could, doing things like oil changes, fixing walls, and building an egress window.

“It took a while to figure out that I was good, but I look up to my stepdad very, very much.”

Her family, including her biological father in Centralia, Washington, is very supportive of her choice. And, her instructor at Newtech, Mark Johnson, is optimistic about Fadness’ future in the field.

“By the end of her first year, it

was obvious that she was going to be a journeyman electrician,” Johnson wrote. “Through her hard work and determination, Kaylie has developed a strong understanding of even the most difficult theories.

“She has a direct path to success through apprenticeship, and a solid possibility of being selected by the IBEW.”

Fadness acknowledges that she’s not the best student in school, but said that she studies diligently.

Even though math isn’t her best subject, she does well in math concepts related to her work. She also played tennis at Lakeside for the past three seasons.

Outside of school, Fadness enjoys gardening. She has more than 80 plants and is also teaching herself to care for Bonsai trees.

She said she feels a sense of relief to know what she’s going to do after graduation.

“High school has taught me to be a good person,” she said, “and to be true to myself. I don’t think that all schools do that, so I’ve enjoyed Lakeside very much.”

‘SURPRISING IN A GOOD WAY’

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Freeman High School has a reputation for its welcoming environment, and that is something that senior Dorian Dexter is happy to affirm.

Dexter moved to Rockford from Trinidad-Tobago just before his freshman year, a journey of more than 4,000 miles from the two-island nation just north of Venezuela. His father is American, a sailor who had traveled a great deal, and his mother is Trinidadian. Dexter lives in Rockford with his dad and older brother.

“I had lived in Trinidad-Tobago my whole life,” he said, “and I recall being anxious about moving, but I was more stressed for my parents than for myself. When I first got to Freeman, everybody was so super-friendly that I was suspicious at first. School was easy to get used to, but it took a while longer to adapt to a new country.”

English is the official language of Trinidad-Tobago, although with a Creole island dialect. Dexter said that he occasionally lapses into that variation around close friends but has worked hard to communicate in a less informal fashion. He would have had only two more years of school to finish at home, so he basically had to start over at Freeman because of different graduation requirements. His school in Trinidad-Tobago was “Freeman size,” he said, but was considered a big school, and the curriculum setup was markedly different.

Dexter said that his dad’s desire for a safe, quiet place to live prompted the move, as well as concern about the gang culture in Trinidad-Tobago, which has more than 100 criminal gangs. A desire for better professional career opportunities was also a factor in the decision.

“It was surprising in a good way when I started at Freeman,” he said. “I made a ton of friends right away, which was a surprise because my new friends were very different from me.”

His activities at Freeman and outside of school include a couple that were brand-new to him. He has been a four-year member of the drumline at Freeman, and this year he became a member of the bowling team after an invitation from a friend.

“I didn’t have any previous experience in drums,” he said, “but when I started here, I picked electives that looked fun. It took me a while to figure out which parts were mine, but my teacher made recordings that helped me to teach myself.”

That teacher, James Jydstrup, is equally appreciative of Dexter.

“It is going to be a sad day when I have to

say goodbye,” Jydstrup wrote. “Dorian has been one of the most loyal, hardworking and talented students that I have had the pleasure of working with. I hope that I will be honored with more students like him.” Dexter plans to attend Washington

COURTESY

Kaylie Fadness likes to know how things work.

‘A voice in nearly every single group at school’

Kyla Riddle likes to get involved and stay busy

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Varsity athlete. Associated Student Body officer. International traveler. Medical crisis survivor.

Kyla Riddle is grateful for every day, and it shows in her enthusiastic embrace of myriad high school activities at Northwest Christian School.

As a toddler, she was diagnosed with MEN2A, a rare genetic disorder that affects the endocrine glands and causes a type of thyroid cancer. She had her first surgery around age 3 to remove her thyroid and has been on medication for control and screening ever since.

She’s had such positive results from her treatment that she volunteered to be part of a medical study, and travels to the National Institutes of Health in New York often, so they can track her progress. Riddle hopes by participating in this research, she’ll be able to help others.

Had her thyroid not been removed early enough, she knows the average life expectancy of people with this disorder is 21.

“The surgery allowed me to be cancer-free,” she said. “I’ve been able to run and do sports and live a normal life.”

For Riddle, normal equals busy. Playing varsity soccer and basketball is just a drop in the bucket.

Teacher Laura West said she’s amazed at the scope of her student’s activities.

“She has a voice in nearly every single group at school,” West said. “I could talk to any student and they would all say they are one of Kyla’s friends. She makes everyone feel heard.”

As an example, she described what Riddle did for her class speech when

she ran for ASB.

“She wrote everyone’s name in Sharpie on her shoes – the whole school! It was symbolic, saying she’s here for everyone.” Riddle said she has known many of her classmates since pre-K.

“I’ve enjoyed the community of the school,” she said. And she’s been an integral part of it.

“She’s our Green Crew lead and spearheaded student body support of our basketball and football games,” West said. “She came up with a theme for each night.”

The student shrugged off the praise with a laugh.

“I enjoy planning everything and being a representative of our school,” she said. “I like to organize other people and things, but honestly, not my own!” Travel feeds both her adventurous spirit and her desire to help others. She’s taken mission trips to Costa Rica and Nicaragua with Students International through the school.

“I love seeing different cultures,” she said. “In Nicaragua, I sat in people’s homes and talked and engaged with them for hours. People just need to be heard.” West said she will feel Riddle’s absence keenly next year.

“I will miss having that student to turn to that I know everyone will follow.”

Riddle will attend Grand Canyon University in Arizona this fall and is considering a psychology major with the goal of perhaps one day opening her own practice as a therapist.

“I’m excited to step into this new world and the whole adventure,” she said. “Every day I get to wake up and know that God gave me another day. I don’t take it for granted.”

Graduation

Aubrey Jones seeks flexibility in her career

By Mia Gallegos FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Faith, family and dance are a few things that propelled senior Aubrey Jones to success in her final year of schooling at the Northwest Christian Homeschool Program.

Jones started being homeschooled after attending public kindergarten. So almost all of her education has been based at home, primarily within the auspices of Northwest Christian.

“I have two brothers and a sister and we all joined the (Northwest Christian Homeschool) program the same year,” Jones said.

She appreciates her mother for making the decision to use collective homeschooling. After years of watching her mother keep her and her siblings on track – especially in the early stages of their schooling – she realized the effort it takes to simultaneously raise and educate four children.

“I respect my mom more and more for that every day,” Jones said.

Courtney Manuel, Jones’ NWC Senior Leadership teacher, said Jones has always been passionate in her classes.

“She works so hard and is really humble in her willingness to help others,” Manuel said.

“When she asks a question she is willing to learn from it and apply

Graduation

The Northwest Christian Schools Homeschool Program commencement was May 13 at Crossover Church, 16825 N. Newport Highway.

Principal: Ruth Wagley

Valedictorian: Aubrey Jones

Class of 2023

Expected to graduate are:

Kaleb Dassow

Aubrey Jones

Orrin Keener

it to her life.”

Having had Jones as a student for the past five years, Manuel said she is going to miss many of the contributions that she has made to the classroom environment.

“At NWC we do a lot of our studies around Christian faith and she’s really willing to wrestle through those things, willing to make her faith her own,” Manuel said.

Aside from being a faithful and educated member in the classroom, Jones is an avid danc-

er at the Academy of Dance in Spokane Valley.

Jones has attended this classical ballet studio since she was 8, gaining experience not only in this traditional form of dance, but also in jazz, contemporary, improv and character dancing.

“Dance has been a fabulous social circle for me. We’re all athletes and have had to connect on so many different levels,” Jones said.

Though she feels much more comfortable in her ballet slippers now, dance didn’t always come easy for Jones.

“I remember not really liking it at first because I was so hard on myself when I was younger,” Jones said. “Going into it I was very coordinated, but I was so not flexible and that was really difficult to me.”

However, she decided to stick with this new challenge.

“I have since really grown to love the process of learning something that is so difficult,” she said. “The concept of dance is taking something that your body is inherently not supposed to do and make it look easy.

“You have to learn to perform for yourself just as much as you’re performing for someone else,” Jones continued.

Following graduation, Jones plans to attend Whitworth University to study athletic training, a degree that stems from her

love of dance and desire to cater special physical training for dancers.

“I’ve been to physical therapists, but they’ve struggled to understand the complexity of

dance movement,” she said. “I could use my athletic training, sports medicine and human body science knowledge to help dancers navigate the specific movement type they’re used to.”

COURTESY

Kyla Riddle has kept busy while at Northwest Christian School, including mission trips to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

COURTESY

Aubrey Jones plans to attend Whitworth University to study athletic training to help dancers.

‘I liked the way they taught’

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Ibrahim Daniel had just won the lottery, but he didn’t feel like celebrating.

Almost seven years ago, Daniel’s mother and sister had entered him into a drawing that selected students for admission to Pride Prep, a grade 6-8 charter school that was going into its second year. He wasn’t excited, to put it mildly.

But now, as Daniel graduates from Innovation High School, Pride’s grade 9-12 affiliate, he has no regrets, valuing the lower student-teacher ratio, the opportunity to develop closer relationships with teachers and finding friends from all sorts of different backgrounds.

“I had a great fifth-grade year,” he said, “and then I found out that my mom and sister had put me into the drawing. I was upset because I was leaving all

my friends. I had this story in my head that I would have all 12 grades at the same schools with them.

“But it didn’t take very long to change my mind at Innovation. I liked the way they taught –there were no walls and I started making friends after a couple weeks. My mom is from Ethiopia and my dad from Eritrea, and the opportunity for a better education is why they came to America, and they liked that Innovation is focused on math, science and technology.

While Innovation is smaller than traditional high schools, Daniel said, “obviously I get more one-on-one time with teachers, and because it’s more inclusive I got to know my peers better as well.”

But he acknowledged that it wasn’t always easy for him.

“I played football at Ferris, and when I would walk the halls there before practice, I would

still sometimes wonder what it would have been like to be in that environment, because I’m really social.”

Innovation is a project-based program and offers a strong curriculum including International Baccalaureate, a rigorous twoyear program focusing on personal and academic development and, upon successful completion, a globally recognized diploma.

Daniel described the school as offering big projects instead of busy work, and said that students have a voice in elective offerings.

He is planning to attend Washington State University, majoring in communication with a sports journalism minor. He also was accepted at the University of Washington.

“I looked at both, but decided that WSU offers the quickest way to my career and also more support,” he said.” It’s not as big as UW, and I do better when there aren’t as many students. My

Teen mother didn’t want to be another statistic

By Cynthia Reugh FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The high school graduation rate for teen mothers paints a bleak picture. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only half will receive a diploma. Many in this group face emotional challenges from past trauma and abandonment. Those issues are often magnified by difficult home situations.

Aaliyah Osteen does not want to become another statistic. Osteen has lived in Spokane for most of her life. Her teenage years saw a steady shuffle between foster homes. After becoming pregnant at the age of 15, she lost friends at school and felt judged. Her foster parents at that time enrolled her at Lumen, a public charter high school in Spokane created to serve teen parents, where Osteen has since found a safe, welcoming environment.

“Often students have to choose between being a parent or being a student. It’s hard to do both, and so at Lumen, our goal is you can come here and you don’t have to choose,” said Lumen principal Melissa Pettey, who has become Osteen’s “No. 1 person” over the past three years.

“She’s really shown that I can trust her and go to her for anything,” said Osteen, who brings her daughter, Presley, now 2 years old, with her to school four days a week. The colorful rooms of Lumen are chock-full of valuable resources to fit their layered needs, including a medical clinic, counseling and child care services at nearby GLOW Children Early Learning Center.

“I’ve made a lot of friends,” said Osteen, who enjoys social studies and has found success as a writer, who recently won second place in a local writing competition. Her writing also was featured in Teen Ink, a national publication which showcases the creative works of teens from around the world.

While Osteen’s journey with Lumen has been bumpy at times, Pettey has

Class of 2023

Expected to graduate are: Kaden Boren Judah Hand Brayden Kalinoski

never questioned her commitment to finish the job.

“She knows a high school diploma is going to affect her daughter, because she knows the statistics. If she doesn’t get a high school diploma, then there’s a large chance her daughter won’t get a high school diploma,” Pettey said.

As graduation nears, Osteen’s focus has shifted to college.

“I’m going to wait until my daughter starts kindergarten and then I’m going to school for political science,” said Osteen, who would like to work in politics or perhaps even at Lumen, where her input and ideas have been valued by staff members.

“Aaliyah has just been on this journey with us (through) all of the changes and just giving feedback,” Pettey said.

“We’re so close. We talk regularly when she’s not here. She sometimes will call me her mom at school,” Pettey said.

“She’s just a part of my family.

“I’m looking forward to the point when she graduates and our relationship can shift in her adulthood to look differently than it does now, because I just know that we’re going to be friends for a really long time.”

dream is to be on television, and I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to get there.”

Daniel has had the opportunity to visit Ethiopia twice, before eighth grade and again before his junior year at Innovation, and said that it opened his mind and his eyes.

“Going from the United States,

which is so highly developed, to a Third World country, there’s no comparison. Until I went for the first time, I didn’t really understand the differences that my parents described, but I became much more conscious of those, and much more grateful. It made me aware of the reasons my family came to America.”

COURTESY

Innovation senior Ibrahim Daniel plans to attend Washington State.

Aaliyah Osteen and her 2-year-old daughter, Presley.

Perseverance key to success

Kevin Radasa found the right support at Dishman Hills High School

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

There is more than one way to measure scholastic success. For Dishman Hills senior Kevin Radasa, perseverance is the standard.

Almost four years ago, Radasa began a short-lived high-school experience at Central Valley, but that lasted only a couple weeks. There were personal issues that prevented him from enrolling there until November, and the stack of makeup work he got when he did start was discouraging .

“I didn’t really want to go there anyway,” he said. “I didn’t have friends there, and I didn’t want to push myself onto people. I felt like an oddball, and it was a totally awkward experience. A friend told me about Dishman Hills and how much he had liked it there.

“I liked it right away. I was still behind, but I had three hours of class every day and three hours to catch up,

and all my teachers were very helpful in a way I hadn’t experienced before. They make sure that you get the help that you need and they’ll work with your schedule.”

Radasa is a talented artist, and he “loves my pen and pencil.” He frequently draws posters for his teachers at Dishman Hills, and enjoys realistic portrayals but also animated art.

He was briefly homeless several months ago, but is now living with a great-aunt and uncle and two younger brothers. He says that was a scary and intense experience because he feared he would be homeless for the rest of his life, but that his life has settled down since then.

He certainly has made a great impression on his Dishman Hills mentor teacher, Jake Fincher, who praises Radasa’s “exceptional qualities.”

“Kevin is a kind and compassionate individual who always shows empathy toward his peers,” Fincher wrote. “He

has a great ability to connect with people and creates a positive atmosphere wherever he goes.

“Kevin also has demonstrated an impressive level of perseverance in his academic pursuits. He is a dedicated student who never gives up, even when faced with difficult tasks.”

That attitude is echoed in the way that Radasa describes himself: “I always try to help others before myself,” he said. “I like to make people happy and give them what they want.”

As the school year – and his highschool career – drew to a conclusion, Radasa reflected on his experience at Dishman Hills.

“School here has been great,” he said. “School’s not easy and there have been some difficult times. Things were hard at the beginning because I didn’t really know that high school would be how high school is.

“But without Dishman Hills, I would have fallen further behind and wouldn’t

be graduating this spring. I was nervous at first because I was behind, but all the teachers have been very patient, and everyone here welcomes and accepts everyone else. I just didn’t think that high school could be like this.”

‘IT’S A REAL COMMUNITY’

Lilly Compton overcomes hurdles to graduate on time at Spokane Valley High School

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

When senior Lilly Compton showed up at Spokane Valley High School in the fall of 2021, she had only credits from her freshman year of high school. After years of hard work, she’ll graduate on time this month. Compton grew up in Vancouver, Washington, but had regularly spent time in the Spokane area. “We were back and forth for a while because my grandparents had a house here,” she said.

Her family moved here in 2021 after Compton had been struggling in school. “I’ve always struggled in large-scale school environments,” she said. “I was failing most of my classes.”

By the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she had already disengaged from school. Online school was no better. But by October 2021 she had signed up for classes at Spokane Valley High School, an alternative school with a focus on credit retrieval so students can make up the classes they’ve failed.

“It’s flexible and it’s a real community,” Compton said. “My teachers worked with me. We were able to finesse my credits. I’m

graduating on time. That wasn’t supposed to happen. I was supposed to graduate next year.”

Though requirements can vary by district, Washington State requires that students complete 24 high school credits before they can graduate. This year, Compton is taking 14 of those. “It’s a lot and it’s kind of stressful,” she said.

Graduating from high school means a lot to Compton because she will be the first in her immediate family to accomplish it. Neither of her parents finished high school nor did her older sister. Compton currently lives with her father and younger brother and is focused on being a good role model for him.

“At home, I’m kind of head of the household,” she said. “I cook, I clean, I do everything.”

Her mother, who previously had a substance misuse problem, has now been drug-free for several years and lives with Compton’s younger sister. Compton said she has missed her mom, but her childhood has given her the grit and determination she needs. “I do think it’s made me who I am,” she said.

Despite her course load, Compton is also involved in other school activities. She joined the health and science club because she likes science and is the ASB representative for the graphics program at New Tech Skills Center, where she takes graphic design and digital media classes.

Counselor Elise Barlow said Compton embodies commitment, adaptability, integrity and empathy. “From the moment Lilly stepped on the SVH campus, she has shown commitment through her schoolwork and relationships with the community,” Barlow said. “While her life both in and outside of school can be chaotic at times, Lilly has a smile on her face and genuine positivity. We are so proud of all she has overcome and accomplished and cannot wait to see what the next chapter of her life will bring.”

Not only is Compton graduating from high school, she’s also making plans to attend college. She wants to get an associate degree at a community college before transferring to a traditional college. She’d like to study marketing, which includes the mix of writing and graphic design that she enjoys.

COURTESY

Lilly Compton will be the first

DISHMAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

WEST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

“

I don’t think I’d change anything. I don’t think I’d have the level of compassion and caring I have without the experiences I went through.”

Kyle White West Valley High School

CHANNELING LIFE EXPERIENCE INTO EMPATHY FOR OTHERS

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Kyle White channeled the lessons he learned from loss and trauma into a deep desire to care for others.

When he was in fourth grade, his mother was diagnosed with cancer.

“My dad had left when I was 6,” he said. “He popped in and out, but was never a really a constant in my life.”

White’s mom went into remission and opened an adult-family-living home in the adjoined duplex where they lived.

From a young age, Kyle worked with the residents, supporting them in their care and keeping them company by playing chess and other games.

“Most mornings I had breakfast over there,” he said. “It was like spending every day with a bunch of grandparents.”

His mother’s cancer returned the summer before his freshman year.

This time, they were told, it was terminal and she died in July 2020. The loss triggered a trauma that hadn’t resolved.

“I was sexually abused by a neighbor as I youngster and I didn’t deal with that,” White said.

He struggled with his mental health and with school attendance.

“Between work and school, I couldn’t figure life out,” he said. “I tried living on my own and was homeless for a time.”

He moved back in with his stepfather and began therapy through the Children’s Home Society. That’s when he learned a lesson many adults struggle to understand.

“I tried to do too much at once and I wasn’t taking care of me,” he said. “If I’m doing a great job of taking care of myself, I can give better care to others.”

He enrolled in a hybrid-nursing-assistant program the summer before his senior year and earned his certified-nursing-assistant license.

He began working at a geriatric care facility for those in the last stages of life.

“I absolutely loved it!” he said. “I feel good about what I’m doing.”

White credits science teacher Courtney Aulisio for supporting him at a time when few school staff members were aware of his life circumstances.

“He shared that there were days he would work a graveyard shift, and had just been with a resident who had died, and came to school the next morning exhausted and had to sleep during her class,” said Rosalie Sigler, GEAR UP site coordinator at West Valley. “He said, ‘Mrs. Aulisio always gave me my homework early knowing I needed more time. She was like a surrogate mom to me.’”

West Valley counselor Kyle Bush marveled at the White persevered.

“He is so resilient in facing obstacles,” Bush said. “He is such a calm presence, mature way beyond his peers.”

White also picked up a new activity that helps both his mental and physical well-being: boxing.

“Boxing is the most painful sport I’ve ever done,” he said. “But I like it because I know I can power through things that suck and feel good about knowing what I’ve accomplished.”

The boxing club has helped White build positive friendships, Bush said. White applied to the pre-nursing program at Spokane Community College and will also be taking a phlebotomy course this summer. Eventually, he plans to transfer to Washington State University’s nursing program.

“My mom was an amazing person,” White said. “The biggest reason I chose the medical field is because of her.

“I hope she’d be really proud,” he continued. “I hope she can see I’m trying my best to make her happy.”

The staff at West Valley said they appreciated his kind heart and his passion for medicine.

“He’s recognized where he found meaning and is giving back to his community,” Bush said. “It’s a privi-

lege to get to work with him.”

As the teen reflected on what he’s already overcome, he said he’s profoundly grateful.

“I do feel like I have a unique experience. I grew up quickly,” White said.

“But I don’t think I’d change anything. I don’t think I’d have the level of compassion and caring I have without the experiences I went through. I have a deep empathy for people.”

Kyle White wants to work in the medical field as a way to honor his late mother.