Graduation Section, May 31, 2018

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Cassandra Padgham, Gonzaga Prep, Page 32

Jackson Clark, Freeman, Page 21

The Voices’ annual tribute to high school graduates in Spokane, Kootenai counties See index, Page 2 Amelie Beresford-Wood, Coeur d’Alene, Page 22

Elisha Coad, Classical Christian, Page 39 Photo sources: Courtesy, The Spokesman-Review

Tajadin Mohammed, West Valley, Page 42

Elizabeth Potter, Cheney, Page 26

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THURSDAY

NORTH VOICE

MAY 31, 2018

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ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL

Voice Graduation Tribute

Writing club added dimension to her studies Cahill gains insights starting writers club

A Spokesman-Review publication

By Riley Utley FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Story ideas We want to expand our coverage of neighborhoods in the North and South areas of Spokane County and we need your help. Let us know when something interesting is happening in your neighborhood. Contact Katharine Kumangai, Voice editor, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. You can also contact us by email at: voice@spokesman.com.

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For the past two years Jamie Cahill, a senior at Rogers High School, and the members of the Writers United club have been meeting every Wednesday after school to share their stories and practice their writing skills through writing games.

Throughout the meetings students get to share the work they have written for classes or independent creative work they have been working on. Cahill said it’s a “nice club to get together and people can share their stories.”

Cahill is president of the club and plans every weekly meeting.

The meetings typically consist of a PowerPoint that contains the week’s exercises, a video, the weekly haiku – and then they move into writing tips and play writing games that help develop their skill sets.

At the meetings it is clear the respect and admiration the students have for each other.

When one of the members reads their work everyone else intently listens; if one says their work isn’t good they are encouraged to read it anyway with the notion that no matter what, their work will be supported by everyone in the room.

When Cahill started the club she said it was made for her

COURTESY OF ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL

Jamie Cahill will graduate valedictorian from Rogers High School.

and anyone interested in writing to talk about what they’re working on and collaborate and improve their work. However, Cahill said the club had taught her a lot “mainly about leadership.”

In the developing stages of the club, Cahill said she learned

Class of 2018

Natalya Daranutsa Olivia Davies Mitchell Day Nicholas Decker Bryce DeGraff Hayley Dehn Jonell Denchel Austin Denney Harleigh Denton Grazielle DeSouza-Santos Tyler Diaz Lilly Dittmer James Dukin Carlyn Dumarce Thompson Quynh Duong Tayler Duran Gabriel Eggers Nolan Erickson Geordon Fairchild Ashly Farrar Britny Farrar Macey Finch Arianna Finco Robert Fisher Caitlyn Fitzhugh Jahlil Frans Milena Frease-Higgins Bailee Free William Freeman Matthew Frost Tyler Galloway Emili Gants Marilee Goldston Shelby Granger Daniel Greben Seth Gubler Sabitra Gurung Ricardo Gutierrez Angelica Gutierrez Martinez Emma Haglund Grace Haglund Kyler Haile Grady Halbert Katelyn Hall Lorna Hanson Timothy Hanson Abigail Harmison Mark Harris Mckinsey Hart Taylor Hart William Hefling Tyrell Hemphill Dailynn Hermios Rubyann Hezkeia Broc Houser David Howerton Sydney Hubbard Kersten Huit Luke Humphrey Daniel Hunter Tegan Jeffers Jace Jensen Cameron Jeske Mitoshin Joel Andrew Johnson Evan Johnson

Expected to graduate are:

We are committed to accuracy. If you think we made a factual error, call (509) 459-5389. Mistakes corrected on this page.

Photo reprints High-quality reproductions of pages and photographs are available by calling (509) 459-5523.

Editorial staff Katharine Kumangai Voice editor (509) 459-5389 voice@spokesman.com Terence Vent Reporter terencev@spokesman.com Steve Christilaw Correspondent steve.christilaw@gmail.com Nina Culver Correspondent nculver47@gmail.com Cindy Hval Correspondent dchval@juno.com Pat Munts Correspondent pat@inlandnwgardening.com Suzanne Pate Correspondent suzannempate@gmail.com Stefanie Pettit Correspondent upwindsailor@comcast.net

Other contributors Kendra Andrews Ian Davis-Leonard Joe Everson Jackson Frank Molly Gianarelli Connor Gilbert Katie Kales Matthew Kincanon Greg Lee Mike Prager Morgan Scheerer Joseph Thompson Riley Utley Tyler Wilson

Mackenzie Adams Britnee Akau Akon Aleu Kachy Alfred Wayne Allie Mohammed Taki Al Tamimi Taylor Altieri Emlina Ankeid Brian Applonie Evangeline Asbury Tejah Athearn Francisco Ayala-Rosales Javier Ayala-Rosales Bibi Babakarkhel Athena Baer Gaylene Baker Maurice Barrios Nynaeve Beach Cameron Beamis John Bender Joshie Benjamin Ayesha Bergman Mark Berlov Ashma Bhandari Brandon Blindauer Tia Block Marly Boas Jesse Bonasera Jazmyne Borja Hailey Brewer Heather Brindle Brianna Brockie Adriahna Brown Ricky Brown Jr. Damon Brummett Shawn Bryant Carl Burger Garrett Burke Kiarra Burke Cody Burns Michael Butrum Andrew Byrnes Jamie Cahill Paul Caldeira Tablon Candle Jasmine Cato Mikayla Chambers Lukas Chester Christopher Cogswell Kaitlyn Cogswell Christian Coleman Christian Contreras Hanna Cook Kalona Cormier Jazmin Covarrubias Moises Covarrubias Brent Cowen Janeclaire Craipo Jaelynn Crim Malakie Croson Adiel Cue Teya Dallara Bailey Daniels

Index Spokane County Central Valley..................................13 Cheney ............................................26 Community School.........................9 Deer Park........................................36 Deer Park Home Link...................36 Dishman Hills .................................43 Eagle Peak .......................................12 East Valley......................................28 East Valley Online.........................29 East Valley Parent Partner..........29 Ferris ..................................................6 Five Mile Prairie...............................15 Freeman ...........................................21 Gonzaga Prep................................32

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a lot about marketing. To get people to come to meetings she made her own banners and flyers, and then at meetings she would take unofficial polls to see how well her marketing strategies were working.

Andrew Lochhead, Cahill’s Riley Utley is a student at AP language teacher and adviser Gonzaga University.

ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL

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of Writers United, said “ultimately she creates the work every Wednesday, the PowerPoints, and the activities and I just support as needed.”

Lochhead said he has helped mainly with fundraising. He said they sold coffee to raise money to get T-shirts for the club.

Other than that, Lochhead said he hasn’t had to be very involved in organizing the club.

“It’s been really neat. Jamie is a unique student who’s a go-getter. She’ll just go do it.

It’s been neat to see that she’s taken charge of this and seen some of the bumps and bruises of this and she continues to stick with it.”

Cahill has a full slate of Advanced Placement and honors courses.

She has been accepted to both Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania.

She said she will be going in undecided, but her “heart’s always been into English.”

Over the course of her high school career, Cahill has worked hard to succeed and has found achievement in both academics and extracurricular activities.

Lochhead said Cahill is one of the most talented students he has had.

Cahill said she has always had a “weird desire to do more” and has found that “when you do your best, your best gets better.”

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Graduation The Rogers High School commencement will be at 10 a.m. June 9 at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: Lori Wyborney Valedictorians: Jamie Cahill, Cheng Lee, Annabelle Moua, Clara Plenty and Andrew Radford

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NORTH VOICE

MAY 31, 2018

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LEWIS AND CLARK HIGH SCHOOL “All through high school I’ve struggled with coursework and doing the work. My success in high school wasn’t due to any innate aptitude I had. It was due to my willingness to put in work and push through my failures, of which there were many.”

Thorne Garvin Lewis and Clark senior

Beyond academic rigors, he finds time for service

By Joseph Thompson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Lewis and Clark senior Thorne Garvin starts his average school day taking math classes at Gonzaga University, after which he heads to the Tigers’ downtown campus where he finishes the day with four AP classes. In the mix of all the academic rigor, he finds time to give back to the school he loves.

“He has a very incredible brain that can grasp concepts that most people cannot,” said Kathy Blancher, Garvin’s high school counselor. “But he’s also very personable, sensitive, caring, and he’s very generous with his time.

He’s everything we want an LC student to have when they finish.”

During his senior year, Garvin put together a project in which he, with support from Blancher and his parents, refurbished more than 30 computers that were being turned over by the school district so they could be donated to low-income students at LC. Of those computers, 25 have new homes and Garvin is still working on a few.

“In my high school life I’ve used computers so extensively,” Garvin said. “For a student that doesn’t have the means to have a computer at their house that would be a huge hindrance. I hope that it really helps them make the most of the awesome potential that LC has.”

Garvin said he chose to pursue the project because it involved three things he loved: technology, his school and community service.

“To be real honest, I don’t have a lot of kids that are like that,” Blancher said.

Blancher said the day before the computers were donated, Garvin, along with help from his father, spent about eight hours making sure they were charged, running smoothly and ready for new users.

“Poor Thorne had to go home and do homework for probably

LEWIS AND CLARK HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Micaela Ackermann Jill Addington Deborah Adewale Ricardo Aguilar Isabel Ahrens Belma Alagic Lilly Allison Seth Almendarez-Mattingly Israel Alvarez Leonie Andermann Miranda Anthony-Miller Lilly Aparicio Aiden Armstrong Emily Armstrong Sophie Arold Jordan Athos Paul Ausems Caroline Avery Soe Soe Aye Rory Babin Reggie Bahr Jonah Bardwell Alivia Barglof Tomi Barnes Mackenzie Brianna Barrick Eduardo Barrios Michelle Barton Epiphanie Batuma Kiley Baum Calah Bayley Eric Behling Jonathan Benecchi Audrey Bensching Griffin Bergstedt Alexander Betts Jackson Bewick Clayton Bierman Isabella Billig Logan Binns Harrison Bishopp Alexandria Blaylock Darrin Blockman Rosebine Bokmej Ella Bond Gledhill Maria Bourekis Sydney Brandt Lucy Bresgal-Waters Baily Briggs Melaine Brooks Emily Brower Jacqueline Brown Noah Brown Camille Burcalow-Alberty Nicole Burg Maya Bybee Chloe Cameron Isabella Campos Bo Carpenter Ethan Carson Liam Carson Marion Elizabeth Carter Alexis Casarez Noel Case Rylee Castagno-Lieseke Samuel Cebula Erin Chaves Cobey Clark Anders Cobb Victoria Cochran Shakhiaya Cole Madelaine Collins William Condon Kara Contreras Adam Cook Charles Coomes Emma Coon Anna Copley Jasper Corcoran Alec Corn Matthew Cotter Giovani Covarrubias Mason Crawford Heim Audrey Curtis Andres Cutino Leyva Megan Dailey Bethany Daniel

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Thorne Garvin will graduate valedictorian with the Lewis and Clark High School class of 2018. Thorne acquired more than 30 computers, refurbished them with the school district’s help and made them available for low-income students.

four hours after that,” Blancher said.

While juggling everything, Garvin is able to maintain a 4.0 GPA, earning him the honor of class valedictorian. That achievement, according to Garvin, didn’t come easily.

“All through high school I’ve struggled with coursework and doing the work,” he said. “My success in high school wasn’t due to any innate aptitude I had. It was due to my willingness to put in work and push through my failures, of which there were many.”

Garvin is heading west to the University of Washington to study computer science in the fall and while he said the rigor of the school and in-state tuition were benefits for UW, something else pushed it over the edge.

“I can ski,” he said. “With the other schools I was considering, I never would’ve been able to ski.”

After his time at UW, Garvin said he wants to work in cybersecurity, a field he was introduced to through LC’s CyberPatriot club. The club competes in the Air Force’s

CyberPatriot competition.

Garvin worked as a competitor his first two years at LC and has served the past two as the club’s president.

“There’s a little bit of me that’s pleased with being the good guy, but mostly for me it’s the intellectual depth of (cybersecurity),” he said. “It’s not superficial like a lot of things are that I’ve found. There are a ton of different niches you can work in. You can approach it from a very low level or very high level. That breadth is very appealing to me.”

Garvin is also studying for his Amazon Cloud Certification, which confirms one’s technical cloud knowledge and skill.

Blancher, who has known Garvin since he was a freshman, said she’ll miss the senior once he leaves, but is confident they’ll stay in touch.

“He’s so technologically savvy that I’m sure he’ll be cutting into my Bluetooth while I’m driving home someday and I’ll hear from him,” she said.

Joseph Thompson is a student at Gonzaga University.

Graduation The Lewis and Clark High School commencement will be at 5 p.m. June 10 at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. Principal: Marybeth Smith

Barton

Collins

Cotter

Garvin

Gilbert

Keller

Kenney

Lin

Pincock

Powers Beggs Sharman

Herzog

Hollon

Judd

Valedictorians:

Michelle Barton, Madelaine Collins, Matthew Cotter, Thorne Garvin, Amelia Gilbert, Molly Herzog, Nicholas Hollon, Emerson Judd, Gabriel Keller, Katelyn Kenney, Michael Lin, Madeline Pincock, Fiona Powers Beggs, Maria Sharman and Julia Trudeau Alexis Davidson Olivia Davies Ian Davis Joshua Davis Katherine Davis Lauren Davis Nicholas Davis Annalisa DeFord Makayla Dehmer Sophie Delrosario Aidan DeMars Zak Deutschman Chance Dixon MacKenzie Donahue Dana Donnelly Lauren Donnelly Darley Drury Anthony Duenas Bryson Duncan Lillian Duncan Carly Eakin Elizabeth Easterbrooks Riham Ebeid Tatyanah Edgar Olivia Ellis Alec Erb Cole Erb Jack Erb Brynna Erban Holden Etherton Cameron Fahsholtz Makelika Faivaai Jamison Farace Analiese Felker Madeleine Feola Micaiah Ferlito Adonis Fernandes Rachel Finch Shawnna Finch Justeen Finnerty Reyna Flores Lydia Fout Benjamin Fox Mildred Fregoso Joseph Fritz Miguela Fuerte Allen Brant Ganley Joshua Garbuio Gabriela Garcia Noah Garman Thorne Garvin Mu Gay Thomas Gerber Asher Geschke Nahom Ghide Amelia Gilbert Talia Glass

Anna-Lisa Gmeiner Abigail Goff Ethan Goins Lili Gondry Sarah Gores Katie Gower Cierra Graham Makenna Graham Payton Graper Isabel Greeley Thomas Grenon Jason Grieb Andrew Griffin Greta Grim Kipling Gruber Rachel Grzelak Lucas Guin Lily Haghighi Thomas Halvorson Emma Hamilton Madisen Hampton Cynthia Haney Hunter Hansen Lauryn Harland Nickolaus Harner Naomi Harris Maleah Harshman Taylor Hebner Peter Heitkemper Peter Henderson Ava Herb Cameron Hernandez Molly Herzog Maureen Higgins James Hill Ryan Hill Jack Hines Day Day Moo Hlaing William Hoefer Peyton Holland Shaya Holland Nicholas Hollon Richard Hovey Joel Howell Christina Hser Ali Hunt Dakota Hylton Haydyn Inahara Brynn Irwin Christian Jardinico Destinee Jefferson Steven Jennings Praise Jetnil Taylor John Madison Johnston Libton Jonathan Andrew Jones Simon Journey Emerson Judd Megan Jurasin Cayden Kappes Vanessa Kaufman Gabriel Keller Skylar Kelli Katelyn Kenney Taylor Kenney Skylar Kersten Billal Kheir Cassidee Knox Elisabeth Koczur Tyler Koffinke Benjamin LaBarre

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NORTH VOICE

MAY 31, 2018

ON TRACK ACADEMY / THE ENRICHMENT COOPERATIVE / MAP “A person his age doesn’t normally have his goals and ambitions. Usually they’re trying to graduate and have a little fun, but he’s focused on his future.”

Debbie Brouillette Registered nurse and health services director at Brighton Court, speaking about senior Kevin Reyes

Graduation The On Track Academy commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 8 at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. Principal: Lisa Mattson Coleman

ON TRACK ACADEMY

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Kevin Reyes is set to graduate from On Track Academy. He will graduate with 35 college credits and has already earned a license in home care aid, according to student adviser Rick Havermann.

He’s already working in chosen field: health care Following in family footsteps, motivated by brother’s illness: Reyes on path Brighton Court.

Reyes’ passion for a life in the health care industry originates from a lineage of nurses in his family, on his mother’s side, and a personal Maintaining a full-time student experience that shaped his outlook schedule while having a full-time on the health care facility. job and living on his own, Kevin “My brother got really sick, and Reyes finds little time to sleep. he was in the hospital for a couple Working 40 to 48 hours a week, Reyes spends most of his time with of weeks and when I was there visiting him I could see the nurses his patients at Brighton Court, an made him really happy,” he said. “I assisted living and memory care thought that (was something) I facility. wanted to do.”

“That’s it,” he said, sipping on a The experience with his brother caramel macchiato. “That’s really shaped the way Reyes views the all I do.” roles of nurses, and why he finds so When he isn’t taking care of the much joy in his job at Brighton residents at Brighton Court, he Court. spends what little time he has At Brighton, he serves as the med catching up on sleep and his tech, which means he controls the studies. medications given to patients and Reyes, who is pursuing a career administers the medicine. He in nursing, is enrolled at Spokane Falls Community College through a oversees the floor and personal care Running Start program and attends attendants.

“A month ago, I got training (to On Track Academy, though he has be a) med tech, so now I control the no classes there. narcotics and such,” he said. “I “A person his age doesn’t carry the big keys.” normally have his goals and Before his role as the med tech, ambitions. Usually they’re trying to Reyes himself was a PCA at graduate and have a little fun, but Brighton. Prior to that, he worked he’s focused on his future,” said Debbie Brouillette, registered nurse as a home-care aide, and helped patients maintain comfortability and health services director at

By Katie Kales

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

while giving them care.

Reyes worked at Papa Murphy’s before he transitioned into the health care world. However, during this transition he was juggling school and three jobs all at once.

“For a month I was working three, while I was switching over (jobs),” he said. “I don’t believe in just quitting.”

Reyes decided to change jobs to gain more experience. Brouillette emphasized his drive and work ethic.

“Whenever he’s on shift I know it’s going to be good day. He’s been a dream come true,” she said.

Reyes wants to finish schooling at SFCC, become a registered nurse and continue working in geriatrics.

Caring for the most vulnerable, he says, is some of the most rewarding work for him.

His care for patients has not gone unnoticed.

“We love having him in the memory care (department),” Brouillette said. “The residents don’t feel intimidated by him, he’s very nonthreatening, which is what they need. They need to feel safe.”

Katie Kales is a Gonzaga University student.

‘I wanted to get a four-year degree’ Homeschooling made a difference for Greenburg

THE ENRICHMENT COOPERATIVE Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

By Kendra Andrews

Michaela Bearchum Joseph Greenburg Adam Halpin Andrew Johnson Emma Peterson Tina Schrader

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For most middle and high schoolers, their day consists of waking up at 6 a.m., going to school for seven hours five days a week, then returning home to crank out homework. While this is true for the majority of teenagers, it’s not the case for Joseph Greenburg.

A graduating senior at TEC at Bryant, Greenburg spent most of his academic career going to class two times a week, completing the rest of his schoolwork in the comfort of his own home. Not until ninth grade did he start attending school at least four times per week.

“It was nice having that flexible schedule,” Greenburg said. “I was able to do a lot of other things during school hours, and I was able to get ahead in my own schoolwork. If I had that more restricted schedule, I wouldn’t have been able to do those other things I was interested in. It was definitely nice to have that freedom.”

The reasons for Greenburg’s decision to be homeschooled comes

Graduation The Enrichment Cooperative commencement will be at 5 p.m. June 7 at The Enrichment Cooperative at Bryant, 910 N. Ash St. Principal: Suzanne Smith

EWU all four years – taking advantage of one of Joseph Greenburg, a senior at TEC at Bryant, is a the aspects of the Running Start student with a high GPA. university that initially made the school attractive to him. down to his parents, who upbringing.

“I wanted to get a Through this program, were extremely interested four-year degree,” Greenburg has been able in being as involved as to maintain a near-perfect Greenburg said. “I can’t possible in their son’s GPA and gain acceptance do that at SCC … I might education. into Eastern Washington go back to school after I By choosing to have University, where he will get my degree and get a him homeschooled, his teaching job. I might go mother, Janet, was able to be studying education back to pursue another with a focus on math. have more say in the degree.”

Despite being a topics in which her son Running Start student, would be educated, and giving him the option to was able to be more Kendra Andrews is a graduate early, Greenburg Gonzaga University involved with her son’s says he will remain at overall growth and student.

COURTESY OF TEC AT BRYANT

Shaila Achziger Anya Adams Drew Agee Makayla Allen Alissa Amaya Adam Ames Trenton Amesbury Blaike Anderson Jaiden Anderson Justice Anderson Kayla Anderson Rueben Aparicio Evangeline Asbury Gwenevere Ash Kyle Ashton Cleome Au Bethany Balos Jane Banner Jerra Barber Kayla Barton Tasia Battle Isaiah Bayles Jonathan Beach Katlyn Bear Nicholas Bigelow Carson Biggar Chanae Bird Christopher Birkeland Hailey Blaine MacKenzie Bloxham Julianna Bobian Jesse Bonasera Kaydin Botner James Brewer III Brianna Brockie Race Broom Ileeyah Brough Ahnykha Brown Kaitlyn Brown Gregory Buff Raven Burden Hannah Burgeson Alytheia Burris Mariah Burrow Quintin Caldeira Hunter Cammack Paige Campbell Michael Campion Derek Cape Starr Cape Zaven Capehart Jacob Caputo Hayley Cardinale Alexander Carlson Tristan Carmickle Angelica Carranza Trinity Carter Jennie Casch David Chaney III Tim Cherny Peter Chesnokov Aaron Childers Matthew Christenson Nicholas Chumov Shantel Claar Brady Clark Dylan Claxton Jaeda Claybrooks Reggie Coleman Kayli Collier Harrison Collins Kyle Cool Kaedyn Coston Gunner Coulter Hailey Coulter Garrison Cox Alexis Cramer Madison Cramer Auna Crawford Shawn Currie Alantis Czarapata Alexis Davis Natasha Davis Timothy Davis Jonathan Day Brenna Deerheim Maia Depner Sunny DeSilva Hannah Dunkin Hunter Easley Kyle Eastman Mya Edwards Sunny Ellenwood Preston Epler Elaina Ervin Justin Ervin Kyiah Evans Nate Fievez Daniel Filipenko Caitlyn Fitzhugh Champagne Ford Davyd Foster Hunter Fowler Bailee Free Elijah Fuentes Camden Furry Chris Galloway Emili Gants Alicia Gayler Koda Gest Serena Gilbert Grant Gilmore Blake Godwin KaRina Gordon Raymond Grawe Joshua Gresham Allie Gunn Cormac Gust Emily Gwinn Abdul Hakkani Jayden Hall Whitney Hansen Nandhi Harris Mikayla Harrison Conner Hedges Sarah Henifin Zachary Henry Tai Herrera Orion Herres Bradley Hines Skyler Houck Brady Hunstad Madriea Hunt Kaden Hurst Lindsay Inge Kiera Inman Paul Jachimiak Niko Jackson Shavaya James Jack Jarvis Pamela Javier Jace Jensen Devon Johnson Keiondre Johnson Kelcie Johnson

Nicholas Johnson Kalie Johnston Timothy Jonathan Jacob Jones Alexis Kaiser Jacob Karger Phoenix Katruska Emmett KinCaid Samuel Klinga Grace Knight Eric Koren Lorenzo Labrecque Kaela Law Kage LeFors Alina Lewis Jennai Lewis Qwynn Leyde Kaliyah Libertini Alyssa Lindor Katrina Lindsey Evan Loftus Tyler Logue Madeline Lohr Thalia Lomeli Lily Love Timothy Lynch Jazmyn Lyons Estrella Martinez Quataveous Mason Shemar McBride Madilynn McCrea Noah McLeod Ashlee McNabb Gregory Meacham Anna Mellgren Taylor Miles Tristan Mitchell Evan Moffitt Dustin Montague River Moon Branicca Muna Peighton Muse Noah Naclerio BreAnna Napier Tyrone Neal Jr. Finn Nelson Tina Nguyen Maysen Noel Gage Nord Daisy Norris Mark Nosov Kimberly Nutt Nicholas Oatis Nina Ojeda Jordan O’Lague Junior Olivares Carson O’Neall Alexis Parsons Jay Petty Michael Ellen Phillips Kollen Pitts Ebony Pizarro Deven Powers Hunter Preston Nickalus Preston Rebekah Puryear Dezaray Putnam Qwintin Putnam Reign Ramsey Mason Raymond Sage Rearick Brian Redman Ian Reid Kyle Reopelle Kevin Reyes Hannah Rigo Reesa Risinger Meghan Robb Ty’auana Roberson Monica Rocha Gabriel Rockey-Rhys Abigail Rogers Taylor Rohrbaugh Gabrielle Rose Zachary Rose Noah Rosenberg Nathan Runge Kymeekeis Russell Travis Russell Zayne Rutter Blaine Ryan Juan Sabas Raelynn Sam Angeline Samuels Easton Scofield Summer Scott Damika Shaw Essence Shupp Jacqueline Silva Jaden Smestad Daniel Smith Natalia Smith Ryan Smith Sylvia Smith Jakob Southworth Nicole Stapleton Nakita Stewart Felix Stone Taylor Stover Justin Strange Evan Swaney Lilia Swanson Gabriel Swartout Hailey Talgo Hannah Talgo Megan Taxter Shay Templeton Darius Terry Aidan Thompson April Thrall Mathew Tinney Hunter Tipton Katie Titus Tina Tran Lucas Triana Dennis Tsuman Collin Turner Kaeli Van Grimbergen Jillian Van Koten Paige Vigus Courtnee Wahl William Wallis Adama Walton Liam Ward McKenna Ware Mia Watson Joshua Webster Chandler Wegner Amelia Wendler Dawson Whitehead Michael Williams Joshua Wills Araya Wilson Connor Wing Bryce Woods Joey Yarbrough Chenoa Zacherle Jacob Zalud

MAP HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Nynaeve Beach Justice Discenza

Graduation The MAP High School commencement will be at 10 a.m. June 8 at Map High School, 1807 N. Washington St. Principal: David Crump

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NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Following the death of her mother, Hailey Leeking has focused on the controllables in her life, maintaining a 3.8 GPA while also setting personal bests this spring in the shot put, hammer throw and javelin.

Set to join EWU in field events, she may pursue nursing as a career

TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

North Central High thrower Hailey Leeking works out with her Indians teammates in March at the school in Spokane.

NC’s Leeking never wavers from high standards, aunt says, even after losing her mom memories together, including family road trips and entertaining one another with humor. Well, maybe Hailey Leeking, a North Central the comedy wasn’t always a senior and future Eastern two-way street between her and Washington University Eagle, has a her mother. couple of hidden interests, “(I remember) jokes that I made according to her aunt Karen that she didn’t think were funny,” Hughes.

Leeking said in a phone interview.

The first?

“I always just remember the look “She’s a country girl,” Hughes she gave me.” said in a phone interview. “She During a period of grieving, likes the rodeo; she likes the Leeking leaned on Hughes as a cowboys.” source of strength. Hearing that, The second? A love for singing. her aunt was taken aback, joking “I really think part of her wanted that she “felt so useless” and to this to be a singer,” Hughes said. day struggles to “fill that void” left A career in show business

by Leeking’s mother. wouldn’t catch Hughes by surprise, Following the death of her describing her niece as an mother, Leeking has focused on the entertainer during Leeking’s controllables in her life, maintaining formative years. a 3.8 GPA while also setting So when her mother, JoAnne personal bests this spring in the Leeking, died suddenly last spring shot put, hammer throw and due to a congenital heart defect, javelin. But she won’t pick a Leeking clung to their favorite favorite event.

By Jackson Frank

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

“If one goes farther than the other, then that’s my favorite,” she joked.

“Her mom was her biggest fan, especially with sports,” Hughes said. “There was some concern (as to) whether she would stay on track after my sister passed, (but) Hailey sure is keeping that bar high.”

In the classroom, Leeking singled out math and creative writing as her favorite subjects. Creative writing for the freedom it provides, math for the problem-solving skills it builds.

Don’t expect Leeking to pursue a career in either one, though. With two cousins on track to become nurses, Leeking intends to follow suit, explaining that she wants to “make a difference in someone’s life.”

As both a high-level student and athlete, Leeking’s success is rooted in unwavering confidence and a tenacious work ethic.

“I’ve noticed through high school, she never falls into peer pressure,” Hughes said. “She has high standards for herself; she has goals and dreams, and she works hard to pursue them. I sit back and I watch her and ... I’m just amazed at Hailey, how she stays strong and doesn’t fall into any of that.”

Headed to Eastern as a member of the Eagles’ track and field team, fulfilling a childhood goal of becoming a Division I athlete, Leeking aims to keep close tabs on her 15-year-old brother, Nathan Leeking, and his sporting endeavors.

“Their relationship is really beautiful,” Hughes said. “I have five kids, and I don’t even know if any of my five kids have that close-knit connection like Hailey and Nate do.”

Jackson Frank is a student at Gonzaga University.

NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Mohamed Ahmed Steven Allbery Alissa Amaya Tobias Andersen Blaike Anderson Skyler Andrews Alex Bagley Justin Barnes Abigail Bartholomew Harmony Bay Jaylee Beach Haylee Belarde Austin Bennett Binsa Bhandari Kieana Bigsmoke Justin Bishop Erick Biten Rickson Biten Maria Blanco Vazquez Dylan Bond Taniesha Bonebright Jenna Bothun Krista Braun Ryan Breithaupt Breanna Briggs Henry Brown Kailey Brown Madison Bunch Grace Burke Kiera Burnson Joseph Buttram III Joseph Caldwell Kaytlynn Caler Connor Campbell Temaron Cansler Brandon Carmel Trinity Carter Angelina Castillo Rachel Cathey Mahalia Chamberlain Aidan Chaparro Colby Chapman Tyeshawn Chapman Ashton Charlton Zachery Chavez Sarah Childers Devin Clark Lakenzie Clark Sara Codd Zachary Coffman Alexander Colvin

Sarah Corbaley Isaiah Cornelius Zackary Cramer Evan Crawford Michael Cronin Anna Danford Trysten Danner Logan Davie Bailey Davis Derric Deatherage Justin Dennis Jack Detmer Kylee Devore Kelcey Dodge Matthew Dolan Taylor Dolle Roman Dorr Ashley Drewry Benjamin Duff Sabra Dunakey Kandria Duxbury Ariana Edwards Jacqueline Egger Riley Eggleston Kayleigh Elliott Monique Emerson Noah Ewing Benjamin Foster Katherine Fox Morgan Foxworth Scott Frantz Daini Freitag Makenna Fromm Jadin Fry Jeriah Frye Oleksandr Furkalo Alex Gamez Abdias Garcia Eloisa Garcia Kai Garvey Gracie George Karsten Gering Gavin Gies Alana Glubrecht Levi Goris Josiah Graham Cooper Graves Salome Guzman Paiton Haeberle Jordan Hamblin Whitney Hansen Amanda Harpole Isabella Harris Jacob Harris

The North Central High School commencement will be at 4:30 p.m. June 9 at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: Steve Fisk Valedictorians: Sabra Dunakey, Kayleigh Elliott, Karsten Gering, Alana Glubrecht, Cydni Marshall, Halle Nelson and Darius Strobeck Brianne Hatcher Jakob Healy Oscar Hernandez Breana Hicks Joshua Hoffman Joshua Hoffmann Tori Holm Shelbie Hunt Lewis Magnus James Arianna Jennings Jillian Johnson Joshua Johnson Shakira Johnson Isaac Johnston Brendan Jones Dezirae Jones Kyreston Jones Kaden Jow Pasquale Kelay Katherine Keller Lauren Kettner Minseo Kim Mathew King Mary Klein Sadie Knouff Elric Krebs Savannah Kuhen Lyndon Lagpacan Peter Lampe Tyrell Lazarczyk Ryan Leaming

Dunakey

Elliott

Gering

Marshall

Nelson

Strobeck

Troy LeBlanc Hailey Leeking Jesse LeMaster RaShawn Lemery-Spencer Qwynn Leyde Bailey Liberda Isaiah Lockett Tanner Loflin Jonathan Lopez Courtney Lord Karstan Lund Hannah Lunnen Jeremiah Luten Peter Mahle Cydni Marshall Quataveous Mason Chloe McDermott Grant McDonald Kieran McHenry Erik McLaughlin Ashlee McNabb Hyonna McNeil Bryce Meadows Bethany Meek Tyler Mendenhall Ashleigh Miller Tristan Mitchell Ashley Moore Gage Morgan Daniel Morris Seth Morrow Anton Mosner Kylee Moyles Sean Muglia Carter Munk Shafiq Mushwani Francis Neff

Glubrecht

Jacob Neis Halle Nelson Julianna Nickell Adelheid Niederstadt Amelie Norback Dominic Ocasio Oswald Olazabal Cody Opp Carlos Palacios Camacho Riveria Parlange Steven Patrick Madison Patterson Maggee Paul Camron Pearson Christina Pelfrey Araceli Pena Victoria Pena Michael Phillips Haden Pierce Hanna Pierce Paula Pintler Allene Pound Marissa Pounds Sierra Pounds Cira Pratt Kevin Pravitz Abina Rai Christopher Regalado Lucie Rentsch Yvone Reyes Enrique Rico Kayla Robinson Jacob Rodenbough Dane Rogers James Rogers Gabrielle Rose Felicia Ross

Lilly Rozier Joshua Ruff Blaine Ryan Shaylee Salaz Alexis Sams Hellen Sanchez Kiaralynn Santos Lydia Saugen Dakota Schueller Samuel Seremet Sean Shaw Justin Shirahama Ireland Shoemaker Allea Shomin Brenda Sibrian Anthony Silletti William Skalstad Jaden Smestad Makayla Smith-Hageman Julianne Socha Taiyler Soderquist Casey Stangel Lindsey St. Laurent Felix Stone Jason Stone Michael Strait Darius Strobeck Isaac Struck Alena Suprun Ashley Sweeney Erin Swope Markus Taylor Madelyn Tedesco Grace Tiffany Ramana Tima Jalese Tonasket Cory Tyree Brian Vannoy Taylor Wais Cameron Wamsley Reese Washburn Nathan Watt Spencer Wear Jesse Weigel Steven Whelchel Tiaonna Whetstone Naomi Whipple Brianna White Dawson Whitehead Aiden Williams Elijah Williams Trevor Wilson Ryan Wineberg Brianna-Rose Wise Veronica Wynecoop Alejandro Yanez Jesus Zabalza-Galarza Tiffany Zerr Christopher Zienke

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FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL

TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Ferris senior Michael Ervin excels as a track athlete. He also is known around the school as Mikey Beatz, a music producer and performer.

Ferris standout blends athletics, music

By Joseph Thompson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

On the court, at the track and in the classroom, senior Michael Ervin is seen by many as a great athlete and a top student, but in the hallways at Ferris High School, he’s music producer “Mikey Beatz.”

“It’s cool being known for something other than sports,” he said.

Ervin, a two-sport athlete with a 3.94 GPA in four AP classes, found an interest in music at age 11. Shortly after entering high school, he assembled an at-home music studio and started to produce.

“Making music to me is my escape from the stress that life can carry,” he said. “It’s a place

I can go to when I need a break or I need to get something off my chest. Personally, it is also quite a healing experience. It’s my way of telling the world what I’m going through.”

Ervin said being able to showcase his music was one of his favorite moments at Ferris.

“After spring break, we start having lunch outside again at this place called Victory Plaza,” he said. “We got the speakers out there and the mics and performed. It was awesome seeing people’s reactions. It’s my passion.”

Ervin joined the school’s choir to become a better singer and quickly found a new niche at school. He’s now involved in three choir groups.

“I’m loving it,” he said. “It’s a

different group of people but I kind of found myself a little bit.”

Shannon Miller, college and career coordinator at Ferris, has been working on scholarship applications for Ervin for about a year and called the senior Saxon “eclectic.”

“He really crosses the lines,” she said.

When describing Ervin, Miller cites a speech he gave at the school’s Martin Luther King Jr. assembly.

“He spoke so well and so clear, and it really represented who I think he is as a person,” she said. “He talked about using words carefully and speaking with integrity and that’s who Michael is. He’s a pretty excellent kid.”

Ervin will head to California in the fall to Concordia University Irvine on a track scholarship, but said he plans to spend a lot of time involved in higher education.

“I want to get my doctorate in sociology,” he said. “Helping others has always been a thing for me, and understanding humans and the problems we’re going through.”

He said he wants to teach at the collegiate level, but isn’t ready to give up a life in music.

“Part of me, too, wants to chase this music thing and perform for people,” he said. “I feel like my life could split into two paths. If I can do what I love and help people too, that’s a double.”

Ervin said it wasn’t easy

coming to grips with being far away from his mother and younger brother.

“As college came around I was, like, ‘Man, am I really going to go that far away from my family?’ But I’m excited to travel,” he said.

“I’ll miss Spokane, I’ll miss my family, and I’ll probably miss the snow.”

Seattle Pacific University and Western Washington University were other potential landing spots for the senior, but one factor disqualified them both.

“I went to Seattle ... for choir and the rain got to me, and I realized I needed to be in the sunshine,” Ervin said.

Joseph Thompson is a student at Gonzaga University.

FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Lily Acevedo Jacy Adams Sean Agar Kaylee Agnew Nazar Ahmed Ali Al Ameri Abigail Albrecht Melanie Allen Mujtaba Altameemi Gabriel Ameny Ellie Anderson Sean Anderson Mallory Anzivino Emma Arbanas Malachi Areta Hailey Armstrong Royal Armstrong Zachary Armstrong Andrew Attrill Camryn Badner Jasleen Bains Asia Baker Katherine Bakken Yuriy Balabanov Abegael Barker Kelsey Barker Meg Bates Luke Bazzano Nathan Beine RJ Belanger Yuliya Belavus Tatianna Berestoff Tatyana Bernal Delaney Bernardi Joseph Birkland Conner Black Micah Blauer Todd Bloom Braeshawn Blume John Bogle Emily Bopp Mark Boston Danny Boyd Chelsea Branom Jazlin Branting Ethan Brazington Annika Briggs Samantha Brill Brandyn Bristlin Braden Brumbaugh Max Buchanan Emily Buntain Conner Busch Evan Busch Landon Butler Matthew Butterfield Summer Caballero Nicholas Caferro Hailey Calkins Chloe Campbell Shamrock Campbell Felix Candelario Alexis Caniglia Cassidy Caraker Samantha Carlson Damion Carter Brennan Carter Hannah Carter Hayden Casch Jourdyn Cerrillo Macie Cheney Madison Christensen Ryan Christy Tai Yip Chu Sophia Cicarelli Clarissa Cochran Chase Colbo Rosetta Coleman Trevor Collins Cooper Condill

The Ferris High School commencement will be at 1:30 p.m. June 10 at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. Principal: Ken Schutz Valedictorians: Mallory Anzivino, Emma Arbanas, Zachary Armstrong, Nathan Beine, Emily Bopp, Annika Briggs, Saige Forbush, Alexa Green, Savannah Mather, Alexander Nguyen, Lauren Potyk, Paige Royston, Theodore Schrimshire, Meagan Stevens and Alaina Stockdill

Jackson Condrey Emily Cranney Charlotte Critchlow Chester Croson Linnea Cubley Jacob Cunningham Evan Current Ethan Curtis Ariel Cutler David Daunis Devin Davenport Joshua Davis Chandra Dawkins Dana Dawson Honor Day Chloe Delhomme Rebecca Delp Curtis Demille Anna Demonnin Aundrea Destefano Brian Doneen Jackson Doud Peter Duchow Thong Duong Armin Durgutovic Madeleine Edminster Samuel Elliott Sydney Elwood Avea Emerson Jacob Entwistle Michael Ervin Maxwell Farrington Riley Farrington Mah Noor Fatima Bryan Fawcett Mark Felchlin Hunter Ferguson Kendrick Fey Curtis Fink Kendall Fink Kylee Flower Kristin Foote Saige Forbush JaQuill Fox Guy Fredrick Catelyn Frye Eric Fuston James Gao Danny Garabedian Anna Garrett Anthone Garvin Trinity Gary

Anzivino

Arbanas

Mather

Nguyen

Gafishi Gasabato Michor Gentemann Jacob Gerdes Evan Giem Diana Giniatullina Ephrem Glushchenko Anna Gnatenko Alexa Green Benjamin Greenwood Logan Haas Blake Hagen Emma Hainsworth Elijah Hammer Grayson Hampshire Hannah Hansen Blake Hanson Hunter Harmon Ellsbeth Harn Jessica Harpel William Harpel Jason Hassler Nathan Haulman Kyle Havens Liam Haynes Felicia Hebner Zachary Heimbigner Parker Henrich Orien Herdener Addison Hern Ashley Herrington Ian Hicks Ely Hines Jessica Ho David Hoblitt Carson Holland Alex Holmes Juliana Howard Madison Huddleston Jaydn Hueter Tyler Hull Svitlana Iarysheva Mubasher Ishtiaq Chyanne Isom Riley Jacques Brooke Jennings Hayden Jeremiah Alexandra Johnson Brayden Johnson Bryce Johnson Mallory Johnson Trenton Johnson Tyler Johnson Kenneth Johnson III Noelle Johnston Ethan Jones Henry Jones Jaydenn Jones Karizma Kelsey Christina Kiepe Madison Kilby Marshall Kimball Tucker Kirkpatrick Brooklyn Kittrell Joshua Knott Amber Koenig Emolie Koontz

Armstrong

Beine

Potyk

Royston

Sojiah Koss Emilyn Kracher Nicholas Kunkel Wilson Ladd Isabella Lalicker Zachary Lampe Michelle Lanford Nathaniel LaPiene Allan Latimer Niko Lawson Mackenzie Leaver Saylen Leifer Hunter Lewis Payton Lingo Daniel Lipatkin Cameron Liss Garrett Little Daniel Lloyd Raymond Lloyd Owen Alexander Long Caedan Long Connor Lorenz Abigail Louik Alex Lumsden Everett Lund Emily Lunsford Andy Luong Jason Luong Vineha Malireddi Kasey Marrazzo Alexis Marty Savannah Mather Colton Matheson Veronica McGeorge Nicholas McGoldrick Morgan McGovern Sarah McMillan Manuel Mendez Hector Larios Mendoza Dallin Merchant Paige Meyer Leland Moody Nicholas Morin Colten Morrow Tytannia Murphy Elijah Murphy-Sarmiento Trystn Murray Sarah Myklebust Kelsey Nameck Melissa Nelson Alexandria Nemitz Alexander Nguyen Annie Nguyen Jame Nguyen Shelyn Nguyen Thu Ha Nguyen Andrea Nunez Chase O’Connor Colson O’Connor William O’Doherty Andy Okanovic Joshua O’Leary Madeline Olson Rylee Olson Preston O’Neil Brandon Packer

Bopp

Briggs

Schrimshire

Stevens

Hailey Palmer Nicholas Parrish Ethan Petefish Victoria Phan Gabriella Pickering Lauren Potyk Clinton Price Michael Prien Cooper Quillin Jazmin Ramirez Joseph Raske Brazil Reeves Kiana Reichlin Derek Rendon Trejo Uriel Rendon Trejo Johnny Reser Brayden Reugh Kyle Reum Makiah Reynolds Marissa Ribeiro Jocelyn Rich Tyler Rich Elise Richardson Joah Robak Cadence Rohlf Abigail Roland Mackenzie Rolstad Braxton Romriell Jordan Rosales Caden Rowley Paige Royston Tashi Rush Chloe Salinas Kaelen Salinas Hunter Sanders Marissa Sanders Coltin Schafer Joseph Schartung Theodore Schrimshire Victoria Schucker Jadyn Schultz John Schwertfeger Abby Scott Carin Scott Barrett Scudder Aidan Severn Kayla Sharp Isabelle Shaw Lily Shelton Sarah Sherfey Erika Shirley Muntadher Shkhair Conor Simenson Tayla Skinner Luke Skipper Ester Skumatova Karalyn Slagle Alexis Smith Everett Smith Macie Smith Mary Smith Robert Smith Morgan Snider Eh Kler Soe Alan Sokha Sebastian Spanu

Forbush

Green

Stockdill Tyler Spink Gavin Steiling George Stelle Meagan Stevens Maxwell Stewart Jacob Stirpe Alaina Stockdill Hunter Stokes Noelle Storey Zachary Strauss Weining Su Haylee Summers Reed Swigard Ben Taylor Hannah Taylor Sienna Taylor Robert Tensley, Jaedon Tesarik Ryan Thompson Allexis Thorstad Si Thu Dmitri Tirzili Anna Topova Bitner Torres Cruz Tortarolo Joseph Toulou Jacob Traxel Mason Traynham John Trezise Korie Truitt Matthew Ugrin Joshua Ulrich Katharine Uphus Thomas Vandecar Jr. William Vogt Abigail Vonbrethorst Madison Vonbrethorst Kolin Vyverberg Joel Waggoner Allison Wagoner Emilee Waldo Crystal Waleh Jaden Walling Mackenzie Ward Emma Watson Bethany Watts Catherine Wavra Jenna Webber Jacob Weed Griffin Wessels Maverik White Savannah Wilcox Madelyn Williams Makaela Willis Cameron Wilson Tyler Wolfe Tavis Wood Parker Wordell Sara Zack James Zastrow Mychael Zion

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TRANSITION PROGRAMS: IMAGES, STEP

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Keynin Battle loves photography and wants to be a landscape photographer. Battle is set to complete Images in Spokane Public Schools’ Transition Programs.

Camera key as Battle gains momentum Lorraine Shank. “He’s probably one of the more independent, successful students at Images.”

Keynin Battle already has Battle also puts together the been attending college classes monthly Transition Programs through Spokane Falls newsletter that is sent home to Community College and hopes parents. to become a landscape Battle has been taking photography classes at SFCC photographer. and has his own photography Battle is a graduate of blog called KCBphotography Images, which is part of the Transition Programs offered by on Facebook. Recent entries include photos of Medical Spokane Public Schools designed to provide vocational Lake, Franklin Park and and personal skills training for Comstock Park. Battle said he likes to visit local trails and student age 19-21 with parks for his photos and intellectual disabilities. The prefers to feature landscapes community-based program is instead of people. housed on the SFCC campus “It helps capture memories and allows students to take that we share,” he said. college classes.

Battle is autistic and his “They slowly introduce them to college,” said Images teacher participation in the Images

By Nina Culver

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Transition programs offer post-graduation life skills Special-needs students learn independence internship, was added in 1996.

The Secondary Transition Education Program (STEP) was added in 2012 for students who June is a special time of year require more intensive support. for all graduates, and that The IMAGES program is on includes the students graduating from Spokane Public the Spokane Falls Community College campus and gives Schools’ Secondary Transition students a taste of college life, Program for students with Johnstone said. Students take intellectual disabilities. adult basic education classes The Transition program that include time management includes three separate and bookkeeping. Each student programs that are designed to provide services to students age has an unpaid internship for a limited number of hours a 19-21 who have intellectual week. disabilities. The goal is to help Students in the SEARCH the student successfully program work unpaid transition into a more internships at Providence independent life and paid Sacred Hearth Medical Center. employment.

They work in a variety of The idea is to provide help departments, include food with the transition from a school environment “so parents services, the laundry and the warehouse. aren’t feeling like they tipped “They work alongside over a cliff,” said Special Education Department program hospital staff,” Johnstone said.

“They don’t replace anyone. It’s director Angela Johnstone. an internship.”

“We’re partnering with STEP also helps students students, the parent and the with community connections in community.” addition to unpaid internships.

The Transition programs “It’s guided by the students,” offer services for two years after Johnstone said. “We help high school. Admission into a students connect with the Transition program is not agencies they feel offer the automatic and not all special services they need.” education students need the STEP, which is open to only additional services the program offers, Johnstone said. “There’s Spokane Public Schools students, has been very popular. just a few that need more,” she This year there were 60 said. “Students apply and they students in the three programs, interview. There’s a process and Johnstone said there are 78 that we put into place.” enrolled for the next academic Though the goal of all the year. “We’re going to be very programs is roughly the same, full,” she said. they offer different paths. All There’s no guarantee that three programs, however, offer Transition program graduates unpaid internships as a way to will get a job, but staff members gain job skills and build a do everything they can to help resume. Students can switch prepare students for that, from one program to another Johnstone said. during their two years.

“It’s a great program,” she The first of the three said. “We work very hard with programs, IMAGES, was our students and our families to launched in 1995. School districts are required to provide take advantage of these final years to provide connections to services to special education the community.” students until they turn 21 and prior to 1995 that was done in each high school. Project CONTACT THE WRITER: nculver47@gmail.com SEARCH, a one-year

program has helped him develop and learn to live on his own, Battle said. “My Images class has been helping me get more involved in the community,” he said.

Shank said she’s been impressed with his progress in nature photography. “I’ve seen, over the last two years, a lot of improvement,” she said.

“That’s his dream job, to be a landscape photographer.”

The goal of most Images students is to get a paid job and Battle has already achieved that.

Battle used to work at an Albertson’s that has since closed and has worked full time at the Safeway on Northwest Boulevard as a courtesy clerk for the last year.

He bags groceries, brings in carts and helps keep the store clean.

“I like to clean a little,” he said. “I enjoy working there a lot. I meet lots of friendly people.”

Battle plans to continue attending classes at SFCC and hopes to earn a digital arts degree. He said he’s very grateful for the help from Images and wouldn’t be where he is today without the program and support from his family.

“I really have to thank all my teachers and classmates who helped me reach my goals,” he said.

CONTACT THE WRITER:

TRANSITION: IMAGES Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Steven Arnold Keynin Battle Charles Bowen Jadynn Johnson Thomas Kemp Mark Sharbono Mariah Williams

Graduation The Secondary Transition Program Images will hold its commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. June 5 at Spokane Community College’s Lair Student Center.

Principal: Angela Johnstone

nculver47@gmail.com

‘Role model’ likes internship and work; aims for employment

By Nina Culver

By Nina Culver

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Malik Cordell Cheek is considered nonverbal, but his larger-than-life personality has won him friends and admirers in school and in life.

Cheek is a graduate of the Secondary Transition Education Program, which is part of the Transition programs offered by Spokane Public Schools designed to provide vocational and personal skills training for students age 19-21 with intellectual disabilities.

“The name of our game is employment,” said STEP teacher Jim Hutchens.

Cheek is a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, loves WWE and likes to bowl. He placed at the state Special Olympics competition, Hutchens said.

“He’s a blast,” he said.

While Cheek is considered nonverbal, that doesn’t mean he can’t speak. “He can talk up a storm, but you can’t understand a word he’s saying,” Hutchens said. “He can’t pronounce things. It hasn’t limited him for the most part.

He’s extremely outgoing. Half the city knows him.”

STEP students work in one or more unpaid internships to learn job skills and build up their resumes. Cheek has been working 15 hours a week in the lunchroom at Glover Middle School, helping serve students and cleaning up.

Hutchens said Cheek, who has no problem understanding other people, is willing to do anything that’s asked of him. “He’s always doing the right things,” he said. “He is the role model of all the other students here.”

Cheek’s mother, Kristine Scott, said she is proud of the work Cheek has been doing. “He’s pretty smart,” she said. “He just wants to work.”

Cheek also loves to clean and Scott said his room is the cleanest one in the house. “He keeps his room immaculate,” she said.

Cheek was born with Down syndrome and Trisomy 21, which means he has an extra 21st chromosome. Scott said she enrolled him in Spokane Guilds School when he was a month old, and he’s been in multiple types of therapies

COURTESY OF TRANSITION PROGRAM STEP

Malik Cheek is set to complete STEP.

since.

“He’s just been a true blessing in disguise,” she said. “He’s loving. He’s caring. He can be funny.

He’s flirty.”

Scott said she can sometimes understand what her son is trying to say, but they use text messages to communicate a lot. He also has an iPad program that speaks messages that he types into it.

Like most STEP graduates, Cheek hopes to get a paid job. “We’re hoping the school district will maybe carve out a position for him at Glover,” Scott said. “They want to keep him. We’re working on that right now.”

Though one of the goals of the Transition programs offered by the school district is independent living, Scott said she doesn’t see that happening for her son anytime soon. “Right now I don’t see that happening because he’s so vulnerable since he has no voice,” she said.

And Scott is just fine with her son staying home. “He’s a good kid, a very good kid,” she said. “He’s got a good heart.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

nculver47@gmail.com

TRANSITION: STEP

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Malik Cheek Tyler Colwell Matthew Dahlen Alondra Garibaldi Thomas Hamilton-Hartwell

Hayli McKenzie Crystal Saldivar Johnathon Slagle Seth Smith Graduated early: Makayla Cochran Star Ward

The Secondary Transition Program STEP commencement ceremony will be 9 a.m. June 6 at the Spokane Public Schools Administration Building, Boardrooms B and C, at 200 N. Bernard St. Principal: Angela Johnstone Student of the year: Malik Cheek

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COMMUNITY SCHOOL / TRANSITION PROGRAM: PROJECT SEARCH

Her mother’s doctor inspired Smith The Community School graduate aims to pursue degree in medical field

By Molly Gianarelli FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

India Smith defines herself as someone who plans to change the world in one way or another.

As a young African-American woman, Smith has faced adversity her entire life.

However, with graduation from The Community School quickly approaching, Smith holds three college acceptance letters in her hands, something she had never planned for. Smith credits her success to the support of her mother and sister, with whom she lives.

“My mom has pushed me to become the strong, independent, black woman that I am now, who can and will do something to change the world,” said Smith.

Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was only 9 years old. She has since been declared cancer-free.

“I am like this because of my mom, because she pushed through an obstacle in her life that she had to deal with,” continued Smith. “I've taken everything that she’s taught me, and I am just running with it.”

Inspired by an oncologist at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center who treated her mother, Smith plans to pursue a degree in the medical field.

“He was the most determined doctor,” said Smith. “I could have lost my mom at 9 years old, but I didn’t because of him. I just feel like I was put here on this Earth to save people, to create happiness in other people’s lives because someone else

THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

COURTESY OF INDIA SMITH

India Smith, a senior at Community School, says her mother has taught her to be strong.

Paid job just his first step in drive for independence

Benjamin Addy-Bruskiewicz Kascade Barnaby Isabella Blair Isabelle Carson Savanna Clark Bryanna Coopersmith Audrey Cox Isaiah Dokken Faryn Durfee Everett Edmonds Brianna Etten Richard Field Gracie Floyd Mia Harris Katelyn Hedden Kathryn Herr

did it for me.”

Smith has decided to attend Eastern Washington University in the fall. She chose this university because of the support and open-mindedness she encountered when she visited the campus. During her high school career, Smith experienced a few different racial discrimination incidents.

“India participated in positive dialogue, mediation, met with experts who had been invited to assist the school and was ultimately part of a process that brought the community closer together,” said her adviser Matthew Inman. Smith did not fight hate speech with hate, and that is what she thinks will help her change the world.

“India's drive, persistence and grit are her biggest assets,” continued Inman.

“When she encounters a roadblock or challenge, she seeks solutions, period.

Giving up does not seem to be an option she considers.”

Smith was involved in leadership during high school, attending leadership conferences every year.

She also worked in the cafeteria during her free time. She hopes to apply the lessons she learned during high school to her collegiate career, such as the balance between academic life and home life: “I really hope to step into college and not only accept everyone for who they are, but have everyone accept me for who I am.”

Molly Gianarelli is asstudent at Gonzaga University.

Graduation The Community School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 11 at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. Principal: Cindy McMahon

Sam Hufnagel Delaney Kahler Ayisha Lawrence Madison Leonard Emma Linklater Isabelle Lund Aster Martinez Benjamin Meginniss Maleche Moss Breanna Neal Nicole Newberry Dylan Pierson

Georgia Reed Nathaniel Sanders Thomas Siewert India Smith Alliah Spotted Blanket Zayne Starr Jonah Steer Sarah Strouse Brenna Tschabold Dawson Ziegert Chloe Zimmerman

Brighton Court Assisted Living Community

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

After several successful internships, Project Search graduate Aries Barry has achieved the first of many goals by landing a paid job in the kitchen at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute.

Project Search is part of the Secondary Transition Program run by Spokane Public Schools for students ages 19-21 who have intellectual disabilities. It’s designed to teach life and job skills to students after they complete their high school education.

Barry said he credits the program for getting him the skills he needed to find employment. He had multiple unpaid internships, including ones at Glover Middle School and Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, that helped him develop the job skills he needed.

“I can’t thank them enough,” Barry said. “I’ve always dreamt of getting a job.”

Barry is autistic, and said he finds it difficult to communicate with others.

“I don’t let that stop me from achieving my goals,” he said.

He graduated from North Central High School in 2016, and said he had been in special education classes since ninth grade. He liked making the switch from regular classes, where he

COURTESY OF PROJECT SEARCH

Aries Barry says Project Search helped him gain the skills he needed to find a job.

often felt confused. “They were so nice to me,” he said. “They taught me everything. It was hard for me to process things.”

Teacher Marie Miller said Barry is very independent and a hard worker. “He’s always looking out for other people,” she said. “He’s a good student. He always turns in his work.”

Miller said Barry is particularly resilient because he doesn’t have family support and now lives in a group home.

“He doesn’t have the traditional family there to support him,” she said.

Barry was the first Project Search graduate to line up a paid job this year, Miller said.

Barry is a big fan of the

Secondary Transition Program. “I love it,” he said. “Making friends, the experience, the teachers.

It’s the greatest experience I’ve ever had.”

After achieving his first goal, employment, Barry still has a few things he wants to accomplish. He’d like to eventually get an apartment with some roommates so he can live on his own. And he also dreams of bigger things than washing dishes at Mukogawa.

“My dream job has been to become a chef,” he said. “I want to start at the bottom and work my way up. That’s how to do it.”

We need to talk about your driving.

Driving represents freedom and independence for people of all ages. Asking an aging parent to hand over their keys can be a difficult and emotional conversation, even when safety is the main concern.

• How do I start the conversation?

• When is the right time to bring it up?

• How will they react?

This could be one of the most challenging talks you’ll have with your loved one. We’re here to help.

CONTACT THE WRITER:

nculver47@gmail.com

TRANSITION: PROJECT SEARCH

Visit TheyDeserveTheBest.com to learn more about transitioning your loved one from driver to passenger.

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Courtney Argo Aries Barry Sebastian Bowen

Justin Daggett Isaiah Dagget Anna McCoy Brittney Moser Graduated early Sangita Ria

The Transition program Project SEARCH commencement ceremony will be 5 p.m. June 12 at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in the Mother Joseph Room.

Principal: Angela Johnstone Student of the year: Aries Barry

Brighton Court Assisted Living Community 1308 N Vercler Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99216 (509) 588-1425

www.PrestigeCare.com

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SHADLE PARK HIGH SCHOOL “It’s easy to be intimidated by working with adults and being on an equal playing field with them is a good opportunity.”

Sophia Votava Shadle Park senior, who worked with businesses to plan events throughout the year

DAN PELLE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Sophia Votava is set to graduate from Shadle Park High School. She is a volleyball athlete and senior class vice president.

She’ll bring leadership ‘Understated’ Shadle Park senior likes math, science and plans to study engineering at UW

By Molly Gianarelli FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

At first glance, Sophia Votava may appear to be the definition of an overinvolved high school student.

Between AP classes, athletics and being senior class vice president, Votava has barely any free time left during the school year. But what she lacks in personal time, she makes up for in dedication and passion for community service and leadership.

“She is through and through a Shadle Park Highlander,” said Mark Harmon, Votava’s leadership teacher at Shadle Park High School. Harmon recognizes Votava as one of the school’s strongest candidates for accomplishment.

“Sophia always thinks of others before herself,” continued Harmon.

“I think her selfless attitude will serve her so well in the future.”

Votava was voted senior class vice president, which enabled her to be enrolled in Harmon’s leadership class. Through this class, Votava was able to organize and collaborate on projects to help the greater Spokane community. Inspired by the current #MeToo movement, her group decided to focus one of their projects on women’s achievements.

“March happened to be Women’s History Month and had International Women’s Day as well, so we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to embrace women’s achievements to inspire women now,” said Votava.

Votava and her group focused on women’s achievements in and around the high school. She reflects fondly on her time in the leadership class with Harmon, saying it was helpful in teaching her how to work with adults.

“It’s easy to be intimidated by working with adults and being on an equal playing field with them is a good opportunity,” said Votava, who worked with businesses to plan events throughout the year.

Votava is also involved in a Young Life group, as a student leader.

Harmon added that she was an instrumental part of a food drive and her school’s community service project for Groovy Shoes, which is an annual contest between Shadle Park and North Central high schools.

She also is a student leader at a local school in the homework center.

After graduation, Votava plans to attend the University of Washington, pursuing a degree in engineering.

She hopes to focus on environmental issues associated with that field. She chose this path because she excels in both math and science.

“Doing something you’re passionate about and good at is the perfect combination,” said Votava of her career choice.

Votava will attend UW through the STARS engineering program, a program for students pursuing

engineering or computer science who come from underserved high schools, meaning that 30 percent or greater of the students are on free or reduced-price lunch.

“She is very understated, and she will not take credit for anything,” added Harmon. “She is a person who really can get behind a cause and very quietly and modestly get something organized, usually for the benefit of an organization or other people.”

Votava said she is excited to continue her education in the fall.

She is hopeful to meet new people with similar interests and experiences. She plans to spend the rest of the school year focusing on schoolwork, tennis and prom. In her free time, she can be caught catching up on “Catfish” and HGTV. “No matter what field she chooses, she is going to make an impact because of her positive, selfless attitude,” concluded Harmon.

Molly Gianarelli is a student at Gonzaga University.

SHADLE PARK HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Triniti Adams Johnathan Akers Cutter Allert Caleb Anderson Cassidy Anyan Alyssa Armstrong Emily Armstrong Gwenevere Ash Cleome Au Bailey Banick Natalie Barcklay Gavin Beem Athayla Begay Zackary Bendixen Anabelle Benitez Marychristie Benjamin Abigail Bergan Marcus Berk Cody Bernier Casey Besaw Tyler Binderim Amanda Blandy Jacob Bleek Brandon Boyd Matthew Boyle John Broadhurst Race Broom Shayley Brower Daisy Brown Devin Brown Caleb Brunner Courtney Buchmann Tyler Buchmann Sean Buckley Hannah Burgeson Lilia Burks Kimberly Bursch Joseph Burton Jonah Byre Joseph Campton Esmeralda Candido Diaz Jedidiah Canfield Hope Caprye Kaitlyn Caprye Riley Carbon Mackenzie Carman Zachary Carman Anthony Carrier Maya Caruso Mariah Cathcart Paul Cherkashin Aaron Childers

Matthew Christenson Benjamin Christianson Kayla Clark Madeline Clark Olivia Clarke Ryelee Cole Kyle Collins Adrian Conway Isaac Cook Kyle Cozza Danielle Cravens Lukan Cravens Margaret Cubley Dharma Cuddy Manuel Cuevas Kobe Culbertson Galan Dahm Taylor Daquila Janessa Darcy Aiden Davis Carson Davis Carter Davis Tyler Davis Brenna Deerheim Jaden Delacruz Paul Dickmann Sam Dickmann Brianna Dodson Caitlin Douglas Chelsey Durell Haleigh Eickstadt Wyatt Eitreim Jeremy Eliason Trenton Elizondo Elaina Ervin Hallie Evans Rebecca Evans Zoie Faughender Meghan Felts Camille Fiechtner Andrew Forrester-Smith Kelsea Freedle Destiney Gagean Ryan Gaither Brice Gately Connor Gearing Adriana Gonzalez Makenna Grier Brian Griffin Jillian Groves Allyson Gwiazda Alyssa Haig Elisabeth Halbrook Mirriam Hamilton Alexis Hansen

The Shadle Park High School commencement will be at 1 p.m. June 9 at Spokane Convention Center in Hall B, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: Julie Lee Valedictorian: Selena Shaw

Braeden Harlow Wyatt Harris Elijah Hatcher Gabriel Helgesen Madison Henderson Sarah Henifin Rose Henjum Hannah Henry Pedro Hernandez Jack Hester James Hicks Darius-George Hilburn Jeremiah Hines Royal Hodge Jonah Hollaway Deven Hollingshead Elisia Hood Austin Hooper Dylan Houghton Chad Huddlestun Makalen Hughes Steven Hughes Kyndahl Humphrey M’Kayla Husk Jaeden Ives Crow Jack Jarvis Angelica Jeffrey Quin Jessop Caleb Johnson Entegra Johnson Hannah Johnson Makeil Johnson Oceana Johnson Taylor Johnson Bianca Joran Zibborah Joshuah Randi Kaiser Michael Kamau Richard Kane Peyton Kartevold Kieren Kershaw Gerow Gabrielle Killilea Leah Kincaid Victoria Kinzel Carroll Mikayla Kite Jessica Kittilstved

Jennifer Knight Elizabeth Koedding Parker Krahn Luke Krotzer Cameron Labrucherie Brandon Landgren First Name Last Name Jacob Lauffer Lansing Laws Eric Leavey Hannah Ledbetter Brock Leinweber Hope Lengvenis Michael Lim Sean Lochrie Jennifer Long Elhen Lucas Joseph Mackenzie Mika Magnuson Skyla Mangis Ashley Martell Tresten Mashtare Ariel Mason Brooke McBride Haily McCleary Janessa McCluskey Taylor McCormick Caleb McDougall Atavia McGougan Austin McKeen Owen McLaughlin Joshua McManus Kyle Mead Dawn Mejias Cindy Mendoza Benjamin Merritt Ariel Mesler Uniq Metcalfe Alicia Meyers Teigan Mikkelsen Kayla Miller Ashley Moneymaker Brandon Moore Joseph Morse Jakeb Muller Dharma Myers

Shaw Dayshawn Neal Bransen Newland Joshua Nguyen Ryan O’Connor Joshua Orey Michael Page-Gerow Alan Pan Jennifer Payton Patrick Percival Toren Pierson Anthony Pizzillo Brayden Plourde Amy Powell Mark Powell Kylie Payton Price Riley Price Justin Ragland Tylea Randock Andrew Rector Ryan Reeves Miguel Resendiz Stowe Ethan Reynolds Olivia Reynolds Dustin Rhoades Kamren Rickman Shayla Ring Ticara Rios Peyton Ripley Willow Risinger Meghan Robb Tyauana Roberson Kayla Roberts Jessica Robideaux Marcel Rodriguez Andrew Rogers Kendra Rosema Zoe Ruchti Cora Rude Dakota Runge Dane Rypien Elliott Sanderson Jacob Sandobal Bechalynn Scharff Mariah Schatz Emma Schleigh Gavin Schloss Lindsey Schmidt Bryson Scioly

Genevieve Scioly Sabin Sertich Selena Shaw Joab Sigrah Caitlyn Smith Caleb Smith Draven Smith Ethan Smith Justin Spurlock Emma Stalder Rand Stewart Faith Stockler Cole Stolberg Lynette Straight Colin Strout Jerimiah Stubblefield Emilie Tangeman Brooklynn Tarr Keaten Tarr Haley Tesch Chase Thames Hunter Tholstrup Ava Thompson Cameo Thompson Jordan Thompson Alofatasi Tomeo Arianna Torno Amy Turbak Peyton Urquhart Cherish Valenciano Mikenna VanGelder Jordan Villalobos Sophia Votava Noah Vue Julianna Wadsworth Liam Ward Sydney Ward Molly Warrington Emma Weberling Russell Webster III Trevor Weddle Faith Weeks Zachary Weitensteiner Blake Wells Ray Wicks Xavier Wicks Blake Williams Leslee Wilson Nicole Wineberg Jacob Winningham Karly Wittkopp Jonathan Wright Reece Yelvington Madison Young Alex Yunin Logan Zielinski Richard Zimmerman Jamisen Zosel

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EAGLE PEAK / MICA PEAK

Avid reader simply excels

COURTESY OF EAGLE PEAK AT PRATT

Bjorn De La Rosa is set to graduate from Eagle Peak at Pratt School.

Eagle Peak senior is driven to know how things work; hopes to become industrial designer

By Matthew Kincanon FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Even though Asperger’s syndrome brings its struggles and challenges, Bjorn De La Rosa, a senior at Eagle Peak at Pratt School who also has albinism, has found a way to use it to excel in school, particularly in history, science and general trivia.

When it came to history, De La Rosa said his interest started with movies and TV shows, and that there were plenty of books to read in school. Because he is a visual learner and learns at his own pace, he found reading books more interesting because they were on subjects he wanted to learn about, rather than being forced to learn in class.

“A lot of people that have some form of autism tend to find different forms of stimming

(self-stimulatory behavior) as a way to self-regulate and calm,” said Nina Kindem, De La Rosa’s mom. “Some people do hand flapping or this or that; Bjorn has been a book reader.”

She added that he would flip through books and look at pictures and information, even information he has read before, because “there’s a comfort in that stimming for him in turning the pages of a book and finding a lot of comfort in that finite piece of information.”

Other subjects De La Rosa would read about include the Titanic, trains, automobiles and zeppelins.

“With reading, I generally found an interest in how things work,” De La Rosa said. “I’m not somebody who can simply take ‘because it’s the way it is’ as an answer. I have to know why does it do this, why does this work the way it does.”

De La Rosa has applied his

interest in machinery to art as well, where he would draw original designs for cars and trains that, Kindem said, stayed within the confines of physics in regard to function and power.

“When I draw something, I always use graph paper so I have an actual unit of measurement for when I’m drawing,” he said. “I always use a ruler so I get a straight line where I need one, and I tend to use points of reference.”

As for trivia, De La Rosa said he is a “pop cultural sponge” and participated in mock “Jeopardy!” in middle school, where he won so often that he almost got banned from participating.

That being said, there have been challenges including struggles with mathematics, times where he excelled so much in some subjects that he became bored because he

was ahead of everyone else, and the social and sensory challenges that come with autism.

Rachel Samaha, De La Rosa’s teacher and case manager, said she hopes he receives the courses in college that she could not provide him that will challenge him and expand his mind.

“Autism, it’s got a bad reputation that just negatively affects people,” De La Rosa said. “Autism is not just a finite thing, there’s a spectrum of different levels. ... It causes different things for different people.”

De La Rosa plans to attend either Spokane Community College or Spokane Falls Community College and hopes to become an industrial designer.

Matthew Kincanon is a student at Gonzaga University.

AFTER TURNAROUND: AUDIO ENGINEERING

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

Andrew on Mica Peak: ‘It’s weird to be ... good at school’

Bjorn De La Rosa Garion Delong Adam Donnelly Andrew Jones Evan Tsigonoff

Graduation

By Ian Davis-Leonard

The Eagle Peak commencement will be at 1 p.m. June 8 at Eagle Peak School Gymnasium, 6903 E. Fourth Ave., in Spokane Valley.

Principal: Melinda Keberle

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

At school, Erin Andrew is the type of guy to stand up for others and push everyone to be their best. In the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons, Andrew is a Dragonborn Paladin who intimidates through his big presence.

“I may not play a fighter, because I think it’s important to have some healing ability, but I always like being a front-line tank,” said Andrew, a senior at Mica Peak High School. “I’m always looking to help people.”

Andrew is an avid Dungeons and Dragons player. He has two weekly games and one biweekly game, as well as the sessions he plays with his family. He is also the co-founder of Mica Peak’s Dungeons and Dragons club. “(Leading the club) kind of expanded him to work with different kids,” John Griffiths, Andrew’s leadership teacher at Mica Peak, said. “I know initially it was tough (for Erin), because when you’re in charge of it … people don’t always listen all the time.”

Andrew took the challenges in stride and created a community for himself and others.

This wasn’t always the type of student Andrew was.

In middle school, he was a self-proclaimed bully. He spent his first year of high school at Central Valley High. On one of his final

EAGLE PEAK AT PRATT

MICA PEAK HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

COURTESY OF MICA PEAK

Erin Andrew completed his Mica Peak High School education early.

days at the school he had to break up a fight between two of his friends.

That was the breaking point for Andrew; he made the decision to switch to Mica Peak.

“When I came (to Mica Peak), first day I got a hug from my now-best friend, so first day I was here really turned me around,” Andrew said. “I knew it was going to be great.”

Since enrolling at Mica Peak, academics has become easier for him.

“It’s weird to be actually good at school,” Andrew said with a proud smile. “Such a different learning style, because you feel so connected with the teachers.

I can ask them questions.”

While he must wait until June to graduate officially, Andrew was able to complete his Mica Peak education a trimester early.

Along with succeeding in school and founding the Dungeons and Dragons club, Andrew has been an integral part of Mica Peak’s leadership team since his sophomore year. “(He’s) a kid who came into our program really shy, really to himself, really quiet, and he found his niche in our diverse program of students and you saw this kid blossom,” Griffith said.

At Mica Peak, Andrew found a cohort of friends who have helped him to succeed and whom he pushes to be their best, as

well.

“I’d like to think I’m friends with everyone here,” Andrew said. “Everyone knows me, and I know everyone.”

In the fall, Andrew will continue his education at Spokane Falls Community College. He plans to study audio engineering with hopes of becoming a sound technician. He credits his three years at Mica Peak for getting him there.

“I’m never going to forget (my Mica Peak experience),” Andrew said. “It’s absolutely turned my life around and to be honest, I don’t know if I’d be alive without it.”

Ian Davis-Leonard is a student at Gonzaga University.

Macee Ahrendt Erin Andrew Taryn Bennett Raelyn Benson Saige Bentancourt Alyssa Brown Justin Brown Ellie Bruce Rebekah Call Emily Carter Scott Carter Zeina Chreiki Madison Dial Allison Duncan Alanna Fain Shyla Gower Khyle Graham Kieara Graham Nicole Grzogorek Erin Gumlock Coleman Gunion Lexi Harames Phillip Hay Olivia Hilts Vanessa Hoang Bailey Jeffries Wyatt Johnston Dylan Kirk Jonathan Koch Kayleigh Kyhl Samantha Marshall

Hannah Mathews Renae Maynard Jaycee McNinch Keith Meade Isabelle Meafua Shania Milton Megan Morrison Brianna Najera Elijah Niemi Kaylee Oliver Evan Oliverson Ian Ostman Eliot Payne Hunter Penick Isaiah Perry Troy Reynolds Ryan Roberts Trent Rupert Devin Rusk Alisha Sandy Hannah Schmidt Dakota Shultz Rebekka Stewart-Crandell Jesse Stover Brandon Thompson Travis Usher Carlos Vazquez Connor Wellwood Nicholas Whitcher Aleena Whitmire Zaraih Whitsett Conner Wold Anika Worline Elizabith Wright

Graduation The Mica Peak High School commencement will be at 6:30 p.m.

June 7 at Eastpoint Church, 15303 E. Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley.

Principal: Kamiel Youseph

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CENTRAL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

CV senior finds confidence in passions, leadership Spokane Scholar says he has grown as public speaker

By Connor Gilbert FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

One might call Javion Joyner a Renaissance man.

He certainly is no stranger to the term. “Yeah, I’ve gotten that before,” laughed the Central Valley High School senior, who holds leadership roles in DECA and Future Business Leaders of America, while participating in National Honor Society and orchestra.

He also teaches cello and bass to younger students and is an AP scholar, Spokane Scholar Award Recipient for math, and a National Merit Scholarship Finalist – all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. But Joyner’s participation in all of these groups and activities was more than just an addition to his resume. He saw them as chances to grow as a person.

“I started off high school with a lot of anxiety about public speaking and communicating with people, and by joining clubs like FBLA and DECA, those both allowed me to practice those skills and gave me the opportunity to grow,” he said. “I’m not as afraid of speaking in front of people anymore.”

Holding leadership positions, such as being president of the school’s FBLA chapter and vice president of DECA, has been an important experience for Joyner as well. He attributed much of his growth in confidence to becoming a leader in both.

“To help other people grow, you have to be confident in yourself,” he said. “Otherwise, there’s no point listening to you unless you have your convictions and demonstrate your value.”

According to Duane Barnhart, Joyner’s DECA and FBLA supervisor, it’s an experience that has worked very well for him. Barnhart said that he possesses “a sense of confidence and self-assurance like none that I’ve seen both in my years of teaching and in

LIBBY KAMROWSKI/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Javion Joyner of Central Valley High School has been accepted into the University of Pennylvania in Philadelphia in the fall.

business.”

Asked about his passions, analytics and statistics came into Joyner’s mind, but they were clearly just two of many interests.

“It’s my passion. It’s so real, so tangible,” he said. “I just love the idea of using data to shape a business decision or shape any decision in general.”

In taking AP statistics this year, Joyner said that he “fell in love” with spreadsheets. In fact, he wrote his college admission essay about an Excel spreadsheet. Here’s an excerpt: “My personality is a paradox.

On one hand, I need to be extremely organized. I love creating structure and want to know what’s expected of me, and how to work with maximum efficiency. On the other, I could never enjoy playing music, making art, exploring new subjects and brainstorming innovative solutions to the problems I face

CENTRAL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: David Abdallah Amariah Adams Ashton Adams Joshua Adams Cristopher Aguilar-Gomez Raj Al-Ghani Yaqoob Al munshedi Adam Altamirano Ahmad Ambon William Ames Amanda Anderson Brandon Anglin Kayla Apperson Zered Arcef Jocelyn Arguinzoni Maisyn Arnold Issac Arrotta Gurjot Atkar Abriel Austin Mitchell Axtell Carissa Ball Lindsey Ballard Jerone Baloy Bautista Joshua Bambock Kaelyn Barnes Kira Barnes Noah Barnes Samantha Barrie Joba Baso Garrett Baxter Asia Beale Ricky Behl Mark Bellagio Max Bernstein Alexander Biglin Cameron Bonsignore Jeffrey Bosch Brianne Bowden Noelle Bowden Mason Bramer Taylor Brennecke Madison Britain Elise Brockbank Leann Brown Taylor Brunett Jada Bryant Claire Buchheit Jacob Burch Leona Burk Calvin Burnett Hunter Burton Jason Butler Autumn Call Ruth Call Autumn Campa Holly Caravello Calista Carlson Kylee Carlson Sarah Cartee Hailey Carter Justin Carter Maria Casillas Max Chadwell Selena Chen Lindsay Chermak Sadie Christensen Hailey Christopher Kennedy Clark Peter Cleary Garret Cocchiarella Austin Coker Hannah Conant Bruce Conley Emma Cooper-Hawkins Preston Cooper-Hawkins Ty Cornell Tucker Cousins Brianna Cozino Hannah Craig Victoria Crapo Abigail Creach Emily Critchlow Kambree Crossette Kalle Crouch Christian Curran

Britton Curtis Mallory Daines Saphyr Dalton Karissa Dautenhahn Joshua Davenport Alexa Davis Cameron Davis Brianna Davydenko Spencer Dean Tyler Degenstein Stacia DeHamer Fielding Demars Curtis Denenny III Makenzi Denniston Cyrus DeReu Juan Diaz III Jason Do Ryan Do Dominick Dobson Melissa Doege Zachary Dornack Nathaniel Dow Madisyn Doyle Bryce Drager Noah Dreves John Dunne Michael Duty Kody Easley Hannah Eckel Gabriel Eden Sapphire Eden Jase Edwards Thomas Edwards George Eliason Hannah Ellis Riann Elsner III Jamal Erdem Hunter Ergeson Daniel Eubanks Rachel Fassler Sydney Fergen Andrew Ferrero Nathan Fightmaster Jonathan Finn Emily Fletcher Alex Ford Molly Ford Kaelyn Frederick Alissa Freeman Jordan Freeman Tyler Fridye Sean Fullmer Anna Gabbert Logan Gaffaney Keaton Gaffney Kyra Gaffney Maesyn Galloway Alexis Garcia Odalis Garcia Bryce Gardner Sidney Gardner Blair Gasaway Alan Gass Rachel Gerdes William Ghosoph Camryn Gibson Jacob Gillespie Robert Gleason Austin Glenn Hernan Gonzalez Uziel Gonzalez Sidney Goranson Caleb Grabowski Ashley Griffiths Jacob Grisafi Noah Groves Mason Guerdette Hayden Guinn Kelsey Gumm Isak Gust Elizabeth Gutierrez Sean Hagerty Shandra Haggerty Kevin Hail Madison Haines Jaiden Haley Brayden Hamilton Hunter Hamilton

without unleashing my creativity.”

And Joyner’s creativity is on full display when it comes to his passion for music. He has been playing individually and in orchestra for several years, and has been coaching bass and cello after school to younger students for more than three years. He has found that he still reaps the benefits of playing every day.

“Playing the cello is such a relaxing thing,” he said. “It’s such a release. You can find so much through music.”

He also attributes playing in orchestra with providing him a much-needed support system in tough times.

“Orchestra is where I built a family,” he said. “I’ve been playing with some of these kids for seven years now, and it’s always a place I can fall back.”

“There’s a group chat I can text to vent about my emotions,” he added with a

Lexus Hamilton Brandon Hamry Grant Hannan Amanda Hanson Grace Hardesty Austin Harrington Allison Hartshorn Benjamin Harwood John Hatcher Devin Hauenstein Katie Hawkins Chang He Gabrielle Heberlein Harrison Heckerman Brandon Henderson Mercy Henry Armando Hernandez De Los Santos Benjamin Herndon Thomas Heskett Orion Hickson Madeleine Higbee Zachary Higginson Anna Hilbert Charlotte Himebaugh Alyson Hinman Nathan Hirt Hannah Hislop Caitlin Hodgkin Angela Hoene Austin Holman Justin Holmes Mercedes Hood Ayianna Hopkins Caitlin Hopkins Alexandra Horton James Hotchkiss Kylee Huebschman Lacie Hull Lexie Hull Justis Huston Allie Jackson Kylie Jackson Logan Jackson-Brown Alison Jacobson Benton James Tyler Jennen Elsa Jensen Jaleigh Johnson Michelle Johnson Nathan Johnson Shaean Johnson Brady Jones Sophia Jones Dawson Jordan Javion Joyner Sadie Justus Noor Kaddoura Pamelpreet Kang Natalia Karptsov Catherine Kartchner John Keiser Caitlin Kellar Kassidy Keller Dru Kellerman Triston Kelley Rachel Kempf Kristina Kholostov Ashley Kidder Benjamin Kiehn Grace Kienbaum Riley Kindred Kobe King Haylee Kinworthy Cassidy Kippenhan Derek Knoll Kirill Kolesnikov Sami Kopelson Brian Kovar Madison Kramer Dennis Kravtsov Michaela Laabs Alyssa LaBrosse Emily Ladd Jill Lambie Anna Lamoreaux Ian Larson Jenna Lauer Alina Lavrova Krista Lehman Bosak Nathan Leland Jordan LeMay

laugh.

Business and music are only a couple of areas that he is passionate about. He also has an interest in politics, the environment, the future of education, and economic empowerment, to name a few.

Joyner plans to major in economics at the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in business analytics, and was selected for the Joseph Wharton Scholars program, which will allow him to take honors-level courses in liberal arts as he earns his undergraduate degree. He sees himself working as a consultant to help businesses improve their practices and policies.

But to Joyner, beyond all his commitments and passions, there is no higher priority than serving others.

“What genuinely sets Javion apart is his desire to leave a lasting impact and raise the level of excellence in both

himself and his peers,” Barnhart wrote in a letter of recommendation.

Through FBLA and DECA, Joyner has volunteered for Crosswalk and March of Dimes, two charities in the Spokane area. He described it as being more a necessity than a choice.

“Anytime where my time is more beneficial to someone else than it is to myself, that’s when I feel that I need to volunteer,” Joyner said. To him, there is no idle time. “Me staying at home and watching a TV show isn’t as important as helping others.”

Despite the variety of interests and passions he pursues, Joyner has his priorities. He doesn’t mince words when it comes to what matters most to him.

“Learning as much as I can is my main goal. Definitely,” he said. “It’s my full-time job.”

Connor Gilbert is a student at Gonzaga University.

Graduation

Madrian

Vasquez

Jacqueline Lemus Desiree Lensing Jacob Lewis Sydney Linde Jerry Liu Joel Loepker Nathaniel Lopez Rolando Lopez Hannah Louthian Hannah Lundblad Ryan Lybbert Sara Lynn Jerred Mace Sydney Machovsky Kate Madrian Abdulhadi Mallah Ammar Mallah Trent Marker Ryan Markofski Steven Marshall Bekk Martin Matthew Martin Riley Martin Micah Mason Noah Mathis Ashton Matlock Kimberlie Matteson Noah Mayfield Jacob McAndrews Colton McAuliff Lauren McCauley Miya McClellan Bridget McDonald Natalie McGee Kate McLelland John McMahon III Jackeline Medina Ajnet Mejbon Max Melville Emma Metzger Benjamin Michaelis Brandon Miles Cameron Miller Hanna Miller Mark Miroshin Jordan Mitchell Summer Mizner Victoria Modica Noah Moffeit Reagan Moon Connor Moore Daniyel Morris Leanna Moua Promise Mourar Kali Mulligan Brian Munro Grace Nall Peyton Nalls Destiny Nason-Fuller Alexandra Naves Yevhenii Nechytaylo Samara Nelson J.R. Newton Mai-Thy Nguyen Sarah Nicholls Scott Nicholson Christian Nielsen II Amanda Nigg Cole Niles Ashlee Nilsson Britnee Nilsson Ryan Noll Daniel Norfolk Tina Nye Kathleen O’Dea Ethan Ola Elena Olsen Ryan Olsen Austin Olson Mitchell Olson Trey Orr

The Central Valley High School commencement will be at 9 a.m. June 9 at Gonzaga University’s McCarthey Athletic Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St. Principal: Kerri Ames Valedictorians: Kate Madrian and Jason Vasquez

Cassandra Ortiz-Nelsen Robert Osipenko Gavin Ostheimer Blake Page Gabrielle Pagenstecher Sarena Palacio Adria Palmer Anika Panattoni Colton Panter Madison Papich Anna Pecha Erica Pecha Jacob Pedigo Kaden Perala John Petersen David Peterson Evelyn Peterson Grant Peterson Hannah Peterson Brandon Phelps Samuel Phillips Joseph Piche Seth Pierce Brooklynn Pieroni Preslee Pieroni Lucas Potts Holland Pratt Taylor Pugh Correy Quinn Brayden Raab Jaysn Raddatz Christiaan Ramos Mason Rawley Madison Reese Meggan Reimer Brandon Reis Rachel Rennaker Jayden Richards Nicholas Riggs Chloe Robbins Nicholas Rogers Gabriel Romney Alan Rose Heather Ross Izabella Roullier Gabrielle Routt Tyler Rowell Luchiano Rubio Brandon Ruegsegger Hellen Saitoti Carmela Salazar Trystan Sampilo Cole Sampson Milan Saric Ryne Saty Benjamin Scanlon-Holmes Jenna Scarcello Sydni Schaefer Cory Schmidt Taylor Schwartzenburg Mason Scott Zoey Scott Cailin Seimears Connor Seimears Sydni Seliger Michael Semencha Kendall Sessions Brenna Shanks Ryu Sharma Jadon Sharp Sophia Shaurette David Shevchenko Tatyana Sichkar Austin Sihabout-Zabala Luana Silveira Molinelli Sanpreet Singh Hannah Sipes Aubony Slack Jordan Smith

Zachary Smith Megan Sola Shianne Soles Ashley Sommer Andrew Sommerville Riley Soots Thomas Stanley Jr. Amia Stephens Carsen Sterling Samantha Stevens Ethan Stewart Zachary Stocker Jaelyn Strand Mariya Susina John Swager Melissa Sweeney Emmaline Sylvester Jesse Talafili Christopher Tamayo Marco Teslow Ashlynn Thielen Rylee Thompson Angelina Thongdy-Sihabout Shane Thornton Bailey Tiffany Mikaylah Tipton Austin Tomlinson Alexis Townsend Daniel Troxel Floyd Turner Kavina Turpin Jordyn Tuter Grace Tyrrell Juliana Ukrainetz John Van Buskirk Jr. Charis VanNote Jenna Van Sloten Joseph Vargas Jason Vasquez Jennifer Wagstaff Christopher Walsh Troy Walton Hannah Wampler Jack Wampler Logan Ward Trevor Ward Evanjalysta Warnock Emily Wasson Alexandra Weeks Kylie Weiler Jasmine Wengel Hood Dean West Evan West Mandie West Brittney Wheeler Kaitlyn White Josephine Whitsett Bradley Wiggs Breanna Wilde Bryce Wilde Aaron Williams Alissa Williams Bailey Williams James Williams Madeline Wilson Emily Winter Paige Wollan Zachary Wood Lijun Wright Savannah Wright Shane Yarnell Elizabeth Yergen Beaudry Young Braunson Young Alyssa Zadra Tyler Zarecor MaryCatherine Zartner-Isit Hailey Zeutschel Conner Zimbelman

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UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Jarelyn Abrams Aundrea Adams Victoria Addicks Genesis Adkinson-Trevino Reedah Aguon Natalie Albers Emily Albert Jack Albert Sherman Alexander Trent Allgood Trevor Allgood Paige Anderson Taylor Anderson Benjamin Angeli Easton Anglin Cassidy Anyan Sierra Apodaca Emma Apperson Jayden Artis Thomas Atkinson Courtney Awbery Megan Babington Jacob Bailey Briahna Baker Shelby Ball Joshua Ballensky Bradley Barclay Caleb Barker Campbell Barrington Kendall Bastine Austin Beare Joshua Belcourt Payton Bello Thomas Benane Taylor Bennett Brooke Berg Alexander Bester Polina Beymanov Nathan Blanchard Alyxandria Bledsoe Jared Block Kamryn Bodholt Amelia Boger John Boldizsar Mackenzie Bond Jillian Bowden Madeleine Braas Mallory Brake Brady Brinkman Makenna Britton Jamiliya Brooks Aryonna Brown Hannah Brown Madison Brummett Audren Bruszer Aliviah Buchanan Jeffrey Buono Natalie Burget Riley Burghard Joelle Burnett Nicholas Caldera Levi Caldwell Kaitlyn Calhoun Brian Campbell Mallory Carbon Alexis Carlson Dylan Carr Camryn Carson Emily Carter Nathan Cate Cameron Cavanaugh Emma Chan Jordan Chapman Marie Chapman Conner Charbonneau Tristan Chavez Alaina Chester Tanner Christensen Mason Christie Camryn Cicchetti Maxwell Clark Ashley Clements Jasmine Clemons Hannah Click Logan Coffey Kyle Cole Emily Coleman Owen Cornwell Olan Corte Hailey Couch Tyler Cowett Trevor Coy Sydney Cramer Hunter Crandall Gabrielle Crippen Daitin Cumeralto Savannah Cunningham Brook Dahl Alison Darby Jordyn Davis Luke Davis Warren Davis Parker Davis-Tesky Taylor Day Brian Decker Ryan Demick Austin Denison Kalani Desautel-Tomeo Morgan DeWitt Thomas Dexter Blake Dickinson Kiara Dilworth Claire Dingus Braxton Dinter Nathan Doerr Emma Dona Isabelle Donahue Kobi Dowland Ethan Doyle Isabelle Duffy Rachel Dunham Grace Dwyer Ciara Eagle Santaya Eddy Erica Elanzo Terrell Elgee-Sanders Alivia Ellwein Chandler Epperly Matthew Evans Jordyn Feuz Emma Fiala Maria Figart Aidin Fishburn Alessya Floryanovich Riley Flynn Draceryn Fowler Blake Franklin Timbre Freeman Kaylee Gamble Chloe Gardner Colton Garrett Maizy Garrett Tessa Garrison Anthony Gates Anna George Amanda Gerard Ryan Giese Alexander Gilden Dorian Gillingham Hunter Gladden James Glantz Brookelynn Glatzmaier Neriah Graham Lauren Green Austin Greene Hunter Gregerson Stephen Griffith Hallie Gropp Judeashia Guerrero Justin Hacker Jace Hames Savana Hania Ashley Harley Denver Harris Ashley Hartman Gage Harty Ty Haskew Gage Hawley Scott Hawley Cole Heaton Brianna Hecker Rylee Hecker Elizabeth Hedt Emma Hill Alyssa Hiner Ashley Hoadley Autumn Hoadley Kayla Hofer Alissa Hoiles Morgan Holbrook

Graduation The University High School commencement will be at 1 p.m. June 9 at Gonzaga University’s McCarthey Athletic Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St., in Spokane.

Principal: Keven Frandsen Valedictorian: Thomas Dexter

Dexter Chyanne Holder Hannah Holschen Riley Hoover Kyler Horseman Rylan Hoskins Zakary Hostetler Deric Houston McKenzie Howard Trystan Howard Pierce Hubbard Brenden Hughes Peyton Hundeby Bryce Hussey Conner Hustad Jeremiah James Sebastian Jansen Alejandro Jaramillo Jakob Jayroe Ashlea Jeffries Justin Jessop Madeline Johannes Anna Johnson Daniel Johnson Jaydan Johnson Kaitlin Jones Shaun Jones Taylor Jones Nicole Jones-Hibdon Abigail Joppa Dylan Jordan Drake Jurey Brenden Kaiser Reed Kannapien Nelli Karptsov Rebekah Kasper Samantha Kimble JoElla King Taylor King Jaycie Knudson Austen Koepke Asher Koester Svetlana Krupko Emmalynn Kruse Kaitlyn Kuespert Connor Kuolt Mikayla Kvislen Solomon Labere Adam Labish Lydia Lamm Delaney Langston Emily LaPlante Gage Larsen Hannah Larson Maiah Laurin Malayne Leavitt Mary Leavitt Cameron LeBaron Morgan Lehman Rebecca Lehman Johanna Lenhart Demitri Liew Brian Lissieur Daniel Lissy Crystal Littleford Nicole Locker Cameron Logan Alexa Long Dallas Long Gabrielle Long Neftali Lopez Madison Luke Bradley Lyonnais Mary Lystad Kaitlynn Lytle Scot Mackey Kaitlynn Madison Trenton Maher Spencer Mallonee Courtney Marshall Gabriel Martin Breyton Matthews Pearson Zachary May Hailey Mays Desmen McCoy Johnathan McDonald Trinity McGilley Madison McGrane Chase McIntire Jared McIntire Summer McKeon Joshua McLean Alexis McVicker Cesar Mejia Alexis Miller Emma Miller Anna Millhouse Nathan Milnes Hope Mitchell Mariah Mitchell Noah Mora Nicholas Morris Sidney Morse Sean Mortensen Melinda Mott Amy Moua Elizabeth Myers Matthew Myhren Juliann Nelson Kara Nemeth Aybie Nevers Jacob Newton Nathaniel Nordquist Cameron Norman Valentine Ntaloishi Makayla O’Blenness Tommy O’Donnell Sierra Oens Tate O’Kert Taylor Olp Ezekial Olson Sophia Orndorff Rodrigo Orozco Justin Osborn Maygan Osborn Cameron Owens Isaiah Page Joseph Palmer Shyanne Parker Luke Parsley Katelynn Paulsen Grifen Peck Noah Pederson Hunter Penick Colton Perrin Erin Peschel Dustyn Petrovich Donovan Phillips Ryan Phillips Hannah Pittman Matthew Pixley Cassandra Potts Ebony Powell Christian Price Jasey Ramelow Nicholas Ratz Jade Read Mekenzie Reinbold Henry Reinhardt Zoey Rhoades Elena Rhodes Abigail Richard Sidney Rickman Dylan Ries Garrett Ries

COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL

Ryan Giese is expected to graduate from University High School.

Amid loving family, U-Hi senior takes fast track to success Giese moved in with a friend from elementary school before the start of sophomore year — a In a time as turbulent as high year which Giese considers one of his hardest years. school, most students can rely “(My friend) and his family on their home life to provide some stability. This was not the weren’t the most organized or productive people, and that case for University High really took a toll on me,” Giese student Ryan Giese. said. “Though they treated me Giese was raised by his aunt better than I had ever been and uncle. The family didn’t treated, I still didn’t quite feel have much family time, but it never bothered Giese, as it was like I really belonged.”

This allowed Giese to fall all he ever knew. However, the into a routine: staying home summer before school began from school to play video the family was unable to pay games, sleep, or occasionally the bills. That is when Giese decided to make his first move. play the guitar.

“Tenth grade was probably “I ended up moving in with the least productive year of my my other aunt, who I came to find out wasn’t a very big fan of entire life,” Giese said.

“Eventually I got so unhappy me,” Giese said. “In fact, her there that I moved yet again, boyfriend had to convince her this time with a more recently to let me move in with them.”

That change of residence also met friend and his family.”

During that unproductive meant a change in school.

A social kid in middle school, time, one thought never crossed Giese’s mind.

Giese says that part of the “The thought of ‘What am I transition was far harder than the academic one. Even though going to do if I don’t graduate?’ never really registered in my he found a core group of friends in school, Giese’s home mind,” Giese said. “I was kind of just floating through the life provided him with days, not really caring about challenges.

“I got pretty depressed while anything. The only thought I had was ‘I should probably living there because I felt unwanted and that I was being change this.’ ” He did. treated unfairly,” Giese said. “It After finding a stable home was very plain to see that my with his friend, Giese found a aunt favored her kid over me family that accepted him more quite a bit.” than he had ever felt before.

Coming downstairs one day That positive environment with scissors in hand, Giese’s aunt walked over and clipped a translated into Giese focusing chunk of his light brown hair – on school and catching up on a look that his aunt particularly credits, while painting as much of a social life as he wanted. disliked.

While the work content may “That was very upsetting for not have been as challenging as me,” Giese said. one might expect, it was the After that incident, Giese amount of time put into the moved again. This time it was to his former girlfriend’s house. work that made it a bit of a challenge for Giese.

That stay was short-lived, and

By Kendra Andrews

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jordyn Ries Eric Riffle Katelynn Roal Elijah Roate Abigail Robb David Robb Devyn Robinson Owen Robinson Allan Robison Tyson Rocker Bradley Ross Amiah Routson Rachel Ryan Jonah Saladin Madeline Sandford Micah Sandford Trinity Schultz Sonia Schwab Kira Schwander Rachel Scott Rilynd Scyphers Julien Sears Colton Sellers Michaela Shelley Roman Shelly Rebecca Shepard Rebecca Shinkle

Dominique Shrader Reagan Shumate Brett Simon Micah Simpson Hunter Sims Paul Sipko Maxwell Skidmore Gunnar Sly Ethan Smart Austin Smith Callie Smith Makayla Smith Nathan Smith Katelyn Smithgall Kelly Somerlott Jayden Soto Shelby Spears Savannah Sprague Nicola Stachofsky Trey Stannard Slater Steeneck Christine Stephens Natalee Stipe Canyon Strader Janae Strayer Nathanial Strebel Pamela Styborski

Tucker Surdock Logan Suwara Brandon Syme Madison Szafransky Boston Tacke Jacob Talbert Benjamin Taylor Jonathan Taylor Katelyn Taylor Caleb Thomas Bryan Tietz Stephanie Traver Dylan Tritt Skylor Truman Christopher Trusty Olivia Tuccio Charles Tucker Stephen Tunick Jalyn Turner Gillian Tusberg Alexis Vandouris Summer VanZyverden Jasmine Vasquez Niessie Veazey Parker Vernier Paul Vernier Dylan Verran

However, he was able to make up credits in one year and currently holds an A- grade average.

“I’m very proud of Ryan for not just deciding that he needed to get things turned around, but for actually taking the necessary steps to do it,” University High counselor Pat Shelley said. “So often students make plans then never follow through with them. He figured out what he needed to do to make a better life for himself and then did it.”

Following graduation, Giese would like to attend college, but that is up in the air. Giese would have to receive a substantial amount of financial aid. He does not know if that will happen. But if it does, he has a plan.

“If I can get the funds to go, I want to enroll in the photography course at Spokane Falls Community College,” Giese said. “I’ve always enjoyed taking pictures … I want to one day be a photographer for Thrasher magazine. I would get to travel around, skateboarding and taking pictures of people skateboarding. To me, no job could ever be better than that.”

If the opportunity does not present itself to allow for Giese to attend college, he knows that he will be OK, just as he has been throughout his life.

“I learned that I am capable of picking myself up after I fall down,” Giese said. “I don’t feel like all too much of a different person now than I was when I was struggling to be successful in school. I’m just in an environment now that allows me to focus on things more clearly.”

Kendra Andrews is a student at Gonzaga University.

Johnathan Wallace Samantha Wallace Dylan Ward Kendall Watson Timothy Westbrook Everette Wheeler Layton White Rachel White Bailey Wiberg Teagan Wicker Kavon Williams Spencer Williams Jeric Williamson Keegan Williamson Amari Willis Hunter Wilson Amara Winkler-Coty Zachary Withers Ryan Wittmier Cody Wolcott Alexandrea Woods Anika Worline Tayannah Wright Daniel Yermakov Destiny Zumwalt

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FIVE MILE PRAIRIE SCHOOL

FIVE MILE’S SHUSTOV EXEMPLIFIES RESILIENCE Senior overcame personal tragedy to complete school early

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Resilience. That’s the first word that comes to mind when Craig Taylor, counselor at Five Mile Prairie School, talks about Marina Shustov.

Not only did Shustov complete school a quarter early, she was also a Running Start student at Spokane Community College.

“She did all this while dealing with somewhat tragic circumstances at home,” Taylor said.

In August 2015, her brother, Moses, was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. The following January her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“At first I didn’t tell anyone at school,” Shustov said. “I didn’t want to be treated differently.”

That changed when one of her teachers saw she was having a bad day. The staff at the small school rallied around to offer support.

In addition, the scholastic structure of the school, which operates in cooperation with parent involvement, made it easier for Shustov to balance schoolwork while being available to help at home.

“The flexibility allowed me to spend time with my family,” she said.

A lot of that time was spent going to doctor’s visits with her mom or taking care of her sister’s baby.

“She always has a smile on her face, and even in the depths of all this, she never complained,” said Taylor.

At first her brother seemed to respond to treatment and they both ended up at SCC together.

“I’d see him in the cafeteria and he’d be eating something healthy that looked gross, like a broccoli smoothie,” Shustov said, laughing.

Moses was determined to do whatever it took to beat cancer, even if it meant broccoli smoothies. But by winter quarter, the cancer was back with a vengeance.

“In January 2017 he was told he had only two months to live,” said Shustov as she

“She always has a smile on her face, and even in the depths of all this, she never complained.”

Craig Taylor Five Mile Prairie School counselor, describing Marina Shustov

COURTESY OF FIVE MILE PRAIRIE SCHOOL

Marina Shustov is set to graduate from Five Mile Prairie School.

blinked back tears. “I didn’t want to believe that. I didn’t want to believe he only had two months left. He was just 21.

This was the hardest thing to accept.”

She sighed.

“He really wanted to live.”

She stayed on task at school and concentrated on helping her family, filled with gratitude when her mother’s cancer went into remission.

“With all that was going on, she continued to plug away at school, and didn’t let it take away from her goals and dreams,” Taylor said. “She’s a hard worker and really focused.”

But in March 2017 Moses died. There was no fight left in him. Just acceptance.

“He got tired. So tired,” Shustov said. “But his diagnosis changed a lot of people. Moses was quirky. He had an interesting personality. It was a lesson for everyone to appreciate the little things, even the quirky things that might embarrass you.”

A few months after her brother’s death, her sister gave birth to a son. They named him Moses.

And Shustov pressed on. She wanted to graduate early because she’d already enrolled at Inland Massage Institute.

“I want to become a licensed massage therapist,” she said.

“It’s something I can do to make someone relieved and happy. I like being able to help people – to have an impact.”

So she focused even harder on her studies.

“On the one-year anniversary of her brother’s death she came in and did her senior presentation,” Taylor said.

Shustov is eager to begin her career, and credits her Christian faith with helping her through her darkest days.

“My faith gave me strength,” she said. “I know I’ll see my brother again, and for now I’ll live this life as genuinely as he did.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

dchval@juno.com

FIVE MILE PRAIRIE SCHOOL

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Alexandr Anishchenko Luke Brock Ana-Maria Codreanu Gregory DeHart Anna Denisenko Evelina Dolbnya Annika Erickson Aubree Galle Luke Graham David Ivanchuk Colin Kammerer Jessica Kobzar Pavel Korsun Mark Kutsar Daniel Kuzik Nikita Levitski Karinna Lopez Andrey Lukin Victoria Makhnyk Joseph Muglia Nicole Pichette Leah Pigida Polina Razinkov Roman Semivrazhnov Angela Shirshin Marina Shustov Irena Stovba Stephanie Thoet Jacob Whitaker Kimberley Wood

Graduation The Five Mile Prairie School commencement will be at 5:30 p.m. June 7 at Mead High School Theater, 302 W. Hastings Road Principal: Bruce Olgard Valedictorians: Colin Kammerer, Karinna Lopez and Nicole Pichette

Kammerer

Pichette

Lopez

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MT. SPOKANE HIGH SCHOOL

Wildcats’ Ruffin ‘leads from the heart

LIBBY KAMROWSKI/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Troy Ruffin, a senior at Mt. Spokane High School who is passionate about history and politics, plans to attend Eastern Washington University this fall.

Senior much more than captain of football team

By Cindy Hval THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Never underestimate the power of a poster.

When Troy Ruffin was in middle school he saw a classroom poster featuring the presidents of the United States.

Next to President Barack Obama’s photo was a question mark.

“I stopped in front of that for a long time,” Ruffin recalled.

“And then I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ ” It was more than the presidency – Ruffin said he felt the call to serve.

That doesn’t surprise the staff at Mt. Spokane High School.

“He leads from the heart,” said principal Darren Nelson.

“He’s genuine, confident and self-assured, but the thing I really appreciate about Troy is that he’s a kind soul. He’s so inclusive, he just folds everyone in.”

Ruffin believes his leadership talents are God-given. An elementary schoolteacher recognized his abilities and pulled him aside.

“She said to use them wisely,” he recalled.

One of the places he’s chosen to lead is on the football field.

Ruffin is captain of the Mt. Spokane Wildcats.

“I’ve loved football my whole life,” he said. “When I saw

something that needed to be done, I would just do it. If I saw a younger guy struggling, I’d jump in and help him.”

To Ruffin, the beauty of the sport is that it takes 11 men working together like a well-oiled machine to accomplish anything of significance.

“It’s the brotherhood that’s built while playing the sport,” he said. “It really is a second family to me.”

He found yet another family at Mt. Spokane. Ruffin has been part of the DECA club since his freshman year.

“He’s an amazing young man,” said DECA advisor Dave Whitehead. “Troy qualified for State all four years, and qualified for Nationals the past two

years.”

When the club brought in U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Whitehead enjoyed watching Ruffin interact with her.

“It was neat to see,” he said.

“Troy was willing to step forward and question her, but he did it politely.”

Ruffin said DECA was a great creative outlet for him, and he values the friendships he made through his participation.

But his true passion remains political science and U.S. history.

“I even pressured Mr. Nelson to start an AP Politics class,” Ruffin said, chuckling.

“Unfortunately, he said no.”

Nelson said he’s eager to watch this promising student’s potential unfold.

“We’re really proud of him,” he said. “Whatever community Troy lands in, he’s going to make it better than it was before.”

Ruffin remains relentlessly optimistic about the power of passionate people to make change. He’ll be attending Eastern Washington University in the fall, and later plans to pursue law school.

“My story is still in the first chapter,” he said.

As he looks to the future, he’s realistic about the world he’s poised to enter.

“The political climate is not a good one. Current leaders are not in there to serve, but for their own gain,” he said. “But I believe in the American dream. I believe the promise of America can still be fulfilled.”

MT. SPOKANE HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Kiyan Abghari Jacob Adams Cameron Albertson Seluia Alee Alexyz Alexander Gabrielle Allard Sophia Allard Treshur Allen Ryan Alm Hayder Al-Saadi Risone Ama Janessa Amburgey Ahmad Amiri Sophia Andersen Julian Anderson Maria Anderson AnnMarie Ankien Elizabeth Ankien Cadan Asterino Atabey Atakan Keenan Avery-Carpenter Joshua Babb Justine Baker Taigen Balbi Joshua Barton Liliana Barton Britney Bebout Jesse Becker Tarek Benton Hannah Berg Preston Bingley Eliana Bissell Pearl Bodey Jora Bolena Balraj Bolina Jacob Bonney Haley Boone Lane Booth Zachary Bowers Kelly Boyer Myah Boyer Zacheriah Brien-Ingram Erika Brooks Jamie Brown Josiah Brown Rachel Brown Micheal Buckingham Sydney Bulmer Derek Burke Tyler Busby Peyton Bushnell Savannah Cabrera Calvin Cameron Bradley Campbell Gabriela Campbell Sydney Campbell Ayden Carper Kendall Carr Jeremiah Chapman Julie Christensen Kaeli Clark Emma Clayton Camden Clegg Brennen Clemons Kyle Cobb Jordan Coffey De'Onte Collins Anabella Connors Tessa Conrad Alexys Coolbaugh Alexis Corella Natalie Craudell Nicole Craze Gwen Dallman Vanessa Deanta Rachel DelPizzo Alena Diaz Christian Diego Rylee Dockins Thomas Dotson Kyle Draine Julianna Duncan Jesse Dupuis Luke William Eberly Korbyn Edmondson Troy Engen Wyatt Erovick

Dakota Ervin Savannah Esco Maya Favela Camille Grace Fievez Michael Fimbel Tucker Fine Jaden Fleming Ashley Fletcher Chad Fletcher Jordan Fliegel-Collins Jerald Flores Rachael Foley Cycilee French Stephanie Friesen Emily Fry Logan Fry Hannah Fullmer Preston Furulie Stephanie Gady Branson Garske Mason Gash Zainab Ghafoori Conner Gracio Emily Graham Jenna Grote Ethan Guerin Bradley Guevarra Lane Guimond Tabitha Gulbranson-Spina Gabrielle Hager Emily Hahn Elizabeth Haley Rose Halpin Connor Hamm Dayton Coral Hammond Halle Hanson Lilian Hanson Nadia Harry Dylan Hathaway Cole Hattenburg Bayley Hayett Jasmine Hedy Kylie Hegwer Annaruth Heichi Ruthanna Heichi Sean Hellstrom Meghan Henry Kendra Herkimer Nickelson Hernest Hanna Hess Jack Hesskamp Hannah Higgins Jordan Hills Jarod Hodgson Tarienne Hoke Elizabeth Horner Jacob Howerton Chandra Jade Hoyt Baylie Hubbell Brayden Huck Daniel Huckaba Samuel Hval Dana Hydzik Bryan Impecoven Marissa Ishii Veronika Ivakhnenko Jagger Jacobi Jon Jamison Bo Jensen Zachary Jensen George Johnson Hope Johnson Micah Johnson Madison Jonas Ali Jones Blake Jones Quinlan Jordan Kalena Jose Emili Junes Hannah Jury Abbigil Kalin Dawson Kamalu-Nako Tyler Kaminski Karee Kampmann Eli Kanally Christopher Kies Jinwoo Kim Tayven King Jordawna Klaas Ashley Knighten

The Mt. Spokane High School commencement will be at 5 p.m. June 8 at Gonzaga University’s McCarthey Athletic Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St. Principal: Darren Nelson

Bingley

Burke

Campbell

Clegg

Craudell

Dupuis

Graham

Hager

Horner

Jamison

Johnson

Jones

Lungo

Madill

Nelson

Osmun

Shaffer

Stiles

Thoren

Twiggs

Unruh

VanWert

Voloshenyuk Wiechert

Valedictorians:

Preston Bingley, Derek Burke, Sydney Campbell, Camden Clegg, Natalie Craudell, Jesse Dupuis, Emily Graham, Gabrielle Hager, Elizabeth Horner, Jon Jamison, George Johnson, Ali Jones, Payton Lungo, Sophia Madill, Devan Nelson, Maryn Osmun, Marcella Shaffer, Payton Stiles, Iris Thoren, Kira Twiggs, Allison Unruh, Ryan VanWert, Liliya Voloshenyuk and Emma Wiechert

Benjamin Knoll Natalie Koch Garren Koller Alla Korovnik Brianna Kostecka Hannah Krieg Heather LaCaze Rada Lance Hannah Lanz Chase LaPlante Daniel Laptev Mackenzie Larsen Sarah Lateef Chloe Lavelle Gavin Lemon Abigail Leo Corey Lewis Rachel Lewis Alicia Lies-Swatman Devin Liljenquist Makenna Lillis Joshua Lloyd Taiwel Lobju Felicitas Lopez Payton Lungo Allyson Lynch Payton Maas Jessica Mack Sophia Madill Hannah Madsen Katherine Maher Keyara Markee Halle Maroney Jalen Martin Avery Matson Jarret Mayo Lael McCollough Samantha McCorkle Cody McDonald Baylee McHaney Rachel McKibbon Benjamin McKinnis Mackenzie McNeilly Allison McNitt Piper McQuarrie

Blaze Mentser Alexa Miller Kyle Miller Adrienne Moe Baylie Moe Carissa Montgomery Madeleine Moran Lucas Morgan Dylan Morrison Jacob Morton Nicholas Naccarato Rebekah Neal Devan Nelson Jacob Nickleson Mikyas Noble Carly Norman Sarah Norton Glorya Ocampo Clare Ochoa Montana Ogle Darian O'Leary Hanna O'Leary Patrick O'Leary David Onishchuk Ryan O'Rourke Maryn Osmun Courtney Pardue Lindsey Pearson Brendan Perdue Blake Peterson Lisa Petrovich Tyler Pierson Sara Polello Tyler Pollock Timothy Post Jr Azaria Pounder Sarah Powell Allyson Pratt Katherine Pratt Ezra Preciado Dale Preuss Samire Rahimi Jenna Railton Jodyanne Rain Elizabeth Redmond Seth Reed Kelly Reichel Alexandra Riddle Marcynia Rilang

Eric Ritchie Kiaunah Roach Abigail Roberts Nicole Roman Madelyn Rondeau Mellenia Rudolph Troy Ruffin Christian Salazar Edward Samolovov London Sanders Linzi Sandlin Alivia Sargent Alexa Schaefer Haley Schnug Madison Schulte Rachel Schupp Bria Schwald Ryan Sexton Marcella Shaffer Jamal Shateri Chad Shoquist Cameron Siegwarth Taisly Simington Alexis Sing Amra Smith Caitlyn Smith Carsen Smith Casey Smith Darby Smith Lucas Smith Kiela Snell Dylan Snitchuk Terry Somers Adam Sonneland Hannah Sparber McKenzy Speelman Emma Spurbeck Hannah Stafford Jessica Stafford David Stephens Justin Stevens Ashley Stewart Payton Stiles Braeden Stumm Spencer Styren Randy Suttle Tygan Sweet Briana Swenson Anastasia Taylor

Jarrod Thames Sarah Thieschafer Ethan Thompson Lukas Thompson Iris Thoren Austin Threlkeld Keathan Triplett Noah Tripp Brandon Truscott Michael Tsuchida Sophia Tutt Kira Twiggs Kaitlin Ulias Allison Unruh Dean Urquhart Tyler VandeBogart Ryan VanWert Isaiah Vigil-Serpinas Liliya Voloshenyuk Brooklyn Walker Max Walker Leah Walton Dillon Warner Miahna Waters Andrew Wells Caleb Wendle Nicholas Wenzel Katie West Emilie Whipple Jacob White Natalee White Makayla Whitehead Alexis Whitworth Christian Wibe Emma Wiechert Bradley Willett Emily Williams Gabrielle Williams Corrigan Wilson Riley Wilson Trinity Work Shaeleen Wynecoop Julia Yasinsky Benjamin Yevchenko Sapina Zackious Kaitlyn Zemke Nathaniel Zerbst Michaela Zieroth

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M.E.A.D. ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL “MEAD helped me with my pace. They worked with me every step of the way.

Graduating is a huge accomplishment. It feels unreal.”

Marina Brownlee MEAD Alternative High School senior

‘I kept pushing’ – and made it MEAD Alternative senior triumphs over trauma, health crisis MEAD Alternative High School’s Marina Brownlee is expected to graduate with the class of 2018.

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

When MEAD Alternative High School teacher Karina Berven first met Marina Brownlee, the student was at least a full academic year behind her peers.

“She had a feeding tube, and she looked like she couldn’t possibly lose any more weight,” Berven recalled.

Flash forward two years. Brownlee no longer needs a feeding tube and Berven said, “She’s graduating sooner than any of us expected.

Her hair has grown back.

She sparkles!”

Her “sparkle” is a testament to her resilience and triumph in the face of heart-rending trauma.

“A family member raped me when I was 15,” Brownlee said. “I kept it a secret.”

However, she said the same person assaulted her sister, and her sister spoke out.

Their hopes for resolution and justice were soon shattered.

“He jumped off the Monroe Street Bridge before he went to trial,” Brownlee said. “I really blamed myself. His wife calls me a home-wrecker.”

Through tears she spoke of her struggle to keep up at school.

“I kept pushing,” she said.

And then she got sick.

Really sick. She couldn’t keep food down, vomiting constantly.

COURTESY OF MEAD ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL

Doctors suspected anorexia, but Brownlee knew that wasn’t it. She wanted to eat, but her body rejected food.

Severely malnourished, she was admitted to the hospital.

“They put me in the anorexic ward and watched me eat. It was so demeaning,” she recalled. “I lost my hair.”

Finally she was diagnosed with gastroparesis, a condition

that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles in the stomach. Gastroparesis can interfere with digestion, causing nausea and vomiting, and causing problems with blood sugar levels and nutrition.

Despite the fact that she missed so much school, Brownlee was determined to graduate.

“I didn’t want a GED,” she said. “I wanted my

diploma. I needed to finish.”

Though the task was daunting, Berven believed in her student.

“She loves to read, so we started there,” Berven said. “She loves to read about powerful, strong women who’ve taken control of their lives.”

And Brownlee has emulated them.

She moved into her own place, and learned

MEAD ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Savannah Allen Ambrosia Anderson Ashton Ayles Anthony Beckstead Kira Bishop Marina Brownlee Kaitlyn Clayton Echo Davis Tyler Davis Amirah Dour Kelton Hosheit Kelsie Kirk Rhiannon LaMarche Jaden Lively Azryah Lloyd Ayden Lorz Aslan Moorby Thomas Neace Kassidy Polhamus Jordan Radan Matilda Sanborn

how to live with gastroparesis.

“MEAD helped me with my pace. They worked with me every step of the way.

Graduating is a huge accomplishment. It feels unreal,” said Brownlee.

Her struggles have made her acutely empathetic to others.

“Invisible illness – invisible trauma can happen to anyone,” she said.

To victims of sexual abuse her message is emphatic.

“No matter what the outcome, it wasn’t your fault, it wasn’t your fault,” she said. “Tell someone you can confide in – a counselor or an older friend. Speak up.”

She hopes to become a registered nurse and work with people who have gastrointestinal illnesses.

Her teacher can see that happening.

“She has a capacity to

Graduation The MEAD Alternative School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 7 at Mead High School Theater, 302 W. Hastings Road Principal: Bruce Olgard Katelyn Smith Hannah Torino Kaila Wacenske Ariana Woodard Justice Yi

help others, especially those with digestive disorders,” Berven said.

“She has such wise kindness. There’s a presence about her.”

Full-time college and employment may be a long way off. Brownlee still tires easily, but she’s going to take online classes through Spokane Falls Community College.

“It’s really remarkable that she’s doing as well as she is,” Berven said.

“You’d never know what she’s been through.”

When Brownlee reflected on the past few years, she choked up.

Her eyes filled.

“I wouldn’t change any of it,” she said. “I’m really proud considering the circumstances.

They’ve strengthened me. They haven’t made me bitter. They haven’t tarnished my soul.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

nculver47@gmail.com

*****THANK YOU****** MT. SPOKANE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR ALL NIGHTER DONORS The graduates of Mt. Spokane High School, Class of 2018 and the Senior All-Nighter Committee, would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to all the individuals and businesses who so generously donated to the Senior All-Nighter graduation celebration.

Thank you.

PostNet Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Buck Knives Flyshacker.com 3 Billy Goats Bluff Silverwood Hillyard Hammer’s Boxfit Growler Guys Lookout Pass GSI Outdoors The Perfect Start All-Star Jump Baskin Robbins Yoga Joy North Studio Raab Chiropractic Spokane Indians Baseball Bench Love Dr. Ashlock Spokane Fit Body Boot Camp Spokane Pro Care Lawn Service Ritter’s The Union and Method Juice Café Heather Washburn 1020 Salon Cancer Care Northwest Triple Play Quality Inn Oakwood Mango Ink 08/Left Jewelry Design Center McClain’s Pizzeria Pine Acres Eagles-Ice-A-Rena Laser Quest Village Cinemas Wandermere Maryhill Winery Silver Mountain Resort YMCA of Inland Northwest Good Goods Spokane Party Bus Mountain Gear Luxe Salon Made in Mead Studio North Salon and Spa Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club 49 Degrees North Wandermere Golf Course Mt Spokane Physical Therapy The Boiler Room

ROW Adventures EMLV & O Dr. Drew Heidergott, DDS Hoopfest Retro Donuts Cashmere Skin and Body Northwest Beauty Perfect Nails After FX Laser Iron Goat Brewery Georgetown Brewing Company Big Barn Brewery Black Label Brewing Company Fine Art Photography Doubletree by Hilton Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park Hilton Garden Inn Sweet Frostings Mrs. Kalin’s Barn Spa Blue Washington Extreme Highway Grind Jacob’s Java Barteli Cellars Bux Vintage Azteca Taco Time Taco del Mar Allstate: Clifford C Walton Jr State Farm: Charlie Flager Funflicks Schweitzer Mountain Resort Kalispel Golf and Country Club Stellar Industrial Disneyland Resort Wildtree: Yota Stauffacher Josh Johnson Orthodontics Wendle at the Y Loft 204 Massage Envy Island Globe Tanning Northern Quest Casino Hill’s Resort Spokane Soccer Academy Resort at Cavanaugh’s Maid Naturally 4 Seasons Coffee Company Cross My Heart

Valley Dermatology Magnuson Orthodontics Homewood Suites Elegant Wine Country Limo Lynn Ellsworth Guitars Davenport Hotels Best of Broadway Family First Senior Care Elite Physical and Sports Therapy Brent Child, DDS Plumbers and Steamfitters UA Local 44 Banner Bank Papa Murphy’s - E. Francis The Onion Bar and Grill URM Wadell’s Restaurant Salon Dolce Downriver Grill Flying Goat Republic Pi STCU Birdy’s Sports Bar Mamma Mia’s The Swinging Doors Sweeto Burrito Sonic Selkirk Pizza & Tap House Wildtree: Annette McKelvey-Anderson Emily Mikkelsen Photos Noodle Express Poole’s Public House Perfection Tire Twigs Numerica Cinola Restaurant Waxie Sanitary Supply Celebrations Sweet Boutique Fred Meyer Maple Street Bistro Nothing Bundt Cakes Rosauer’s Shari’s Café and Pies Yoke’s Albertsons Dr. Pepper/7Up Bottling Odom Tagaris Winery Ziggy’s Building Supply

Our Senior All Nighter will provide nearly 350 students with a well-chaperoned, drug and alcohol free celebration on graduation night for a fun, safe, and memorable evening.

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MAY 31, 2018

MEAD HIGH SCHOOL

MEAD SENIOR IS GOING PLACES, COUNSELOR SAYS The teen laughed when talking about the job he loves.

“When we came to America, I’d never been to a pool or a lake!”

He was given a pass to the Y and took swimming

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW lessons, progressing all the way through to lifeguard training.

When Azizullah “I love my co-workers Moltafet arrived in the and the environment,” he United States in 2012 via said.

Afghanistan, Russia and Moltafet, a Running Start several countries in student, plans to study between, he didn’t speak a engineering at Whitworth word of English.

University.

Neither did his mother “I want to be an and three younger electrical engineer,” he brothers. said. “I like to build stuff “It was really scary,” he and fix stuff. I fix my car recalled. “We had no family myself – every little thing – no friends. We didn’t that goes wrong, I fix it.” know if we would have a He smiles when home or food on the table.” picturing his future.

Immigrating to America “I see myself sitting in an was his mother’s dream. A engineer’s chair – maybe single mom, she wanted to opening a small business – raise her sons as far from my mom healthy.” war and hunger as she Strate has no doubt his could get, and she wanted student will achieve them to enjoy all the anything he sets his mind educational opportunities on. available here.

“He’s going places,” “My mom was once a Strate said. “He wants to physics teacher. She’s provide a good life for his wicked smart,” said TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW mom.”

Moltafet, sounding just like Mead High School senior Azizullah Moltafet immigrated from Afghanistan, eventually landing in Spokane in 2012.

Moltafet’s gratitude for a typical American teen. the opportunities he’s But his journey hasn’t doctor appointments, so he received is readily here,” Moltafet said. “Now That drive has been been typical. Not at all.

“In Spokane everyone apparent. could serve as translator. it is my American dream to instrumental in helping “I learned English by was very welcoming and “I have food, an Getting a job was buy a house for my family.” him excel at school while talking to people and kind. We experienced apartment, work, friends – paramount. Moltafet is a Adam Strate, counselor caring for his family – pushing myself,” he said. racism in Moscow.” people who accept me for especially when his mother swim instructor and at Mead High School, “My younger brothers It was only the people who I am,” he said. ”I who were different. believes Moltafet’s dreams was diagnosed with breast lifeguard at the YMCA. learned it faster than me.” appreciate every second “He’s the sole cancer.

In Russia they lived in a are within his grasp.

He’d spent most of his here.” breadwinner for his “I had to take charge of crowded apartment “He’s challenged himself life in Russia, and was family,” said Strate. “His complex with no privacy. from day one,” said Strate. the home,” he said. amazed by the cultural day starts at 5:30 a.m. and He also had to “I had never seen a “He has a drive beyond any differences between Russia CONTACT THE WRITER: dchval@juno.com accompany her to all of her ends around 8:30 p.m.“ house in my life till I got kid I’ve worked with.” and his new home.

A student, family breadwinner, Moltafet is driven to succeed

MEAD HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Garrett Abell Evan Achten Dakota Adams Jaeger Adams Derek Aldrich Camden Anderson Emmalie Anderson Myles Arnold Cade Arriens Andrew Asan Casey Austin Ethan Babcock Lucas Bacon Hannah Barone Jenessa Beal Kayla Beaulieu Timothy Beckley Brett Beeman Griffin Bell Cailin BeMiller Tyler Bishop Luke Bjerkestrand Corrin Black Jennifer Bocook Yunadi Bogatyrev Jared Boharski Jaden Bombino Luke Bond Kari Bonkemeyer Alissa Bouck Chase Boyer Sarah Braun Carson Brock Dakota Brown Kahlen Brown Thomas Brown Taylor Burchard Cameron Burr Kayden Busch Emma Byington Roman Caballero Kitana Calkins Krysta Calkins Jasmine Campbell Matthew Cannata Francesca Capponi Rachel Carbary Caitlin Carlson Charles Carrell Clara Carvalho Ashley Castana Caitlyn Castro Riley Cates Novy Nel Ceballos Joseph Cervantes Isaiah Chavez Evan Childears Kiera Christensen Pierce Christensen Benjamin Cikutovich Matthew Cikutovich Samantha Comer Zella Conley Kaelyn Cook Caitlyn Corigliano Corryn Corkery Matthew Cornelison Chelsea Cornell Jared Cotsworth Claudia Coyle Summer Crandall Jason Crawford Jacob Crouch Jared Crouch Jorrin Crow Kara Crow Rebecca Curtiss Carli Daggett Breidyn Davis Jacob Davis Jordan Dean Madelynn Devaney Jade Dibble Brianna Diedrich Megan Diedrich Lorelei Dimmel Christian Discenza Justice-Marie Discenza Khan Doan Makiah Domebo Sidney Dorland Ashley Downing Emily Driskel Gabriella Dudley Opheila Duncan Saylor Eames Corilyn Edlin Alexandra Elkins Daniel Engen Jayson Enriquez Bridget Erb Jacob Erickson Kianna Etchison Kaden Fahie-Jones Zakerie Fanning Joshua Farr Baron Farrell Cynthia Fetcho

The Mead High School commencement will be at 8 p.m. June 8 at McCarthey Athletic Center, Gonzaga University, 801 N. Cincinnati St. Principal: Jeff Naslund Valedictorians: Cade Arriens, Hannah Barone, Kari Bonkemeyer, Rachel Carbary, Caitlyn Castro, Pierce Christensen, Kara Crow, Emily Driskel, Saylor Eames, Alexandra Elkins, Kenna Foerg, Tia Frahm, Aislin Gamon, Elena Gardner, Kylie Hagel, Thomas Hall, Kayla Hernandez, Lauren Holbrook, Rana Kutsal, Madison Lee, Edward Liu, Zoe Milatz, Emma Morse, Megan Moua, Sydney Nessan, Trenten Nogle, Elizabeth Oswalt, Alaina Perry, Evan Rohde, Allison Russell, Conner Rust, Angelina Schmidt, Abby Seiger, Amanda Stephens, Madison Stevens, Chloe Unterseher, Sofiya Vinnikova, Carolyn Wendel and Alexis Yeoh Brock Fickle Ryan Fielding Kennedy Finke Nyla Fischer Emaleia Fish Paige Fiske Aaron Flaa Colton Fletcher Russell Fletcher Anthony Flores Kylar Flowers Riley Flynn Ryan Flynn Kenna Foerg Holt Ford Tia Frahm Emily Frint Luke Fritz Damen Gaddis Richard Gagliardi Karyn Gallaway Aislin Gamon Elena Gardner Rita Gau Alison Gautier Pavel Germanovich Margaret Gilbert James Giles Devant Goodman Abigail Graybeal Sierra Graybeal Donald Green Joseph Greenland Donavin Griffus Mikaela Gruen Roman Gwyn Kylie Hagel Darian Hagen Thomas Hall Tristan Hammack Alexandra Hammond Ciara Harding Haley Haugen Joseph Heitman Jack Helling Crystal Henderson Nicholas Henrichs Kayla Hernandez Aliah Higgins Chauntel Hill Eli Hill Patricia Hill Isaac Hisaw

Arriens

Barone

Bonkemeyer

Carbary

Castro

Christensen

Crow

Driskel

Eames

Elkins

Foerg

Frahm

Gamon

Gardner

Hagel

Hall

Hernandez

Holbrook

Kutsal

Lee

Liu

Milatz

Morse

Moua

Nessan

Nogle

Oswalt

Perry

Rohde

Russell

Rust

Schmidt

Seiger

Stephens

Stevens

Unterseher

Vinnikova

Wendel

Yeoh

Dirk Hoaglund Tayvian Hoard Alex Hoffman Lauren Holbrook Megan Hooper Jordan Howell Brenden Howland Tara Hudson Patrick Hughes Eric Jabbora Kaitlyn Johnson Willow Johnson McKennzie Jolley Evan Jones Matthew Jones Dakota Judkins Tristen Justice Lisa Kabua Grace Kannberg Katherine Kannberg Sierra Kasprak Audrey Keating Alexis Keene Stella Kelley Marisa Kelton Timothy Kennedy Kameron Kinder Bailey Kingrey Joelle Kingsford Mickenzie Kinney Ashton Knox Emma Koehler Cole Konynenbelt Colt Konynenbelt Dustin Kopperman Sloan Kraus Nuku-Nuku Krous Brianna Krygier Katherine Kuka Evan Kuntz Rana Kutsal Alek Kvokov Riley Larson Bethany LaVoie Sarah Le Madison Lee Leora Leu Jerilyn Little Brandon Liu Edward Liu Jeremy Liu Trace LiVecchi Lindsay Luce Nicole Luckey Abigail Luiten Keegan Magee Gabe Maldonado Joanna Markley Cody Marshall

Natalie Martell Gabrielle Martinez Brian Mastenbaum Salena Matt Lauren Mattocks Caleb Mattox Jackson Matuszek Cambria McCabe Ian McIntosh Andrew McIntyre Alyssa Medrano Selah Meredith Julia Meyer Riley Michels Zachary Mickelsen Bailey Miethe Zoe Milatz Caleb Miles Christopher Miller Hayley Miller Hazen Miller Alyssa Minden John Mires Hayden Mitchell Katerina Moeller Azizullah Moltafet Sebastian Morgan Emma Morse Hannah Morsell Megan Moua Allison Moyer Nicholas Muxlow Sharayah Nelson Sydney Nessan Adam Nevdahl Leann Nguyen Trenten Nogle Malachi Nokes Damian Oliver Marisa Olsen Oromrow Opiew Luke Orwig Elizabeth Oswalt Cameron Ottmar Kaitlyn Oxford Nicholas Patrick Sophia Paul Joshua Pearce Alaina Perry Gabrielle Petretee Shelbi Petrie Talia Pfaff Wesley Polivema Daisy Pool Dan Pop Ashleigh Prado Chloe Pratt Trinity Pratt Zachary Preston

Kathryn Preuninger Sierra Prigge Signe Primm Isabel Prince Ayden Prindle Mackaylee Pruneau Logan Pulliam Abby Raap Alexandra Race Preston Rahn Danielle Ralston Patrick Ranes Joseph Ray Danielle Rehm Grifn Renford Reo Reyes Colton Ricco Carl Rice Michael Riley Joshua Roberts Drake Robinson Faith Robinson Evan Rohde Lydia Romish Chelsea Ross Taffney Ross Allison Russell Lindsey Russell McKenna Russell Conner Rust Adam Ryan Michael Sanava Grace Sander Adelyn Sayers Angelina Schmidt Emma Schmitt Raeann Schoesler Matthew Schreiner Ethan Schultz Abby Seiger Jordan Shoff Nikolas Shover Tyler Siers Ariana Simera Jericho Simone Stefanie Singer Olivia Sloan Alvanique Smith Joshua Smith Nathan Smith Casey Spangle Faelynn Spilker Garrett Springer Taylor Stanton Mya Stein Jessennia Steinberg Hannah Stepan Amanda Stephens Madison Stevens

Miranda Stewart Nicolas Stillwell Skyler Stose Emily Stratton Rachel Strauch Hailey Strobel Justin Strom Kaylee Stumbo Nathan Swaim Cole Tanksley Christopher Taylor Zachary Taylor Brenna Templeton Aaron Teo Trever Terrill Samuel Thackston Kaylynn Thieschafer Matthew Thompson Luke Tomkowiak Jonah Toney Kristiyan Toshkov Johnson Tran Mackenzie Turner Morgan Tyus Chloe Unterseher Michael Utt Anna Valencia Jesus Valenzuela Robyn Villines Noah Vincent Sofiya Vinnikova Connor Vose Justin Wagner Breanna Warner Chantzen Warnick Ben Waslaski Belle Watson Thierry Watungwa Samantha Webb Hunter Webster Hannah Wehde Triston Weitzel Daniel Welch Mason Wells Carolyn Wendel Josh Werme Elliott Whanger Riley Whelan Breanna White Isaiah Whitman Donald Wick Katherine Wilcox Matt Wilhelm Tyler Williams Sarah Wilson Katherine Wright Ian Wyma Alexis Yeoh Emily Yochum

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RIVERSIDE / RIVERSIDE INDEPENDENT / RIVERPOINT

Creative wheels spin for Riverpoint’s Zschoche RIVERPOINT ACADEMY

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Last year Zachary Zschoche created a gear box that turns elaborately designed discs in opposite directions, creating what’s called at Moire effect, on a whim.

“It was just something I whipped up for my dad one day,” he said.

The gear box’s roots may have been humble, but Zschoche kept refining it until he won first place in both the Northwest Entrepreneur Competition and the Washington State University Business Plan Competition, bringing home a total of $12,000 in prize money. He had to create a business plan for selling his gear box and present it to judges in both competitions.

The gear box is made from medium-density fiberboard, and Zschoche created the gears and shafts himself. He cut out the designs using a laser cutter at Riverpoint Academy, where he is a senior.

He previously attended Mt. Spokane High School until he was accepted into Riverpoint Academy, a STEM/entrepreneurship school. “My older brother got in and I followed,” he said. “He’s really tech-savvy.”

Zschoche has bloomed at a school where he can work on what he’s passionate about. “I’ve always been a B, back of the class student,” he said. “Coming to Riverpoint, I can do something worth doing, not just sit in a boring class.”

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Trey Austin William Baldwin Quinn Beierle Jessica Berendes Kaeli Buchanan Wyatt Cartee Gabrielle Davis Lucas Gallagher Kyle Graves Justine House Virginia Kanterman Brayden Leifker-Lloyd Elizabeth LeMieux Annalisa Lodgard Peyton Malone Lillian Marshall Dylan Messman Megan Needham Thomas Nelson Bishal Sunuwar Mathilda Taylor Casey Timmons Charlotte Tolhurst Isaac Urann Karsten Vandenberg Alexa Watson Tyler Wheeler Johanna Wilson Zachary Zschoche

Graduation The Riverpoint Academy commencement will be at 11 a.m. June 9 in the Globe Room at Cataldo on the Gonzaga University campus, 1200 N. Addison St., Spokane Principal: Moleena Harris Valedictorians: Lillian Marshall and Johanna Wilson

Marshall

Wilson

parents and two younger siblings is important to trying to do what he enjoys. Zschoche. “My brother is in “I live my life,” he said. “I Texas going to college, so do what I do.” he can’t just come visit,” he This year Zschoche said. “Moscow seems like a created a toy company to nice little town.” sell STEM kits for kids. He He wants to study recently placed third in the mechanics, business and WSU Business Plan biomedicine at the Competition.

University of Idaho.

At one of last year’s “My dream career would COURTESY OF RIVERPOINT ACADEMY competitions he was be to make custom recruited by George Riverpoint Academy senior Zachary Zschoche is headed for the University of Idaho. prosthetics for people but Tanner, director of Idaho not, ironically, charge and But Zschoche often takes Entrepreneurs at the growth in Zschoche in the The school is not for arm or a leg,” he said.

University of Idaho. his talents for granted and last two years. He used to everyone, but if someone He knows people who doesn’t see them as special, Zschoche has committed to use prosthetics and has has a clear goal they want to be a fairly timid public attend the university in the been surprised at how Harris said. “He is so speaker, but participating work toward, it’s a great humble and unaware of his fall. in the business school, Zschoche said. “If “absurdly expensive” they “They have an amazing greatness,” she said. “The competitions have made you don’t have a goal in are. He hopes to make them engineering program and staff constantly has to him a more confident mind, it’s really hard to go more affordable. remind him of all the ways it’s close to home,” he said. speaker, she said. “We’re there,” he said.

Being able to come home he’s brilliantly talented.”

Principal Moleena Harris just so proud of him,” she CONTACT THE WRITER: occasionally to visit his Zschoche said he’s just said. said she’s seen a lot of nculver47@gmail.com

RIVERSIDE HIGH STUDENT PERSEVERES, EMBRACES SUPPORT AFTER MOTHER’S DEATH

By Cindy Hval

Jamie Fowler knows what loss is.

During her junior year at Riverside High School, she was keeping score at a volleyball game when her uncle showed up.

He had devastating news.

Fowler’s mother had died unexpectedly at home while Fowler was at the school.

The tragedy was compounded because Fowler’s father had abandoned the family six months earlier.

“He just up and left,” she said.

Bewildered, she tried to make sense of her mother’s sudden death.

“She said she hadn’t been feeling well a couple of days before she died,” said Fowler. “I was told the cause of death is still undetermined.”

But the consequences were crystal clear.

“I went from having both parents to having none.”

Her family, including her older brother and older sister, gathered around her, and her mother’s family from Chicago came to stay for a time, offering much needed support to the heartbroken teen.

Fortunately, she was able to move in with her aunt and uncle who lived just across the street, and she worked hard not to fall behind in her schoolwork.

“It was a difficult time. There were some hard days,” said English teacher Sheila Messick. “But she didn’t let her grades slip.”

That’s because Fowler knew how important academic success was to her mother.

“My mom always told me grades are so important, so even after she died I always thought about getting good grades,” she said. “I want to make her proud.”

She sighed.

“But it was really hard to focus.”

Fowler said her classmates and the staff at Riverside were helpful, but she admitted that when she walked down the halls and students greeted her and told her how sorry they were, their kindness triggered memories of all she’d lost.

Still, she said, “I learned so much from my teachers and my peers.”

And the support of her brother and sister helped ease the pain.

“My siblings and I were close before, but we’re even closer now,” Fowler said. “We talk all the time. I hold on to the people I love even tighter, and I cherish life even more.”

Messick marveled at her persistence.

“She’s in the honors program and challenges herself with rigorous courses and stays on top of them,” Messick said. “She’s such

Myia Crawford Calysta Drake Chad Jones MacKenzie Kopp Franklin Lukas Benjamin Miller Jesse Miller Andrew Montague Joseph Orr Benjamen Roach

a positive, outgoing person.”

Science is Fowler’s favorite subject.

“I’m going to go to WSU and pursuing nursing,” she said. “I like helping people. I’ve wanted to be a nurse since middle school.”

The losses she’s endured have sharpened her focus, and Messick has no doubt this student will soar.

“Considering all her struggles, she’s really persevered,” Messick said. “She’ll be highly successful.

She has that mindset.”

Thinking ahead to her commencement ceremony, Fowler said of her mom, “She’s not physically going to be there, but I feel like she’ll be there in spirit.

Everything I’ve done since she passed away is for her.”

COURTESY OF RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL CONTACT THE WRITER:

dchval@juno.com

RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Dylan Aronson Adrianna Azevedo Austin Baker Corrine Baker Tessaro Batie Wyatt Berkel Taylor Bess Emily Betker Caleb Bisagno Kooper Bower Willis Mark Bryant Taylor Cale Conner Campbell Khrissta Cebula Natasha Chrisp Perla Clevenger Jacob Cobb Justine Conley Owen Conley Jamie Conner Caelen Corder Bradley Cowell Kory Cross Allyson Darden Devin Day-Meneely Zoie Deiss-Kamps-Lewis Dylen Downing Raelynn Eastman Sierra Ericksen Charlie Ewart Jessica Foster Jamie Fowler Sean Frahm Chloe Freibott Jordan Fuerte-King Brooke Gilson Lukez Good Elijah Goodell Mason Grant Morgan Guevin Maia Hay Troy Hendrix Christofer Hilde Samuel Holyoak Jace Hooley Ryon Hrezo Aaron Hutton Nicole Johnson Emily Jones Kelsey Jones Shane Kaleikini Kelli Kesti Riley Krahn Mandi Kranches Deakon Lamb Jared Lenz

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

Maintaining good grades was encouraged FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

RIVERSIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOLAR PROGRAM

Jamie Fowler is expected to graduate from Riverside High.

Graduation The Riverside High School commencement will be at 5 p.m. June 8 at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: John McCoy Valedictorian: Olivia Willis

Matthew Lundberg Cameron Luther Cody Main Marissa Manning Wyatt Mays Thomas McNamee Elizabeth Montgomery Jasmine Moss Conor Norton Xavier Pablos Robby Parker Trinity Paul James Paullus Sarah Peterson Jewels Proctor Perrin Qualls Lane Ragle Zane Ramsden Rebecca Reed Brittany Reeves Shelby Reiber Rieleigh Renner Cheyenne Riek Connor Rinauro Cole Roman Justin Schumacher Benjamin Shaw Corey Sobczuk Ethan Spencer Isaac Stevens Peyton Stopar Tanner Supanchick Daniel Sweet Emily Terry Breyanna Vodicka Helena Vodicka Cody Webb Jade Wentland Ashlynn White Tyler White Shanowa Wickham Olivia Willis Clay Wilson Madeline Winkle Rhianna Wood Sydney Wright Alycia Zubaugh

Graduation The Riverside Independent Scholar Program commencement will be at 5 p.m. June 7 at Riverside High School’s Multipurpose Room, 4120 E. Deer Park-Milan Road, Chattaroy.

Principal: Kristine Marshall

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Wishing you a future filled with many more great accomplishments.

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NORTH VOICE

MAY 31, 2018

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FREEMAN HIGH SCHOOL “When we heard about other shootings, we wanted to do something to support them, to let them know that we have their back, that we know where we are right now and how they’re feeling, and to show them how we were able to get through it ...

Because we got so much support, we wanted to return the favor. Everybody heals in a different way. We invited everyone in our school community to come and share something for the video, and showed it to our school recently.

You could call it our message of hope.”

Jackson Clark Freeman High School senior

‘Beacon of light’ at Freeman

PHOTOS BY DAN PELLE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jackson Clark, a senior from Freeman High, recently made a videoof students and staff at Freeman to show support to other schools and communities who were victims of school shootings. To see the video, go to https://youtu.be/Qg0IqCHyW6U.

Clark among those who stepped up; he cherishes the school

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The tragic events of Sept. 13, 2017, certainly changed the course of Freeman High School senior Jackson Clark’s final year in high school, but they didn’t change the quality of his character.

That was the day that Freeman student Sam Strahan died in a school shooting that left three others seriously injured, drawing the nation’s attention to the small Eastern Washington town. For those who know him best, Clark’s response to the incident has been unsurprising: He and two classmates created a video designed to show support to other schools and communities struggling with the same trauma.

“When we heard about other shootings, we wanted to do something to support them, to let them know that we have their back, that we know where we are right now and how they’re feeling, and to show them how we were able to get through it,” he said.

“Because we got so much support,” he continued, “we wanted to return the favor. Everybody heals in a different way.

We invited everyone in our school community to come and share something for the video, and showed it to our school recently. You could call it our message of hope.”

Clark is vice president of the Freeman student body, and says that he’s been involved in leadership activities as long as he can remember. Even before Sept. 13, he said, his goal has been to develop relationships with as many people as possible in his school. When he leaves for Walla Walla Community College this fall, he hopes that people will remember him as someone who was unfailingly kind to everyone he met.

He and other seniors on the Freeman football team played a key role last fall in helping to convince the school’s administration to participate in the scheduled football game only two days after the shooting.

“We felt that it would be a way to unify

Freeman School District Superintendent Randy Russell embraces Konner Freudenthal, left, and Dylan Pavlischak, as Jackson Clark looks on, after students marched from the school to the football field to participate in a nationwide walkout on April 20 to protest gun violence.

everyone, and it was a huge moment, the most special game I’ve ever played in,” he said. To go out there and deliver something normal for our community was crucial. All of our team leaders had decided that we wanted to play, and we were grateful that administration supported our decision.”

Clark’s basketball coach, Marty Jessett, said he was “a beacon of light in the midst of despair for Freeman students and the community.”

“He reached out to (Sam’s mother) Ami numerous times to reassure her that Sam will be remembered at Freeman,” Jessett added.

Freeman always will have a special

place in Clark’s heart, and he hopes to return after he finishes college and embarks on a career, which he hopes will be in physical therapy.

His family moved from Walla Walla the summer before his eighth-grade year, and he says he felt welcome the first day he came to school.

“So many of the students had been together since kindergarten or first grade, so for me to able to come in and be respected as a new kid was a really big deal.

“That’s what I will miss most about this place – the atmosphere. From the time we got here, it felt like a family. Even before September 13, there weren’t a lot

FREEMAN HIGH SCHOOL

To see a video of the Freeman community’s message of hope, go to https://youtu.be/Qg0IqCHyW6U.

of cliques here, but this year has made us realize that we have so much in common, and that no one is going through stuff alone. Whatever it is, we’re all in this together.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

joseph.everson@yahoo.com

Graduation

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Carson Atwood Nathaniel Barron Marissa Beckwith Elijah Bowen Ryan Broussard Jackson Clark Keegan Cottrell Michael Coumont Aimee Cox Jack Cramer Ryan Crosswhite Autumn Cusick Aidan Dearman Allison Dervaes Makena Douglas Danielle Duarte

To see video

Landoe

Miller

Erick Flack Ericka Flory Konner Freudenthal Taylor Frye Neil Fuchs Trinity Glidewell Ailsa Hansen Hanna Hansen Ileanna Hansen Isabelle Hedges Arieanna Hoisington Logan Holt Quinlan Hopkins Haley James

Ofenloch Matias Landoe Jared Lara William Leamond Nathan Longhurst Andrew Mcgill Rhys Mcvay Isabelle Miller Dylan Mosset Brayden Mueller Hunter Nees Shayna Nickerson Abigail Ofenloch Jason Ophus

Stevens

Wright Desmond Parisotto Dylan Pavlischak Kelsie Peery Jimmie Pierce Marley Pratt Taylor Rice Christian Rorie Abbigail Sandborn Madison Schock Trent Smith Megan Stark Emma Stevens Annalisa Stewart Haidon Storro

The Freeman High School commencement will be at 1 p.m. June 9 at Freeman High School Gymnasium, 14626 S. Jackson Road, Rockford.

Principal: Jim Straw Valedictorians: Matias Landoe, Isabelle Miller, Abigail Ofenloch, Emma Stevens and Jarett Wright Hannah Storro Hartlee Storro Haylee Storro Shilo Stuart Cody Tardanico Grace Tesch Korinne Thurman Garrett Trevino Zachary Trumble Hannah Vetter

Samuel Voves Tyler Waite Summer Warwick Caleb Watts Garrett Williamson Ana Wilson Jarett Wright Kelly Wright

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MAY 31, 2018

COEUR D’ALENE HIGH SCHOOL / VENTURE HIGH SCHOOL

Coeur d’Alene High’s star in the making

COEUR D’ALENE HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation The Coeur d’Alene High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 8 at Coeur d’Alene High School, 5530 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene.

Principal: Troy Schueller Valedictorian: Bracken Curtis

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Coeur d’Alene High School senior Amelie Beresford-Wood, photographed on stage at the school on April 3, is an accomplished actor and plans on acting while attending Chapman University in Orange, California.

Amelie Beresford-Wood’s acting has flourished in theater class

By Tyler Wilson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Amelie Beresford-Wood is bursting with energy. Combined with a strong work ethic and a healthy dose of natural talent, it’s easy to see how the senior has made such an impression in the Coeur d’Alene High School theater department.

“Amelie is this ball of positive energy, and not in such a way that’s fake; it’s authentic,” said CHS theater director Jared Helm. “She is such an open human being who is passionate, caring and empathetic, especially amongst her peers.”

Beresford-Wood was born in North Idaho but was living more recently in California before moving back to Coeur d’Alene ahead of her junior year.

“At first it was pretty terrible – we moved back into the same house I lived in here for 10 years,” Beresford-Wood said. “It actually ended up being better for me. It was the best decision my mom ever made, and I was so mad at her at the time.”

In California, she was an active member of the Peter Pan Foundation, a theatrical company that performed and raised money for children’s hospitals. Just a few weeks after moving back to Coeur d’Alene, Amelie landed the role of Wendy in the school production of “Peter Pan.” Beresford-Wood said she’d loved acting for some time, but was always

wanting to get better and be challenged by the process. Helm’s approach proved to be the spark for her development.

“Everything was really professional – the way Mr. Helm directs, he’s so on top of everything, and he knows the best ways to get into the pieces,” Beresford-Wood said.

She credits the program for helping her find a more natural way to connecting with characters, learning the Stanislavski method of better empathizing with the characters being portrayed.

“The acting is so naturalistic, and at first it was really hard for me,” she said.

Helm said it was a matter of allowing herself to be more emotive on stage.

“She really needed that permission to tap into those feelings and emotions, and she has,” Helm said.

“She’s done it in such a truthful way, and that’s hard for a director to ask of a high school student.”

Beresford-Wood has been a force on the school’s competitive drama team too, winning state competitions by challenging herself with material that takes her further out of her comfort zone. She takes little of the credit, instead championing her classmates, Helm and drama coach and writer Michael Murray.

She’s also played on the varsity water polo team both years at CHS, was an active peer mentor and

member of the school’s National Honor Society chapter.

As a capper to her illustrious high school career, she was back on stage – playing Ariel in CHS’ production of “The Little Mermaid.”

“All my best friends were in the show with me, and it’s been such a fun ride,” she said. “It was one of the best times I’ve ever acted.”

Helm said her leadership in the department has been invaluable.

“Just having such energetic and passionate seniors, it just shows the underclassmen what this art form can really do,” Helm said. “When Amelie is around you feel the love. I am such a big believer in what we give is what we get, and she gives and gives and gives.”

Next year, Beresford-Wood is headed to Chapman University in Orange, California, to pursue theater acting, but she hasn’t narrowed her career focus completely – she’s also thinking about going into education.

“Broadway really was my dream, but I need to do more soul-searching,” she said. “If you want this, you need to be sure. But I’m obsessed with school and learning since I moved back here. My teachers just care about their students so much. I’ve been really inspired by them and how they teach.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

tyler@wilsonmediaconsulting.com

VENTURE HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Alexys Anderson Tatum Baldwin Emily Blankenship Mitchell Costin Jacob Curry Zavannah Fink Brook Garrett Hailee Hosking Josiah Hummel Lakota Huston

Destiny Jewitt-White Devin Johnson Weston Krieg Rosali Lasarte Summer Lepley James McCormick Colby Michaels Lyric Mood Ellis Moore Hunter Osborne Maricruz Parga Bailey Peppers Desireya Quintero

Amber Rogers Kimberly Rogers Merry Royal Kylee Smith Makenzie Steen Jazmynn Sullivan Sebastian Sunder Alexa Tegada Ian Walkenshaw Holli Walker

The Venture High School commencement will be at 6 p.m. June 7 at Venture High School, 1619 N. Ninth St., Coeur d’Alene.

Principal: Teresa Kaiser

She finds her niche; wants to counsel others

By Greg Lee FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Desireya Quintero has lived a life surrounded by addiction.

The Venture High School senior never succumbed to drugs, though. Now she wants to help others overcome what can be their life-altering effects.

She witnessed her mother and several friends become entrapped by drugs. The good news is her mother has been clean for three years.

As a cry for attention, though, Quintero stopped going to school as a freshman at Lake City High School almost as soon as she started.

“I went to school about three days out of three months and dropped out,” Quintero said. “I thought I could get my parents’ attention, and I did, but not in the way I was thinking.”

The Coeur d’Alene School District threatened Quintero with truancy.

She decided to return to Lake City but wasn’t accepted because of how much time she had

Desireya Quintero is set to graduate from Venture.

missed.

She enrolled at Venture, an alternative school in the district.

But Quintero couldn’t shake the pattern of missing school early in her sophomore year.

“I just disappeared at times and the school had no idea what happened to me,” she said. “They couldn’t track down my parents because they both worked.”

When Quintero turned 16 years old, she could have legally dropped out.

She considered it but decided to dig in and make something of herself.

Her junior year was the first time since middle school that she attended a full year without absenteeism.

She started doing online

classes to catch up on the core classes required for graduation.

Fast-forward to this year and she managed not only to catch up but complete the requirements for graduation early. She got straight A’s, including finishing three required science classes.

Venture was perfect for Quintero because it’s starkly different from a mainstream school.

“You go at your pace,” Quintero said. “I needed one-on-one help. You can’t get one-on-one help in (mainstream) school.”

“Through many significant challenges Desi has persevered with admirable grit and determination,” Venture Principal Teresa Kaiser said. “She has been an inspiration to both students and adults at Venture as she struggled through difficult times … all while maintaining her grades and positive attitude.”

Quintero, who turns 18 in June, has been in counseling since she was 12. The first year she never engaged. But she started

communicating with her counselor. She’s thankful that her counselor was patient with her.

“For teenagers, drugs and alcohol are everywhere. You don’t have to go looking for it,” Quintero said. “So every time I’d be confronted by it I would think ‘What would Tracy (her counselor) do?’ ” Her counselor is the reason she wants to become a counselor.

“She’s been a mentor, a role model,” Quintero said. “She’s been that difference between yes and no.”

Quintero is enrolled at North Idaho College and will start attending in the fall. She’ll spend the summer working two jobs, as a server at Denny’s and housekeeper at Ross Point Baptist Camp.

“She helps a lot of people,” Quintero’s boyfriend of three years, Jaren Routh, said. “She doesn’t understand the effect she has on people.

She has a light she gives to people who need it.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

greglee050@gmail.com

Lucas Abson Abby Adams Riley Alley Erin Allsup Camile Alvarez Kenny Anderson Allen Ankney Haley Argo Owen Ayers Jayce Bailey Matthew Baker Cambrie Ball Brianna Ballard Michael Barnes Dawsen Bateman Justin Bates Kayla Beach Caleb Beggerly Doris Bell Chance Belnap Jaylyn Belnap Hayden Benefiel Grant Benjamin Amelie Beresford-Wood Beau Betts Andrew Betzold Lucas Bischoff Jack Bloom Erika Boifeuillet Taylor Booker Halli Booth Abigail Brandvein Jaylen Branen McKenzie Brett Hannah Brown Rylee Brown Roxanne Buck Hunter Bullion Zackary Bullock Jamie Bush Rylan Butera Christopher Calder Bryson Caldwell Travis Callahan Sydney Cardinel Sara Carey Ethan Carpenter Seth-Patrick Casey Edwin Casillas Ross Chadderdon Danielle Chastain Emily Colgrove Miranda Collet Donovan Collinsworth Betty Comack Carson Conery Pauline Conklin Christopher Cook Sarah Cook Breanna Costa Kendall Cozad Bracken Curtis Darren Darby Kamron Davidson Madeline Davies Bryce Davis Taylor Dawson Jordan DeAguiar Emily Deitz Taylor Deming Gregory DeVerna Selena Diaz Avery DiLeva Kylan Dixon Blake Dodson Grace Donnelly Colton Donohoe-Parsons Kaylin Donovan Michael Dooley Rachel Dooley Megan Drake Keri Drechsel Daphne Dryden Jase Dryden Colvin Dunteman Karenza Dupuis Joseph Duran Calista Duthie Abigail Ellison Jocelyn Emerson Blake English Luke English Jessica Fahy Faith Fallaw Ashley Fernimen Mackenzie Ferris Riley Fowler Steven Franck Samuel Frederickson Kenedi Freeman Zachary Fuchs Tabitha Gaily Braeden Gelnette Kassidy Gisclair Anton Matthew Gjevre Quentin Gonzalez Kelin Goodson David Goodwin Chase Gornick Kendall-Anne Goucher Derek Gove Kieran Graham Eastin Green Eric Green Wyatt Green Kari Greenbank Dylan Griff Lydia Gross Daniel Guillory Noah Gunn Arthur Gustin Levi Haen Jacob Hagar Kaden Hagel Cooper Hall Elizabeth Hamilton Alexis Hansen Kylie Hanson Savannah Hardin Jeremy Harmon Seth Harrison Stephen Hartzell Caleb Heikkila McKenna Henderson Benjamin Hicks Kristoffer Higdem Shay High Klayton Hindberg Jonathan Hoffman Steven Howard Hannah Hudson Abigail Hunter Shane Hunter Jessica Isaksen Blake Jackson Erik Jackson Melissa Jackson Madison Jaggi Ryan Janson Andrew Johnson Chandler Johnson Paul Johnson Seamus Johnston Braden Julian Isaac Kamara Gabrielle Kauer Brett Keesee Andrew Keller Jeffrey Kelley Brianna Kelly Sierra Keough Zachary Kerns Jake Kettell Henry Kile Emily Kladar

Curtis Isabella Klein River Kleng Sarah Klundt Macy Knight John Kraak Matthew Kraak Daniel Krick Omar Lazo-Moore Zackary Leens Bo Leifer North Loew Emma Lombard Braden Lorbecki Morgan Loy Kade Lulow Madison Lyman Jack Lynch Katelyn Lyon Donald MacDonald Jacob Macomber Elizabeth Magoon Emeline Maile Gabe Markowski Samuel Matheson Hanna McClure Brooke McClurkin Andrew McCoy Devon McElroy Shawn McKeeken Connor McMurray Chance McWilliams Jared Meredith Tiera Merrill Cheyenne Meshishnek Marino Metcalf Shelby Miles Austin Mitchell Kyle Mitchell Demitria Moreno Kaitlyn Morford Adam Morgan Aspen Moulding Derek Moulson Sarah Mullen Jamie Murdoch Kinzie Myers Gabrielle Nunez Sophia Oakley Morgan Okon Joseph Oliveria Kira Oliverson Christopher Olson Bradly O’neill Boston Ostrowski Carlene Ott Daniel Oyler Cayli Pallotta Hart Parr Dal Pra Kailee Pattee Noah Paulsen Karson Peach Max Peressini Steven Petersen Konner Petticolas Jarod Polito Ericka Powers Nathan Preciado Kyler Prendergast Cameron Prickett Adam Priebe Elias Pukkila Joanna Rade Cole Ramseyer Jenna Reagan Serina Rhodes Aubrey Richner Bryan Riddle Chad Riddle Abigail Riley Marissa Rives Katherine Robbins Peter Robinson Alecia Rollins Ashley Romanowski Elizabeth Ryssel Selena Sanchez Nicole Sargent Delaney Schmidt Madison Schneberger Savannah Seaman Rachael Selzler Carlie Shepard Joshua Shields David Shin Abbigail Shrontz Leila Sieben Annika Silk Cassidy Simmons Hailee Siron Aspen Smith Kenza Smith Joseph Soderling Ryan Sorensson Rachel Sovereign Mikael Spears London Spilker Aspen Stam Nolan Stark Cameron St. Croix Seth Sundberg Samantha Swayze Bailey Swoboda Zachary Thomas Brady Thompson Cheyenne Thompson Kolbie Thompson Noah Throm Jakob Trautvetter Isaiah Trevino Sydney Trevino Lauryn Trueblood David Valencia Maggien Vallejo Hannah Verdi Acasia Vernon Kayla Vetsch Nicholas Vrevich Hunter Wabs Jesse Walker Andrew Walter Matthew Ward Leah Warner Hailey Waters Spencer Weisel Summer Welch Gerhard Werner Kylie Werner Addie Wery Kaylie White Chloe Whiteside Gillian Whitman Austin Widener Shaina Williams Ashley Wixom Meagan Wood Georgia Worrell Lucas Wright Colson Yankoff Jace Younker Gabe Zanetti Erin Zaugg Konner Zimmerman

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MAY 31, 2018

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LAKE CITY HIGH SCHOOL

KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Lake City High School senior Josh Weadick talks April 10 at Coeur d’Alene High School about his future plans. He has been accepted into University of Southern California.

LAKE CITY HIGH’S JOSH WEADICK TAKING A GIANT STEP

By Greg Lee FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

When Josh Weadick heads off to college this fall, he’ll step onto a campus with an enrollment that at one time was larger than where he lives.

And the Lake City High School senior is headed to the second-largest city in the U.S., with a population just shy of 4 million, according to 2010 census figures.

The size of the school and where it is located might paralyze some young adults.

But Weadick isn’t just any young man.

During spring break, Weadick received news he had been hoping for: admission to the University of Southern California.

“I wanted to go to a school on the West Coast with engineering,” Weadick said.

“USC is ranked in the top 10 in the country as an engineering school.”

A friend enrolled this year in USC’s

engineering program. After conversations, Weadick was convinced the Los Angeles school was perfect for him.

Lake City, which opened in 1994, has co-valedictorians and co-salutatorians for the first time. Weadick is a co-salutatorian with a 4.389 GPA, weighted with several honors classes.

In other words, he’s never had anything less than an A. And by taking as many advanced placement classes as he has, he’ll take 16 credits to USC. He scored 1,460 out of 1,600 and 32 out of 36 on college-entrance tests.

Weadick was involved in a couple of humanitarian issues at LC. Most recently he and members of the school’s Environmental Club submitted a proposal to the school district to replace paper towel dispensers with eco-friendly hand dryers in all the schools.

LAKE CITY HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Seth Aldridge Cameron Alexander Kelvin Alvarenga-Lopez Justin Anderson Iris Annis-Hilliard Elizabeth Anyan Lane Avery Dyllan Ayala Berkeley Baer Larissa Bailey Reece Bailey-Hemphill Payton Barber Violet Barber Sarah Bartlett Kailey Baughman Hunter Bell Shannon Belton Alicia Benefield Jessica Bertram Chenoa Biddle Payton Biles Kylie Boller Julianne Bonus Camen Bowling Connor Brooks Haley Brostrom Samuel Buckland Clive Bunker Kimber Burgin Ricardo Bustillos Jr. Marisa Butler Bryce Buttz Shane Calligan Rhett Candela Cooper Carlon James Carlson James Carney Faith Carpenter Dylan Carroll Anna Chapleski Olivia Chaput Michael Cheyne Cody Chilton Zachary Cicero Braden Claflin Grant Clark Kaylee Clovis Derrick Collins Jessina Corrales Colby Cosgrove Ashlin Couch Marlyn Cowin Corey Cox Garret Crigger Hannah Cripe Cody Cummins Dakota Curtis Dalton Curtis Tiana Cydell Christian Demata Samantha Dement Kyle Desimone Brittney Devlin Justin Do Keara Dolence Dakota Donaldson Jyllian Dunagan-Lloyd Audrey Duncan Kayley Dyer Hyrum Eacho Joshua Eason Anthony Edmonds Thomas Edmonds Amanda Eller Broderick Enns Naomi Erikson Cheyann Faircloth Ricki Fehrenbacher Nicholas Felix Jillian Fetterhoff Dakota Fitz Elizabeth Fox Mason Frahm Kinsey Freeman Jeniya Garris-Roberson Brandon Gay Hanna Ghan

Graduation The Lake City High School commencement will be at 11 a.m. June 9 at Lake City High School Gymnasium, 6101 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene.

Principal: Deanne Clifford Valedictorians:

Caroline McNee and Christopher Vargas

Elly Gilmore Sebastian Goetz Matthew Goggin Lauren Golden Steven Goncalves III Alejandro Gonzalez Zackary Goodnature Emily Graham Austin Graves Michelle Greif Kathryn Gribbin Brianne Gundlach Jeffrey Guzman Michael Hagan Jakeb Hall Capriel Halliday Melia Hannigan-Luther Jordan Hanson Autumn Harner Skywyn Harrington Kayla Hart Jacob Haynes Georgia Henkle Emily Hernandez Gabrielle Hodan Nicole Hodge Jacob Holbrook Syrena Holcomb Anthony Hollis Megan Horist Allison Horn Tyler Horn Sorcia Huetter Kaitlyn Huff Branigan Hughes Morgan Hughes Jaemin Hull Justen Hummel Jayden Hunt Kaitlin Hunter Mailey Ingram Annika Jacobson Adam Jensen Jared Johnson Karya Johnson Riley Johnston Andrew Jones Nina Judd Taylor-Anne Juvan Daniel Kahler Ashley Kaitz Devin Kelly Kyler Kelly Margaret Kennedy Tera Kimbrell Erin King Anthony Kirby Claudine Knapp Chloe Knudson Jordan Koger Kodie Kolden Carson Kramer Braede Kuensting Valeria Lagos Sosa Tristan Lakey Ryan Lenox

McNee

Vargas

Carter Lile Jordan Lo Callahan Loan Haley Ann Loffer Armando Lopez Brandon Love Natalie Magnus Haile Mahuron Snezhana Maksimova Stephen Malin Kyle Manzardo Paige Martin Jared Martini William Mayo Raistlin McCalmant Nicolas McCartin Lydia McCarty Thomas McCormick Shealyn McCune Brianna McLaughlin Caleb McLuskie Caroline McNee Elijah McPherson Devon Meier Susanna Mendez Nicklaus Merrell Matthew Meyer Ryan Middlemist Laryssa Mikesell Aidan Miller Destiny Miller Gracie Miller Jack Mitchell Richard Mitchell Ana Moering Zachary Mohr Madison Morris Sarah Morris Addison Morrow Mason Morrow Joshua Mount April Moyer Rickie Mueller Tyler Mueller Sydney Mumford Addison Murray Jakob Namson Jhienzen Navarrete Matthew Neal Corbin Nebel Haley Nelson Zion Nelson Corbin Neville Faith Newell Sophia Neyman Simon Nguy Carson Noordam Brady Nope Dova Nowicki-Liss Aislynn Oliver Kyra Oreilly Maksim Osap Amanda Pace Emily Palus McCoy Patton Jaiden Paul Ryanne Payton Katalina Pelz Trinity Pertle Taylor Pickford Grayson Pirie Brayden Pollow Alexa Prior Riley Quiring Jacob Ragsdale Zachary Rakes Gavin Reasor Tayton Reed Ashley Reyes Noah Reynolds Braydon Rimpau Micah Rocha Marco Rojo

Weadick spent three years in theater and playing tennis.

Take a peek at his bedroom at home and it’s obvious he had other priorities.

“Every other aspect of my life is orderly, but not my bedroom,” he said, smiling.

He attributes his diligence and motivation to his faith. And he’s thankful for his parents’ involvement in his life.

“They’ve showed me how to weather difficult times,” Weadick said. “They’re both compassionate people.”

The annual cost to attend USC is $75,000. Through scholarships, merit and grants, Weadick has all but about $7,000 per year covered.

Through small loans and money earned this summer as a server at a restaurant, he’ll cover the rest. “(USC’s) mission is to have its students take out the least amount of loans possible,” Weadick said.

Jenna Sadkowski Hannah Sakwi Dylan Salyer Harley Sanborn Caleb Sanford Mark Santiago Alyssa Schaffer Brooklyn Schaffer Hunter Schaffer Ashlee Schilling Evan Schwaab Fallon Schwab Lily Scott Taylar Scott Branson Seamons Natasha Selby Thad Selby Zachary Sensel Stacey Shardy Alexis Sharum Brandon Shaver Devin Sheehan Keara Simpson Colton Sims Ariel Smith Kameron Smith Katelynn Smith Makenna Smith Melina Smith

Weadick targeted USC because he wanted to land in a region where he could launch his post-college career.

He did his senior project about alternative energy and sustainability in urban areas. He sees engineering as the vehicle to explore ways to live greener.

“My long-term goal is I’d love to work with governments in Third World countries and help them to industrialize their energy systems so they’re not reliant on fossil fuels,” Weadick said.

So what about moving to such a large city?

“I’m adventurous enough to say it’s nerve-wracking but not terrifying,” he said. “It’s the next step in the adventure.

You have to discover who you are outside of high school and your hometown.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

greglee050@gmail.com

Samuel Sodano Storm Sorbel Renn Sorensen Cassie Sorenson Megan Spear Logan Stahlecker Zachary Steele Arlaina Stephenson Bryce Stone Dakota Street Cayden Stulc Layton Szasz Michael Tateyama Abigail Taylor Jessica Taylor Tora Taylor Marcus Thomas Stuart Thompson Denniston Thorpe Maxx Tondu Kyle Torres Malachi Tran Avery Turley Hailey Turner Noah Turner Rhiannon Upmeyer Christopher Vargas Olivia Veare Nolan Verbrugge

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Order Tickets Online:

www.svsummertheatre.com

PLAY IN A WEEK SUMMER COURSES

Into the Woods

Music and lyrics by Stephen Book by

Sondheim James Lapine

July 16 – July 20 The Stories of Dr. Seuss Grades 3 – 6 July 23 – July 27 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Grades 4 – 8 Register online at

SVSummerTheatre.com

July 13 – 29 Directed by

Yvonne A.K. Johnson Music Direction by

July 25 Special Fundraiser Event

David Brewster

at Central Valley Performing Arts Center Evening Show Time: 7:30 P.M.

Sunday Show Time: 2:00 P.M.

509-368-7897 • 821 S. Sullivan Rd, Spokane Valley State-of-the-art theatre • Free parking Presented by

Mirabeau Park Hotel

David and Christina Lynch

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MAY 31, 2018

POST FALLS HIGH SCHOOL

Focused on career

PHOTOS BY KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Post Falls High School senior Jacob Guy is pictured at the school. He has a photography business he calls That Guy Photography.

Largely self-taught, Post Falls senior says his photography business earning revenue

By Tyler Wilson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Post Falls High School senior Jacob Guy turned a passion for taking pictures into a sustainable career path. He’s made a name for himself with his own business, That Guy Photography, where he shoots weddings, senior portraits and family photos while incorporating the natural landscapes of the Northwest.

It all started around age 14, when Guy was scrolling through Instagram.

“I saw this cool photo of somewhere in the Pacific Northwest,” Guy said. “I was going through the comments and they were saying how this one photographer inspired them. Ever since then I wanted that. I wanted to inspire others with (my) pictures.”

He began following that source of inspiration, photographer Rob Strok, then started to teach himself the basics of photography, watching YouTube videos and practicing with the camera on his cellphone.

“I was going outside all the time fidgeting with the camera and finding ways to get a different picture,” Guy said.

A couple of years and a few equipment upgrades later, Guy found another person who inspired him on social media – portrait specialist Samuel Elkins. That led

POST FALLS HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Peyton Allen Darianne Alves Dylan Anderson Richard Anderson Jonathan Archer Chalee Atkinson Blane Badger Jazmin Baldwin-Wood Ashley Ball Cody Barber Gracie Barnes Lilli Bayne Kiersten Becker Jared Bellefeuille Quin Bennett Jason Benton Dustin Bereta Cade Black-Chevalier Julian Blythe Seth Boe Benjamin Boland Josephine Booth Odin Boseth David Bourgard Sephia Bracken Bayley Brennan Cameron Brotnov Lauren Brownlee Corbin Buck Ryan Buckel Christopher Buechner Nathaniel Buer Kristene Buffaloe Jason Burchell Micaiah Burt Robert Butterfield Tanner Byers Matthew Caldwell Stephen Carrera Maverick Carrick Adilynn Ceriello Jacen Chapman Alexandria Choquette Owen Clancy Dominick Clarke Ryan Cockerill Tristan Coles Jayden Collins

Kendall Cone Thomas Conrad Matthew Cook Cody Crawford Chase Cripps Aura Curlee Bryce Davis Makenly Davis Samuel Davis Kacie Dean Alexis Demute Grace De Soto Juliana Dewhirst Jack DeWitt Kelsi Dightman Hannah Drake Samantha DuBois Bryce Duczek-Arrieta Aidian Dunn Kellen Dyer Devin Ekness Blaine Erickson Bailey Erny Shery Espina Diego Esquivel Monge Sheridan Estep Draven Evans Jordon Evans Gage Ficklin Matthew Fleming Joshua Flock Cameron Flores Skylar Fredekind Kody Freeman Leah Gackstetter Stephen Gann Bodin Garlinghouse Zackary Garlinghouse Abigail Gennett William Gifford Zoe Gilbert Destiny Gilmore Peter Gobin Brady Gooch Jessica Goodmansen Isaac Gordon Gage Gosch Madeline Grangaard Alexis Grant Koreena Grant Cody Graves

Jacob Guy enjoys being behind a camera lens.

Jacob to being That Guy. “golden hour” look.

“A close friend of the family “Anyone can go up and take a needed senior pictures, and I told landscape picture of like, say, Mount him that I wouldn’t charge him and Rainier, but you want to bring that I would try my best and gain contrast or something to the eye of some experience,” Guy said. “That the viewer,” he said. “Maybe there is one person led to another and then a little stream or something to focus another, and for two years I’m doing on. You have to find the different portraits and getting my name out perspective.”

While his business has expanded there, just by getting that first into weddings and family photos, shoot.”

Guy focuses on a Pacific Guy hasn’t slouched on his academics. He’s maintained a 3.0 or Northwest style, which he says incorporates dark blacks and high above GPA throughout high school contrasts. He loves shooting in while also playing football and natural light, encouraging his baseball for Post Falls High. subjects to head out just after “I’ve always tried to do the best I can with everything when it comes sunrise or before sunset for that

Eli Gregory Jesse Griese Alyssa Griffin Jordan Grimm Danielle Grist Hannah Guilford Jacob Guy Kyndra Hans Madison Hansen Hali Harmon Alison Harris Lily Harris-Marcus Spencer Heinen Cameron Hildreth Ashleigh Hilto Tyler Hinshaw Shawn Hodgson Alexus Holbert Braydon Huber Kresha Hughes Marie Hyne Daisy Inbody Gabriel Jackson Brandon Jenkins Audie Johnson Hunter Johnson Madelena Johnson Meghan Johnson Trevor Jordan Trenton Karl Coleton Kazmierczak Melody Kempton Dalynn Kenerson Cassidy Kerzman Alexandria Keyser Madison Kirking Karlie Kraus Alexandrea Kyes Trevor Lafser Madyson Lahr Hannah Larson Jennifer Lee Haylee LeHew Alessio Lemmon Trinity Livingston Nathanial Loe Tyana Long Colton Loomis Alexandra Loraas Derrick Luby Aleksandr Lutsenko Lydia Lutsenko Erika Lynd Cheyenne Malcolm Lillian Maria-Zeagler Bailey Massender

to school and sports and especially photography,” he said. “If you love it, why not do it?”

Guy plans to attend North Idaho College in the fall, working toward a business degree that will fuel his future photography endeavors. He wants to travel for work, though his dream locale remains close – he wants to continue exploring the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and build a reputation for showcasing the area.

While the senior portraits and weddings provide consistent revenue, Guy sees himself expanding into a full-on brand. He wants to be an internationally known landscape photographer, and he already has much of the know-how through social media to make it happen.

“You’ve got to get up and take a photo, especially on the weekends – you can’t sleep in,” he said. “If you don’t post, at a certain point you’ll lose engagement on your profiles.

You never know that one day you stop posting could be the day your miss a client or business … It’s important to continue to post and to try and make it the best quality you have.”

So far it hasn’t been hard to keep pace.

“It’s like an itch,” Guy said.

CONTACT THE WRITER:

Tyler@WilsonMediaConsulting.com

Graduation

Sanchez

Zeller

Megan Matthews Tanner McCliment-Call Jeremy McFadden Caleb McIntosh Jacob McKenzie Matthew McLeod Henry McOmber Matthew McPeek Abigail Melton David Melton Courtney Michaels Gabriel Michalski-Armstrong Steven Miller Kalli Minden Betty Mitchell Brandon Montagne Brianna Morier Allison Morris Mackenzie Morris Nicolas Morris Starr Morris Thomas Morrow Tristan Morrow Allison Munday Annalise Musto Bailey Myers Mason Nagrone Taylor Nash Destiny Nason-Fuller Samantha Nearing Brandon Nikula Haley Oliver Damia Olsen Jeremy Ontiveros Alexa Ostlund William Pannell Christopher Parker Robert Parker Sydney Parks Aaron Patterson Isabel Perry Sydney Perry Sidney Petersen Jacob Pfennigs Kyli Plank

The Post Falls High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 7 at The Arena at Post Falls High School, 2832 E. Poleline Road, Post Falls.

Principal: Chris Sensel Valedictorians: Kyle Sanchez and Brock Zeller

Jessica Poe Jayda Pratt Daytona Raczykowski Ashley Ranney Riley Rasmussen Sean Rauch Jr. Katelyn Rhoads Jordon Rice Brynn Roberson Briauna Robinson Yasmin Rodriguez Blake Rose Amanda Rouse Kyra Russo McKessa Rutt Taylor Ryan Brooklynn Sabers Cody Sahli Kyle Sanchez Paul Sand Skyler Scharff Karabeth Schini Miranda Schmeling Tristan Schmick Sydney Schumacker Garrett Sciortino Dylan Sears Brooke Sharp Chloee Sharp Aspen Shelly Katheryn Sherman Bayli Sieverding Virginia Sigel Anthony Silva Dylan Sisk Kailen Skewis Sheldon Sloane Ryan Smart Jacob Smith Madeline Smith Samantha Smith Jaylyn Smithson Emily Jo Steiner

Tyler Sterritt Dakota Stevens Kadin Stowers Caitlyn Streeter Madysen Sunell Kathryn Sylvester Rebecca Taggart Dakota Taylor Marissa Testa Savannah Thoeny David Thomas Eric Thomas Jack Thomasson Dereck Tonasket Alicia Townsend Vanessa Tran Trace Valente Matthew Vasquez Braden Vaughan Logan Wagoner Casey Walker Olivia Ward Griffin Wark Brooklyn Waters Casey Weeks Dylan Wegner Carissa Wiggers Dakota Wild Rylee Wilfong Anna Wilhelm Kyler Wilkins Hadley Willoughby Lakaylee Witherspoon Alexandra Wolf Cassidy Wolf Kylie Worley Courtney Worst Brisen Wright Jourdin Zaragoza Brock Zeller Chenhong Zheng

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NEW VISION HIGHSCHOOL / KOOTENAI HIGH SCHOOL

New Vision’s Roberts didn’t give up on himself

By Stefanie Pettit FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

It was always going to be difficult for Chandler Roberts.

Raised in what he describes as a dysfunctional home with alcoholic parents, Roberts said he just wasn’t going to give up on himself.

Dawn Mackesy, principal at New Vision Alternative High School in Post Falls, said, “I remember the first time I met Chandler. It was at his eighth-grade graduation. He walked right up to me, shook my hand and told me he wanted to come to my school.

That fall we made it happen.”

“I was partying and was never home, and I was getting into fights,” said Roberts. “But I feel I’m a strong person and knew something had to change. I had some friends who went there (to New Vision) and figured it would be a good place for me. There’s more one-on-one time, help in

COURTESY OF NEW VISION

New Vision’s Chandler Roberts plans to attend North Idaho College in the fall.

class, smaller classes and help connecting with colleges.”

He said he bonded with his teachers, who spent time talking with him and listening about his home situation, and

when he told them of the police involvement that occurred and how intolerable and toxic it was at home and how badly he wanted to be out of there, they – with his permission – wrote letters to the courts. His older sister Chealsie agreed to be his guardian and took him in.

“None of them had to do that,” he said, “but my teachers and my sister … well, it all means a lot to me.”

Roberts has earned money for himself since he was 13, when he wore a taco costume and waved to passersby in front of a Mexican restaurant.

He still works at two jobs, at a fast food restaurant and as a prep cook/dishwasher at another restaurant.

“You just fight through it, whatever comes up,” he said.

“Life is what it is, and if you want to make something out of it, you just don’t give up.”

And so Chandler Roberts not only studied well, he

accelerated those studies so he could graduate a year early.

“I wanted to get it done,” he said. “I want to look to the future. Maybe it’s a little too early, but I didn’t enjoy my childhood very much, so I was motivated to move through.”

He has been accepted at North Idaho College and hopes to do landscape work, perhaps have a landscape business. Having graduated early (at the end of January), he still comes by the school to visit with the teachers who gave him the emotional support he needed.

While he was at the school for the interview for this story about him, Mackesy came in to the room and gave him a big hug. When it was observed that she clearly loves him, a small smile came across his face, and with lowered head, he said: “I know.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

upwindsailor@comcast.net

Nelson is rooted in church, family Whatever her path, it will include helping others

By Greg Lee FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Gracie Nelson doesn’t know what the future has in store for her.

She’s confident, though, who knows her future.

“My plan is to find God’s plan for me,” said the Kootenai High School senior.

Nelson, who lives near Harrison, graduates June 9.

Sixteen days later she heads to Mazatlan, Mexico, for five months through Youth With a Mission.

Moving to a city of nearly a half-million people will be eye-opening in many ways for Nelson.

Harrison is a tiny community with a little more than 200 residents. Nelson graduates with a class of 17.

“It’s going to be culture shock,” she said.

Nelson isn’t afraid of anything big. She and her family have attended church at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls the last four years. On any given Sunday, the church will seat crowds of 1,500 or more.

“It’s a sea of people,” Nelson said.

Church and family are the cornerstones of Nelson’s life.

She makes the one-hour drive to Real Life not only on Sundays but returns for a youth service on Mondays and a Bible study group on Wednesdays.

“I’m blessed to have found a church like Real Life,” Nelson said.

She took a weeklong trip last summer to Tecate, Mexico.

That’s when her desire to serve was birthed in her heart.

“My heart was being called to missionary work,” she said.

She had to raise $5,000 for this summer’s trip. She said it’s money that will be well-spent.

Graduation The New Vision High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 6 at Post Falls High School Auditorium, 2832 E. Poleline Road, in Post Falls.

Principal: Dawn Mackesy

NEW VISION HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: JordanAnn Allen Toree Awbrey Ida Mae Brooks Amayha Brown Peyton Burkhardt Nataya Calkins Marcus Clary Keyona Coleman Nathan Davis Sarah Disrud Maddison Ellis Raul Elmer Krista Face Mason Gertsch Jasmine Grignon Cody Hallstead Adrian Hardersen Tyler Hartman Madison Hintz Destinee Hoagland Glenn Hooper Elaina Hutchin Chance Johnson Marisa LaCroix Taylor LaFountain Sky Lehti Bradley Lieurance Dillon Mahoney Shawn Marseguerra Jaelyn Nagrone Tristan Newsom Madelynn Nowak Calvin Oswald Dorothy Oxley Brandon Paris Alexia Peters Kareen Pierce Dyllan Rasco Chandler Roberts Everett Rose Noah Roth Jaquelin Ruskiewicz Justin Shanks Breanna Silberberger Angelica Spitzer-Fahrbach Logan Tillman Jared Travis Chloee Wadsworth Alura Williams Seth Wilson Twila Wood

KOOTENAI HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Brayden Carman John Ducommun Zachary Dupree Kaili Gentry Shandise Goodson Aspen Greene Perrin Hysell Courtney Lamb Carli Moore Payton Munson Madison Napierala Gracie Nelson Faith Pfeiffer Haley Raudebaugh Logan Renner Andrew Whipple COURTESY OF KOOTENAI HIGH SCHOOL

Gracie Nelson is expected to graduate from Kootenai High School.

“I try my best to be a disciple,” she said. “I try to help others. See a need meet a need.

That’s kind of my motto.

Everyone at some point in their life needs help. Why not be the help.”

“Gracie makes serving others a top priority,” Kootenai counselor Alisha McDevitt said.

Nelson learned enough Spanish phrases to get her by last summer. She’ll become more acquainted with the language on the upcoming trip.

She has been involved in a handful of service organizations including 4-H and Distinguished Young

Women. She was picked as the 2018 DYW of St. Maries and completed a year’s service in late April.

Nelson isn’t sure what she’ll do after returning from Mexico. One of her options is attending the University of Idaho and majoring in psychology with an emphasis in helping children with disabilities.

She also has a love for welding. She has tinkered off and on fixing things on her father’s logging trucks.

“I took a welding class at Kootenai and realized I had a knack for it,” Nelson said. “I have interests all over the

board. I’m hoping on my missions trip that God shows me where he wants me to be.”

Nelson said her father, Ron Nelson, has had the biggest influence on her life.

“I’ve had many beloved people in my high school career and have very close relationships with all of my teachers,” she said. “I have very beloved family friends. But my dad has always believed in me and told me I could achieve anything I wanted. He’s been my encouragement and my support throughout my life.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

greglee050@gmail.com

Napierala

Graduation The Kootenai High School commencement will be at 1 p.m. June 9 at Kootenai High School, 13030 E. O’Gara Road, Harrison, Idaho Principal: Tim Schultz Valedictorian: Madison Napierala

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CHENEY HIGH SCHOOL “Elizabeth raised all the money needed to travel to these areas, worked for the people and continued to do her schoolwork at Cheney High. I believe what drives her to do well is to see the happiness she can bring to others.”

Mary Pratt

Arensmeyer

Elizabeth Potter’s science teacher

HowkoJohnson

Potter

CHENEY HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

COURTESY PHOTOS

Cheney High School senior Elizabeth Potter stands at a limestone waterfall near Chiang Mai, Thailand. The photo was taken during her last week there. In Thailand she worked for the nonprofit Echo.

Thailand experience helped form teen’s view of world Cheney class valedictorian wants to be involved in her community

By Riley Utley FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Elizabeth Potter, a senior at Cheney High School, spent ages 8 to 12 growing up in Thailand.

After six years, Potter returned there during February and March this year to work for the nonprofit Echo.

“Echo is a nonprofit that partners with nongovernmental organizations, missionaries and locals to promote agricultural sustainability,” Potter said.

Over the course of her internship, Potter mainly did office work, but she also got to help with a research project called Seed Storage. It is working to make vacuum sealing technology affordable, with a bike pump, so seed can be stored without it being ruined by the humid weather.

When she got back from Thailand, Potter turned around and went on another trip, this time with her church to Mexico on a mission.

Cheney High School supported Potter’s service endeavors and throughout she was able to keep good grades – all while serving a greater good.

Potter’s science teacher, Mary Pratt, said: “Elizabeth raised all the money needed to travel to these areas, worked for the people and continued to do her schoolwork at Cheney High. I believe what drives her to do well is to see the happiness she can bring to others.”

Potter is also involved with Key Club, where she serves as vice president, and volunteers for service activities such as City Gate, Young Lives, Betts Elementary School and Santa Express.

She said her favorite aspect of doing service is listening to the stories of those she is helping.

Her drive to help others also translates into her education.

Potter’s history teacher, Steve Arensmeyer, put it this way: “Part

After a hard day’s work of making a cement slab for a house in Tijuana, Mexico, Elizabeth Potter gets to double piggy back her pals.

of Elizabeth’s unique perspective comes from her experiences in living overseas. She spent much of her life living overseas. She spent much of her childhood in Thailand, and so brings a well-rounded, global perspective.

“Truly a Renaissance person, she’s an athlete, a scholar, and an accomplished musician. She does it all, and she does it all well,” Arensmeyer said.

Potter will represent the Cheney High School class of 2018 as valedictorian.

She also is heavily involved in sports. She has competed in basketball, swimming and tennis, and while this is the first year she has not played soccer she was involved with club soccer for a long time.

In addition, Potter is musically

talented. “I play the trumpet in jazz, the French horn in wind ensemble and guitar in my youth group worship,” she said.

Potter’s involvement with her school, church and community is second to none, according to her teachers. Asked how she does so much so well, Potter said: “I’m really motivated. I’m passionate about a lot of things.”

Potter said she wants to be a mentor and remain heavily involved in whatever community she is living in. “What’s helped me is having good role models throughout my life. I’ve always had the privilege of having someone to look up to, and I want to do that for kids.”

Riley Utley is a Gonzaga University student.

Rosa Acord Angel Adams Elizabeth Adams Kayla Allen Kyla Allen Patrisha Alvarez-Piapot Quinten Anderson Anna Arensmeyer Dylan Arthur Marlyse Assonken Mason Azure-Beck Alsatta Bakana Kain Barnes Ashley Barthels Amos Black Wyatt Boal Mykayla Bolieu Mary Booth Benjamin Borisyuk Daniel Borisyuk Lucile Boston Daniel Boyd Grace Boyle Joseph Brigman Joseph Bromley Alexandra Brown Carson Brown Joshua Browne Stephen Buchholz Darcilyn Burger Brent Burks Jasmine Burnett Kayla Burns Aurora Cable Megumi Call Alfredo Camarena Keith Cameron Luis Campos Gage Cavadini Shylee Chapman-Pollock Tehya Chavez Ruslan Chernega Sydney Clark Emma Cline Sierra Collins Taya Compton Jalen Cooks Jose Copto Quintin Corral Christopher Corral-Diaz Alan Coumbs Samara Counts Maddyson Cowan Addisen Critchlow Mariah Daceus Devin Dalton Dillon Dalton Deandrae Daniels Melissa Daniels Shantel Darrow Emily Darvis Logan Davis Annamaree DeOchoa Macie Despino Adam Deutsch McKenzie Devlin Kameron Dewan Daniel Diaz Joseph Dick Brette Draper Trey Drury Kyle Duncan Aaron Dunn Calvin Edwards Katie Ehrig Hosny El-Aarag Allissa-Jane Empert John Robert Ennis Sean Erickson Shakoiya Ericsson Devonya Faumuina Deselie Felien Sidney Fernandez Rose Fields Aaron Fillmore Ryan Flick Alexis Fogal Dylan Frederick Steven Freeman Thomas Funderburg Tristan Garcia Alexandrea Gardner Danica Gary Kiersten Gasper Catherine Gauna Derringer Gentry Damon Gepford Alexander Gerber Emily Gerstenkorn Tanner Gillingham Eloise Giordano Jordan Gould Deborah Grall Megen Gray Tiana Groff Sarah Hagedorn Nicole Hague Zachary Hall Orin Halsey Justin Hamm Akasha Hampton Liam Hankel Am’mi Hanna Aaron Harder Shauntee Harless Jasmine Harmon Riley Harwood Heidi Heagle Kira Heilman-Barrett Nicholas Hertel Liam Hewey Dylan Hilzendeger Amber Hines Collin Hines Gabriel Hines Cole Hinrichs Lelie Holland Cameron Hoos-Williams Dalton Hoos-Williams Colten Horst Ashley Horton Preston Horton Kevin Houndonougbo Anya Howko-Johnson Hailee Huff Johnathan Hunter Angel Imbrenda Mendoza Braydon Isbell Myrinn Jagim-Kern Allison Janes Charles Johnson Amber Jones Carson Jones Dylan Jones Erin Jones Holly Jones Caitlin Judd Madison Kallsen Brandy Kane Kari-Lynn Kane Nika Kauwe Cordin Kearns Morgan Kelly Logan Kendall Alexis Kennedy Collin King Alexis Klaus Riley Klauss Stephanie Knott Bradley Knudtson Jackson Knutzen Tyler Koohns Meghan Krantz Jairus Kuhn Sergey Kushnerchuk Zoe Lamb Zachary Larson

Graduation The Cheney High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 8 at Eastern Washington University Reese Court Pavilion, 1136 Washington St., Cheney.

Principal: Troy Heuett Valedictorians: Anna Arensmeyer, Anya Howko-Johnson and Elizabeth Potter Jacob Lauber Hannah Lemelin Valeriy Levchenko Kasia Lizama Divinity Lomazzi Ciara Lopez Jacob Lusk Jacob Marcure Tyger Marlin Robert Marshall Dalton Mauzay Akourakali McCormick Melanie McGinnis Taylor McGuire Sally McNair Jocelyn Mendez Zarah Meyer Greg Michel Alexis Miller Keaton Mitchell Jason Monzingo Johnathan Mulcahy Dakota Nelson Jonathan Nelson Artur Nesterov Zachary Nguyen Emily Noblin Kaitlynn Oliver Zachary Oswald Jonathan Owings Danielle Pacheco Brennan Palmer Abigail Palmlund Keegan Paras Purinat Parntong Abigail Pavon Eduardo Pena Evarosa Perry Ciara Peterson Jalen Phillips Mackenzie Pitcher Hunter Pohl Elizabeth Potter William Powell Zofia Powell Skye Pruett Jasmeet Punghlia Patrick Purviance Peyton Putney Kristina Reid Justace Reiter Joshua Ribble Rick Ricci Evan Riggs Isaiah Rigo Cassiopeia-Chri Rigsby Eliza Roettger Lindsey Rogers Alfredo Romero Benjamin Rose Wyatt Rosenau Jennifer Rossey Makayla Roullier Corbin Ryan Elyse Sawyer Drayen Schulz Larissa Schwendiman Yekaterina Senchenko Kaila Shaffer Donovan Sharkey Clara Shaw Jake Sherman Megahn Short Cole Smith Nathan Smith Joel Solanke Solice Sorlien William Soto Hannah Spakousky Chantel Spencer Jaystin Stanger Peyton Stark Samuel Steele David Stepchin Amanda Stevens Barbara Stragier Isaac Strong Rachel Suominen Boedy Taylor Trofim Tepp Tylr Thetford Deanna Thurman Jessica Timmons Alexander Torres Avery Towey Dain Townsend Aaron Utter Jeremiah Utz Colten Vandine Kamimila Vang Jessica Vietzke Trace Vilandre Dessie Waggener Carisa Wahl Duncan Waite Kadden Waite Taishae Wallace Kendra Wells Jolene Whiteley Trinity Wigren Caleb Wilcox Patricia Williams Emma Witt Natalie Wood Jarred Wynecoop Dianna Yevdash Lianna Yevdash Litzy Zapata Bradley Zarecor

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ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL / THREE SPRINGS ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL

Back from near death with new zest for life Heart attack slowed Destiny Ogle down, but not for long

By Steve Christilaw FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

COURTESY OF ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

Ceci Bergquist was expected to graduate from St. George’s School.

School leader continues fight Student body president graduates amid tumor

By Ian Davis-Leonard

ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Ceci Bergquist is president of the Saint George’s School student body, a four-year captain of her high school basketball team, a member of the Ronald McDonald teen board and she’s a cancer survivor.

During her sophomore year of high school, Bergquist was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor in her leg.

“She had the attitude of ‘let’s just fix it,’” Mark Rickard, Bergquist’s student government adviser and basketball coach, said. “There was no hesitation.”

Bergquist attempted to balance school and treatment, but ultimately made the decision to take a year off from school to heal both physically and mentally.

“I’ve been with that class since fourth grade, so they were my best friends and my family,” Bergquist said. “I felt like I was giving up, I felt like I was quitting, but looking back it was the absolute best decision.”

During the difficult time of not being able to attend school, she also was unable to play basketball. However, Bergquist wouldn’t let cancer keep her away from her team.

When her health allowed it, Bergquist sat on the bench as a bona fide assistant coach.

“She knew that she wasn’t able to contribute on the floor, so she was at practices helping and on the bench during games,” Rickard said.

After a year away from school, and two years away from the basketball court, Bergquist re-enrolled at Saint George’s with trepidation and fear of whether she would be accepted by her new class.

Her peers welcomed Bergquist back with open arms. They elected Bergquist to be a class representative, then to be

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate were: Adit Arora Solveig Baylor Cecilia Bergquist Shay Broderick Catherine Caporicci Connor Cremers Delaney Ennis Kexin Fan Sarah Gortler Noah Halliburton-Link Ryan Hayes Claire Henning Yu Jiang Susie Jones Loren Klim Qiaohui Lin Max Mihalick Taylor Mitchell Mary Neder Ruiqi Ning Hunter Nolte Olivia Osborne Cade Peplinski Brandon Plumbo Hailey Poutiatine Macklin Richardson Danny Ross Ashley Sande Lauren Senske Zachery Steele

student body president the following year.

“I think there is just an ultimate respect for her as a person, her as a student and as a leader amongst her peers,” Rickard said.

In her return season to the Saint George’s girls basketball team, Bergquist led the Dragons in scoring with 10.9 points per game and guided the team to a third-place finish at the 2B level in Washington state.

During this season, Bergquist ceded the role of primary ballhandler to play more shooting guard, so two younger players on the team could experience game-action and improve.

Bergquist’s commitment to serving her team and making those around her better is representative of her servant’s heart.

“She really gives up herself, which is really impressive considering what she’s been through the last few years of her life,” Rickard said.

Bergquist’s fight isn’t over yet. She is once again undergoing chemotherapy as tumors have returned.

Graduation The St. George’s School commencement was held May 20 on the Graduation Lawn at St. George’s School, 2929 W. Waikiki Road, in Spokane.

Assistant head of school for secondary education: Russell

Werkman

Destiny Ogle remembers the day: August 21, 2016.

It was her father’s birthday, and her family had gathered to celebrate.

She had been sitting on the floor playing video games and started to get up.

“I got up, and I fell down,” she recalls. “Out of the blue, I just dropped to the floor.”

Without warning and for a reason her doctors still are unsure of, Ogle had a heart attack.

“My family freaked out,” she said, and they rushed her to an emergency room.

She has few recollections about what happened next, including, she admits sheepishly, an incident at the emergency room where she accidentally broke a nurse’s nose and had to be put in restraints.

“I guess I was being kind of ornery, and I feel so bad about that.” she insists. “I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone – she was just doing her job.”

And that’s just the start of it all.

“I was placed in an induced coma for three days, and I have no memory of any of it,” she said. “What I know about what happened I only know from stories after I woke up.”

Well, she corrects herself. There is one thing she remembers.

“I remember seeing little blue men on the ceiling,” she laughed.

Ogle was told about the surgery that implanted a device to deliver medication directly into her heart. “I have a surgical scar under my armpit,” she says matter-of-factly.

Heart attacks are a life-changing event, and this one brought major changes for Ogle.

Instead of starting her junior year of high school, she was on physician-ordered bed rest so her surgical wounds could heal, and doctors could figure out what was wrong and how to treat it.

“That was really hard for me,” Ogle said. “I like to be busy. I like to do things. I’m a happy person, and I’m always bouncing around.”

And just like that, she found herself binge-watching “Grey’s Anatomy” reruns and having a full-on battle with boredom.

Even after the months of bed rest ended, Ogle said, her activities were severely restricted. And even when they weren’t restricted, there was the mental reservations all patients experience after a cardiac incident.

There is always a question in the back of the mind about when the next attack could come.

Ogle missed the first half of her junior year. Behind the rest of her class, Ogle enrolled at Three Springs High School in Cheney.

COURTESY PHOTO

Destiny Ogle is expected to graduate from Three Springs High School.

“They understood what I was dealing with, and they worked with me to get caught up,” she explained. “That helped a lot. They understood that I had doctor’s appointments, and they understood that I had challenges with what I could do and what I couldn’t do. They would tell me that there was a deadline for an assignment, but if something came up or I had trouble, it could always be extended. They were more than willing to work with me and to help me.”

A little understanding and a bit of compassion goes a long way.

“I worked my butt off to get caught up,” Ogle said. “I was able to get caught up by the end of my junior year.”

After all that, her senior year was a snap and she even took on a part-time job after school.

In March her doctors performed a procedure called “cardiac ablation,” where surgeons damage or remove tissue preventing the heart from settling into a normal rhythm.

The procedure was successful and Ogle is back to something close to normal.

“I feel so great now – it’s such a huge relief,” she said. “I am so happy and excited. I can’t wait for graduation.”

Ogle’s plans include taking a six-month online dog-grooming course, then working for six months for hands-on credit to get fully certified.

“I love animals, I always have,” she said. “At first I wanted to be a veterinarian, but then I realized that I really didn’t want to spend six or seven more years in school. This way I can work with animals.

“I have a big dog that I groom myself, and I do dogs for my whole family.”

Steve Christilaw can be reached at steve.christilaw@gmail.com.

THREE SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Kate Tender Kathryn Thew Kylie Vera Mitchell Ward Alexander Watkins Dong Xu Feiyang Xu Lanxuan Xu Xiaowei Zhu

“It’s getting better, they’re shrinking,” she said.

In the face of adversity, Bergquist has kept going and maintained a positive outlook.

“I always just looked forward, I never focused too much on dwelling on what was happening,” Bergquist said.

This disposition has helped position Bergquist for success. She has close to a 4.0 GPA and is set to choose between two universities: Claremont McKenna in California and Notre Dame in Indiana.

In June, Bergquist’s tenure at Saint George’s will come to a close, but the impact she has made won’t end when she walks across the stage and receives her diploma.

“She’s one of those people, one of those players, one of those students, who leave that impression and legacy that is hard to match,” Rickard said.

Ian Davis-Leonard is a student at Gonzaga University.

“She’s one of those people, one of those players, one of those students, who leave that impression and legacy that is hard to match.”

Mark Rickard Ceci Bergquist’s student government adviser and basketball coach

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Cassidy Anderson Jerusha Hampson Andrew Holifield Jesse Jacob James Kleenin Courtney Krauss Ericka Muentes Destiny Ogle William Rigsby

*

Graduation The Three Springs High School commencement will be at 5 p.m.

June 6 at Cheney City Hall, 609 Second St., in Cheney.

Principal: Catheleen Schlotter Valedictorian: Jerusha Hampson

Hampson

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EAST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

“She’s turned out to be a responsible young adult. She’s more than the sum of her experiences.

Even if she had a conventional upbringing, she would still be special.”

Jessica Schultz-Leyk Adoptive mother of Shaylor Leyk

LIBBY KAMROWSKI/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Shaylor Leyk is seen April 21 at River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary, where she has been volunteering for three years. Leyk is expected to graduate from East Valley High School and will soon attend Eastern Washington University to pursue medical career interests.

It took a while, but she’s thriving come and go, so it was her grandparents who raised her.

“Then they both got sick and had to go into assisted living,” Leyk said.

That meant Leyk and her landing with Jessica Schultz-Leyk mother were on their own – and

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW and her husband, Josh Leyk, just it did not go well. Leyk said she after her 15th birthday. On her isn’t angry at her mother When Shaylor Leyk was 11, she 16th birthday, the couple adopted anymore.

“I was mad for a long time,” didn’t go to school much. She and her.

Schultz-Leyk said she and her she said. “I just realized she her drug-addicted mother wasn’t ready to have children. I bounced from location to location husband became foster parents with the intention of adopting a don’t blame her, but I hope she in Vancouver, Washington, and could see how well I’ve turned Leyk was frequently left alone for teenager. “That was always our goal,” she said. “We were just out.” days or weeks at a time without Efforts have been made to find food and without knowing where better suited for an older child.”

Now Leyk is graduating from her mother, but it has proved her mother was. difficult.

One day she’d had enough. She East Valley High School with a Schultz-Leyk said she is 3.79 GPA and participates in wanted to go to school. She impressed at Leyk’s resiliency and Future Business Leaders of wanted to learn. So she went to how eager she is to learn. “She’s the police station and asked for America, runs cross country and exceeded all of our expectations,” help. By the end of the day she is on the track team. She also was in the foster care system. volunteers at River’s Wish Animal she said. “She’s just been a delight for the last three years.”

Leyk said she received the best Sanctuary, a haven for farm Her adoptive parents had to of the foster care system. She got animals as well as dogs and cats. push her to do her homework at the help she needed to get caught Until age 11, Leyk and her first, but she soon had it figured up in school. She lived with only mother lived with her maternal three long-term families until grandparents. Her mother would out. “She’s turned out to be a

Life settled down thanks to adoption; soon she’s going to EWU to study nursing

responsible young adult,” said Schultz-Leyk. “She’s more than the sum of her experiences. Even if she had a conventional upbringing, she would still be special.”

Leyk plans to attend Eastern Washington University in the fall and study pre-nursing. Nursing includes something new every day and Leyk said it will be an adventure.

Hopefully this adventure will go more smoothly than her last, a two-month backpacking trip last summer that included her sliding 100 feet down a glacier in Olympic National Park after her foot slipped. Leyk wasn’t seriously injured and returned to the trip after a week, even tackling another glacier trek.

“I like adventure,” she said. “It pushes you. It tests your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

nculver47@gmail.com

EAST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Ashley Ackley Conner Alderete Nathan Allred David Anderson Jabriel Anderson Jeff Anderson Vanessa Anderson Jasmin Andrade-Lenz Alexis Arredondo Reece Ayles-Wallace Lashana Ballard Alejandro Barragan-Morales Angelic Bauder Emilie Behrens Madrona Beitz Nichelle Bercot Tashianna-Emma Bercot Chase Berezay Haili Bowers Mason Bowman Zachary Bowsky Alexis Branson Deven Brown Ashley Bruce Isabella Burunov Shelby Bushore Noah Busse Jacob Byrne Jacob Campbell Rachel Carolus Angel Carrillo Chloe Chalfant Dmitriy Cherkashin Grace Conine Sage Cooper Anna Cope Kassandra Costlow Blake Cowger Garrett Crothers Amber Cummings Enleo Dahal Ariauna Davies Justin Davisson Lucas Deal

Graduation The East Valley High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 11 at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: Matthew Stevens Valedictorians: Eleanor Gorkovchenko, Karlee Ludwig, Matthew Mason, Alyssa Mitchell, Katharine Pointer and Benjamin Rooney-Sailand Casey Denmark Nicholas Destito Angelica Dituri Brekel Domino Brandon Dunkle Michael Dunlap Annalise Dust Torrey Dutton Autumn Eaves Garrett Edwards Karsen Enevold Taden Englund Isaiah Ervin Joselyn Escontrias Borjas Bryce Esvelt Chelae Everhart Jason Fail Emma Fairbanks Kaleb Farman Isabella Finnigan Bryson Fleck Joseph Fleckenstein Emily Fletcher Tessla Floyd Garrett Forrest Preston Forrest Sherman Fredericksen Jr. Blake Freeman Sydney Frogge Cheyenne Frye Gillian Garcia Matthew Gay

Hunter Gesik Victor Gilley Jason Gillingham Cricket Glanville Brookelynn Goodwater Lydia Gordon Eleanor Gorkovchenko Colton Grace Jaren Graham Jacob Groscop Alexis Grout Toryn Hall Zachary Halverson Jessaup Hampton Kailee Hance Brown Hunter Hanley Rishel Hartshorn Katelyn Hay Emma Hedemark Megan Heidlebaugh Ashley Held Madeleine Henderson Jeretta Hendrickson Ryne Herambourg Daniel Hicks Cheyenne Higgins Bailey Hoff Landon Hofstee Madison Honegger Hailey Howard Daniel Howell II Tanner Hudson Noah Huhs

Gorkovchenko Ludwig

Mason

Mitchell

Charvis Iakopo Leah Jacobson Spencer Jamison Peyton Jennings Ethan Johnson Braeden Jolstead Richard Kelley Bethany Kelly Christopher Kent Maxim Kopets Eugene Korchemniy Payton Korling Dmitriy Kozenya Keaton Kurtz Nathan Lautenbach Jazmyne LaVigne Rebecca Lee Savanna Ley Shaylor Leyk Brian Lind Kaitlyn Lonam Luke Lonam Austin Luce Cecilia Lucero Karlee Ludwig Nhung Ly Nicholas Lynch Bryce Mallet Hope Mallet Hunter Mansfield Genesis Marroquin Rafael Martinez Yepez Matthew Mason Wendee May William McCarthy Shantel Megill Jessica Mellen Mya Mesecher Bradley Miller Triston Millmaker Tasia Mines

Alyssa Mitchell Dale Mitchell Meghan Mitchell Sydney Moore Joshua Morales Alan Neilson Ryliegh Newman Nathan Nielsen Grant Ohlstrom Joseph Olmsted Emily Orlowski Jenna Pefley Kaylee Peterson Brock Phillips Matthew Pinyerd Julia Pitcher Anthony Pitman Jay Plunkett Katharine Pointer Liam Priest Matthew Ramirez Nolan Rasmussen Hunter Reynolds Jillene Richardson Nicole Richardson Gavin Rigsby Shila Risinger Allie Rogerson Kylie Rogerson Benjamin Rooney-Sailand Kameron Roslak Kelsy Ross Praxedis Sanchez Kathryn Scalf Caleb Schertenleib Jacob Schoenwald James Scott Derek Severin Melissa Sherwood Kyler Shoemaker Cody Sinclair

Pointer

Rooney-Sailand

Colton Sior Alea Smith Tyler Sowell Hannah Spine Donovan Steele Alexanderia Sternod Austin Stevens Zane Stevens Autumn Stewart Rachae Stone Lindsey Stonemetz Nathaniel Stoner Danna Stowell Abigail Strunk Andrew Strunk Noah Stubblefield William Syverson Steven Thomas Evan Thomason Trail Thompson Walter Townley Harmony Tripp Robert Tsuber Tara Turley Riley Turner Alejandra Vargas Jadea Vasquez Robert Ward Ty Warner Tallon Watson Forrest Webb Andrew Weeden Austin Whitcomb Dominique Willison Nicholas Wunder Aletheia Youngman Dezirae Yowell Madison Zacher Karena Znovets

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EAST VALLEY PARENT PARTNERSHIP / EAST VALLEY ONLINE EAST VALLEY PARENT PARTNERSHIP Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Harley Colombo Katie Connelly Cassandra Heath Timothy Perona Christian Tiffany Isaac Van Tuyl Emily Wrisley

Graduation The East Valley Parent Partnership commencement will be at 7 p.m.

June 11 at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane.

Principal: Frank Brou Valedictorian:

Timothy Perona

Perona

Right combination of programs was all she needed With veterinary assisting role and persistent teachers, Heath ‘flying toward the finish line’

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The best way to see how far Cassandra Heath has come is to listen to her as she nears the finish line.

Heath, a senior at the East Valley Parent Partnership, was in foster care for the first five years of her life before she was adopted

by Bill and Ruth Short.

Several years later, after her behavioral and academic issues were heightened, she was diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, a term that encompasses the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.

And now? She’s completing a two-year pre-veterinary assisting program at Newtech Skill Center and hopes eventually to become a police canine trainer.

“I had a lot of excuses that I could have used to quit,” Heath said recently. “Because of FASD, I’ve always had memory problems and struggled in math. When I was 14 or 15, I started running away and acting out, and my parents wanted clarification, so we went to a psychologist who gave us that diagnosis.

“It just confirmed what we already suspected, and I honestly don’t remember having any anger about the diagnosis. Once I knew about it, I did extensive research because it’s not something that a lot people know about. And I learned that many kids on the spectrum have it way worse than me.

“My adoptive parents stuck with me through it all. When I was 16, almost 17, I realized that I couldn’t run away from things forever. I knew what was going on with me and that I could manage it with help from my parents and teachers.”

Heath has been home-schooled since first grade, but said even that was hard, especially because of math. When her mother got connected with EVPP, she was able to get into

Ethan Pegg is set to graduate valedictorian from EV Online.

COURTESY OF JASON PEGG COURTESY PHOTO

Cassandra Heath is the notable graduate for EV Parent Partnership.

an individualized education program, which helped her to get tutoring in areas where she needed it. She continued to home-school while attending Newtech.

“I can’t explain how hard she’s worked to be successful,” Ruth Short said. “Cassie’s attention issues made school very difficult, but she’s always read really well, and when we started EVPP, everything has really started coming together.”

Heath also credits EVPP with helping her to turn things around: “The teachers there don’t let you give up easily, and they helped me to see my worth in the world. And at Skill Center, Michelle Burdick did the same thing.”

The veterinary assisting program, directed by Burdick, was originally Heath’s second choice at Newtech, but it turned out for the best, and she hopes to work in a veterinary clinic for a few years to improve her understanding of canine anatomy and physiology as she prepares for the next steps in her career.

“What I’ve learned in the last couple years is that your disabilities don’t define you,” she said. “Everyone has expectations, their own and those that other people set for them. My goal is to surpass every expectation. I still have struggles, but I’m learning to manage them. And now, I feel like I’m flying toward the finish line!”

Microbiology a good fit – he likes ‘small things’

By Nina Culver

EAST VALLEY ONLINE LEARNING

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Ethan Pegg was never one of those students who thrived in the classroom. Large groups make him anxious and a structured classroom didn’t allow him to take the frequent breaks he needed.

But Pegg, who is on the autism spectrum, has excelled in a combination of home schooling and online learning since the fifth grade and is set to graduate from East Valley Online with a 3.93 GPA. He said he likes knowing exactly when things are due and says it’s easier to turn his work in online. “I have all day to work on stuff,” he said. “I can just take a break in the middle if I want to.”

Pegg has high-functioning autism, and problems in school became apparent early on. He didn’t need special education, but he didn’t fit in a traditional classroom either. His parents tried home schooling, joining a hybrid home-school and classroom program and private school.

“We just kind of tried whatever would work for him,” said his mother, Lori Pegg.

“Public school just wasn’t a good fit for his needs.”

“I don’t like interacting with people in real life,” Pegg said.

“Throughout my life I’ve been anxious around other people and I don’t like being in a room with other people.”

He started taking online classes through the Washington Academy of Art and Technology through the East

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Christopher Bolling Samuel Brown Makyla Carney Jamie Dewey Makenzie Durflinger Marquez Hall Richard Kelley Ethan Pegg Jessenia Reyes Alea Smith Keagan Smith Kayla Terry Kristina Wood Aletheia Youngman

Valley School District, but the program changed and he joined East Valley Online last year.

Despite his aversion to crowds, Pegg is just like other teenagers. He likes playing video games, particularly Minecraft, Legend of Zelda and Fortnite. He often has friends over to play games and has been known to play two games at once while also watching YouTube videos, a skill that makes his mother shake her head in amazement.

He has been taking Running Start classes through Spokane Community Colleges. Some classes, like the biology class he just started, are on-site while others are online. Pegg likes science and is excited that his biology class will be visiting the Saltese Flats south of Spokane Valley to find and study various organisms.

He previously took AP

CONTACT THE WRITER:

joseph.everson@yahoo.com

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Graduation The East Valley Online Learning commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 11 at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Assistant principal:

Stephanie Watson Valedictorian: Ethan Pegg

biology and AP chemistry and is taking AP calculus. Pegg is no fan of math, and his father, who loves physics and math, tutors him. “When he’s done, he takes my textbook and goes and reads it for fun,” Pegg said.

He plans to finish his AA degree at SCC, then transfer to Eastern Washington University to study biology. He wants to eventually work in a microbiology career. “I’ve always liked small things,” he explained.

As an East Valley student, Pegg is entitled to participate in East Valley High School’s graduation ceremony, but he’s decided not to attend. He may not wear the cap and gown, but he’s still very proud to be graduating with a nearly perfect GPA. CONTACT THE WRITER:

nculver47@gmail.com

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LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL / UPPER COLUMBIA ACADEMY

Move to Idaho pays off years later California native: ‘When you’re out of your comfort zone is where you grow the most’

By Greg Lee FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Megan Rauvola was a month short of her ninth birthday when her parents moved from Southern California to Rathdrum.

“I told them ‘You are ruining my life,’” Rauvola said, smiling.

On a recent drive with her parents, Rauvola, a Lakeland High School senior, offered a belated apology.

“The 8-year-old me was wrong because it was the best thing you could have done for me,” Rauvola told them.

Her parents were planning retirement and they wanted to raise their youngest daughter in a less dog-eat-dog environment. They literally got out a map and picked out North Idaho.

Two years before moving, they spent a week in the Rathdrum area, scouting out land to build a home. A month before Rauvola was to start the fourth grade, the finishing touches on the home were completed and they moved.

“They did it for me,” Rauvola said.

She doesn’t know what she may have missed out on in California, but it doesn’t matter. She’s had nothing short of a beautiful life in North Idaho.

Rauvola is a twin. Two daughters were born to her parents, but her sister died at 8 weeks old

KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Lakeland High school senior Megan Rauvola is photographed wearing her official Idaho Senate page vest at the school in Rathdrum.

because of a noncancerous tumor in her brain.

Just before she started her junior year, Rauvola’s mother told her she wasn’t her biological daughter.

Her parents had married after divorces and wanted to have a child. But after a couple of miscarriages, her parents decided to try in-vitro fertilization using eggs from a donor.

“I wondered for a long time why I was the only one with brown eyes and

LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Wyatt AhYee Bradley Allen Robert Baker Travis Barratt Rebecca Bennett Colton Blizzard Ethan Bockie Jorge Bonacho Lezcano Adaline Borg Adrianna Boudro Dylan Bradbury Nicholas Brannon Arthur Brison Brandon Brown Joel Brown Michael Brumbles Samantha Byrne Jasmine Campbell Kelsi Carroll Ryan Cawley Shiloh Clark-Brailey Wyatt Combs Ty Cook Alivia Cope Mattisyn Cope Shaun Cordle Cameron Crowe Mackenzie Daniels Nathanael Dansereau Mark Darden Kaden Davis Mason Deacon Heather DeMuynck

McKenna DeVore Rachael Duran William Edelblute MaKenzie Edinger Carson Ellis Lillian Farley Justin Farris Cade Felton Cody Fisher Oliver Fisher Payton Flannery Candice Ford Chance Foss Megan Galten Colton Garayalde Caleb Gardner Lucas Gardner Wyatt Gatten Madison George Christian Gibbs Braden Gifford Evelyn Godinez-Deniz Peyton Graham Mallory Haberlack Jessi Hall David Halliday Keith Hammer Thomas Hanebuth Kylie Harris Tristan Hathaway Kate Hegbloom Kaylee Hendricks Kyra Hendricks Hank Hester-Steele Christina Hickerson Jordan Hieronymus Dylan Holford

everybody else had blue eyes,” Megan said.

She doesn’t know who her biological mother is but wants to find out.

“I plan to meet her so I can learn about my heritage,” she said.

Rauvola has a 4.0 grade-point average and ranks eighth in a senior class of 169.

She became the first Lakeland student to be a legislative page during the recent Idaho legislative session. She was a page for Sen. Bob Nonini (R).

Rauvola was lined up to Kyle Hollis Christopher Hunt Hailey James Soledad Jimenez Rodriguez-Vibora James Johnson Larry Johnson Nathan Johnson Rebeka Johnson Alexandra Jung Hayden Kalbaugh Austin Keller Logan Kelley Kurtis Kelly Emma-Jane Kimmett Syranie Kinsey Josephine Kirk Evan Knapp Dylan Knight Zachary Koho Thomas Krivanek Miroslav Landa Kianna Landon Logan Langenderfer Hunter Leatham Griffen Lenon Abbey Leon Macada Lockett Jillian Mael Riley Manko Colin Marchus Matthew Mattoon Theodore McCord Kailey McDaniel Dade McDevitt Gordon McKibben Avery Merrifield James Meyer Christopher Miller Joshua Moats Garrett Moen

go to Boise when she had second thoughts, so she talked with Lakeland principal Trent Derrick.

“He told me I was going through buyer’s remorse,” Rauvola said.

“He said it would go really fast.”

She spent most of the third quarter in Boise, doing homework by correspondence during free time.

“I cannot believe it went as fast as it did,” she said. “I am so glad I went.

It’s definitely the best experience I’ve had my

By Stefanie Pettit FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

When he was born somewhere in China – he doesn’t know where – the newborn with a serious vision issue and a cleft palate spent the first five years of his life in an orphanage in Beijing. A Roman Catholic organization was able to place him in a foster home and then in a second one, and that’s where he lived for the next nine years.

It was first believed that he would lose his sight entirely, so he began learning Braille. Some kindly Americans – he doesn’t know who – provided funding for additional eye screening, and he learned that his eye nerve damage would not result in blindness, but that in order to read, he would have to hold a printed page close to his right eye, as his left one wouldn’t work well enough for reading. He also received basic surgery to repair his cleft palate.

An older foster brother named David was adopted by Kelli and Scott Collins of Spokane Valley.

When they came to get him, they noticed a younger boy with a cleft palate who smiled at them. David told them that his foster brother

COURTESY OF UPPER COLUMBIA ACADEMY

Nathan Collins is set to graduate from Upper Columbia Academy.

was a good kid and hoped they would look at him, too.

And so, a year later, on his 14th birthday, young Tian Ming began his journey to his new home in Spokane Valley, where he was reunited with David and was given the name Nathan, which means “gift from god.” The Collins family consists of four children born to Kelli and Scott Collins and five children adopted from China. Once in America, Nathan had a second surgery for his cleft palate, which gave him a better cosmetic repair.

Young Nathan Collins, who spoke no English at first, was home-schooled and later he and

entire high school career.”

“She has a way of coming into a space and making it brighter,” Derrick said.

Something else Derrick said to Rauvola will stay with her the rest of her life.

“It’s going to be my life motto – when you’re out of your comfort zone is where you grow the

most.”

Rauvola plans to attend the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana, where she wants to play soccer.

She plans to major in biology and minor in political science. She hopes to be a pediatric anesthesiologist.

CONTACT THE WRITER:

greglee050@gmail.com

Graduation The Lakeland High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 6 at Real Life Ministries, 1860 N. Cecil Road, in Post Falls.

Principal: Trent Derrick Valedictorians: Kate Hegbloom, Theodore McCord and Dade McDevitt Amie Moore Logan Moore Madison Morlan Reegan Myser Summer Nash Kala Neel Madeline Neff Amber Newton Ines Noel Dylan Norman Darla Ann Park Melissa Penton Jeremy Perkins Avery Pittman Cora Plante Taylor Quimby Claudio Raab Madelyn Radley Michael Radley Rachael Rager Mary Rantala Megan Rauvola Taylor Reineke Kyle Renfrew Riley Rivera Hunter Robinson Lane Robinson

Long journey to graduation for Upper Columbia student Collins holds precious his adopted family, school in Spangle

Rauvola has a 4.0 grade-point average and ranks eighth in a senior class of 169.

David found the right educational home for them at Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, where David graduated last year, and Nathan will graduate this spring – with a 3.48 grade-point average.

“This is such a good place for me,” said Nathan, “because people accept me here, are friendly and give me good help with academics.

I also like the religious support I have here.” At school he enjoys the music program, history and art, and is senior class treasurer. He hopes to attend Walla Walla University in the fall to study business or perhaps social work.

He remembers what his mother told him about how he was when he first joined the family – that his heart was kind of dead. “I never knew in my foster home if I was cared for because they were paid to take care of me or because of me.

But my mother (Kelli Collins) hugged and helped me, always treated me like all her other children and supported me when I was depressed. She loves me by choice and not because she has to.”

He said that when you’re an orphan, “you don’t know where you belong. I have a family now, and I belong to them. I want to give back to society someday, and I always want to do my best and show the best of me.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

upwindsailor@comcast.net

Colin Rose McKenzie Roth Jodie Samuelson Sofia Schnepf Joseph Schumacher Ryan Sellers Melike Semercioglu Taylor Sexton Amber Sheppard Haley Shields Logan Siegford Ashton Sitko Destiny Sizemore Whitnee Skalskiy Estella Smith Porter Smithson Blake Sorenson Taylor Sowers Calli Stutheit Christian Suko Logan Sullivan Ilyssa Tancre Megan Tanner Sadie Tardiff Andrea Taylor Jewel Trammell Riley Troutman

Hegbloom

McCord

McDevitt Tawny Utecht Dylan Vahey Taylor Vaughn Sandra Vig Ran Watanabe Veronica Welch Skyler White Jake Whitehead Ty Wilding Kendra Wilhite Rebekah Williams Cora Wilt Maisy Wirth Sydney Wissmann Tavis Woempner Ginger Wright Raechel Wright Wendy Ziel

UPPER COLUMBIA ACADEMY

Graduation The Upper Columbia Academy commencement will be at 10 a.m. June 3 at Upper Columbia Academy Gymnasium, 3025 E. Spangle-Waverly Road, Spangle.

Principal: Eric Johnson

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Yaneli Alcantara Shine Alvarado Samuel Aufderhar Alex Aus Suzy Barbosa Clair Barrutia Caleb Bartell Brielle Bartels Michael Bowe Kayleigh Bradford Colby Brookins Ellie Bunn Katherine Carr Josiah Carter Esperanza Chavez Madison Clark Moriah Claus Krystin Cole Nathan Collins Christian Contreras Daniel Cortez Michael Cottrell Mikaela Dant Riley Dieter Sheyanne Dubyna Isabella Featherston Kesslyn Fleck Monique Flores Allyson Graybill Zoya Guseynova Hailee Huenergardt Belicia Jiao Walker Johnson Jordan Judge

Kyle Koberstine Kaitlyn Kramer Elizabeth Maden Ben Martling Mark McCarter Joshua McClosky Olivia McMorris Gabe Miller Caleb Nelson Zachary Oliverio Alex Paago Sarah Palacios Dillon Peach Prema Pongrakthai Kari Rose Kelsey Sanders Rachelle Santee Eric Shearer Hailey Shirinzadeh Graciela Smith Svea Smith Titus Smith Kurt Soloniuk Elianna Srikureja Michael Stacy Emily Stafford Hannah Stafford Emily Stephens Danny Stratte Jonathan Terry Michael Vance Jared Wallen Matthew Wallen Adreana Ward Thomas Warren Stephen Wilkinson Angelica Woodard

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TIMBERLAKE HIGH SCHOOL / MOUNTAIN VIEW ALTERNATIVE FROM DERBY TO LIFE, SHE BELIEVES IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES

KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Timberlake High School senior Koa Hester poses for a photograph in her Roller Derby uniform at the school in Spirit Lake on March 22.

Rolling out of Timberlake and onto North Idaho College

By Stefanie Pettit FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Koa Hester knows all about jams – not the sweet kind that goes on toast, but rather those short matchups that are part of roller derby.

Hester joined the Pixies, a junior league roller derby team in Spokane, when she was 10. She fell in love with the sport when she was 8 and watched her mother participate. “I wanted to be just like her,” said the 18-year-old daughter of Clara Hester, a seamstress, and Kaleb Hester, a truck driver. The family lives in Spirit Lake, where she is about to graduate from Timberlake High School.

What drew her to roller derby as well, she said, is it’s a physically challenging, female-dominated, full-contact sport. And while she’s played flute in junior high school band, still plays piano outside of school, enjoys doing watercolor and charcoal drawing and attending school athletic events, nothing quite does it like roller derby.

Two years ago, Hester became sponsored in the sport by the roller derby equipment company Mota, founded by Julie Glass, a derby competitor who goes by the professional name Mota Matrix.

“It takes about a year for them to decide if they’re going to sponsor you,” Hester said. “They narrowed the field to 10 or 15, and they finally picked me.”

She trains for a few hours four or five days a

Koa Hester joined the Pixies, a junior league roller derby team in Spokane, when she was 10. She fell in love with the sport when she was 8 and watched her mother participate.

“I wanted to be just like her,” said the 18-year-old. week, and the Pixies – which is rated fifth nationally among Junior Roller Derby Association teams, she said – are often on the road for tournaments.

As is true with her teammates, she has a competition name: Slim Reaper. “When I was little, I was really skinny, so I wanted to have a scary and tough name,” Hester said. And she has her own individualized uniform, complete with American flag-themed shorts. “It’s such a fast-moving sport, so people know us by what we wear, and this stands out. Besides, I like the patriotism of it.”

She is now working two jobs, at a grocery store and a restaurant, and will start classes at North Idaho College this fall with an eye toward a degree in nursing. And she hasn’t ruled out going professional in roller derby.

The dangers and injuries of the sport don’t concern her especially, she said, even though she has broken fingers and toes and her sternum once, and often sports a bruise or two. “If you

worry about it, it just might happen,” she added, “and it will hold you back from what you want to do.”

She believes in taking advantage of opportunities and doesn’t like the idea of regretting things: “I don’t want to look back and feel bad about not having done something that I could have done.” As an example, she mentioned having the opportunity a few years back to play co-ed roller derby.

The 5-foot-2 Hester said members of the boys’ team were huge, taller than 6 feet and often outweighed the girls by 100 pounds. Her team was coming off injuries and had fewer players to rotate in. “That one sure blew up in our faces,” she said of the no-mercy game that followed. But still, no regrets.

Would she ever try that again? “You bet. We want redemption.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

upwindsailor@comcast.net

TIMBERLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Graci Allen Aislynn Anderson Lauren Anundson Ronald Barraza Amber Baures Vanessa Beasley Cassidy Berg Dyllon Bernal Essie Blankenship Daniel Bowers Makynna Brant Stephanie Bremer Ian Broxson Michael Carhart Alexander Case Jordon Comstock Trevor Condon Colby Cossairt Colton Counts August Crain Kyle Cutting Brianna Davis Danielle Davis Charlie Desens Julien Desuter Hailey Dyer Samuel Dzuris Trevor Eastlick Natasha Enegren Anthony Fettkether Griffen Foote Brandon Fowlkes Lilli Frawley Caitlin Garwood Alyssa Gibson Martin Goldberger Jordan Hardy Noah Harris Kiersten Heigis

Graduation

Graduation

The Timberlake High School commencement will be at 6 p.m.

June 9 at Timberlake High School Gymnasium, 5973 W. Highway 54, Spirit Lake.

Principal: John Klingaman Valedictorians: Vanessa Beasley and Taylor Riley

The Mountain View Alternative High School commencement will be at 11 a.m. June 1 at Mountain View Alternative High School, 7802 W. Main St., Rathdrum.

Principal: Paul Uzzi

Lukas Heintze Noah Herbert Koa Hester Isaiah Higbee Daniele Hines Morgan Hongslo McKenna Hughes Christopher Jenkins Kaylee Jezek Nathaniel Jones Kimberly Kelley Lillian Kelley Kyle Kleyhauer Tyler Lancaster Shelby Linehan Lindsay Magee Libby McCaslin Logan McDonald Kaylee McKenzie Kylie McLaughlin Hailey Morgan Trevor Moxley Saige Mueller Gaevin Mullins Jamal Oakes Kate Palmer Tyler Parsons Riese Peightal Rachel Peterson

Beasley

Riley

Nicholas Phillips Jake Potts Kristin Pritchett Jacob Privitt Kyle Rast Ivy Rickett James Rider Taylor Riley Dakota Roberts Harper Robnett Cheyenne Ross Joshua Rude Madisen Shawver Cadean Smedley Aidan Smith Dustin Smith Natasha Spencer Shelby Starr Jacob St. Mars Koby Tapp Autumn Thomas Matthew Thompson Matthew Thompson-Villanpando Seth Thompson-Villanpando Debra Tomberlin Erica Vanderhoof Samantha Walker Kaylan Watson Jason Weishaar Christopher Widger Conner Wiench Caleb Workman Connor Yanez Noah Youngman

MOUNTAIN VIEW ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Seth Bodak Jared Boesl Kaitlynn Case Lainey Cummings Markayla Evans Tanner Fuston Brocke Gardner Christina Gasper Colton Gregg Levi Guy Denise Hall Malcom Houk Kimberly Lindsey Levi Lowrey Joseph Miller Hailey Millsap Brandon Morrison Jessica Murray Todd Newell Casey Ost

John Peery Jacob Pool Kayla Powell Kasey Price Cody Ratcliff Ciara Skinner Shawna Sykes Shantell Vandever Alexander York

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MAY 31, 2018

GONZAGA PREPARATORY SCHOOL “She was just really, really, really strong. She fought very hard and very long considering her diagnosis. She’s just like such an important part of my life and … people tell me it’s unfortunate that I went through this at a young age, but at the same time it’s shaped me into who I am.”

Cassandra Padgham Gonzaga Prep senior, about her experience with her mother who died of cancer

LIBBY KAMROWSKI/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Cassandra Padgham attends Gonzaga Prepatory and is a leader for Campus Ministry retreats. She also juggles her commitments to the cheer team and rigorous academics.

Seeing cancer up close bolstered student’s desire for nursing

By Matthew Kincanon FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Despite losing her mom during her sophomore year, Cassandra “Cassie” Padgham, a senior at Gonzaga Preparatory School, has shown resilience and used the experience to find silver linings and as inspiration in her pursuit to become a nurse.

Padgham said her mother died after fighting sarcoma, a type of cancer, after being diagnosed at the end of Padgham’s eighth-grade year.

“They gave her three to six months to live, and she lived two-and-a-half years past that date, which is a miracle,” she said.

Despite knowing that her

mother would not beat the cancer, Padgham said they were thankful to have that time with her and provide her with the best quality of life as long as they could.

Padgham said her mother, who was a lawyer, continued to work throughout the beginning of her treatment and went whitewater rafting on a youth retreat with Padgham, and all the while her faith continued to get stronger.

“She was just really, really, really strong. She fought very hard and very long considering her diagnosis,” she said. “She’s just like such an important part of my life and … people tell me it’s unfortunate that I went through this at a young age, but at the same time it’s shaped me

GONZAGA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Samantha Aldous Luke Allen Kasey Anthony Lindsay Arnold Jacob Bach Emily Bacon Aaliyah Bains Athena Balenzano Luke Barbieri Emily Bartlett William Bays Connor Bell Randall Benn Luke Berg Samantha Bertagnolli Frances Bertotti Metoyer Lauren Bonham William Boomer Ollianna Branson Nicholas Briggs Katherine Budig Isabel Bush McCoy Butler Hallie Byrd Faith Carlson Cate Carpenter Maria Carter Chase Cash Micah Centenari Brogan Clemson Connor Coballes Jacqueline Condon Molly Condon Nathan Condon Grace Cooper Brennon Costello Brandon Cote Jaime Crain Elizabeth Crandall Isabella Crandall Devin Culp Grace Cunneely Jayden Cusack Isaiah Damschen Margaret Davidson Abigail Davis Sophia De Felice Eric Delay Madeline DeMarco Luke Denke Ryan Dirajlal Makena Dodson Eva Domas

into who I am.”

Even though that shaping was difficult and she misses her mother, Padgham said she has become a stronger person and found silver linings in it all.

“Even though there were a lot of bad things and it’s not a thing that I’d ever wish for anyone, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t also good things in it,” she said. “I learned a lot from my mom and I would not be the same person today if it wasn’t for her journey and her strength.”

Before her mother was diagnosed, Padgham said she wanted to become a nurse, a desire that became stronger after being surrounded by the compassion and care of nurses during her mother’s treatment.

“Just being surrounded by these amazing nurses while my mom was going through that just made me, I guess, want to be a nurse even more,” she said.

Padgham said the nurses spent more time with her mother than the doctors did.

She saw how compassionate and loving they were toward her; they would talk with her and make her feel better.

John Padgham, her father, said she has been a caring and compassionate person since she was a child.

“She was always great with kids, great with little kids, great with her peers,” he said. “She’s conscientious about how she makes others feel and that’s just her persona and how she

is.”

John Padgham said the nursing profession is a selfless one where people give beyond themselves and that he could not be more proud of her for wanting to pursue it.

“I want people to know that just don’t give up because it’s so easy when we face a problem all of a sudden to just give up,” Cassie Padgham said.

“My mom’s big thing was she was gonna live the best life she could for the rest of her life … and just to, like, live your life to the fullest.”

Padgham plans to study nursing at the University of Portland.

Matthew Kincanon is a student at Gonzaga University.

Graduation The Gonzaga Preparatory School commencement will be at 1 p.m.

June 3 at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: Cindy Reopelle Valedictorians: Frances Bertotti Metoyer, Faith Carlson, Blake Gibson, Pinhua Guo, Charlotte Horn, Spencer Lobdell, Ilina Logani, Bridget Millsap, Andie Schmitz, Sarah Schmitz and Alec Walter

Makayla Donovan Jaime Dorsh Daniel Dougherty Austin Dresser Joel Dull Dawson Emery-Murphy Marquez Esparza Diego Estuar Joseph Farrell Max Feldmeier Austin Few Donna Finger Brianna Flynn William Foster-Dow Trinity Frank Jacob Fray Anthony Frazier Riannon Gameros Blake Gibson Siya Giesa-Saito Destiny Gilliland Zachariah Godfrey Anthony Gossett Joshua Grimes Pinhua Guo Emma Hagen Ian Harcus Kaitlyn Hartin Dusty Hattenburg Annalise Hood Charlotte Horn Sidney Humble Jordan Jaeger Laura Jones Jessica Juarez Emma Kendrick Eva Kennar Amber Ketchum Kerynica Keyes Gurmehak Khahera Kailee Kinney Michael Kobluk Hailie Konkol Jamie Konkol Theophania Labay Jordan Laird

Taylar LaRue Mackenzie Lewis Spencer Lobdell Sam Lockett III Ilina Logani Kianna Luib RaeAnna Malarkey Ryan Malarkey Jaclyn Marr Shinako Marston Emily May Trever McCarthy Anne McCulloh Kathleen McGann Bo McGinn Hunter McKenna Joshua Miller Bridget Millsap Olivia Miranda Grace Moloney Adia Moore Reid Morin Turlan Morlan Kelly Murphy Devyn Muse Michael Nester Carson Nielsen Daniel O’Keefe Madison Olson Ryland O’Quinn Graciela Orellana Cindy Ou Michael Pablo Jr. Cassandra Padgham John Perko Garrett Peter Sabrina Phan Ilapayktma Pinkham-Bourgeau Jack Plaster Nicholas Plaster Haley Polhamus Alison Poppe Chelsea Power Anastasiya Pyankova Ahmad Rayner Jack Reeves

Bertotti Metoyer

Carlson

Gibson

Guo

Horn

Lobdell

Logani

Millsap

A. Schmitz

S. Schmitz

Walter

Brigid Repetti Daniel Roy Alexander Russell Brodie Savage Carsen Sayler Mia Scelfo Andie Schmitz Sarah Schmitz Trevor Schnug Logan Schuh Natalie Schwartzenberger Sidney Semenza Ahmad Shahpur Jordyn Shields Madison Shrader Sean Silvers Emmett Simmons Scot Simpson Sahib Singh Carson Slick Margurite Smith Abigail Spray Johnny Stenberg Jacob Stocum Yahan Su Tony Tareski

Maia Terrells Mason Tiffany Christopher Tillson Gurkaran Tiwana Caden Townsend Jimmy Tran Sarah Tweedy Jacqueline Ullrich Rachel Valdez Jessica Valentine Trevor Van Driel Mackenzie Van Zyverden Corynn Vigil Amber Wagner Alec Walter Ethan Watkins Gabriella Watt Brendon Wells Isaac Whitney Jeffrey Young Sarah Zabinski Emily Zink Madelyn Zorich Eric Zwyer

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NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Standout exemplifies qualities of servant leader

Cook

Cossette

Crary

Frey

Huseland

Lee

Roberts

Shea

Smith

By Morgan Scheerer FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Brett McKenzie could easily be considered “that guy.”

Associated Student Body president, baseball left fielder and football quarterback, the senior has all the standing to be cocky and self-centered.

What he is, instead, is the exact opposite.

“He’s a really quality young man,” said Dan Ferguson, who teaches McKenzie in Bible class and coaches him in both baseball and football.

“He’s really more concerned with others than himself.”

The son of a lieutenant colonel, McKenzie bounced around seven places before landing in Spokane five years ago, when he was in seventh grade.

Shortly thereafter, he found his true home at Northwest Christian High School.

After starting at Mountainside and deciding it wasn’t a good fit, he transferred and settled right in at the small Christian school.

McKenzie found a place where he could grow into his true self, while serving others and God, he said.

“Once I got to Northwest Christian I really became me again, and I got to open myself up and experience all the things a middle and high schooler should be experiencing,” he said. “I’m really thankful to Northwest Christian for that.”

McKenzie strives to combine his love for athletics with his love for his faith.

He does this by serving others tirelessly through his leadership positions.

“I really see him bring his faith into athletics in many ways,” Ferguson said. “It’s not about him, it’s about the team, it’s about honoring God in the way he plays.”

McKenzie also makes it a point to encourage others and validate everyone’s worth.

“You don’t have to please God, because He’s already pleased with us, and I try to remind everyone of that,” he said.

As ASB president, McKenzie stands in front of the student body each week during chapel to give announcements.

“I used to look up to those people, so getting to be that example for

NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2018

COURTESY OF NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Brett Mackenzie is expected to graduate from Northwest Christian.

freshmen is really awesome,” he said.

“I just want them to know they can come to me if they need to.”

The senior credits his leadership skills to his father who, though deployed for chunks of time throughout McKenzie’s childhood, taught him the importance of servant leadership.

“He instilled in me from a young age that it doesn’t have to be the person that’s vocal, it’s just the guy that leads by example, the guy that after practice goes and picks up all the water bottles, it’s that servant leader,” he said.

Ferguson also credited McKenzie with exemplifying that servant leadership mentality.

“He leads by example – after practice or games sometimes there’s field work, and he’s always the first person to grab a rake, or he’ll do things without being told,” Ferguson said.

After graduation, McKenzie will take off for Phoenix to attend Grand Canyon University, where he will study pre-physical therapy. He’ll play club baseball and hopes to continue his service at Grand Canyon.

McKenzie decided on physical therapy because he sees it as a way to serve others, as well as a way to touch others’ lives in a positive way.

Morgan Scheerer is a student at Gonzaga Univeristy.

Expected to graduate are:

Graduation

Soyeong Bae Daniel Bean Kevin Beck Matthew Blystone Harrison Bosma Carson Bowman Matthew Brown Naomi Busch Tessa Cook Courtney Cossette Caleb Crary Micah Erdman Madeline Evans Elizabeth Frey Xing Gao Mercy Huseland Madison Janke Sehee Jeong Zephaniah Johnson Minji Kang Karsten Kershinar Isaac Kimmet Hayley Lamsma Abigail Lane Haejoon Lee Thomas Luce Brett Mackenzie Joshua Maynard Thaddeus McKinney Caleb Meyer Savanna Morasch Mattea Nelson Emma Nendel Catarina Nygren Choulseng Park Elizabeth Roberts Tyler Shea Janna Smith Keilah Smith Chloe Sweatman Branden Turner Jacob Wash Megan Williams Jiachen Wu Megan Yakely JianLiang Ying Tyler Zentzis

The Northwest Christian High School commencement will be at 1 p.m.

June 2 at Northwest Christian Schools Activity Center, 5104 E. Bernill Road, Colbert.

Principal: Ray Ricks Valedictorians:

Tessa Cook, Courtney Cossette, Caleb Crary, Elizabeth Frey, Mercy Huseland, Haejoon Lee, Elizabeth Roberts, Tyler Shea and Keilah Smith

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LAKESIDE (NINE MILE FALLS) / MEDICAL LAKE ALTERNATIVE LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation The Lakeside High School commencement will be at 8 p.m. June 8 at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: Brent Osborn

Senior sets course with grit, smile

Valedictorian:

School switch proved just right

Ammasie Allred

Allred Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Rachel Agnor Taylor Allen Ammasie Allred Zachary Annanie Nathan Beck Caleb Becker Alexander Behlke Austin Bleth Brian Bramble Melia Braun Shelby Buell Thomas Burbridge Gage Campbell Lauren Campbell Richard Carroll III Kelly Chapman Seth Cheney VicToria Cheney Allie Cherrington Brycen Chittum Shelby Claassen Katelynn Clark Alexis Cler Jadyn Clifton Grace Cole Caitlin Collum Dante Cummings Zoe Cunnington Alexandera Decker Nicholas Dewey Sarah Dolph Peter Duke Saelor Dvorak Paige Emerson Emily Erickson Timothy Estes Alyssa Figy Ashley Fuson Alleana Gallagher Gavyn Gallagher Hunter Gedicke Domenico Gonzalez Calia Green Elizabeth Guilmet Bozhidarka Harp Kayla Hempel Brandon Hill Dustin Hinkle Mackenzie Holtorf Hannah Ircink Cole Irving Richard Jennings Hallie Jensen Grant Johnson Jacob Johnson Shelby Johnston Savannah Jurgensen Hallie Kinzel Isaiah Koolstra Elizabeth Kurtz Anna Lacock Austin Langton Nicole Lembeck Skyler Lohman Joshua Loughry Scott Lutton Jade Maldonado Watson Kailee Marisch Matthew Matera Brendon McCleskey Jayden McConnell Matthew McConnell-Wofford Marcus McCullough Nadine McDaniel Maddison Merrill Lexi Mikkelsen Andrew Mitchell Brittany Morris Keeley Morrison Claire Murphy Keaton Nowak Riley O’Dell Tyra Olszewski-Lynch Rachael O’Neill Colby Perkins Sydnee Peterson Alexander Phillips Bjorn Phillips Madison Phillips Kaylene Purcell Madison Raleigh Jasmine Raymond Abbygail Robins Sabrina Robinson Paula Sandoval Lillian Sayan Devyn Schmidt Taelor Sheats Drew Shuler Nicholas Sicam Bleu Sidell Kaleigh Sing Emily Sleeth Alexander Smith David Smith Hannah Smith Bruce Stinson III Cameron Stires Sienna Swannack Cale Swanson Anthony Sylvester Cooper Taylor Heather Thomas Tyler Viehouser Rachel Weikel Bryce Wellhausen Carl Weyl Caden Wickwire Jordan Wilkins Ciarra Williams Jerome Williams William Wisor Jessie Worley

COURTESY OF SCHOOL

Barry Martin of Medical Lake Alternative

Martin interested in forestry, space and mechanics

By Mike Prager FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

COURTESY OF LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL

Taelor Sheats is expected to graduate from Lakeside High School in Nine Mile Falls.

Lakeside’s Taelor Sheats discovers strength amid heartache team to someone she couldn’t even recognize.

She drifted with the crowd, homeless for a time.

In April 2017 she ended up in Seattle where she watched a man overdose. The image haunted her.

One of Lakeside High School senior Taelor “That was my wake-up call,” Sheats said.

Sheats earliest memories is hearing her parents “That’s when I realized I needed to do better.” screaming at each other over who would get She reached out to her aunt and uncle in Nine custody of her in a divorce.

Mile Falls who had offered to take her in when “I was 7,” she said. she was ready to turn her life around.

It would take another seven years before her “They came and got me that weekend,” she parents actually divorced, but in the meantime said, and they quickly enrolled her at Lakeside Sheats was constantly caught in the crossfire.

High School. But Sheats worried she was too far “The anger was turned toward me instead of behind. each other,” she recalled.

“The odds were stacked against me graduating Despite the turmoil at home, she was happy at school in Gig Harbor, Washington. She made the because I had so many credits to make up.”

Lisa Purdue, counselor at the school agreed dance team and spent hours riding her rescue that the road to graduation was steep. horse, Ben. “She only had 13 credits,” Purdue said. “She All that changed after the divorce. was behind by 10 credits.”

“My dad got a new girlfriend right away,” But then Purdue watched, amazed at how Sheats said. “I felt unwanted by both parents.”

Sheats tackled the obstacles one by one.

Gone was the horse and the home she loved, “She’s completely turned this thing around. and she soon quit the dance team.

During her sophomore year she moved in with She’s grown up a lot.”

Indeed, not only did Sheats complete the her boyfriend’s family, trying to focus on being a regular coursework she needed, but she enjoyed teen. classes at NEWTECH Skills Center, too.

“Tyler made it bearable,” she said of her With her education on track, she got her boyfriend. “With his family’s help I made the driver’s license and recently landed her first job. cheer team.”

“Taelor’s got a lot of grit,” Purdue said. “This But the emotional toll of her unstable family young lady is incredibly positive. She’s always got life began to exact a price. a smile on her face.”

“I had Tyler’s family, but I needed my mom Already enrolled at SFCC, Sheats plans to and dad. I didn’t have them.” pursue a nursing career.

Tension with her mother increased to the “She’s really excited for her future. I know point that Child Protective Services became she’s going to do amazing at college,” Purdue involved. Things spiraled downward for the said. hurting teen.

And while there’s a Mom-and-Dad-sized ache “I dropped out of school. I didn’t feel like I had in her heart, Sheats said she’s coming to terms the support I needed,” Sheats said. “I was so with her parents’ limitations, and is profoundly frazzled.”

Her boyfriend had gotten his own place, so she grateful to her aunt and uncle for taking her in and giving her a stable place to learn and grow. moved in with him, but their relationship began “I feel like I went to hell and back, but my life to unravel.

“We were just too young,” she said. “And then I is coming together,” Sheats said. “I can fall down, and I can get back up again. It’s uplifting to see started hanging around with the wrong crowd, a who I am now and who I can be. There’s a world really bad crowd. I started doing things I’m not at my fingertips.” proud of.”

Some of those things included substance abuse.

“I just wanted to stay numb,” she said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: dchval@juno.com Sheats went from happy teen on the cheer

By Cindy Hval

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

MEDICAL LAKE ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Qiana Casch Summer Davis Kaylie Emerson

Austin Fitzgerald Barry Martin Autumn Port Antonio Schuster Solone Smith Jami Williamsen

Graduation The Medical Lake Alternative High School commencement will be at 6 p.m. June 8 at El Katif Shrine Center, 7217 W. Westbow Blvd., Spokane.

Principal: Lyra McGirk

Barry Martin credits Medical Lake Alternative High School with helping him turn a corner on his life.

“I used to be a troubled student,” he said, but ended up being a favorite of the staff by proving himself.

The alternative school format gave him the flexibility to work at his own pace. It was a better fit for him than the regular high school.

Martin, 18, a senior, is due to graduate this spring.

That wasn’t a given several years ago when school trouble involving Martin played itself out, he said.

He is not afraid to own up to the problems.

“I used to get into a lot of fights,” he said. If he was harassed by other male students, “I automatically started pushing back. It was more of a defensive mechanism.”

They purposely antagonized him, and the incidents landed him in the office, he said, “where you pretty much go in and sit down and shut up.”

Martin said he had been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder along with obsessive compulsive disorder. He has problems concentrating, he said. He was in a spiral of detention and in-house suspension.

He said the health problems had previously led to medications.

“I got skinny, couldn’t eat anything,” he said.

With the support of his father, Barry Martin Sr., he started going to counseling and quit the pills.

He and his dad made the choice of the alternative school in 2014.

“In regular high school, I wasn’t free to be me,” he said. Alternative high school opened everything up.

His grades improved.

He got a 4.0 last year and is on track to earn a 3.3 GPA this year.

The soon-to-be-graduate said he was born in Portland and moved with his family to Medical Lake around 2004. He has a brother and three sisters. His mother is Nita Gallagher.

He said he is open to going to college, but he also wants to get a job and start working. His interests are in forestry, mechanics and space exploration. He said he’s had a bunch of jobs even as a student. “I am very willing to work,” he said.

He has been mowing lawns for money.

At the school, Lyra McGirk, the school director, described him as “a great kid. He is on it.”

She said something clicked for him. He doesn’t put off schoolwork, a common trait in high school.

McGirk said. “He is not a procrastinator. … He is so respectful.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

mikeprager15@gmail.com

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MEDICAL LAKE HIGH SCHOOL

KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Medical Lake High School senior Sofia Novochekhova is photographed at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on April 23 in Spokane. Novochekhova’s family immigrated to the United States from Russia when she was 5 years old.

‘Inspirational’ musician simply excels Puts others ‘above herself,’ band director says government and politics because they taught her to appreciate and understand how people and cultures are interconnected.

Sofia Novochekhova migrated with “My perspective on the world has her family from Russia when she was 5 changed a lot,” she said, crediting her years old. She is about to graduate teachers for bringing her to a wider from Medical Lake High School as an accomplished student musician, one of understanding.

“Medical Lake High School is so the best in the Spokane region. outstanding,” she said, pointing to its Among her most recent smaller family feel as one of its achievements, Novochekhova, 18, was selected to perform a flute solo during strengths. “I love the teachers so much. It has been academically a May 20 concert of the Spokane Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Fox challenging.”

She plans to major in music, looking Theater. She was just one of three soloists selected for the concert during at three programs: University of North Texas, Whitworth University and a competition earlier this year at Whitworth University, and the first in Central Washington University.

Her longer goal is to become a the high school’s history. music teacher. “My first choice is the School staff said Novochekhova has thrived since arriving in Medical Lake. university level, but I could teach in middle school or elementary school,” She has maintained a 3.8 GPA under she said. what they describe as a rigorous class Novochekhova said she started load. playing flute when she was 11 and fell She said she was challenged and in love with the instrument and its enjoyed her classes in biology,

By Mike Prager

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

MEDICAL LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Sabryna Adamkiewicz Grady Alderman Lauren Alderman Michael Argenal Anthony Barnes Robert Barnes Heather Barr Halene Barsness-Ames Nicholas Bowick Kayla Branch Justyce Brant Austin Brown Tye Brown Emilie Browning Nathan Butcher Richard Butterfield Taylor Cannon Steven Carey Lindsey Cargle Megan Cargle Taylor Carpenter Lita Chapa Ustina Chernishoff Chandler Chitwood Danielle Christiansen Darren Cleman Zachary Close Andrew Clutter Deanna Davis

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lilting, uplifting feel.

For the May 20 performance at the Fox, Novochekhova chose the “Hungarian Pastoral Fantasy,” a 12-minute piece by Albert Franz Doppler that shows off the beauty of the instrument.

Her musical skill reaches beyond flute, however. She also plays tenor sax in the high school jazz band and is a vocalist.

She received consistent superior ratings in competitions.

Novochekhova came to the U.S. from Novosibirsk, the third largest city in Russia. It’s located in southern Siberia.

Her parents are Peter Novochekhov and Inna Novochekhova. She has a brother and a sister.

The family chose Medical Lake because they had cousins already living here, she said.

Growing up, her parents wanted to integrate into the community. So, for example, they chose American-based churches instead of the local Russian churches, she said.

In addition to her academics and music, Novochekhova has been

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involved in community service through the high school Key Club and National Honor Society.

One of the volunteer events involved helping at dances with Lakeland Village residents.

“She is a very inspirational young lady,” said Craig Johnson, her band director. He described her as “amazing, not only with her performances but how she treats other people and so often puts them above herself. She is just a neat kid.”

In a recommendation letter for a scholarship, Johnson wrote: “When Sofia is present, she transforms the place into a brighter, livelier environment. Sofia loves helping people and has a special way of bringing out the best in people. I have the utmost confidence that she will make a positive difference in this world as she pursues her college degree and career.”

Novochekhova said, “I have made a lot of great friends.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

mikeprager15@gmail.com

Graduation The Medical Lake High School commencement will be at 11 a.m. June 9 at Eastern Washington University Special Events Pavilion, 1136 Washington St. in Cheney.

Principal: Chris Spring Valedictorian: Lauren Saue-Fletcher

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MAY 31, 2018

DEER PARK HIGH SCHOOL / DEER PARK HOME LINK

Informed citizens important to her Morri envisions journalism as path to serving truth

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Watching the world around her in the last two years convinced Deer Park High School senior Sahvana Morri that she wants to become a journalist.

“There’s a lot of disinformation and misinformation out there,” she said. “It’s coming from both sides, and I want to be a part of fixing that.”

She always knew she wanted to do something related to English and language arts, but her plans for her future solidified last year. She took a journalism class this year and is the yearbook editor.

Morri said she would prefer print journalism over broadcast journalism.

“I feel like I’m stronger in written words rather than speaking,” she said.

She’s more comfortable with her decision after talking with her journalism teacher and meeting some journalists.

Morri said she worried that she was too introverted to be a good journalist, but now realizes it doesn’t matter.

“It wasn’t as inaccessible as I thought it might be,” she said.

Morri wants to be a political journalist, digging up information people need to know before they cast their votes.

“I think it’s me being more aware that not everyone has information that they need,” she said.

Morri is the youngest in a family of three sisters.

She grew up in Priest River, and has lived in the Deer Park area for the past five years. She has been taking College in the Classroom courses at DPHS, earning college credits for classes in English, history and political science.

“I think it’s a good opportunity,” she said.

“They’re more challenging classes, and I can focus better.”

Morri said she took that route rather than Running Start partly because she doesn’t drive and couldn’t get into Spokane for classes every day. But she also wanted to savor her high school experience.

“I didn’t want to give up the last two years of my high school,” she said.

“High school is once in a

COURTESY PHOTO

Sahvana Morri is set to graduate valedictorian with the Deer Park High School class of 2018.

DEER PARK HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Ethan Ahlers Mara Allen Samantha Avila Louie Barcellos Austin Begani Nathan Berglund Trayton Bird Taylor Blake Cole Blanche Elizabeth Blough Taelor Bly Robert Bolton Karissa Bostic Caden Boswell Nathan Bouldin Chloe Breckner Kathryn Brooks Jazmin Brookshire Nicole Brookshire Brianna Bullock Clayton Calicoat Wynonna Carbury Katherine Carpenter Mackenzie Cassels Lauren Cassezza Tyler Chambliss Koen Chase Regan Childs Rylee Cluck Hunter Coe Kyndra Collins Meagan Cooper Garrett Corliss Mersades Cotter Bailey Coy

lifetime. I like the environment. I like the people here.”

School counselor Glenn Poland said Morri is a leader in the classroom.

“She works at the office,” he said. “She’s a great kid.”

Poland knows about her

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plans to become a journalist. “She is a person who seeks the truth,” he said.

She has been involved in Link Crew, which helps freshmen and new students acclimate to the school, and is a member of the National Honor

The Deer Park High School commencement will be at 6 p.m. June 9 at Deer Park High School, Main Gymnasium, 800 S. Weber Road, Deer Park.

Principal: Joe Feist Valedictorians: Karissa Bostic, Kyndra Collins and Sahvana Morri

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Society. Last month she was named a Spokane Scholar in social studies, one of only a handful of students to achieve that designation.

Morri plans to study journalism at Washington State University in the fall.

She has a 4.0 cumulative GPA and has been named one of Deer Park’s three valedictorians. All three have the same GPA, but Morri was given the option of giving a speech at graduation because her higher SAT scores broke

‘Gentleman’ embraces computer programming After home schooling, Robles ready for next step – at EWU

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Like many high school graduates, Miguel Robles has a good GPA and has taken some Running Start classes, but he got there in a more unusual way.

Robles was home-schooled from first grade.

At the beginning he used curriculum that featured videos of teachers delivering his lessons. That changed over the years as online classes improved, and by high school he was enrolled in Deer Park Home Link, a partnership between home schooling and the Deer Park School District that provides some classes in a classroom setting.

His journey started because his parents didn’t want him in public school, Robles said. “They thought I could learn better at home,” he said. “I like it.”

The early video lessons not only taught him spelling, they helped teach him English. Robles, who comes from a Spanish-speaking family,

thinks he started learning English around age 3.

“I learned most of it through those videos,” he said.

Through the years he made friends with other home-schooled students and has an active social life. He’s been playing sports on Deer Park High School teams. He was on the soccer team for three years, advancing to a starting position. He also did cross country his senior year.

“I wasn’t really good at it, but I did it,” he said.

Two years ago he began taking Running Start classes through Eastern Washington University, just like his older sister had. “I could get college credit for free,” he said.

“Why not?”

Robles has always appreciated math and the satisfaction that comes from solving a difficult problem. Perhaps that’s why he recently decided he wants to study computer programming at EWU in the fall. A recent Python programming class introduced him to the field.

“I liked it,” he said. “It

Bostic

Collins

Paiton Smith Terrence Snow Brooke Sokolowski Joseph Sproule Gracie Stauffacher Courtney Stockman Tyler Stockner Eric Swanson Taylor Tarble Kooper Tobeck Skylar Vanderburg Katherine Varang IvyLee Vierra Kaya Walser Alicia Watson Brenda Whittle Amanda Williams Tate Wiltse Trevor Wittenberg Katherine Youngblood-Besel Brandon Ziehnert

the tie.

But, instead, Morri invited her two fellow valedictorians to share the speech with her. “They worked just as hard as I did,” she said.

CONTACT THE WRITER:

nculver47@gmail.com

Graduation The Deer Park Home Link commencement will be at 7 p.m.

June 8 at Deer Park High School Gymnasium, 800 S. Weber Road, Deer Park.

Principal: Molly Murphy

DEER PARK HOME LINK Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

COURTESY DEER PARK HOME LINK

Miguel Robles is set to graduate from Deer Park Home Link.

was difficult to solve, but after you figure it out you feel like you accomplished something.”

He hopes to use those computer skills somewhere in the health care industry. He said he’s interested in helping people stay healthy. “I don’t know exactly what my plan is,” he said.

Principal Molly Murphy said Robles is a humble

and conscientious student.

“He works so darn hard,” she said. “He’s just a gentleman, such a kind, good, quiet kid.”

Murphy said she’s sure Robles will excel at whatever he chooses to do. “He has a natural ability to rise to the top,” she said. “He’s got really good drive.”

Robles said he’s not sure why he was selected by his

principal as a standout student. “They like me for some reason,” he said.

“They think I’m smart.”

Robles, however, isn’t so sure and thinks he has a lot to learn. “Some people, they know a lot of stuff,” he said. “I probably know about half of what a smart person knows.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

nculver47@gmail.com

Keith Araya Heidi Cade Joseph Chantry Spencer Clouse Lindsey Connelly Abigail Crahen Will Dixon MaryKate Durka Bekah Gilcrist Allison Knudtson Delia Lennartz Libby Lyons Hope MacDonald Nathaniel McCall Lizabelle McGuire Uriah Meeks Hannah Olson Miguel Robles Emily Sprague Jacob St. Amand Jordan Stoop Alyssa VanderMey

NORTH VOICE

MAY 31, 2018

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ST. MICHAEL’S ACADEMY

‘GO-TO GUY’ DEPENDABLE AT ST. MICHAEL’S

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Patrick Drahman, pictured April 25, has helped with sound and lights in the school’s theater at St. Michael’s Academy.

Hard worker stays close to ill sister, who inspires him

By Morgan Scheerer FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Patrick Drahman does it all.

And he manages to do it with a smile on his face.

Drahman is among 130 students at St. Michael’s Academy, which is a school housed in a large, secluded red-brick building atop a hill.

He’s a member of a graduating class of six.

Drahman has given the past 13 years to creating community and serving his school in whatever way he can.

“He’s everyone’s go-to guy,” said Sister Michael Marie, who has taught Drahman since eighth grade. “Whenever anyone needs anything, they know they can count on him.”

St. Michael’s requires 30 hours of community service a year in order to be eligible for graduation. Drahman has given 266 hours during his senior year alone. In his high school career, his reported volunteer hours total 864. All while

maintaining a solid GPA. “I just really like the kind of volunteering I do, so I don’t go for the bare minimum,” he said.

Drahman began by running the lights and sound for the drama program in seventh grade, and has since grown to running them for any event on campus, such as graduations or talent shows.

“What sets Pat apart is his personality. He is friendly and helpful and he always goes the extra distance,” Sister Michael Marie said.

For Drahman, immersing himself in St. Michael’s is a family tradition. Both of his older siblings graduated from the school and volunteered at it.

Drahman’s father has worked on the grounds for the past 25 years, and Drahman follows in his footsteps. During the past five summers he has worked at St. Michael’s assisting the maintenance staff.

When Drahman is not busy with school, he is spending time with his family.

ST. MICHAEL’S ACADEMY

A little more than seven years ago, his older sister became sick with Lyme disease, which has kept her bedridden. Drahman has since taken it upon himself to be the light in her life.

If he could have any superpower, he said, it would be to make her healthy again.

But his personality alone is already making a change.

“I just crack jokes and make her laugh, and I didn’t realize I was doing anything to make a difference, really, until she told some nuns about it and they told me, so then I decided to keep it up,” he said.

Because her sleeping hours are not always regular, Drahman will stay up through the night with her, talking or doing homework. He goes to her for homework questions.

To Drahman, what he does is nothing special; he’s just hanging out with his big sister.

This speaks to his humble and generous nature, according to Sister Michael Marie.

Despite the severity of his

Class of 2018

Graduation The St. Michael’s Academy commencement will be at 12:30 p.m. June 2 at Mount St. Michael, 8500 N. St. Michael’s Road.

Principal: Sister Michael Marie Valedictorian: Mary Julia Sitzenstock

Expected to graduate are: Sebastian Bruggeman Patrick Drahman Magdalena Knoll Gabrielle LeStage Mary Julia Sitzenstock Peyton Welp

Sitzenstock

sister’s condition, he has chosen to remain optimistic.

“She’s always positive, and to see that is so inspiring to me, so I take that from her and try to be more positive,” Drahman said. “I wish she wasn’t sick, but there’s still good that comes out of it.”

After graduation, Drahman is not sure what he is going to do.

He’ll work on the grounds again, and mentioned multiple projects he hopes to accomplish, like organizing a

closet for the drama department at the school he will have since graduated from.

In the long term, he hopes to work in the film or photography industries.

For now, though, he is content being the go-to guy at St. Michael’s, and letting his light shine in whatever way possible.

Morgan Scheerer is a student at Gonzaga University.

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MAY 31, 2018

THE OAKS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY / VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Taking her theater talent to Whitworth

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Maggie Ruffcorn is expected to graduate from The Oaks Classical and Christian Academy.

Ruffcorn has ‘voice with some force,’ plays mandolin in bluegrass band

THE OAKS CLASSICAL AND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

the stage for 14 more plays, including “Little Women” and “The Sound of Music.”

However, three roles stand out “iCloud Drive is my favorite as personal favorites: Mrs. Potts thing,” said Maggie Ruffcorn, a senior at The Oaks Classical and in “Beauty and the Beast,” Anne of Green Gables in the play of Christian Academy who will attend Whitworth University in the same name, and Susan Pevensie in “The Chronicles of the fall.

Narnia.”

As music from John Legend “I’ve always loved those rang through the speakers at a local Starbucks, Ruffcorn sifted books,” she said. “So it’s always really fun for me to be able to through the digital folders on embody a character that I’ve her phone, searching for the read about growing up.” essay prompt from this year’s Teri Woodroof, theater Common Application. The director at The Oaks, also found prompt asked for students to write their personal statements joy in Ruffcorn’s portrayal of about something “so meaningful Mrs. Potts, explaining that the character possessed traits that their application would be mirror Ruffcorn’s compassion incomplete without it.” For and “ability to love and embrace Ruffcorn, that’s theater.

She was introduced to theater people without judgment.”

When Ruffcorn was in at 8 years old when she played the role of munchkin coroner in seventh grade, she visited The Oaks as a prospective student “The Wizard of Oz.” and attended the theater “A really nice gal from the community theater would come department’s rendition of “Fiddler on the Roof” with her every other year and do ‘The grandmother.

Wizard of Oz’ at our school,” “I was expecting to see a play Ruffcorn said. “So I got to be in that was similar to many shows it three times between second I’d seen at other theater venues,” grade, fourth grade and sixth she said. “I was just astonished grade.”

Since then, Ruffcorn has taken by the quality of The Oaks’

By Jackson Frank

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Graduation The Valley Christian School commencement will be at 1 p.m.

June 2 at Dishman Baptist Church, 315 N. Argonne Road, Spokane Valley.

Principal: Derick Tabish Valedictorian:

Benjamin Riehle

VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Riehle Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Veranica Alexeyenko Jacob Allen Jingchunyang Chen David Karapetr Kyung Hyun Min Laetitia Razanadrakoto Benjamin Riehle Courtney Strunk

Justin Cai Tucker Christensen Kayla Clancy Courtney Collins Benjamin Damiano William Grassel Gabriella Jenkins William Keyes Sarah Kim Claire Love Brooke Modderman Luke Moore Hannah Quantrille Maggie Ruffcorn

Schlect Sara Sattler Rachael Schlect Jordan Severn David Swisher Lillian Tate Andrew Walker

performance of ‘Fiddler.’ It was, hands down, the best musical production I’d ever seen.”

The next year, after transferring schools, Ruffcorn arrived at The Oaks as a newly minted eighth-grader. Two weeks into the year, auditions for “Tom Sawyer” were posted on the drama department’s bulletin board. Acclimating to life at a new school, Ruffcorn was unsure if throwing her name into the ring for a role was the best decision. Once she learned that a few of her new friends would be auditioning, her love for theater superseded any first-year nerves and she landed the role of Mrs. Harper, the town gossip.

“She has a voice with some force and some beauty,” Woodroof said in a phone interview. “Vocally, she’s added a huge amount to our choir, to our production. … And then, the fact that she is the shiny, glowy (person) that she is, on stage, that just magnifies out to the audience.”

The soon-to-be Whitworth Pirate doesn’t confine her musical talents to the halls of The Oaks. During the summer, her mother, cognizant of Ruffcorn’s affinity for stringed instruments, stumbled upon a mandolin at a garage sale and brought it home for her. In January, she joined a bluegrass band titled Kevin Pace and the

The Oaks Classical and Christian Academy commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 8 at Valley Fourth Memorial Church Sanctuary, 2303 S. Bowdish Road in Spokane Valley.

Principal: Charlie Dowers Valedictorian: Rachael Schlect

Early Editions.

On May 26, Ruffcorn was scheduled to star as a homeless person, a Boylan sister and a house servant in “Annie” for her final musical at The Oaks.

Woodroof doesn’t want to envision The Oaks theater department without her, but one thing’s for sure: The waterworks will be flowing.

“Well, thankfully, Maggie has a little sister named Abby,” Woodroof joked. “You can’t replace Maggie. … When we’re honoring all of our seniors, I’ll be up there bawling like a baby.”

Jackson Frank is a student at Gonzaga University.

Allen’s ‘the one that’s willing to jump in and help’ Valley Christian student strives to do best for those around him

By Greg Lee FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jacob Allen isn’t a valedictorian.

For whatever reason, he wasn’t wired that way. He has had struggles learning. But one thing that others treasure about the Valley Christian School senior is his servant’s heart.

“For him, he’s that kid you don’t notice, but he’s that kid where things get done or he’s the one that’s willing to jump in and help and do the unappreciated things,” said his father, Steve Allen.

Jacob Allen was in public school through eighth grade. But he moved to Valley Christian for high school for two reasons: “The smaller class sizes and the community,” Jacob said. “I didn’t feel like I was connected in public school. I wanted a better environment.”

Allen will graduate with a 2.75 grade-point average. But he’s particularly proud of the 3.27 GPA he earned last semester.

“I really have to work hard at school, always have to make sure I do my homework and get extra help,” he said.

His diligence isn’t lost on student counselor Wendy Staudenraus.

“He continuously strives to do his personal best in everything,” Staudenraus said. “He has

COURTESY OF VALLEY CHRISTIAN

Jacob Allen is expected to graduate from Valley Christian School.

character traits that set him apart from many of his peers. He is kind, caring, loyal, honorable, trustworthy, reliable, punctual, persistent, positive and generous to name a few.”

Steve Allen, who has taught at

Rogers, Mt. Spokane and Central Valley high schools, knows how hard his son has worked the past four years. He resigned at CV last year to become missions pastor at Valley Real Life Ministries.

“Jake has a dad that’s an English

teacher and a pastor. Speaking and writing come easy to me, but it is difficult for him,” he said.

In recent months, Jacob Allen has talked about becoming a middle school math teacher. Math is the subject he loves most.

Allen hopes to attend Eastern Washington University.

He has seen service modeled throughout his life by his parents.

Three of his four siblings were adopted from China.

Allen has accompanied his father on mission trips to China and Costa Rica. “(Being a math teacher) is the most recent thing he’s talked about,” Steve Allen said. “I could see him as a special education teacher. He’s really good with special-needs kids. Whatever he does he’s going to be a great employee. He’s steadfast, and it’s just trying to find a place for him.”

Jacob Allen landed a job early last summer working at a retirement home. He has been a food server and dishwasher.

“The residents are awesome,” he said. “They’re always teasing me and making jokes. I like them a lot.”

His father sees his son’s job as akin to ministry.

“Ministry is deep in my heart,” Steve Allen said. “He has a gentle spirit. He listens to them (the seniors). He loves to hear their stories and about their memories.

Hopefully, if one gene got passed to my son, it’s that one – a servant’s heart.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

greglee050@gmail.com

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MAY 31, 2018

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CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY / LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL

Coding is in his blood – and his name Elisha Coad co-owns graphic, web design business with big brother

Graduation The Classical Christian Academy commencement will be at 6 p.m. June 7 at Classical Christian Academy in the North Country Chapel Sanctuary, 2289 W Seltice Way, Post Falls.

Principal: Daniel Hopper Valedictorian: Elisha Coad

By Tyler Wilson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Sometimes a name just fits.

Elisha Coad knows how to code with the best of them.

A senior at Classical Christian Academy in Post Falls, Coad already boasts a résumé with more technology and leadership experience than many twice his age. He co-owns a business with his older brother, called CodeBros, which specializes in professional graphic and web design, as well as 3-D modeling and animation.

That’s just scratching the surface of a skill set that is largely self-taught. It all started around seventh grade, when Coad became interested in some of the more complicated programming aspects of the video game “Minecraft.”

“There is another part of the game that can get pretty in-depth ... it teaches the basics of circuitry and logic, and I started looking up how to make modifications and to develop my own mods,” Coad said. “I had a brain for it, I suppose.”

It certainly runs in the family. Coad’s father is an inventor who holds several patents, he has another brother who is a computer engineer.

Another brother, Josiah, is his business partner in CodeBros and is also studying computer science at Texas A&M. “He is in a constant state of learning,” said Coad’s mother, Carolin Coad. “He is very motivated and he had just decided he was going to teach himself programming.”

Classical Christian Academy has been an excellent fit for Coad, though the small school was limited in activities related to programming. But he started his own Community Programming Club and reached out to other local tech

CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Alan Ballew Hudson Brandt Elisha Coad Zackary Edwards Elizabeth Heisey John Henke Gabriel Hill Chase Huscroft

Carolin Coad emphasized her son’s creativity, crediting Classical Christian for fostering a tight-knit community for its students.

She also feels blessed to have children who were energized to pursue their interests at an early age, and to get a jump on potential careers.

“Education is not so much a filling of the bucket but a COURTESY OF CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY lighting of a fire,” she said. “If Elisha Coad will graduate valedictorian from Classical Christian Academy in Post Falls. Coad is pictured a child loves education, then they won’t want to stop in Beit She’an, Israel, in April. learning, and that’s very much how Eli is.” treasurer and a class hasn’t really stopped, and he leaders in the community, Next fall, Elisha Coad will ambassador at Classical organizing “hackathon” events spends as much time helping join his fellow CodeBro at others learn as he does on his Christian while maintaining a to help others learn about Texas A&M, and with that 4.0 GPA. own projects. He has been a programming. continued education, it may All this, plus he does regular instructor for people of “The hackathons are times not be long before people see CodeBros contracting work all ages at the Gizmo for people to come together Makerspace in Coeur d’Alene; and serves as a chief developer the Coad name on the next and program for projects,” big startup. The future is a for reVsearch, a potentially has led teams on robotics Coad said. “Programming, I spectacular road of potential. game-changing program that challenges and mentored feel, is such a necessary skill “Programming teaches you can streamline screening younger students at robotics to the younger generation. how to learn in a different camps; serves on the executive processes for medical That’s the language of way, kind of like learning a computers, and basically if you board of TEDx Coeur d’Alene; documents. The concept won new language,” Coad said. the 2017 Oxford Hackathon interned for the Kootenai know how it works, it’s going Empowering Knowledge prize Health informational to help you a lot in life.” from one of Europe’s largest technology security Ever since he learned the CONTACT THE WRITER: department, and has served as entrepreneurship societies. programming game, Coad tyler@wilsonmediaconsulting.com

He’s at ‘high point,’ won’t dwell on past Likes his jobs; eyes National Guard

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Daniel Knudson, a senior at Liberty High School, is a success story that’s still being written.

He has lived variously with his birth family, in foster care, with adoptive parents, and finally with court-appointed guardians. He started high school at Mt. Spokane, left there because of bullying issues, attended Five Mile Prairie School for his sophomore year, then missed more than six weeks of school during his junior year because of health issues before finally landing at Mica Peak High School and then at Liberty for his final three semesters.

Knudson is currently living with Wayne and Terri O’Guinn, or as he calls them, “Mema and Papa,” appointed by Spokane County Juvenile Court as a result of his CHINS (Child in Need of Services) petition, which will expire upon his 18th birthday in July.

And with all that, quite remarkably, Knudson is the poster child for finding his glass half full. He’s working three jobs, including one he’s held for almost two years at Merrill Gardens Retirement Community, and also does volunteer community service work in the mobile home park where he resides with the O’Guinns.

He doesn’t believe in looking back.

“I just want to be happy and feel that I’m doing something with my life,” Knudson said. “I have high expectations of myself, and I’ve never wanted people to feel sorry for me.

The high point of my life so far is right now. I get to do normal things like walk the dog, exercise, just be a kid for once. It’s kind of hard sometimes, finally being a kid and getting

COURTESY OF LIBERTY HIGH

Daniel Knudson is set to graduate from Liberty High School.

ready to become an adult at the same time, but I try to forget the past, because it can just hold me down.”

He doesn’t claim to have made all his recent progress by himself; in fact, quite the opposite.

He’s lost count of all the people who have supported him, most of them members of Cornerstone Pentecostal Church, including the O’Guinns. He’s very involved with Cornerstone, assisting the Ministry Team and the pastor.

He gives much of the credit to Robert Kilroy, a church member with whom he stayed for a while last year, but especially to the O’Guinns.

“I finally found a place to feel safe living with them,” Knudson said.

“They had to teach me a lot of stuff, just life skills like making a bed, cleaning my room, and personal hygiene habits. I’m a pretty easygoing guy, and I’m thankful to all the people who have helped me to keep moving forward.”

Knudson received high marks for his progress from the judge at his most recent CHINS hearing, according to Terrie O’Quinn, who notes that even after Knudson’s 18th birthday, he’ll have an extensive support network

LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL

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Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Isaac Branon Marybelle Buck Matthew Burley Katelyn Dillon Breydon Doubet Alec Fletcher James Heer Brandon Holling Justin Jeske Beau John Glen Johnson Daniel Knudson Jawuan Nave Caroline Nelson Mary Pierre Taz Porter Austin Rambo Thomas Redder Harley Rhoads Kadia Rinehart Tyson Schenk Jada Schulken Heaven Schultz Kyleigh Shaw Sydnee Siron Lindsay Stern Michaela Tee Brandi Thieren Brett Watson Antaun Welch Brianna Wheeler

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Graduation The Liberty High School commencement will be at 1 p.m. June 2 at Liberty High School Gymnasium, 6404 E. Spangle Waverly Road in Spangle.

Principal: Aaron Fletcher Valedictorians:

Katelyn Dillon, Austin Rambo and Thomas Redder

in place.

His next step will either be enlisting in the National Guard or seeking an apprenticeship in the welding or HVAC fields.

One of Knudson’s three jobs is working with Liberty’s custodian, Mike Shrode, on HVAC projects, and he saved enough money to purchase his first car recently. He’s already made plans for living arrangements after his birthday.

“I’m ready,” he said – and he’s intent on putting all his past adversity in the rearview mirror.

CONTACT THE WRITER:

joseph.everson@yahoo.com

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MAY 31, 2018

GENESIS PREP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY / COEUR D’ALENE CHARTER ACADEMY “In high school in Spain, we had 30 to 60 kids per class. At this school I feel more like a family. We all have relationships with each other. It’s more close-knit.”

Jorge Soto Genesis Prep Christian Academy senior

Violin, debate and leadership Zaragoza, drawn to rigor, heading to USC for international relations

By Stefanie Pettit FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

COURTSEY OF GENESIS PREP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Jorge Soto is expected to graduate from Genesis Prep Christian Academy.

Spain’s Soto finds second home at Genesis Prep

All along Marie Zaragoza planned to be a doctor – until she sat down to write her college admissions essays.

“I just couldn’t write with passion about being a doctor,” said Zaragoza, valedictorian of this year’s senior class at Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy. “I listen a lot to National Public Radio, and it’s the stories I hear about world events that do stir my passions.”

And so, when she heads off to college this fall she plans to study international relations. Studious and thoughtful about such things, she said there are probably two possible paths for her – something in diplomacy, perhaps with the State Department, or a research-based analytical job.

Zaragoza has clear ideas about what interests her and is eager to pursue them. She transferred to Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy in sixth grade because the rigor of the school appealed to her and she was drawn to not just the learning opportunities but “the fact that they teach us here how to learn, helping us develop skills to apply to any area of learning.”

The daughter of Rho Zaragoza, an acupuncturist, and Jill Zaragoza, a registered nurse, she began studying violin at age 5 and plays in the school orchestra. Also involved in a variety of school activities, including drama and debate, she particularly enjoys being president of the Associated Student Body.

“I got involved with student government in elementary school, where we dealt with issues such as how ketchup should be dispensed,” Zaragoza said. “I like to know and call every student here by name, which I know you can do without being involved with the ASB, but when I ask for their opinions about things they’d like to see at school, I can help make that real.”

Among the things she has been involved with on that score are community-building activities such as movie nights, a talent show, a free skate night and a service project in which students have become pen pals with residents of assisted-living facilities in the area.

She has excelled in debate. She and a partner took first place in 2016 in the Idaho High School Activities Association statewide speech tournament in the dual interpretation category. She and her partner qualified to go to nationals in speech and debate this spring.

Outside of school she enjoys skiing with her family and is a volunteer with a private nonprofit providing recreational opportunities for children with special needs.

She is excited to head off to the University of Southern California this fall, where the focus on academics and research opportunities is particularly appealing to her.

Acknowledging she hasn’t traveled much, she is eager to experience a new mix of people, experiences and perhaps different ways of thinking she might encounter there.

“Besides,” she said, “when I visited campus, I was probably the whitest person in our group – and I’m 50 percent Asian! I think this access to different groups and different cultures will be great.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

upwindsailor@comcast.net

Marie Zaragoza is set to graduate valedictorian with Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy’s senior class of 2018.

International program helped senior transition, succeed

By Tyler Wilson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Most foreign exchange student programs last one school year. Jorge Soto, who hails from Spain, loved his experience in North Idaho so much, he worked to extend it.

“It was a process to make it happen,” Soto said. “I just had a bunch of good times here. My English was good but I wanted to improve it even more.”

His parents always told him learning English was important for career opportunities anywhere in the world.

“In Spain you have to take some English right away, like in kindergarten, so you know a little,” Soto said. “But in the beginning (in the U.S.) it was hard … they speak it differently, and it’s a lot faster. You’re just not used to it.”

Rather than target a specific state to visit, Soto’s exchange program worked to set him up with a family and school situation that best matched his interests. His host family in Idaho included Luke, who is the same age as Soto, and the family had shared hobbies.

“I would go skiing all the time in Spain, so I thought if I could ski here that would be great. And the family I found ski mostly every weekend,” Soto said.

One benefit he didn’t expect – living in a slightly more rural environment.

“At home I was living in more like a city area, like Spokane, but the neighborhoods are different here,” Soto said. “The houses look very cool, and I like to watch the kids playing basketball outside in their driveways.”

The school, Genesis Prep Christian Academy in Post Falls, also turned out to be the right fit, especially with its much-smaller class sizes.

Graduation The Genesis Prep Academy commencement will be at 5 p.m. June 4 at Real Life Ministries Building 2, 1866 N. Cecil Road in Post Falls.

Principal: Chris Finch Valedictorians: Richelle Manson and Jacob Schroeder

GENESIS PREP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Lance Birch Nicholas Carlino Peyton Clark Dmytry Dudnik Luke Gonzales Christa Gaju iManzi Oleksander Kruhlyakov Richelle Manson Jorge Soto Smith Mwinuka Alexis Newman Ian Paris Maxwell Reidt

COURTESY OF COEUR D’ALENE CHARTER ACADEMY

Manson

Schroeder

Jacob Schroeder Jake Shelton Laura Vidovich Cameron Williams Jr. Victor Wismer

COEUR D’ALENE CHARTER ACADEMY Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are:

The school has an international program focused on easing student transition and helping students understand American culture within a Christian context.

“In high school in Spain, we had 30 to 60 kids per class,” Soto said. “At this school I feel more like a family. We all have relationships with each other.

It’s more close-knit.”

Soto said the structure of the school day at Genesis Prep meshed better with how he likes to learn.

“We study a lot there; we will have 12 subjects a year, and here you have five or six,” Soto said. “I feel like you study them less here, but you learn more. When I go to class here I actually learn something.”

Soto’s love of video and digital arts has blossomed at Genesis Prep. He’s enjoyed graphic design classes and video production, even volunteering his skills to help

the school by making videos and designing flyers for fundraisers.

Those production skills have also improved the ski videos he likes to make on the weekends. He hopes to pursue some form of digital media at a to-be-determined college back in Spain, but returning home this summer will be bittersweet.

“I feel like I’ve made really good relationships,” he said.

“I’ve made good relationships with the teachers … in classes I’m not one of the troublemakers, and I’m always trying to help them.”

His host family, however, won’t be without a Soto for long.

“I have a little sister who is actually coming here next year,” Soto said. “I already know the family, and they wanted her to come, so it makes it easier for her.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

tyler@wilsonmediaconsulting.com

Guineveve Ade Madison Aittama Riley Auten Alexandria Benson Caden Benzinger Louisa Bresee Hunter Brockman Savannah Call Isaac Carey Andrew Challinor Camryn Clark Matthew Cloney Eben Cluff Ian Cluff Michael Colgrove Jack Croom Samantha Cundieff Hannah Daniels Tia Daniels Brittany Davis Josiah Deak Devin Dearth Luigi Dippolito Kevin Eaton Mercedes Gunseor Finnegan Hall Matthew Harris Julian Hurtado Ella Joshi Nicholas Judd Madeleine Klein Mia Maldonado Clark Marchese Madison Masters Henry Matous Nicholas McGovern Tess McPhilomy Renae Meyer Marie Michalson Sydney Morrison

Graduation The Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy commencement will be at 6:30 p.m. June 1 at Lake City Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene.

Principal: Dan Nicklay Valedictorians: Marie Zaragoza

Seraphine Neely Chass Nelson Andrew O’Kins Rebecca Oliver Alex Paul Nicholas Pedersen Brian Penney Kayliani Powlison Brantson Reneau Theodore Reynolds Vince Russo Ana Segsworth Cassidee Smidt McKenna Sundahl Thomas Taylor Danica Towan Robyn Vest Tristan Whiting Katelyn Yost Rafael Zamora Marie Zaragoza Maya Zollman

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LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL / NORTH IDAHO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Graduation The Lakeside High School (Plummer-Worley) commencement will be at 2 p.m. June 2 at Miller Court, 1255 E. St., in Plummer.

Principal: Jennifer Hall Valedictorian: Caleb Mitchell

LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL (PLUMMER-WORLEY) Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Mayana Adrian Anthony Allen Summer Beebe Sativa Bohlman Sarah Brown Logan Choisser Robert Cortez Alexis Estes Aspen Janson Taylor Lambert Caleb Mitchell

Mitchell Honor Olson Bryar Sanchez Victoria Speakman

COURTESY OF NORTH IDAHO CHRISTIAN

Raina Canale is expected to graduate from North Idaho Christian School.

Ready for business, life of fashion Heart issues no problem for future online boutique owner

By Stefanie Pettit FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

COURTESY PHOTO

Summer Beebe is a notable graduate from Lakeside High.

The force awaits Lakeside grad Senior says women are key to future of law enforcement

By Tyler Wilson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Summer Beebe believes women are key to the future of law enforcement. She wrote her senior paper on the need for more female police officers, and she sees herself on the front line.

“I’ve known for a while that I wanted to be a police officer,” Beebe said. “I just think it’s important, because for a lot of people they think of a male officer who is big and tough, and a lot of people are scared of cops. Female cops tend to be more caring, and it’s important to have officers that are not there to make a situation worse.”

For her senior project at Lakeside High School in the Plummer-Worley School District, Beebe found the statistics to back her claims, but she also spent time interviewing officers, going on ride-alongs and learning more about the job.

“They have to do a lot of paperwork,” she said.

Beebe graduates in June as a co-salutatorian at Lakeside. She will be the first in her family to attend college, as she plans to study criminal justice at North Idaho College before eventually moving on to the police academy. While she shadowed the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police Department, she wants to work somewhere bigger, preferably in Coeur d’Alene.

Her father, James, said Summer always had the intention to pursue academics. It was important to her to attend college, even though it wasn’t necessary to find a job on a police force.

“She’s been self-motivated at school – she wants to do good for herself,” James Beebe

said. “She’s always worried about making us happy. If she gets a B, she’s really nervous about it, but it doesn’t really bother me because I know she’ll do better on the next one.”

The choice to become a police officer, however, initially didn’t sit well with her parents.

“I wasn’t real big on that, but she’s got her mind pretty well set,” her father said.

With time, he warmed to the idea, especially given Summer’s desire to buck some of the negative attitudes surrounding law enforcement.

“She wants to be able to help people and not just cuffing them and stuffing them in jail,” he said. “She wants to avoid the violence. She’s not looking for a fight.”

Summer participates in National Honor Society, working with her classmates recently to hold a blood drive at school, and doing cleanup along the highway in Plummer.

For her senior project, she developed a young cadet program designed to give students interested in law enforcement a taste of the day-to-day lifestyle.

In her research, Beebe learned about some of the challenges female officers face.

“There are some female officers who are scared to go on the force because there can be some male officers who try to harass them and scare them off,” she said.

To her credit, Beebe doesn’t seem fazed by any potential pushback, and she met with a local female officer who further eased her concerns.

“She was a lot smaller than me but she was actually really strong, and she showed me some of her defense moves,” Beebe said.

Ever since she was a child, Raina Canale has always wanted to own and run a business. And as someone who has also always loved home crafts and clothing, it just seemed a natural thing for her to plan for operating a clothing business.

And because she enjoys being at home with her family, she said that when she graduates this spring from North Idaho Christian School in Hayden, Idaho, she plans to open an online boutique specializing in good quality clothing for women in their teens to early 30s.

Canale, 18, the daughter of Marc Canale, who owns a dental lab, and Darlene Canale, a homemaker, was born in Hayden and has lived there her whole life. She’s attended North Idaho Christian School since preschool and worships at the church there with her family. Older sisters Cari Allred and Madison Canale live in North Idaho as well.

Canale participated in volleyball for a while in junior high and was on the yearbook team last year, but she mostly enjoys working on embroidery and knitting with her mother. She’s sewn dresses for her American Girl doll. And she’s been researching her business.

“I do love clothing and want to be the person who chooses the items,” she said. “I really like neutral tones, some pinks and floral patterns, but always classic garments.” She has been following people online whose fashion style is like her own, as well as researching wholesalers and how to establish an online business, using social media and all the aspects of online business.

She knows that good photos of

“I do love clothing and want to be the person who chooses the items. I really like neutral tones, some pinks and floral patterns, but always classic garments.”

Raina Canale North Idaho Christian School senior, aspiring online boutique owner

merchandise are important, which is where her sister, Cari, comes in; she’s a photographer working in Coeur d’Alene.

Local businesswoman Toby Keogh has been a mentor, and Canale participated in a Farm Chicks event with her in Spokane and was able to sell some of her own crafts there herself.

And she was able to job shadow a business owner during spring break this year in Florence, Oregon, while visiting her grandparents.

Canale has an aortic valve heart issue which, as she puts it, “limits my athleticism,” a condition which is not limiting her goals in life. She has had four surgeries already and has another upcoming – “hopefully, it will be my last one.”

So as she is looking forward to graduation and establishing her business, she maintains a positive outlook and trusts in God above everything else, which she believes has seen her through the good times and the bad.

She said: “The advice that my dad has always told me and my sisters is to stay out of debt and trust that God will provide.”

CONTACT THE WRITER:

upwindsailor@comcast.net

NORTH IDAHO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Graduation Class of 2018

The North Idaho Christian School commencement will be at 1 p.m. June 7 at North Idaho Christian School, 251 W. Miles Ave., in Hayden.

Principal: Calvin Booth Valedictorians: Joshua Butcher

Expected to graduate are: Pieter Beukelman Andrew Buffin Joshua Butcher Raina Canale Matty Frazier Darian Kelly

Butcher

Start planning today!

Funeral | Cremation Cemetery | Family Estates

Speak with an advisor (509) 228-8526 | cfcsspokane.org

A MINISTRY OF THE DIOCESE OF SPOKANE

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WEST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL “You can always tell he’s busy, especially in the last couple of years with different things. (But) when he’s there he’s giving it his all, he absolutely loves it and is always trying to encourage his teammates.”

Lenny Peterson West Valley High School soccer coach

LIBBY KAMROWSKI/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Tajadin Mohammed was born in Sudan and brought to the United States by the United Nations five years ago with his family. He is the striker on West Valley High School’s varsity soccer team and is currently in Running Start.

He has a passion for politics Senior hopes his legacy at WV would be his peer-to-peer mentorship program

By Katie Kales FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

West Valley High School graduate, Tajadin “TJ” Mohammed, has spent very little time standing still. With a passion for advocacy and involvement, Mohammed has found his calling in student government at Spokane Community College.

Prior to finding his niche at SCC, Mohammed spent a greater part of his childhood as a refugee in Kenya, fleeing from his war-torn home of Sudan. In July 2010, Mohammed and his family immigrated to America and found their home in Spokane.

Mohammed attended Ferris High School before attending West Valley High School in his sophomore year, and then entered the Running Start program through SCC. “He’s second to none in his work ethic, he works harder than just about any kid I have,” said West Valley’s

soccer coach Lenny Peterson “(He) never gives up (and is) always very, very respectful.”

This work ethic is evident in the level of school activities Mohammed has been able to maintain.

“I just wanted to get involved on campus, and student government was the right thing to do,” Mohammed said.

At SCC, Mohammed serves as the director of Legislative Affairs on SCC’s student body government and is a member of the Washington Community and Technical College Student Association. He appears on the student conduct board and serves as an associate justice in the student judicial branch of student government. His involvement has led him to be chosen to speak at SCC graduation.

He has won the Spirit of the Community Award for his dedicated service to Mission Outreach, a program that helped him and his family

when he first came to Spokane. Last summer, he logged over 200 hours of service for this organization.

“Ever since I came here I started volunteering with them, because that’s the organization that has helped my family when we first settled here,” he said. “They helped (us) with a lot of donations, cause we had nothing when we came here, so I wanted to help out as they helped me.”

He was recognized with the President’s Civic Leadership Award and was a finalist for the Governor’s Students Serving Washington Award.

“It shows in his work ethic, he goes hard all the time, and you don’t always get that,” Peterson said.

Mohammed advocates for SCC students through a committee that he started and directed to challenge the food quality at SCC. He also advocates for higher education for undocumented students through WACTCSA. Through all of this, what he describes as his legacy is a peer-to-peer mentorship program that he created in

order to improve student success.

On top of all committees and boards he serves on, Mohammed also helped create a chapter of College Republicans at SCC and serves as the vice president.

Although Mohammed describes himself as moderately independent when it comes to politics, he helped create the chapter of College Republicans in order to create a “community of dialogue.”

His passion for politics and advocacy is rooted in his goals to someday – maybe – go into politics himself.

“If you look at the national level (of government), they don’t make a lot of difference, all the work happens in the state level and that’s what I want to do,” he said.

One of the many issues that Mohammed is passionate about is higher education. He says there has been funding cut to higher education programs in the state which poses a significant issue for schools like SCC and technical colleges.

Despite Mohammed’s constant running from one

WEST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Jagger Aerni-Grineau Emma Aley Helen Aley Dylan Almeida Toby Andres Caleb Atkins Dominic Atkinson Kiersten Baca Aidan Bell Audreya Bell Madison Beniquez Trey Bennett Cierra Black Charisse Bouma Scott Bray Reza Broten Jaylynn Buehler Haley Burghart Bryson Burns Rachel Butler Brett Cantrell Sydnie Carson Kannon Carver Madalyn Cavanaugh Mahala Christensen Rodney Clemons Jr. Kali Cox Nick Crane Meadow Creveling Ashley Crowder Eryn Cummins Kaytlin Danielson Johnathan Danker Braden Davis Jabriel Davis

Graduation The West Valley High School commencement will be at 4 p.m. June 10 at Spokane Convention Center, Ballroom 100ABC, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: John Custer Valedictorians:

Audreya Bell, Mahala Christensen, Danielle Matson and Michael Quindlen Colton Davis Shafer Jessen Day Mary Deline Riley Dymond Riley Ellis Josie Engeland Cassandra Esvelt Paeton Ferguson Tara Fetters

Bell

Christensen Matson

Jaymee Finke Caleb Fishburne Kellie Fitzpatrick Jeremiah Garza Cameron Geiger Carlee Glisson Kai Gomez-Whitehead Noel Goodwin Daniel Gorbenko Christopher Graham Erika Gutierrez Ethan Hagelstein Karen Hagen Tiffany Harvey Cory Hatten Aaron Hatten-Evans Koby Hawson Sophia Henson Michelle Hildahl Evin Holloway Katie Holyk Olivia Honnold Chase Howat Jackson Hylton Medina Ibrahimovic Jaxson Imada Charlene Jackson Kiarah Johansen Chase Johnston Derrick Jones

Quindlen

Nicholas Jones Tanner Jones Tegla Jones Jake Jordan Kaylynn King Madison Kingman-Imus Emalie Koestner Shaunie Kopczynski Kamelia Kosa Kymberly Kratzer Alexa Lee Sean Levinson Marlena Lewis Sofiya Liashedko Emily Logan Malia Lucas-Horton Taylor Luck Hayleemae Martin Lizbeth Martinez Gonzalez Danielle Matson Dillon Matson Emma Mattfeld Ruthanne Maxwell Cameron May Marley McAllister Amaya McClain Abbigayle McConnell Jacob McCullough Richelle McKinley Sage McKinney

Doralicia Mendoza Kiaundra Miller Jackson Mitchell Julie Mitchell Tajadin Mohammed Kade Mohr Isela Morales Macy Morgan Joshua Moss Kaitlinn Mullin Pauline Nasset Haley Nava Julia Nguyen Vivien Nguyen Yen Chau Nguyen Brooklyn Nickerson Cassidy Norman William Norris Skyler Ogle Anystan Osborne Taryn Ouren Renee Palmer Connor Parker Jayden Payne Drake Pederson Saray Peralta Alejandro Pereyda Tynan Perry Tre Peterson Jacob Petty Michael Quindlen Joshua Quirk Devyn Randall Logan Reser Adrian Richter-Wilson Alma Ridic Zackary Roberts Alex Rodriguez Cole Rosaia Kaylee Rose Carlo Rosios

committee to another, he finds time to run farther.

As long as he can remember Mohammed has been playing soccer with his seven siblings.

He has always loved it and continues to play through the West Valley High School soccer program.

“You can always tell he’s busy, especially in the last couple of years with different things,” Peterson said. “(But) when he’s there he’s giving it his all, he absolutely loves it and is always trying to encourage his teammates.”

Before possibly entering the world of politics, he hopes to serve his country through ROTC and then go into the FBI. “It’s been my dream ever since I got here,” Mohammed said. “I just love it.”

Mohammed, who will attend Washington State University in the fall with his associate’s degree from SCC, plans to double major in political science and criminal justice while enrolled in military science courses.

Katie Kales is a Gonzaga University student.

Chyna Russell Colin Ryan Collin Sather James Scott Miranda Scott Aleesa Seifert William Sennott Kristine Shelley Trystan Sheppard Kelsie Sinclair Cody Skay Devin Smith Parker Smith Spencer Spittler Austin Standon Josiah Steele Logan Steinman Noah Stephens Jared Steptoe Willow Swim Blake Taylor Ciara Tennison Gabrielle Towne Blake Transue Jillian Transue Kaitlyn Tritt Ikaika Vargas Logan Verhage Pleh Wah Weston Warren Dakota Werle Chad Whalen Connor Whitney Grace Wilson Rachel Wilson Caitlin Wood Noah Youseph Andrew Zaat

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SPOKANE VALLEY / SPOKANE VALLEY TRANSITION / DISHMAN HILLS

‘Unfailingly kind’ graduate all about service Student’s school, volunteer projects leave impact on community

SPOKANE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Naoma Barnes Kimber-Lee Beattie Rebecca Brown Garrett Byrd Carissa Cady Tate Carey Vladimir Chebotarev Jordan Colkitt Kimberlee Collins Barnes Brett Dinneen Cierra Ervin Savannah Getz Dawson Gillingham Chase Gunderson Ciara Gunning Sophie Hylton Abbigayle Joy Hannah Kaesberg Evelina Kozak Vladislav Kunev Micayla Lang

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

If you find yourself believing the cliché that all teenagers are self-centered narcissists, prepare to have your world rocked as you get acquainted with Dawson Gillingham, a senior at Spokane Valley High School.

His postsecondary plans include an apprenticeship as an electrician, but what he’s really about is serving the community, something he has already engaged in during his four years at Spokane Valley.

“Next year,” he said, “I plan to do lots of volunteer work. I’ve done some already, but I want to expand on that. I want to be able to help, and to make an impact on the community.”

SVHS is a project-based school of choice located in the West Valley School District. Its mission statement says that Spokane Valley was “founded on relationships,” and that was the appeal for Gillingham after he completed eighth grade at Summit School, another project-based program.

“I knew many people who had been here,” he said, “and they all said they enjoyed the school and their teachers. I wanted more of a hands-on experience than I would get in a traditional school, so I knew that this would be the right place for me.”

Among Gillingham’s projects have been construction of a playhouse for the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery and tutoring kindergarten students.

In addition to his school-based service, he has volunteered extensively through his church.

“One of the things I like best about Spokane Valley,” he said, “is that our focus is on helping others for the purpose of making a difference, not to build a resume. I was able to get

COURTESY OF SPOKANE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Dawson Gillingham of Spokane Valley High School helped build a playhouse for the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery and tutors kindergarten students.

out into the community at 14 and 15 years old, talking with people and working to do that.

“I have a great desire to succeed, and lots of determination. But I think that’s what our whole senior class is all about. We all strive to be successful, but also to serve as good examples for younger students.”

He speaks highly of the staff at SVHS, where teachers integrate traditional work into real-world issues and focus on engaging with students, building relationships that will outlast a more conventional educational approach.

One of those teachers, Michelle Marsura, has had Gillingham in math for three years and also worked as his project adviser. She speaks glowingly of his attitude and his effort.

“Dawson is articulate, a great communicator who is able to engage with others in a mature and effective way,” Marsura said. “More than that, though, he is unfailingly kind,

and always respectful of his teachers and peers. I’ve never heard him say anything mean or negative in all the time I’ve known him.”

Offering one example of Gillingham’s commitment to learning, Marsura pointed out that when he had to drop her calculus class this year because of a scheduling conflict, he continued to work independently to master the curriculum, even though he’ll get no academic credit for it.

He said he’ll have fond memories of SVHS. “I think what I’m most proud of is how welcoming we are as a student body to new kids, whether they’re coming as freshmen or transferring from other schools,” he said.

“Morale is really high because everybody enjoys being here and helping each other out.”

And that’s a myth buster.

CONTACT THE WRITER:

joseph.everson@yahoo.com

SPOKANE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Artur Anishchenko Emily Brown Alexis Burks Kevin Burrill Brandon Carvey Lane Casey Hannah Chaney Ashley Clemons Mathew Coates Hope Colvin Michael Courchaine Ariez Daniels Kelsey Erving Karlee Friberg Jonathan Gump Isabel Harrison Abbigail Hartnett Krysta Hayward Sireena Hill Kaitlyn Houck Juliet Hughes Cletis Hydrick Patrick Kaesberg Justin Kautzman Khalia Kelp Kendahl Kendrick Levi King Ben Kononykhin Mariah Leander Madeline Liberg Emily Macomber Lacey Morrow

Graduation The Spokane Valley High School commencement will be at 6:45 p.m. June 7 at Spokane Community College’s Lair Student Center, 1810 N. Greene St. Principal: Larry Bush Valedictorian: Naoma Barnes Sofiya Liashedko Ashley Matthews Faith Nast Jared Parbs Davyd Rudenko Anthony Sandhofer Sebastien Sullivan

Graduation The Spokane Valley High School Transition commencement will be at 2 p.m. June 7 at Spokane Community College’s Lair Student Center, 1810 N. Greene St. Principal: Larry Bush Breanna Murray Killian Nolan Morrigan O’Shaughnessy Tristin Payne Brandon Price Gabriella Reed Jake Reinert Brittany Rogers Alysa Rosman Alexander Ross Alayna Simons Lynn Simpson Aschtyn Stark Kioymi Stevens Donnice Suiter Cassidy Sutton Austin Thosath Jasmyne Travis Quantavious Ware Gabriel Watson Malvina Zhuk Vitaliy Zubritskiy

Senior develops enterprising spirit at Dishman Hills ‘There’s always another way to achieve your goals,’ as Porter did Dishman Hills, but then I opened up and made new friends and started reaching out to my teachers. At University, I When teachers at Dishman Hills High School start talking didn’t want to be the kid who was always asking for help, but about senior Dakotah Porter, I should have been.” it’s hard to get them to stop.

He said his classes at First, Kathy George, Dishman Hills typically Dakotah’s English and art included 10 to 15 students, instructor, and his adviser: compared with twice that many “Dakotah overcomes any at University, and the difficulties with a positive difference in the size of the attitude. He is so personable, school has been a factor in his and he never complains or success. He completed all his whines. If something goes graduation requirements at the wrong, he just says he’ll work end of January and is now on it.

“To Dakotah, there’s no such working part time as a sales thing as a stranger. He’s one of associate at AutoZone in north Spokane. the most personable kids I’ve “Once I got going, I worked ever worked with. He always through everything as quickly tries his best, and he always as I could so that I could asks what he can do to help.” graduate sooner. I was kind of Said Cheri Osmuss, career shocked, actually. It was a great and technical education reward for my hard work,” instructor at Dishman Hills: Porter said.

“Dakotah was rather As his teachers noted, service overwhelmed in a larger comprehensive high school, but was a big part of Porter’s experience at Dishman Hills. when he came to Dishman, he Much of it has taken place quickly became a leader with since he graduated, because it our students. In only a few months here, he helped start a is important to him to give back to the school and the people student-run coffeehouse and who helped him. has worked with our cafeteria “I love being around the staff to box up leftovers to school,” he said. “It feels good deliver to students who may to be helping out and serving have missed breakfast and others, and I want to show my lunch. He has also helped set gratitude by returning the up our school clothing bank favor. It’s just a good thing for and food pantry.”

Porter came to Dishman Hills me to do.”

Porter has advice for after three years at University students who may find High School, where he found themselves in the position he himself a couple of credits was in a year ago. behind going into his senior “I would tell them that year. He’s almost certain that he wouldn’t have graduated on there’s always another way to achieve your goals, and if you time if he’d stayed there.

“At first, when I found out I need extra help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.” wasn’t going to be with my friends at University, I was COURTESY OF DISHMAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL bummed out,” he said. “I was CONTACT THE WRITER: joseph.everson@yahoo.com Dakotah Porter met his goals after transferring to Dishman Hills. He graduated earlier than most. shy for a while when I came to

By Joe Everson

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

DISHMAN HILLS

Graduation Class of 2018 Expected to graduate are: Robert Adams Sarah Ali Bryn Anderson James Bean Robert Beene Richard Black Steven Blackwood Selena Bradley Beau Braseth Michaela Braucht David Brengelman Cade Brotherton Vinson Bulock Zackary Christensen

The Dishman Hills High School commencement will be at 6:15 p.m. June 6 at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. Principal: Lauren House Valedictorian: Bryn Anderson

Kendra Clevenger Levi Cosper Simon Crawford Morgan Davis Zachary Davis Eric Davydenko Austin Decaro Blake Dehnel

Alexis De La O Lizeth De La O Matthew Dwinell Rain Evans Isaac Eveland Hope Fisette Carlos Flores Trevor Ford

Anderson Miguel Garcia Kayla Gardner Parrish Germany Shiann Gray Bo Green Kiana Harris Kaitlyn Henry Nathan Hooper Peyton Hurst-Thomas Breeanna Jennen

Garrick Kappen Drew Keblbek Makenzie Lohstroh Shayden Macri Hunter Martin Shailee Martin Hannah Mayer Ahmaud McGuffey Rashad McGuffey Dallas McPherson Mitchell Middlemas Delaney Moore Frank Morgan Kiara Morgan Penelope Murphy Sean Nesbitt Harrison Nicoll Janae Nunn Olivia Pedersen Renee Perez Daniel Peterson

Michelle Pewitt Madeline Pickerel Lilly Pierce Faith Pillow Dakotah Porter Harley Radan Taylor Reed Chase Reedy Natalle Schlangen Ian Shelton Jeremy Spencer Ocean Stratton Rylee Sutherlin Kalob Theurer-Bettencourt Sheyne Thompson Tyler Vasicek Arianna Waddell Brandon Whitmire Aleashiea Wilson Cassidy Wilson Nicole Yeager

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THURSDAY

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NORTH VOICE

MAY 31, 2018

Breakfast WITH

HUCK’S Here in our famous 9th St. Bistro, we have amazing, healthy & delicious breakfast options! From sweet to savory and from vegan to gluten free, we have all the best to start your busy day!

One week of specials. Effective dates 5/30 - 6/5/18. Valid at 926 S. Monroe location only.

GROCERY

PRODUCE

BISTRO

Siggi’s Yogurt

Earthbound Farm Organic Salad Mix

9th St. Breakfast

Selected Varieties 4-oz. to 5.3-oz.

4/$5 Organic Valley Milk Selected Varieties 64-oz.

$3.79

New!

$4.99 Ea.

$4.99

Organic Strawberries

CHEESE

16-oz.

Katz Gluten Free Donuts Selected Varieties 6-oz.

$3.49 Wilcox Cage Free Large White Eggs 12-ct.

$3.29 Cascadian Farm Organic Cereal Selected Varieties 9.2-oz. to 14.6-oz.

$3.99

BULK Santee’s Granola Selected Varieties

$3.49

Your choice of protein, Yukon potatoes, & 2 eggs

Selected Varieties 16-oz.

Lb.

SPOKANE WINE COMPANY Korbel Brut 750-ml.

$10.49

BEER Left Hand Brewing 12-oz.

Milk Stout Bottle

$1.49

$3.19 Ea.

Litehouse Blue or Gorgonzola

MEAT

$9.99 Lb.

Chicken Apple Sausage

Castello Havarti

Made in house!

Selected Varieties 8-oz.

$5.49 Lb.

$4.99 Ea.

Sunnyvalley Uncured Bacon

Reserve Aged

$13.99 Lb.

20-oz.

$6.99 Ea.

BAKERY Organic Pots de Créme French Rice Pudding

$4.79

Lemon Curd, Dark Chocolate or Vanilla

2/$6 Alpine Bakery Gluten Free Cake +W‫ ٺ‬MM +ISM

$3.29

Pumpkin Cake w/Cream Cheese Frosting

$3.29 Rocket Bakery Cinnamon Roll

$2.49

Mifroma Cave Aged Gruyere

$19.86 Lb.

NATURAL LIVING Evanhealy Skin Care Selected Varieties .5-oz. to 2-oz.

25% Off Mychelle Sun Care Selected Varieties 1.2-oz. to 2.3-oz.

25% Off Sukin Body Care Selected Varieties 100-ml. to 500-ml.

25% Off

Milk Stout Nitro Can

$1.69

New!

Founders Breakfast Stout 12-oz. Bottle

$1.89 UPCOMING EVENTS

Live Music in the Bistro • Saturday • 6/2 • 6-8pm

TODD MILNE

Live Music in the Bistro • Saturday • 6/9 • 6-8pm

BOB BAKER

Live Music in the Bistro • Saturday • 6/16 • 6-8pm

ANDY RUMSEY

IN STORE

FOR THE OF YOGURT! This week for breakfast stop in to Huck’s for grass-fed, organic yogurt made with fresh, local milk from our friends at Pure Eire Dairy.

This dairy farm located in Othello, WA is nothing short of amazing. From their animal welfare approved farming practices, to their sustainability, they’ve got it going on.

In throe !

Bist

Top this delectable delight with some organic fresh fruit from our yogurt bar and you’ve got breakfast locked and loaded.

926 S. MONROE • 624-1349 • OPEN 7AM-10PM DAILY • WWW.HUCKLEBERRYSNATURALMARKET.COM

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