Best Wishes to the
Class of 2021 2021 GRADUATION KEEPSAKE EDITION
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021
Del Norte High School
Note from the Principal When it was determined that school would resume via distance learning in the fall, I could hear the collective sigh of disappointment from you. We all had to learn the world of zoom and teachers’ digital platforms. We relied on spotty wifi and “chatted” our responses to the teachers in the chat box. Some probably attended zoom from your bed. And don’t forget the fires from September where the sky turned red and ash fell like
snowflakes. School was cancelled for a day, which was weird to have a “fire day”. Days passed, weeks passed, and in order to get some normal schooling and kids in the building, we changed the schedule midstream to 3 classes at a time. A brave new hybrid learning model. What a year. Dancers and musicians posted their performances online-socially distanced and masked, of course. Sports seasons finally started in
March with 3-5 week seasons, weekly or daily covid testing, and socially distanced and masked, of course. Many of you took jobs, spending your free time earning money. Many of you worked on carpentry or auto projects, either rebuilding engines or repairing fences for neighbors. And many of you took care of your siblings and helped them become successful in their schooling. While this year certainly posed challenges and obstacles, you
rallied. You persisted. You persevered. You found skills and talents you didn’t know you had. These talents and skills will follow you as you move to the next chapter in your book, whether you enter the workforce, gain more education, or take a gap year. You know how to advocate for yourselves and have your voice heard. You, class of 2021, not only wear masks, but you wear capes: you are superheroes.
Isaiah Abasolo
Angelica Aflague
Miguel Alvarado
Viviana Alvarado
Danya Anguiano
Jayce Bachmann
Anna Barneburg
Jacob Bustamante
Shayne Camillo
Makaylee Casarez
Rylan Clewel
Jadence Clifton
Belle Clough
Miranda Countess
Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021 ■ Page 3
-------------Del Norte High School Graduating Class-------------
Kolton Cumbra
Natalie Dantzman
Mikah Deas
Kaylee Eiserich
Tanner Forkner
Anamaris Gamez
Walker Gensaw
Michael Germain
Jovanni Gonzalez-Avila
Seth Gorbet
Brianna Gragg
Thalee Grogan
Taelyn Halls
Caroline Hamm
Mason Haney
Chaz Harrison
Emalee Hartwick
Keadon Henderson
Sepherah Henderson
Victoria Henry
Avery Hernandez
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021
Mayakala Jackson
-------------Del Norte High School Graduating Class-------------
Emma James
Hailee James
Nina Kent
Ritik Khilnani
Hannah Lea
Kiana Lee
Graduating Class Isaiah Abasolo Kaleo Abasolo Angelica Aflague Alessandro Aguilar-Miramontes Gabriel Aguilera Miguel Alvarado Viviana Alvarado Blake Anderson Danya Anguiano Sarah Appel Humberto Arciniega-Chavez Adrian Arias-Chavez Dixie Ault Jayce Bachmann Anna Barneburg Darian Bernal Christina Boone Kirsten Brous Jacob Bustamante Adriana Calderon-Moreno Shayne Camillo Adam Cantrall Gage Carson MaKaylee Casarez Suwimol Chang Rylan Clewell Jadence Clifton Belle Clough Miranda Countess Levi Cox-Cooley Anthony Craig Michael Culligan Kolton Cumbra Natalie Elizabeth Morgan Darting
Mikah Deas Joshua Diffey Gabriel Dixon Kaylee Eiserich Omar Esquivel Madison Farley Emily Feeney Yonathan Ferrer Brett Floyd Tanner Forkner Anamaris Gamez David Garcia Walker Gensaw Michael Germain Jacob Gibson Jovanni Gonzalez-Avila Seth Gorbet Breanna Gragg Piper Gray Thalee Grogan Joel Gruden Carson Gustafson Jacqueline Gutierrez Taelyn Halls Hailey Hambrick-Thatcher Caroline Hamm Mason Haney Christian Harlick-Raymore Chaz Harrison Emalee Hartwick Keadon Henderson Sepherah Henderson Victoria Henry Avery Hernandez Garrett Holmes
Phoebe Inta Maykala Garibay Emma James Hailee James Jadyn Johnson Patricia Johnson Edward Jones Nina Kent Ritik Khilnani Hannah Lea Kiana Lee Ariana Leon-DeLosSantos Miguel Leon-Esquivel Kevin Lo Renni Loftin Brandon Lopez Kylie Lopez Duangjai Lor Peter Lor Martin Luna Cha Ly Payton Machado Ashley Maita Emilio Marquez-Cervantes Holly Martell Kelsey Maxwell Jaelyn McCorkle Terran McCoy-Shafer Lance McKinney Isabel Mejia Sierra Moayedi Perla Montanez Eilena Moore Jazlyn Morris Jayden Moua
Zachary Naliboff Donovan Natt Nalia Nechayev Kiernan Nichols Daylen O’Reilley Justin Ohman Hannah Olson Alvaro Ontiveros Angela Ortega Andre Pamplona da Silva Gabriella Pantoja Jada Parra Haley Patapoff-Pruitt Hollee Peeples Logan Perry Sarah Peters Judson Pincombe Jodie Pingree Aubrey Pope Kaleb Price Itzel Ramirez Mitchel Ramirez Alonzo Ramirez-Lopez Josue Ramirez-Mendoza Andrea Ramirez-Moreno Kristian Raulfs Jose Regalado Emily Reneau Brandon Rippetoe Sophia Rodriguez Diana Sanchez-Velasco Bianca Sandoval Jenny Schaad Jacob Simmons David Sotelo-Sanchez
Makayla Stanshaw Makensie Strickland Trevin Strickland Peyton Swan Stevie Tardif-Kramer Camille Taylor Pha Thao Jordan Thompson Anastaza Thompson Jasmin Tripp Brock Trone Orlando Trujillo-Ortiz Gavyn Tweed Michell Velasco-Ramos Ethan Vick Viviana Villalvazo-Cardenas Vanessa Vongphachan Caitlin Washington Taylor White Steven Willet Ian Williams Brilee Williamson Ava Wilson Taylor Wilson Wyatt Wilson Blane Winingham Evelyn Wiseman Susanne Wiseman Derek Workman Isaac Wright Arainna Yang Joshua Yang Jayden Zachary Nailia Nechayev
Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021 ■ Page 5
-------------Del Norte High School Graduating Class-------------
Ariana Leon-DeLosSantos
Kevin Lo
Renni Loftin
Duangial Lor
Payton Machado
Ashley Maita
Holley Martell
Emilio Marquez-Cervantes
Kelsey Maxwell
Jaelyn McCorkle
Terran McCoy-Shafer
Isabel Mejia
Sierra Moayedi
Eilena Moore
Zachary Nailboff
Nailia Nechayev
Justin Ohman
Congratulations Class of 2021! Soar high and follow your dreams, the best is yet to come.
Hannah Olson
Dayen O’Reilley
Andre Pamplona da Silva
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021
-------------Del Norte High School Graduating Class-------------
Judson Pincomb
Jodie Pingree
Aubrey Pope
Kaleb Price
Josue Ramirez-Mendoza
Kristian Raulfs
Brandon Rippetoe
Sophia Rodriguez
Diana Sanchez-Velasco
Jenny Schaad
Makayla Stanshaw
Peyton Swan
Gavyn Tweed
Jasmin Tripp
Colleges extending test-optional practices For upperclassmen, the prospect of graduation is never far from the mind. Graduation marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication in the classroom. Graduating involves various steps, and testing is part of that equation, particularly for people who are planning on attending colleges, universities or going on to pursue advanced degrees. Standardized test requirements are slowly disappearing from schools’ criteria for admissions. The COVID-19 pandemic may have helped accelerate that disappearing act. According to Edmit, an educational financial planning resource, says the concept of a test-optional school is not new. Since the mid-2000s, various universities have included testoptional clauses in their admissions policies. This means that students’ standardized test scores are not reviewed as part of the college application process. The standardized tests that are
normally part of admissions reviews include the SAT , which debuted in 1926, and the ACT, which has been around since 1959. In lieu of COVID-related postponements or cancellations of standardized tests, a greater number of schools have announced they won’t require future applicants to submit test scores with their applications. While some are saying this is a temporary revision to the process, other schools are calling it a pilot program for the next few years. Seventy-two percent of colleges and universities adopted test-optional policies for the 2021-22 school year, and some schools are now extending that policy for the next one to two years, indicates IvyWise, an educational consulting company. Some of the schools that have suspended the SAT and ACT requirements, at least for the time being, include Cornell University, Penn State, Williams College, Amherst College,
Boston College, and Columbia University. Many students have been hit hard by the pandemic and removing testing requirements means they do not have to face another challenge, especially in light of reduced testing capacities and a scarcity of test availability. The education and school resource Grown and Flown says a surprising side effect of test-optional amendments at selective universities is that applications have increased. Harvard announced it received more than 57,000 applications for the college class of 2025, which marks a 42 percent increase from the previous year. Schools have modified admissions requirements in recent months, including removing standardized test scores from the equation. It is always wise to consult with the admissions department of schools to learn if their admissions requirements have been updated.
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021 ■ Page 7
-------------Del Norte High School Graduating Class-------------
Michell Velasco-Ramos
Viviana Villalvazo-Cardenas
Caitlin Washington
Blane Winingham
Brilee Williamson
Ian Williams
Taylor White
Ava Wilson
Taylor Wilson
Wyatt Wilson
What’s the difference between valedictorians and salutatorians? Being named a valedictorian or salutatorian is a significant achievement. Some students may not fully understand what these titles represent. Every school has its own qualifications, but in general, valedictorians and salutatorians are those individuals who have reached the very highest levels of academic success. VALEDICTORIAN PrepScholar, a standardized testing preparation company, indicates that the valedictorian is the student who graduates with the highest cumulative grade point average of his or her class — the average of every year’s
final grades. Grades from advanced placement classes are weighted to account for their rigor and extend extra points toward the GPA. Some schools do not immediately award the title to the highest-ranking student. They may ask students to apply for review and then consider various factors, including grades, level of academic program, essay submission, and even contribution to school and community life.
ranked second in the graduating class. A salutatorian will deliver the salutation, otherwise known as the opening speech of the graduation ceremony. The valedictorian speaks later in the program.
SALUTATORIAN Certain schools may have one salutatorian, while others may have two or more. The college guidance resource Transizion says the salutatorian is usually the individual
Class rank refers to a student’s GPA in relation to other students in the same grade. Class rank may be an actual number, such as ranked 30 out of 900 students, or a percentage like the top 5 percent of
High-ranking terms In addition to valedictorian and salutatorian, students also may become familiar with other terminology, including class rank and “cum laude” recognitions.
the graduating class. Cum laude is a Latin phrase that means “with praise/honor.” Educational institutions use one of three phrases to signify academic degrees that were awarded with honor. The phrases usually are utilized by colleges and universities. Schools have different criteria that must be met for these honors. Summa cum laude is the highest level of distinction, magna cum laude is next and that is followed by cum laude. It is a great honor to be named valedictorian or salutatorian, and it is an honor worth celebrating at graduation and beyond.
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021
Brookings-Harbor High School Note from the Principal We are pleased to announce the upcoming graduation of the Brookings-Harbor High School Class of 2021 and filled with pride at their accomplishments. They are a strong, resilient class who have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles these past two years. BHHS will celebrate with two ceremonies at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at Elmer Bankus Field, 522 Fern Ave, Brookings. Teachers Kelly Garvin and Gregory Scott were selected by the senior class to give this year’s keynote address.
I am pleased to recognize this year’s four Valedictorians, Allison Graves, Mercedes Rodne, Alexis Schofield, and Adam Shew; and Salutatorian Aurora Harrington. In addition, many of our students will graduate with more than a high school diploma, having already earned valuable certifications or dual credits toward college degrees.
colleges, and universities. Some have plans to join a military or civil service branch, while others will take religious missions. These are the future business and entrepreneurship leaders of our community, and many already have years of on-the-job and volunteer experience as they graduate high school. Thank you to our families, teachers and staff, and community for supporting the Class of 2021.
With pride, we wish all of our graduates well as they embark on new journeys to college and career. They have been accepted to trade and technical schools,
Graduates, you are a shining beacon amongst these unprecedented times. You make all of us proud! Go Bruins! - DeAnne Varitek, BHHS Principal
Graduating Class J’Lea Alto Faith App-Eades Peyton Armentrout Bly Badger Serena Barnard Andru Bates Josie Bessinger Deegan Bircher Ashley Blair Rylan Bruce Andrew Burger Aden Carpenter Keenen Carroll Quentin Carroll Joseph Cavazos Connor Childress Kayson Christensen Jennifer Christow
Shelynn Collins Josiah Contreras Christy Covington Christina Davis Kelvon’te Dawsey Elaina Doyle Deven Duran - Not Pictured Naomi Elliot Jace Engle Joshua Estes Thomas Farley Nohemi Fernandez Sierra Fitzhugh Ariadna Fuentes Olivera Elizabeth Garcia Haley Gayler Joseph Gollaher Allison Graves
Alia Graves Robert Green Jason Gwillim Gayler Haley - Not Pictured Tarin Hargrove Travis Hargrove Gracie Harms Aurora Harrington Alana Hatch Juan Hernandez-Zepeda Caleb Hoffman Logan Holler Ariel Hoskinson Shea Hudson Esperanza Ibarra Alicia James Shelby Jirsa Jada Kenyon
Evangeline Lampley Cheyenne Leonard Andrew Lepe-Manilla Jose Lepe-Manilla Kyla MacLauchlin Eleanor Marks Isabella Martinez Jacub McCollum William Miller Ashanti Montanez (Franks) Lexee Murray Annie Nation Kailee Newcombe Hunter Ocaio Laisha Olmedo Aaron Parkinson Celeste Pepple Tilly Peters
Carroll Quentin - Not Pictured McKhenna Riese Lorelei Rios - Not Pictured Mercedes Rodne Connor Ryan Trenton Sample - Not Pictured Alexis Schofield Adam Shew Billy Skinner Christopher Skinner Harold Soule Kyle Stebbins Christian Steendahl Breanna Stevenson Ashleigh Strain Adalind Stumpenhaus Analisa Sweeten Troy Tatro
Valerie Tribble Derek Tuttle Jasper Vineyard Abryana Walker Jorden Wentz Anisa Whisenant Dominic Whisenant Michael Winn Mathew Worton
Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021 ■ Page 9
Brookings-Harbor High School
J’Lea Alto
Faith App-Eades
Peyton Armentrout
Ogden Badger
Serena Barnard
Andru Bates
Josie Bessinger
Ashley Blair
Rylan Bruce
Andrew Burger
Aden Carpenter
Keenan Carroll
Joseph Cavazos
Connor Childress
Kayson Christensen
Jennifer Christow
Shelynn Collins
Joshiah Contreras
Christy Covington
Christina Davis
Kelvon’Te Dawsey
Elaina Doyle
Naomi Elliott
Jace Engle
l
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021
-------------Brookings-Harbor High School Graduating Class-------------
Joshua Estes
Thomas Farley
Noheimi Fernandez
Sierra Fitzhugh
Ariadna Fuentes Olivera
Elizabeth Garcia
Joseph Gollaher
Alia Graves
Allison Graves
Robert Green
Jason Gwillium
Tarin Hargrove
Travis Hargrove
Gracie Harms
Aurora Harrington
Alana Hatch
Juan HernandezZepeda
Caleb Hoffman
Logan Holler
Ariel Hoskinson
Shea Hudson
Esperanza Ibarra
Alicia James
Shelby Jirsa
Jade Kenyon
Evangeline Lampley
Cheyenne Leonard
Eleanor Marks
Isabella Martinez
Jacub McCollum
William Miller
Ashanti Montanez
Lexee Murray
Kyla Maclauchlin
Annie Nation
Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021 ■ Page 11
-------------Brookings-Harbor High School Graduating Class-------------
Kailee Newcombe
Hunter Ocacio
Laisha Olmedo
Aaron Parkinson
Celeste Pepple
Tilly Peters
McKhenna Riese
Mercedes Rodne
Connor Ryan
Alexis Schofield
Adam Shew
Billy Skinner
Christopher Skinner
Harold Soule
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021
-------------Brookings-Harbor High School Graduating Class-------------
Kyle Stebbins
Christian Steendahl
Breanna Stenvenson
Ashleigh Strain
Adalind Stumpenhaus
Analisa Sweeten
Troy Tatro
Valerie Tribble
Derek Tuttle
Jasper Vineyard
Abryana Walker
Jordan Wentz
Anisa Whisenant
Dominic Whisenant
Michael Winn
Mathew Worton
Congratulations!
Class of 2021 BROOKINGS
CRESCENT CITY
PORT ORFORD
Jessica C. Ambler
Shayla E. Campbell
Quinn M. Allen
Alan M. Anaya
Bailey M. Lesina
Tiffany M. Glines
Christiana M. Bates
Tiffany E. Maple
Aristotle J. McCutcheon
Haley M. Davis
Jamie L. Sperling
Karen Schaefer
Chaz J. Davis
Zenaide K. Welch
Victoria R. Wallace
Chase Q. Ferraccioli Shalene N. Holland Brandon L. Loveless-Smalley Jessikka L. Marrington Matthew W. Smith Brandon J. Smithers Veronica M. Vannorsdel Amy C. Vick Neil R. Watson
GOLD BEACH Melissa A. Beavers Giada T. Champlain Brycen S. Common Lindsey E. Gibson Maria J. Goodman Angel M. Lampke Caren B. Remy-Vastine
Zachary Q. Willms
We are proud of the determination our students have shown in reaching their goals!
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021 ■ Page 13
Gold Beach High School
Max Bradley
Giada Champlain
Rosalee Damron
Landen Dettmer
Marshall Dickson
Amethyst Gallarza
Luigi Gardino-Bulas
Nathan Gilbert
Susanna Gray
Desiree Greer
Mya Hilton
Noah Johnson
Emma Kay
Jenna Kay
Nufrius Laurino
Marisa Margolis
Ben Marko
Curtis Matteson
Anna McCann
Sophia McEwen
Jasmyn Merica
Scotty Metcalf
Weston Oberg
Seth O’Dwyer
Augusto Reyes-Mendoza
Joshua Rodriguez
Kasey Saadat
Isabelle Stender
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021
Graduating Class
Nick Taylor
Thatcher Timm
Jaden White
SCHOLARSHIP/RECOGNITION NIGHT MAY 6, 2019 CCSD Classified Employee Assn Scholarship: Giada Champlain ZAP: Desiree Greer Josh Amos Scholarship: Seth O’Dwyer Century 21: Augusto Reyes-Mendoza GBEF: Rosalee Damron Marshall Dickson Desiree Greer Noah Johnson Emma Kay Nuf Laurino Marisa Margolis Jasmyn Merica Seth O’Dwyer Charles & Effa Sage Reyes-Mendoza Augusto Rossi Bella Alan & Adele Corbin Vocational & Technical Saadat Kasey Port Orford Masonic Scholarship: Marshall Dickson
Raelyn Cherie McNair Memorial Scholarship: Marisa Margolis Jasmyn Merica Kasey Saadat Curry Anadromous Fisherman: Nuf Laurino Pistol River Friendship Club: Nuf Laurino Rotary Scholarships: Marisa Margolis Seth O’Dwyer Desiree Greer Nuf Laurino Kasey Saadat Bella Rossi Rosalee Damron Jasmyn Merica Marshall Dickson Ellensburg Theater Company: Marisa Margolis Soroptimist: Yellow Rose Scholarship Marisa Margolis Clarence Ringer Family Scholarship: Noah Johnson Augusto Reyes-Mendoza
Max Bradley Giada Champlain Rosalee Damron Landen Dettmer Marshall Dickson Amethyst Gallarza Louis Gardino-Bulas Nathan Gilbert Susanna Gray Desiree Greer Mya Hilton
Noah Johnson Emma Kay Jenna Kay Nufrius (Nuf) Laurino Marisa Margolis Benjamin Marko Curtis Matteson Annastasia (Anna) McCann Sophia McEwen Jasmyn Merica Scotty Metcalf
Seth O’Dwyer Weston Oberg Augusto Reyes-Mendoza Joshua Rodriguez Bella Rossi - No Photo Kasey Saadat Hailey Somers - no photo Isabelle Stender Nick Taylor Thatcher Timm Jaden White
Note from the Principal To the Class of 2021: No class that passes through a high school is ever “typical”. They all have their unique characteristics, personalities, and quirks, but to say that the class of 2021 is unique is an understatement. Last year you saw the end of the school year for the Class of 2020 end abruptly, and you were left to wonder what the next year would hold for you. You returned in the Fall to a whole new world of regulations, rules, and expectations. Your senior year was not what you expected, and this is where you truly showed your exceptionalism. Despite the challenges and changes that seemed to come almost daily, you adjusted, persevered, and overcame in ways that seemed beyond your years. Most classes make a slow and challenging transition into young adulthood in their last year of high school, we saw you all grow into young adults we were proud of so quickly it was astounding. It is always bittersweet to say goodbye to a class as they leave our hallways. Educators always feel a tremendous pride and joy at the completion of your time with us, but also a sadness as we see you leave after a short four years with us. This class was there with us as we all faced a challenge that there was no game plan for. The Class of 2021 will always have a special place in the hearts of Gold Beach High School staff and in our community. We wish you the best on the next stage of your journey and look forward to seeing what you bring to this new world that you step in to. Go Panthers! The Staff of Gold Beach High School
Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021 ■ Page 15
Is now the time for a gap year? What is a gap year?
Uncertainty has reigned over many students for the last year-plus. As the COVID-19 virus spread across the globe, schools were forced to transition to virtual learning. Some did so full-time, while others offered hybrid learning plans that combined virtual learning with in person instruction. Confronting that transition proved exhausting for parents and educators, but students also could not be blamed if they felt a little academic fatigue as they navigated learning during the pandemic.
The Gap Year Association defines a gap year as “a semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one’s practical, professional, and personal awareness.” The GYA notes that no two gap years are alike, though the spirit of a gap year is to afford students a chance to expand their comfort zones and have a cross-cultural experience while ensuring they have the time to reflect on those experiences.
Some students may have no choice but to carry on with their studies until schools return to more traditional, full-time classroom settings. But students about to graduate from high school or college may be wondering if now isn’t an ideal time to take a gap year. Others may be intrigued by gap years but not be entirely certain what they are. The following information can help students determine if a gap year is right for them.
Do gap years derail students’ academic careers? Parents might be concerned that a gap year will derail students’ academic careers by decreasing the likelihood that they will ultimately return to school. However, the GYA reports that 90 percent of students who take gap years enroll in a four-year institution within one year of completing their gap year. That can quell some of the concerns parents and even students may
have about taking a year off from school at a time when many of their peers may be moving forward with their educations.
What do students do during their gap years?
Though the GYA notes that some space and time to explore the unknown is vital to a gap year, students who think a gap year may be right for them should know that such years are most effective when students engage themselves in activities designed to expand their horizons. Many students spend their gap years volunteering with a service organization while others may accept an internship to see what life in a given profession may be like. Students have had to confront many challenges during the pandemic. Recent grads experiencing fatigue as a result of those challenges may find that now is the ideal time to take a gap year.
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Popular graduation traditions Graduation is steeped in tradition. Come the day of graduation, many grads-tobe might be focusing on receiving their diplomas and then celebrating after the ceremony. The hard work students put in affords them every right to celebrate once they’re officially anointed as new grads, but before the party begins it can be fun to reflect on the many traditions associated with graduation ceremonies.
CAP AND GOWN
Graduation ceremonies simply wouldn’t be the same without caps and gowns. The tradition is anything but new, as Columbia University notes caps and gowns have been linked to academia since the 12th century. Back then, students wore gowns and hoods to emulate the clergy who taught them, but also to stay warm. Many universities dressed their scholars in gowns from the 1700s onward. In 1786, one school, Brown University, even mandated that degree candidates be clad in flowing robes and caps at commencement ceremonies. Though educators and students may no longer wear caps and gowns when attending class or around campus, the tradition of doing so at commencement ceremonies has endured.
TASSEL TURNING
The tradition of turning the tassel does not have the lengthy history of the cap and gown, dating back only decades rather than centuries. Graduates typically turn the tassels after everyone has received their degrees during the ceremony. The turn is symbolic of their transition from student to graduate. Tassels start
on the right for high school students and college undergraduates and are then turned to the left, while recipients of master’s degrees and doctorates keep their tassels on the left throughout the commencement ceremonies. TOSSING CAPS IN THE AIR The tossing of graduation caps in the air is believed to date back more than 100 years. Prior to 1912, graduates of the United States Naval Academy had to serve as midshipmen for two years before they were commissioned as officers. As a result, they still needed their graduation caps. But beginning with the class of 1912, graduates were automatically commissioned as officers, so they no longer needed their hats. That led the graduates to throw them in the air, thus beginning one of the more fun and photo-worthy graduation traditions.
“POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE”
This tradition marked by the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” is rooted in the work of William Shakespeare, which makes it seem like a perfect fit for graduation ceremonies. Sir Edward Elgar composed “Pomp and Circumstance” in 1901 and the title for the song was inspired by a line in the bard’s “Othello.” Elgar received an honorary degree from Yale University in 1905, and during that ceremony “Pomp and Circumstance” was played. The song apparently made a strong impression, as it soon began to be played at various commencement ceremonies, a tradition that continues today.
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Student Spotlight - Graduation 2021
Pacific Pirates High School
Valedictorian Kylie Kline is graduating with a 3.622 cumulative GPA. She lives with her grandmother, Patty Rickel. During high school, she has participated in National Honor Society, Future business Leaders of America, Student Council, Peaceful Schools, yearbook, cross country, and the Bacon newspaper. She has also been a volunteer firefighter for the Port Orford Fire Department, the Pacific High School correspondent for the Port Orford Newspaper, a national competitor for Future Business Leaders of America, a RYLA camp-goer, and a classroom assistant for the Ready, Set, Learn program. Kylie plans to attend Portland State University honors college to major in psychology.
KYLIE KLINE
Elizabeth Kelly
Hunter Jordan
Class Quote: “It’s Fine. Everything’s Fine”
Kylie Kline
Mason MacFarlane
Nikkie Marlatt
Nikolas Patterson
Raemond Steiger
Pacific High School Note from the Principal
Hailey Vaket
Jordan Walker
Amelia Wright
Graduating Class Hunter Jordan Elizabeth Kelly Kylie Kline Mason MacFarlane
Nikki Marlatt Nikolas Patterson Raemond Steiger Hailey Valet
Jordan Walker Amelia Wright
It’s been a wild last two years for our seniors, and these years have been HARD. This class definitely has not had the “traditional” high school experience, but they have continued to work to make sure that they are still preparing themselves for the future. Like I said last year, Pacific’s motto has always been that we welcome our alumni home with open arms and I hope that this year’s graduates remember that the Pacific community of staff, alumni, and
students will always be here, ready to support them in their journey and cheering them on. Thank you to the senior families and the communities of Port Orford and Langlois for the support they have given our graduates and staff during the past four years. The support of our communities is the main reason our students are as successful as they are. Thank you, seniors, for allowing me and the Pacific staff to be a part of your journey and we wish you noth-
ing but the best as you move into the next stages of your lives. The great Dr. Seuss once said, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” Pacific seniors, you have all the tools to be as successful as you want to be. Now go out and work for it! Godspeed and Good Luck!! Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate. --Krista Nieraeth, Principal