GRADUATION SECTION 2026

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2026!

The class of 2026 is racing to the finish. This spring, 7,797 students from 69 schools in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area will receive their diplomas after years of dedicated work.

These students have found joy in their friendships and suffered grief over the loss of loved ones. Some have overcome illnesses or learning disabilities. They have made life better for their

fellow students and community members.

And these teenagers have plans. Some will go to college, some to the military or trade schools. Others have business plans or job skills they’ve earned while attending high school that they’re ready to put to the test.

They’re excited about the future – and after reading their stories, you will be, too.

Cheers to the class of 2026!

nORTH CenTRaL HIGH sCHOOL

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Lucy Woods gets involved through clubs,

By Azaria Podplesky FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REIVEW

Growing up, North Central High School senior Lucy Woods experienced social anxiety. She attended the Enrichment Cooperative at Bryant two days a week in middle school, which helped her become close to a small community.

When it came time for high school, Woods felt like she needed a bigger community and to have “the typical high school experience.” At North Central, she dove right into a variety of clubs and volunteer opportunities.

She participated in speech and debate to build her confidence and help her express herself. She was especially proud of her contributions in regard to water usage and rights for LGBTQ youth.

As Associated Student Body secretary, she organized the elections for next year’s student government. She is in the National Honor Society and was the president of Shades, the school’s multicultural club, a place for students to have conversations about culture and the world at large.

“I really wanted to find a like-minded community that was really focused on building an inclusive school and lifting others up,” she said.

One piece of that inclusivity work came after Woods and her girlfriend won the titles of homecoming “king” and “queen.” She spoke with administrators who have agreed to make the titles gender neutral in the future.

In partnership with Shades, Woods and the civic engagement club she was a founding member of organized voter registration drives and brought speakers to the school for debates, including the City Council debate she moderated

in the fall.

“Students really deserve to have their voice heard, because they play a very valuable role in our society and are the next generation that will lead the world,” she said. “It’s very important to make sure that they feel understood and seen.”

Camellia Munoz worked with Woods her junior and senior years in leadership class, which works to build community inside the school while also completing community service projects.

“Having her in class, Lucy is so great about doing the work that needs to be done and never complaining, never saying, ‘Oh gosh, why are we doing this?’ ” Munoz said, adding that Woods understands the work is critical to building community and culture.

Through leadership, Woods helped organize various events and celebrations, like Counselor Appreciation Week and Painting With a Purpose, an event that welcomes all for an evening of creativity and mindfulness.

Outside of school, Woods volunteers at Spark Central and at Holmes Elementary School in their Level Up program, working with students to write and edit articles for a newspaper they produce.

“It really helps them to look at some different career paths that they’re really interested in,” she said. “Especially at an elementary school level, it’s amazing to see the light behind their eyes when they are really in something they truly enjoy.”

A past participant of Girls Rock Lab, she now helps the young girls in the program learn to play instruments. She is also one of a handful of students from across the state who is on the Washington Youth Arts Leadership Commission, advocating for the arts and art education in

schools.

“The main focus is that when there are financial struggles, especially at the government level, arts programs are typically the first thing to be cut,” she said. “We really highlight the importance of those programs and why they matter to K-12

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The North Central High School commencement will be at 6 p.m. June 13 at The Podium, 511 W. Joe Albi Way. Principal: Tami McCracken

Summa cum laude: Everett Bodnar, Guillermo Bomberger, Kimberley Carlson, Anna Cumberland, Josephine Harwood, Elizabeth Hollingsworth, Andrew Ives, Alexis Johnson, Micaela Mendez, Eli Pettis, Gabriella Phillipe, Marley Spencer, Kate Turnbull, Lucy Woods

students.”

After graduation, Woods plans to attend Eastern Washington University where she’ll major in secondary education with a focus on English and a minor in Spanish, a career Munoz said Woods is perfect for.

“Lucy’s really good at build -

ing community as well, she is so good at making sure that everybody feels safe and everyone feels important and feels loved,” Munoz said. “From a teacher’s perspective, that is the foundational level. If you can do that, you can teach anything. She’s magical.”

Orchestrating his future

Music has been a big part of Corey Hodges’ life, both in school and in the community

By Charlie Oltman FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Shadle Park High School senior Corey Hodges has found solace in music while experiencing sometimes agonizing soreness from involuntary muscle contractions that were only recently diagnosed.

“My pediatrician always knew I had something going on, but it really became something that started to inhibit my daily life,” Hodges said. “It was extremely painful.”

Hodges was diagnosed with dystonia, a neurological disorder causing involuntary muscle contractions that create significant tension and soreness. That made playing his upright bass difficult.

“Most days I’d pick up my instrument, there’d be this sensation that ran through my arm,” Hodges said. “It’s very pesky. As someone who plays an instrument, you don’t really like that.”

Since his introduction to the instrument in fifth grade, Hodges has played the bass in many ensembles. At Shadle Park, he has been involved in the orchestra program all four years, joining the Chamber Ensemble during his sophomore year. Hodges was involved in the jazz program from freshman year to junior year, but had to leave the program because of the disorder.

Outside of high school, Hodges joined the Spokane Youth Symphony and has done contract work with the Whitworth Orchestra. These outside programs have allowed him to perform at the Fox Theater. He looked forward to the spring concert as a full circle moment.

“One of my youngest memories at the Fox, (was) the Spokane Symphony played some ‘Star Wars’ themed pieces,” Hodges said. “Funny enough, now with Whitworth this spring, we’re also playing a ‘Star Wars’ themed chart.” Matthew Wenman, Hodges’ music teacher throughout high school,

said because performances take place outside of normal school hours, he is able to get to know his students more than other teachers might be able to.

“I’m always trying to push kids out of the nest,” Wenman said. “The more experiences that they can have outside of the classroom, the better for them.”

Wenman said it is important to have a variety of musical experiences that expand one’s skills, so he was excited when Hodges pursued ensembles in the larger Spokane community. Through this, Wenman said he has seen Hodges’ work ethic and dedication.

“It’s somewhat unique to have a student who’s really dedicated to becoming as good as they can be,” Wenman said.

Hodges will attend Oregon State University in the fall, planning to major in finance and minor in music. Hodges said he wants to enter the field to increase his financial literacy and aims to help others become more financially literate as well.

Lesa Renner, Hodges’ high school counselor, said Hodges leads by example for the other students with his time management skills. Hodges juggles a variety of classes at the high school and through the Running Start program at Spokane Falls Community College.

“He’s just incredibly talented in multiple areas and he thinks learning should be fun,” Renner said. “The eclectic interests come from this amazing attitude towards education. It’s not a grind. It’s a privilege and something that should be fun and exploratory. He’s done a really good job of taking that variety of classes to expand his horizons.”

One of these eclectic interests was Hodges’ interest in studying Japanese, something he took through SFCC and said he hopes to continue studying at OSU. Hodges said he is looking forward to the future and is thankful for his time in high school, especially in the music program.

“I probably would never know about the dystonia if I didn’t play a stringed

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so in a way, playing bass has helped me learn a lot about

The Shadle Park High School commencement will be at 11 a.m. June 13 at the Podium, 511 W. Joe Albi Way.

Principal: Chris Dunn

Summa cum laude: Jamie Blankenagel, Bryan Bors, Kahlan Cartmell, Lauren McKean, Paige Perkins

READY TO JUMP IN

Laila Vaden made herself a part of the Ferris community

By Jim Allen FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Laila Vaden faced a tough choice in the fall of 2023, when she and her Air Force family were reassigned to Spokane from Northern California.

As a sophomore walking the unfamiliar halls of Ferris High School, she could have withdrawn emotionally and longed for her old friends. Instead, she reached out for new ones and made a difference at her new school.

“My first year was definitely difficult,” said Vaden, whose father serves at Fairchild Air Force Base. This isn’t her first stop in Spokane; Vaden spent kindergarten here before moving to other bases.

It happens hundreds of times every year in Spokane. With little notice, military families are uprooted and redeployed to new locales.

“She jumped in feet first into getting into leadership class her junior year,” said Ferris teacher Megan Harrison . “So many times, new students don’t want to be involved, or they struggle to find their community.”

Vaden said her life experience shaped her transition to Ferris.

FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL

“I think it’s hard, because not everyone moves around a lot,” Vaden said. “So you have to put yourself out there. I like being involved, I try to make that a big goal, but my first year was difficult.”

The staff at Ferris eased the path. In particular, English teacher Neil Strawn “was very encouraging and put effort in appreciating the stuff I wrote,” Vaden said.

“For me, coming into a new school, having a teacher who cared like that and went out of his way to talk to me was very important,” Vaden said.

Later, she got a big boost from assistant principal Andrew Lewis. Vaden had applied to join the Associated Student Body organization for her junior year.

“But I missed the deadline for the interview,” Vaden said.

“But Mr. Lewis reached out, and without that, I wouldn’t have made it into ASB,” Vaden said.

Vaden’s vehicle for change was student government, which offered her a chance to make a difference at her new school.

“I like ASB because you are the people who try to make Ferris a better place for everyone,” said Vaden, who along with

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her colleagues tried to build a sense of belonging for students.

Ferris has many clubs and organizations, but some “were getting brushed under the rug a little bit,” said Vaden, the student information officer for ASB. Working through ASB, she tried to spread awareness and foster participation.

That was especially true of cultural clubs such as the Black Student Union and the Native American group, but also lesser-known clubs like the Dungeons and Dragons club.

“She is a quiet, solid leader,” said Harrison, a language arts teacher. “She’s also a talented writer and is so willing to share her heart.”

Vaden excelled in all her classes and will graduate magna cum laude.

Three years after the transition to Ferris, she faces perhaps a bigger one.

Originally from Southern California, she plans to major in journalism with a specialty in public relations and marketing at San Diego State University – enrollment 41,000.

“That could be intimidating,” Vaden said. “But I don’t think I’m too intimidated by being in a new environment.”

The Ferris High School commencement will be at 2:30 p.m. June 14 at The Podium, 511 W. Joe Albi Way

Principal: John O’Dell

Summa cum laude: Joshua Addams, Anna Apatow, James Belch, Emily Burns, Madelyn Cabrera, Michael Condon, Eamon Conlin, Noelle Curry, Mckenzie Fallon, Anya Florianovich, Kjersti Jacobson, Cali Jones, Ariana Kasimov, Emmaline Kuney, Toby Lee, Ava Lewis, Zoey Lewis, Ella Menard, Teddy Osborne, Sally Peterson, Anders Thogerson, Lilly Wagenblast, Grayson Wilson

Rachel White

Andrew Whitman

Madelyn Whitmore

Kari Willey

Karmen Williams

Tristyn Williams

Landon Wills

Grayson Wilson Alexander Wirth

Rowen Wittwer Noelle Wright Adonay Yemane Eva Yormia

Artsiom Yuzepchuk

Samantha Zugish

Matthew Zuppe

‘A hardworking individual with a big heart’

At SVL, Keigan Clavel became confident, self-directed learner

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

When attending school in person wasn’t the best fit for his needs, Keigan Clavel transitioned to Spokane Virtual Learning, where he pushed forward with focus and resilience.

“Throughout high school, Keigan has consistently demonstrated a strong determination to complete his education while navigating the challenges associated with autism and cerebral palsy,” said Adam Karlsgodt, SVL’s special education facilitator. “As his skills developed, he mastered a variety of accessibility tools and strategies that allowed him to engage more effectively, build independence, and take ownership of his learning.”

Because Clavel adapted well to online learning during the pandemic, his mother, Heather Clavel, felt SVL would be a good option for him.

She was right.

“Keigan has grown into a confident and self-directed learner, taking pride in his progress and the effort he puts into his work,” Karlsgodt said. “He never complains, no matter what the challenge. He’s great at attacking his goals – he finds ways to get things done.”

Indeed, when asked his favorite thing about school, his answer was quick and succinct.

“I like getting the work all done!”

He met weekly with his Spokane Virtual paraeducator, Carrie Stauffer, to preview, organize and plan for the week’s work.

History and reading are his strong suits.

“He’s a great reader – he’s going to be a lifelong learner,” Karlsgodt said.

Currently, he’s engrossed in “The Wild Robot” series.

“I’m in Book 3,” he said.

The technology learning curve proved challenging at times.

“I would send an assignment in, and it would disappear,” Clavel said. “Sometimes, I’d have to retype it in the text box.”

But perseverance was the name of his game, and Karlsgodt admired that.

“He’s a hardworking individual with a big heart.”

That diligence was rewarded in October with a long-awaited trip to Disneyland for his 18th birthday.

Clavel is a fan of Disney villains, so the timing was perfect.

“It was Halloween time, so all the villains were out,” he said. “I got to meet the evil queen from Snow White!”

The flexible schedule offered by SVL made it possible for Clavel to keep up with his studies, even while addressing health issues.

“If you had a hard day and felt like you needed some time, you could reschedule a meeting,” he said.

Outside of school, Clavel enjoys hanging out at the Isaac Foundation, a program for people on the autism spectrum.

“I’m there Monday through Thursday,” he said. “It’s for kids on the spectrum, and I made lots of friends. I can just be myself.”

This summer, he will be a peer mentor at the Isaac Foundation. It’s a leadership role he’s looking forward to and may help pave the way for the work he’d like to do in the future.

“I want to be a child life specialist in a hospital,” Clavel said. “Through my own experiences, I can help kids with hard moments.”

Karlsgodt thinks that position would be a perfect fit.

“Keigan’s persistence and ability to adapt will continue to support his capacity to push through any obstacle that arises,” he said. “His journey will continue to inspire those who have had the privilege of working with him, and we look forward to the meaningful impact he will continue to make in the lives of others.”

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of 2026

Looking out for his new neighbors

JP Red channels his drive for good into helping refugees

By Jim Allen FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

JP Red is proud of his Greek heritage It stretches half a world away to Cyprus, a Mediterranean island cleaved by a border that symbolizes centuries of animosity between Greeks and Turks.

Most of his maternal relatives live in the capital city of Nicosia, itself divided by a hard border. Red has visited many times.

But there’s no bitterness; Red is too young for that, or perhaps too mature.

A standout senior at Lewis and Clark High School, Red found inspiration at home, in the plight of refugees in America.

He founded the Refugees in Schools club at Lewis and Clark and has worked with the Refugee and Immigrant Connection of Spokane serving incoming refugee students and their families.

In turn, he and other LC students have coordinated efforts with Feast World Kitchen and Global Thrift.

According to Red, the inspiration came from the Refugee Integration, Stability and Education program, which supports those communities nationwide. A leadership course “informed me and others about the various issues that refugees deal with, such as food insecurity and language issues,” Red said. Inspiration also comes from his family.

Red’s mother, Constantia Red, was 3 years old and living with her family in Nicosia when she woke to the sound of gunfire as Turkish soldiers invaded the northern part of Cyprus in 1974.

“You could hear the bombs,” she said. “And then the bathroom window shattered.”

Constantia Red grew up in Nicosia, then emigrated to New York in 1992 to continue her education. There she met her future husband, Jon.

Nine years later, on 9/11, she was visited again by destruction, this time on the streets of lower Manhattan. It was time to leave; the Reds found a better life in Spokane and raised JP.

“I’m very proud of JP because he is a hard worker and very compassionate and loyal to his friends,” Constantia Red said. “He’s also very open-minded.”

JP Red acknowledges that being an advocate for refugees “has been (a) little more challenging given the climate (in) this country,” and he responded by taking part in student protests against the presence of agents from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The student solidarity displayed during the protests meant a lot.

“I would say it’s a cliché answer,

JP Red plans to study business at Penn State.

but with all the support I get from my friends and teachers, I don’t think I would have chosen any other school, and with half the school participating, that’s a great example.”

Red also credits his teachers, especially Megan McLean in AP Calculus.

“She told me and others that she cared less about grades and how well you’re doing in class,” Red said. “She was always focused on whether we learn something every day. And she was always there for me.” Red has also played tennis and soc-

Graduation

The Lewis and Clark High School commencement will be at 11 a.m. June 14 at The Podium, 511 W. Joe Albi Way. Principal: Ivan Corley Summa cum laude: Kate Anderson, Paisley Archer, Adeline Bail, Jack Brigham, Alyssa Campbell, Amelia Carlson, Emma Chow, Abigail Chuang, Grace Cockley, Neil Davis, Gabriel Dawley, Corbin Eiseman, Ella Fouladi, Tatum Hammer, Molly Heinen, Izzy Heister, Lily Hogan, Tessa Humphreys, Dominik Janout, Simone Kaczmark, Laila Kaiel, Madeline Kalisvaart, Alexander King, Vienna Klein, Henry Klesch, John Ko, Saanvi Krishnareddygari, Henry Kujawski, Ariel Little, Claire McConnell, Erin McElgunn, Lylah Morse, Dyllan Muller, Maylin Nicholson, Geneveve Parker, Anjali Richards, Audrey Sanborn, Joshua Sauders, Robin Schneider, Wesley Schneider, Elizabeth Sharman, Laura Sheikh, Rachel Sigg, Reagan Smith, Nicholas South, Ava Swigart, Melody Thompson, Natalie Tompkins, Benjamin Trombold, Lola Walker, Uma Waran, Julia Yahne, Chloe Yoon, Tianchun Zhao

cer for the Tigers while maintaining top academic marks. But there will be little time after graduation to reminisce. On June 30, Red will fly to Penn State to take summer courses as a prerequisite for a planned major in business.

Katherine Halpin refuses to let her struggles define her

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

A host of medical issues made Katherine Halpin’s scholastic journey challenging.

Her diagnosis of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder characterized by joint hypermobility, instability, and chronic pain, and the related Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome meant keeping on track with coursework required flexibility.

Thankfully, The Enrichment Cooperative at Bryant (Spokane Public Schools’ parent partnership program) provided the structure and support she needed. She came to the school in fifth grade.

“I love the personal relationships you have with the teachers here,” she said. “They care about you as a person – not just your grades and academics. The teachers were so supportive, I was able to be a part of school without being left behind.”

TEC teacher Sara Duval admired Halpin’s persistence.

“Katherine has worked tirelessly to manage her health, seeking support through physical therapy, medication and mental health counseling,” she said. “Along the

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The

way, she also faced significant challenges with anxiety and depression, which became major barriers to overcome. Through determination, resilience and grit, she has developed the strength to navigate these obstacles and continue moving forward.”

While plugging away at academic requirements, Halpin found refuge in artistic endeavors.

Duval enjoyed seeing her student’s talent flourish.

“She’s a talented artist, humble and shy about her gifts,” Duval said. “Art has become a meaningful outlet as she copes with her daily health challenges.”

Halpin has explored everything from wood carving to painting to

embroidery.

“I love trying new things,” she said. “I’ve done art my entire life. I love it – it’s become my safe space.”

Despite ongoing health struggles, Halpin excelled academically, maintaining a 3.9 GPA.

Beyond that, she found ways to participate fully in student body life. She performed with the Musha Marimba group for four years and served in the YMCA youth government program for three years.

“It was fun! We went to Olympia twice when we held the youth legislative session.”

And she found another way to give back through Catholic

DISCOVERING A COMMUNITY AND A PASSION

After years of changing schools, Gabe Stauffer found stability at On Track Academy

By Jase Picanso FOR THE SPOKESMANREVIEW

When Gabe Stauffer first arrived at On Track Academy, he mostly kept to himself.

After attending several schools and moving between Deer Park and Spokane, he was used to starting over. On Track and its smaller alternative learning environment gave him something different: stability, familiar faces and a place where he could finally settle in.

“When I first came to school, I wasn’t really talking to many people,” Stauffer said. “Now I talk to all the people all the time.”

Stauffer transferred to the school at 16. Unlike a traditional high school schedule, On Track students stay with the same cohort year-round and attend two longer class sessions instead of moving through multiple periods.

“It’s an alternative learning environment school, so they don’t go from class to class necessarily like the comprehensive high schools,” said Kelly Onyambu, Stauffer’s advisory teacher.

“He went to a lot of different schools before he came here,” Onyambu said. “When he came here, he kind of came out of his shell.”

That change became clear as Stauffer got more involved around campus. He joined the Magic: The Gathering Club and found a second home in the school’s media center, led by teacher Danny Parker, where students can explore photography, recording, laser cutting, and other creative pursuits.

“I moved to the big building after the portables, and that’s when everything started getting more fun because I entered Danny’s room,” Stauffer said. “It’s got cosplay class, 3D printing class, all the

Family Charities.

“I volunteered to teach a man in his 30s to read and write English,” she said. She admitted it was intimidating.

“I’d helped classmates over the years, but never done anything as structured.”

Duval admires her tenacity.

“Katherine has been open and honest about her struggles, yet she refuses to let them define her. Instead, she continues to persevere, finding ways to grow and stay focused on her long-term goals,” she said.

Halpin’s tendency toward perfectionism proved just one more hurdle to overcome.

“I’ve become more comfortable with just doing my best,” she said. “My best is pretty good, and it will be good enough.”

Watching her student blossom proved rewarding for her teacher.

“Katherine is kind, caring, and brings positive energy to those around her, always striving to support and uplift others,” Duval said. “She embodies resilience, academic excellence, and compassion.”

During her junior and senior years of high school, Halpin attended Spokane Falls Community College through the Running

Gabe Stauffer found a place at the media center at On Track Academy. Class of

fun stuff.”

The media center quickly became Stauffer’s favorite place on campus.

“I’m thankful for Danny’s class, it’s pretty great,” Stauffer said. “It’s like the nerd hangout spot.”

He especially enjoys working with the school’s 3D printer, creating everything from shields to small action figures.

“All the 3D printing and sanding and smoothing has been really fun for me,” he said.

His consistency and curiosity in the media center eventually led to an internship there during his senior year, where he now helps

newer students learn the same skills he spent years building.

“He’s flourished, really,” Onyambu said. “He’s taken advantage of the different opportunities that are offered.”

Outside the media lab, Stauffer also pushed himself academically, completing his math requirements early so he could focus on the classes and projects he enjoyed most. When asked what accomplishment he is most proud of, his answer came quickly: not having to take any more math.

But Onyambu said what stands out most is not just his work ethic, it is the way he has grown into someone

others naturally gravitate toward.

“Gabe is very kind and gentle and makes friends with just about everybody,” she said. “He’s always willing to step up and join in on things.”

After graduation, Stauffer plans to study electrical work at one of Spokane’s community colleges.

For Onyambu, that next step feels like a natural one.

“I know he’ll be successful because he has the personal drive and work ethic,” she said. “I’m proud of him for sticking it out, even when times have been hard for him, and finding his community here.”

Start program and will graduate with an associate degree.

She plans to continue her education at Eastern Washington University.

Her goal is to become a high school English teacher and inspire students to develop a love for writing and literature.

“I’m looking forward to getting my own classroom and meeting students right where they’re at,” Halpin said.

Duval has no doubt Halpin will thrive as a teacher, and so will her students.

“She’s going to light a fire in her students to become stronger readers and better writers,” Duval said. “She’s going to be the English teacher everyone wants.”

‘The picture of what it is to be relentless’

Michaela

Daou turns challenges into determination on field, in classroom

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Stacie Collier noticed Michaela Daou immediately.

“She really stood out from Day 1,” said Collier, a counselor at Rogers High School. “A lot of students are scared of jumping in freshman year, but Michaela got involved really quickly.”

Daou has cerebral palsy and dealt with fatigue in one of her legs.

She didn’t let it slow her down. Instead, she joined the softball team as a freshman and played through her junior year.

“It was mentally taxing because I felt like I couldn’t do as much as the other players,” Daou said. “But I got stronger and felt more confident about my performance.”

She’d began playing softball in eighth grade at Sacajawea and wanted to continue.

“I enjoy the community of it – being with the girls,” she said. “The coaches were amazing. They made sure I had modifications and enough playing time.”

In fact, Collier said she often had to remind Daou to slow down.

“Michaela is the picture of what it is to be relentless,” Collier said.

“She faces challenges head-on with a quiet resolve and determination.”

That determination is clearly demonstrated through her academic achievements and involvement in extracurricular activities.

She’s a member of the National Honor Society and served as vice president her junior year. She’s connected with the school’s Black

ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL

Student Union and joined the Strong Women Achieving Greatness club.

“It’s a great club for girls like Michaela who want to be leaders,” Collier said. However, Daou didn’t see her-

self as a leader. “I like to work behind the scenes,” she said.

Her candor drew others to her.

“She’s open with other students about her struggles, so they don’t feel so alone,” Collier said.

Graduation

The Rogers High School commencement will be at 2:30 p.m. June 13 at the Podium, 511 W. Joe Albi Way. Principal: John Hammil Summa cum laude: Azzaraya Erickson, Korabelle Harkema, Ivanka Kolesnykova, Kaylee Lemas Santos, Elizabeth Morgan, Saige Stuart, Aareel Washington

“Leadership can show up in a lot of different ways. We need more voices like hers.”

Last year, Daou joined the percussion class.

“I did percussion in seventh grade, and I was so bad at it,” she

said. “But I wanted to try a music class junior year. It was really fun! My disability didn’t affect me as much, and I was more motivated. Mr. (Taylor) Belote made some modifications, and I got way better.”

Collier was impressed by the way Daou advocated for herself.

“Michaela thought creatively about the ways she could engage in the class.”

Speaking up for herself hasn’t always been easy, but it’s a skill she’s developed over time.

“I’m still shy, but I realized problems aren’t going to fix themselves unless I advocate,” she said. “The staff really listened to my suggestions.” Language is her forte. She’s studied Chinese, French and Japanese.

“I love learning languages,” Daou said.

Collier appreciated her excitement for learning.

“She’s wonderfully refreshing – unapologetically herself and enthusiastic about the things she’s interested in.”

Daou particularly enjoyed her African American literature class; in fact, it provided a path forward.

“I’m interested in learning about the Black diaspora,” she said. “We learned about resistance and resilience, and I want to continue that path.”

Attending a historically Black university is her goal, so she was delighted to learn she’s been accepted to Howard University in Washington, D.C.

She feels her school has equipped her with all she needs to enter the next phase of life.

“Rogers has prepared me academically for rigorous classes, for learning about new perspectives, for talking to different people,” Daou said. “They welcomed me with open arms. I got such a diverse education. If I had to pick a high school, I’d pick Rogers every time.”

For Daniel Nollmeyer, music and education are entwined

By Joe Everson FOR THE

SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

It’s in just about every script for a career counselor, the advice to “find your passion.” For Liberty High School senior Daniel Nollmeyer, that’s something he doesn’t have to wait for.

Nollmeyer already has a stunning instrumental music résumé: Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble at Liberty, Wind Ensemble and Repertory Jazz Ensemble at Eastern Washington University, Spokane Youth Symphony, state-level honors band, Western International Band Clinic.

Nollmeyer’s music experience started in third grade with the recorder, but began to take more serious shape when he chose to play clarinet in fifth grade and added saxophone in eighth

grade. By then he was also the only clarinetist in the high school band. His band instructor since fifth grade, Morgan Pendon, is almost in awe of Nollmeyer’s talent.

“Daniel has become a truly artful musician with a wide depth of musical expression. He truly is a student that I felt learned everything he could from me and will achieve more than I could ever dream up.”

Pendon has had a profound influence on Nollmeyer, who says that he hopes to become a band director himself after he graduates from college.

“I’ve wanted to be an elementary teacher since third or fourth grade,” he said, “but in middle school I realized that I want to teach music and to fulfill my desire to have an impact on kids’ lives in a school setting. A

band or choir director has an impact in a way just as big as an academic teacher. They’re more of a coach with the opportunity for interactions that mentor students on a personal level.”

“Mr. Pendon started the music program from scratch at Liberty, and he has been a super-fun teacher. I think that I would have left music in junior high if not for his passion for music. He has been an inspiration to me.”

Nollmeyer has been a fulltime Running Start student at EWU for the past two years, and already declared as a Music Education major, although he doesn’t plan to continue his undergraduate work there. He will most likely enroll at Whitworth University this fall.

Nollmeyer also will graduate from Liberty as class valedictorian, and Pendon has observed

“Daniel’s

and

are

Valedictorians:

Kameron Pitts’ dedication to education started early

By Azaria Podplesky FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

In fourth grade, Gonzaga Prep senior Kameron Pitts got a “less than desirable” grade on an assignment.

Years later, he still remembers thinking “never again.”

That hard work and dedication to his education paid off in eighth grade when Pitts received the Mike Shanks Scholarship, granting him a nearly full ride to Gonzaga Prep. A majority of his siblings had attended Prep, so he felt like he practically grew up going to the school he would eventually attend.

“Frankly, I knew that it would offer me the education that I needed to excel,” he said. “Personally, I felt that the other high schools in the area would not have given me the opportunities that Gonzaga Prep has.”

At Gonzaga Prep, Pitts didn’t just skate through high school on that scholarship. Instead, he took advantage of everything the school had to offer.

He filled his schedule with honors and AP classes, especially after discovering in his freshman year that he loved biology and wanted to become a doctor, following in the footsteps of his mother and grandmother, who were both nurses.

Outside of the classroom, Pitts has done a lot of volunteer work. He participated in the school’s annual food drive and was chosen to be in the school’s Margins program, which takes 20 to 30 students to New Orleans, San Francisco or Los Angeles for volunteer work.

For his junior and senior years, he’s been part of Agape Service Group; in his senior year, he is one of the leaders. The group volunteers with organizations such as Second Harvest and their Bite2Go program, which helps fight food insecurity. Pitts benefited from the Bite2Go program in elementary school and enjoys seeing parallels in helping pack food bags that his younger self enjoyed.

He has been involved in student government all four years of high school and was named salutatorian his senior year. He also played soccer

three of his four years at Gonzaga Prep and wrestled as a freshman. Pitts has also spent time on the school’s Knowledge Bowl team, particularly liking the questions that require quick math.

“It taught me to be humble, in a way, because it has shown me that while I am touted as smart and I do all these classes, I definitely don’t know everything,” he said. “It’s a great way to learn humility and be able to work in a team with people that are smarter or just as smart as you.”

All that hard work and dedication again paid off with Pitts receiving the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship, granting him a free ride to Washington University in St. Louis, where he plans to study to become a musculoskeletal interventional radiologist.

“I feel that it entwines what I love about the human body, and I’m able to use my knowledge of that and directly help someone hand to hand,” he said.

Gonzaga Prep counselor Sarah Long has known Pitts since he was a baby, as she is married to Pitts’ cousin. Because of their different last names, many on the faculty didn’t know they are family; Long has enjoyed hearing other faculty members speak highly of Pitts in her presence.

“We were saying with this Shank scholarship he received here, it’s the best ‘rinse and repeat’ thing you could have ever done,” she said. “He saw something he wanted, and he put himself out there, and he achieved it. That’s what I see of Kameron is his belief in education and his value of education.”

pray with you, as we

bless you and keep you, may

unto you; May the Lord look

‘She can find the positive in any situation’

Brooklyn Page has learned to advocate for herself

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Usually, high school counselors don’t meet their students until they show up for freshman year, but Jody Harkness has known Brooklyn Page for most of her life.

“I worked with Brooklyn’s mom at Northwood, and she’d bring her to school,” Harkness said. “I got to watch her grow and mature into a beautiful young lady.”

Page has a visual impairment and uses a cane to navigate the busy halls at Mead High School.

“She’s overcome a lot of adversity with class and dignity,” Harkness said. “She works really hard and always has a positive attitude – I’ve never seen her in a bad mood. She’s maintained a high GPA, and her loving, kind and happy personality hasn’t faltered.”

Indeed, unlike many teens, Page enjoys school and is delighted to arrive each day.

“Her mom drops her off, and she’s my morning ray of sunshine,” Harkness said.

The friendships Page has developed during her time at Mead play an important role in her sunny disposition.

“I’ve made so many good friends I can’t count them all,” she said.

Family support and friendships have empowered her to advocate for herself when needed.

Page uses Braille and large print texts for schoolwork and admitted that math was a struggle for her.

“The teacher went too fast, and I had to ask them to slow down and use Braille,” she said.

She’s also spoken up in situations where she felt unsafe.

Page loves yoga, and the students usually warm up by walking around the gym before class. One day, the gym bustled with weight lifters.

“I told my teacher I needed someone to walk with me, so I don’t get knocked down by guys lifting weights.”

English is her favorite subject, and she especially enjoys choir.

“I love learning new music and performing,” she said.

Outside of school, her favorite activities are camping, rock climbing and swimming.

Her future is looking as bright as her smile. In the fall, Page will attend Washington State School for the Blind in Vancouver, Washington.

“I’m very excited about learning new life skills like cooking,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting a job and starting a family.”

MEAD HIGH SCHOOL

After her first year, she’ll attend Clark College, while continuing her education at the School for the Blind. She hopes to attend Whitworth University in the future.

The staff at Mead sees Page’s poten-

Graduation

The Mead High School commencement will be at 8 p.m. June 12 at Gonzaga University’s McCarthey Athletic Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St.

Principal: Troy Hughes

Valedictorians: McKennah Ainley, Cormic Arriens, Caleigh Baertlein, Carson Bandiero, Oden Beason, Carter Black, Ayden Britz, Addison Chaffins, Ava Cheney, Ashley Conner, David Cook, Nora Cullen, Kiley Davis, Owen Dentler, Paige Dewar, Abigail DeWinter, Jason Dutton, Ava Engeland, Elsa Erdman, Steele Frandsen, Reese Frederick, Eliza Furqueron, Leyenda Gago, Jonathan Germanovich, Nadia Grieves, Christopher Hendricks, Nicholas Hibbard, Gabriel Hill, Lucas Holman, Devyn Hoppe, Harley IbarraRivera, April Jones, Sean Jones, Dominic Kar, Avery Kautzman, Ravi Ke, Noah Kennedy-Gibbens, Grace Labrie, Naomi Lee, Nolan Lofstedt, Jackson Maxey, Kaiden Maxey, Addison McAllister, James Meldrum, James Millen, Moira Miller, Ella Mitchell, Luke Morasch, Kale Mullins, Adan Naeem, Makenna Neace, Jaden Neal, Lindy Nelson, Breydon Nguyen, Julia Pegram, Kate Phillips, Braxdan Proszek, Noah Reischman, Jaron Riggs, Samantha Rodriguez, Macey Seidel, Nathaniel Shannon, Corbin Shiras, Aiko Songhurst, Malia Spotts, Tyler Steel, Keely Steiner, Makenzey Stewart, Alexander Strate, Brady Thornton, Zane Twiggs, Gavan Vandenkooy, Graden Vandenkooy, Emily Vinnikova, Gracie Wenkheimer, Rosemarie Whitmer, Gage Wilson, Ava Yirak, Margo Zvonar

tial as limitless.

“Brooklyn has such a contagious personality – her teachers and peers adore her,” Harkness said. “She’s an exemplary student. I can see her doing motivational speaking or advocating

for people with disabilities.”

The counselor admires Page’s unflagging optimism.

“She can find the positive in any situation,” Harkness said. “I wish I could be more like her!”

Ready for her curtain call

Eleanor Weitz is pursuing her dreams of acting on Broadway

By Clarinne Kirk FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

From before she can even remember, Eleanor Weitz has wanted to be an actor.

When she was 5 years old, she went to the Spokane Civic Theatre with her mom and twin brother for a production of “Annie,” and was instantly in awe.

“When it was over, she came to me, and she said, ‘I want to do that,’ ” her mother, Cynda Weitz said.

Since that moment, Mt. Spokane’s Eleanor Weitz has pursued her dream by becoming involved in local productions and joining her school’s choirs and debate team. She also spent a few weeks in the summer of her sophomore year in a workshop program on Broadway. She’s even co-written her own musical and landed her first role in a feature film this year.

Weitz said that while experiencing acting in New York and in a film helped prove that these dreams could become a reality, the moment Weitz truly knew she wanted to continue pursuing acting was her freshman year of high school, when she got her first fan.

After finishing a performance as Veruca Salt from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at Spokane Civic Theatre, Weitz said a father and his young daughter, Evelyn, came up to her, asking for Weitz’s autograph and telling her how much they loved her work.

“I signed her program, and then I went to my car and cried because, if I could make people love theater and love the work we’re doing, then I can do this,” Weitz said. “And so, that day, I wrote a sticky note that said, ‘Do it for Evelyn.’ ”

The sticky note still hangs in Weitz’s room.

Cynda Weitz said that while her daughter has been able to find success through hard work and drive, she has never let that competitive nature overshadow her desire to be kind.

“She’s competitive and, yes, she’s very driven, but I think more importantly, everyone who works with her wants to work with her again,” Cynda Weitz said.

Eleanor Weitz said that over time, she has realized that it is her compassionate and hard-working nature that makes her valuable as a performer.

“My greatest superpower as a performer is never going to be my performance; it’s going to be me,” Weitz said. “I think just realizing how much being fully developed as a person is important to also succeeding in acting or any artistic field … you can’t just be the best performer in the room, you also have to be the best person for the job.”

Weitz said that one of the biggest challenges of high school has been finding people who share her level of passion for the arts, especially in a small city like Spokane. But, when working with people exclusively from larger cities, Weitz said she realized her upbringing gave her a unique perspective and allowed her to fall in

will study theater

love with theater without pressure.

“Growing up in a city where there’s more opportunities, there may be more of that pressure as well, whereas here, if there’s any arts happening, it’s because we all love it so much,

The Mt. Spokane High School commencement will be at 5 p.m. June 12 at Gonzaga University’s McCarthey Athletic Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St. Principal: Chelsea Gallagher

Valedictorians: Donivin Brady, Micah Brown, Brooklyn Buth, Marcus Divelbiss, Kayli Eastham, Areum Guertin, Ellie Henshaw, Kebrina Le, David Lindstrom, Elijah Melin, Javin Michaelsen, Berkeley Neilson, Camille Osmun, Gillian Sherwood, Abigail Smith, Addison Vanwert, Eleanor Weitz, Lillian Williams

we’re gonna find a way to make it work,” Weitz said.

After graduation, Weitz will attend Marymount Manhattan University to study theater while pursuing her dream of performing on Broadway.

But no matter where she ends up, Weitz said she is happy as long as she can continue to create.

“Anytime I can create or watch other people create, that’s where I’m gonna be,” Weitz said.

‘The best thing you can do is advocate for yourself’

With a teacher’s help,

Kenzy Beerbohm found ways to learn so she could excel

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Kenzy Beerbohm went from being a disheartened, frustrated student to teaching art lessons to K-2 students and becoming certified as a nursing assistant.

Jill Wright, North Star School teacher/mentor, met Beerbohm when she came to the Mead Learning Options program in 10th grade.

“She was so discouraged,” Wright said. “She said she was starting to shut down.”

School had never been enjoyable for Beerbohm.

“In elementary school, I got tested for dyslexia,” she said. “I was always just a little behind. It made me feel so awkward. Everyone else was able to enjoy learning, but I couldn’t because I struggled so much.”

At North Star, a home-school partnership, she collaborated on a more personalized curriculum that included extracurricular enrichment and leadership opportunities.

This encompassed her role as a teacher’s assistant at Mead Outdoor School, where her sister attended.

“Kenzy gained a new appreciation for learning once she built strategies that supported her learning style and helped her advocate for herself,” Wright said. “She’s a really hard worker and really determined.”

Those strategies included using audiobooks and movies, using talkto-text, and having more time to complete her work.

“We combined history and literature, so she read about women in history who struggled and overcame things,” Wright said. “She works at JCPenney, so for math, we focused on societal skills like using money and budgeting.”

That creativity made all the

difference for the once-struggling teen.

“It was so warm and welcoming at North Star,” Beerbohm said. “Jill Wright switched it up and taught me in a way I understood, instead of the way society understands. It was more hands-on and one-on-one.”

She gained confidence engaging with staff and students at MOS and planning and teaching art lessons to K-2 students.

“I taught the kids watercolor,” she said. Wright said the younger students loved her.

All of these opportunities and growth led to her earning her Certified Nursing Assistant certification at NEWtech. The program provided her with practical experience, enabling her to identify and pursue her interests, which culminated in a senior research project focused on enhancing the understanding and prevention of addiction.

“I have family members in healthcare, and I look at it as an opportunity for growth,” Beerbohm said. “It opens your eyes to the importance of treating people with kindness.”

Wright is enthusiastic about the world of opportunities awaiting Beerbohm.

“She’s going to make a big difference,” Wright said. “She realized her work ethic is very good. Her efficiency will allow her to continue to pursue learning. She has confidence and excitement about what she can do in the world. She was able to ask for the help she needed.”

Beerbohm acknowledged that asking for assistance was initially difficult.

“At first I didn’t want to speak up,” she said. “But you don’t get better if you don’t use your voice. The best thing you can do is advocate for yourself.”

Amari Ubert diligent in studies despite hearing challenges

By Treva Lind FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Amari Ubert often sat in the front of classes at Genesis Preparatory Academy.

While teachers knew about her partial deafness, most classmates didn’t.

Starting in early childhood, Ubert had chronic ear infections and a development issue in both ear canals. She needed hearing aids by seventh grade.

At Genesis, when she couldn’t hear part of assignments or lessons, she would follow up with her teachers. She worked hard, landing at the top of her class and taking dual credit classes at North Idaho College.

Genesis teacher Brooke Hinkens finds her determination impressive.

“Something that really just amazes me about Amari is through any setbacks or challenges that she has, like her hearing, she doesn’t let that stop her at all,” Hinkens said.

“She just works extremely hard in general.”

Ubert and her family moved about five years ago from Minnesota to Post Falls. She seldom talked about her hearing issues, especially at first.

“I was always very self-conscious about it,” she said. “I told my close friends after about a year of knowing them, and they immediately jumped to support me.”

Some counseling here helped.

“The counseling really helped me to realize that I am perfect the way I am, and it is perfectly fine for me to have these issues,” Ubert said. “It shouldn’t be

Aubre Hopson

deep family roots at Valley Christian High School, but she carved her own path through cheerleading and track.

Chauncey Mariner

Abigail Martin

Sebin Park

Oksana Pivovarevich

Jenna Raczek

Class of 2026

Expected to graduate are:

Harrison Arnold

Zane Bergsma

Charlee Bilbruck

Lilyanna Boomer

Ryleigh Brown-Sonder

Abrielle Clark

Tristan Combs-Craig

Kenleigh Drexler

Jaeger Emtman

Madeira Hansen

Wesley Hendrickson

Aubre Hopson

Cora Hopson

Cloie Isley

Christopher Knobel

Owen Langhans

Peter-Michael Rehwaldt

Caleb Reidt

Harper Rounsley

Amelia Shutts

Daniel Stebbins

Chase Sturgis

Darian Weiss-Hill

Raegan Weiss-Hill

something negative in my life.

“I started being a little bit more open about it, but a lot of my classmates still don’t know.”

A Starbucks job also made her realize that many people are supportive. Supervisors and coworkers responded positively, helping her understand orders, if needed.

Since about age 4, Ubert had gone to doctors because of ear and hearing issues. She’s had seven sets of ear tubes.

After noticing swelling in her neck, she was diagnosed with a toxic lymph node.

Before age 10, she had surgery to remove that noncancerous node.

But ear issues continued until recently.

In January 2025, a Spokane specialist used a bit of outside ear cartilage to reform her left eardrum. With that, she’s regained about 30% hearing on that side.

A late spring follow-up appointment will determine any needs for her other

ear, she said. She also had gone for a bit without hearing aids during the transition.

For the future, Ubert plans to stay at Starbucks and use its employee benefit to pay for two years of online school at Arizona State for a bachelor’s degree in ocean futures. The subject studies solutions, such as coral reef preservation.

After that, Ubert wants to go to law school at Liberty University to become a prosecutor. While job shadowing a prosecutor in the Kootenai County Courthouse, she met attorneys who urged her to get an undergraduate degree unrelated to law. They advised that when people get into law school, they either love it or hate it.

“If they hate it, they don’t have anything to fall back on,” Ubert said. “Previously, before wanting to be a lawyer, I wanted to be a marine biologist, so I thought, why not pursue both?”

Aubre Hopson thrives in a family environment

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Valley Christian School senior Aubre Hopson has thrown herself into school and community activities in the Spokane Valley area despite living just across the Idaho border in Benewah County.

“It’s a good 45 minutes to school every day,” she said.

But her ties to the school are strong as both of her parents graduated from there. Her grandmother began teaching at the school when her son, Hopson’s father, was in first grade. She’s still teaching. Hopson’s mother teaches her yearbook class, her uncle is one of her track coaches and her aunt is the principal. Her older sister also graduated from Valley Christian and her two younger siblings attend there as well.

Hopson said she’s grateful she was able to attend Valley Christian; she likes the small class sizes and tight-knit feel. “Both my parents have sacrificed to send us to the same school” they went to, she said.

Hopson was homeschooled until she started eighth grade. She said she enjoyed doing hands-on learning with her mother but also likes Valley Christian. “I was very thankful for the childhood at home,” she said. “It’s been a real blessing to get to experience both.”

In 2024, she was selected as a

Graduation

The Valley Christian commencement will be at 1 p.m. June 6 at Genesis Sanctuary at Valley Christian School, 10212 E. Ninth Ave. in Spokane Valley. Principal: Joyanna Hill Valedictorians: Oksana Pivovarevich

Southeast Spokane County Fair princess, despite living in Idaho. Hopson said organizers made an exception for her because she had been involved in the community and attended school in Spokane County. “My older sister actually did it a few years before I did,” she said. When Hopson started attending Valley Christian, she wanted to be a cheerleader. However, the school didn’t have a cheer team at the time. “My mom got certified as a coach and I was able to recruit a couple people I knew,” she said. “It has blossomed.”

Cheering at Tuesday night basketball games sometimes conflicts with her volunteer work at New Hope Bible Church as a youth ministry leader. She enrolled in the program when she was 3 and has been volunteering with the program since the seventh grade.

She joined the cross country team in her sophomore year and went to the state meet with her team in her junior and senior

Family tragedy inspired career choice

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Evangeline Morgan’s history at St. Michael’s Academy began before her birth.

“My parents went to the school and so did all my mom’s sisters,” she said.

“My grandpa was a real estate agent and actually helped them find the building.”

St. Michael’s Academy is a K-12 school staffed by members of the Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen.

“I’ve known Evangeline since she was a baby,” said Sister Michael Marie, St. Michael’s high school principal. “She’s attended school here for 13 years.”

Organized, determined, and motivated best describe this student, who is a member of the National Honor Society.

“I learned to work hard to meet their high standards,” Morgan said.

Faculty members noticed her diligence.

Graduation

The St. Michael’s Academy commencement was May 30 at Mount St. Michael, 8500 N. St. Michael’s Road. Principal: Sister Michael Marie Valedictorian: Nicholas Bollinger ST. MICHAEL’S ACADEMY

Class of 2026

Expected to graduate are: Nicholas Bollinger

Louis Gilchrist Fiana Heaton Olivia Lodgard

Evangeline Morgan Guadalupe Russell Margaret Schlosser Theresa Sitzenstock Lucas Welp

“She doesn’t need a lot of direction,” Sister Michael Marie said. “She’s president of the school’s pro-life group, and her peers look up to her.” Morgan relished her

time at the small school.

“I’ve enjoyed the community life,” she said. “Everyone knows each other, and you’re able to grow up with the same kids.”

She especially liked literature classes.

“Morgan enjoys literature and discussion,” said Sister Michael Marie. “She has a lot of opinions and isn’t afraid to speak up.”

Musical theater also caught her attention.

“I was in three musicals,” she said. “I liked being at the school at night and the free dinners!”

A family tragedy forged her desire to work with those struggling with addiction.

“My brother, Jaiden, died when I was in sixth grade,” Morgan said. “He was my half-brother, and we didn’t live in the same house, but I was always excited to see him.”

She said he had a history of addiction, and his death was attributed to an overdose.

“I was in shock – I didn’t

get to say goodbye.”

Morgan’s grief propelled her into learning about addiction and recovery.

Completing a senior thesis was optional, but she took individual responsibility for not only her own learning but also for sharing her discoveries and trying to raise awareness in the community.

“She spent a lot of time doing research,” said Sister Michael Marie. “I was very impressed with that. I felt like it was over and above. She really wants to work with people who have addiction issues.”

Already enrolled at Spokane Falls Community College, Morgan plans to become an addiction counselor.

“My brother’s death motivated me to learn more,” she said. “I want to have my own practice, and I want to help the children of those who are addicted.”

Sister Michael Marie believes Morgan will make a positive impact wherever

years. “The last time we went to state was when my mom was on the team,” she said. Hopson said the team made her feel welcome and she enjoyed the experience. “It was so much fun,” she said. “It actually really helped me grow as a person and be braver and more outgoing.”

She also joined the track team, running the 400 meter, 800 meter, mile and 4x4 relay. She’s gone to state every year since her freshman year and was hoping to go again this year.

In what little spare time remained, she joined the Honor Society and has been the Associated Student Body secretary for the past two years.

Senior adviser Kelly Chadduck said Hopson has worked hard to maintain good grades while being involved in a lot of activities. She “takes initiative to serve and represent outside of school in addition to the myriad of school activities,” Chadduck said.

Hopson said she’d like to take the year after high school to become a certified massage therapist and then “see where it takes me.” She can see it leading to a career as a physical therapist or she could join the family business and become a teacher at Valley Christian.

“I don’t really know,” she said. “We’ll see. I did think for a really long time about becoming an elementary teacher. I’ll definitely still consider that.”

she serves.

“Evangeline has been a great joy,” she said. “She has a strong,

A welcoming spot

Adriiela Motresku found the right atmosphere for learning and discovered a gift for languages

By Treva Lind FOR THE SPOKESMANREVIEW

Soon after war erupted in her native Ukraine, Adriiela Motresku fled with her family to America. Then 13, she spoke very little English.

An uncle who is a U.S. citizen offered to help, so they left Chernivtsi in March 2022 for temporary aid in Romania, then embarked on a lengthy journey to get to Boise.

Motresku, 17, doesn’t remember much about the war, other than sirens warning of possible Russia attacks.

“I was just excited that we were going to another country,” she said. Language barriers proved difficult, though. Motresku felt lost while finishing eighth grade in Boise, although two girls helped. Her freshman year in Boise was equally overwhelming. Someone in the school office who spoke Russian helped her navigate a class schedule.

A turnaround came three years ago, with a move to Post Falls for her father’s work. She started at Post Falls High School, liked it, and began making big strides in speaking English. Her grades improved.

“I really like the atmosphere here at this school,” Motresku said. “I really like the teachers who are so kind to me (and) make it easy to understand them. I really like the neighbors and people in the community; they’re kind.”

“I just felt really welcomed in this school.”

This year, she pushed herself by taking dual college credit courses.

She took honors Spanish and a math course through University of Idaho, and honors speech through North Idaho College. Motresku continued English as Second Language studies to gain proficiency.

“I wanted to improve my GPA,” she said. “Now, I’ve reached my goal to get all A’s in all of my classes.”

In Boise, Motresku befriended students from Mexico and Columbia.

“They couldn’t really speak a lot of English, but I got some of their Spanish, although I don’t know how,” she said.

Now, Motresku views languages as a strength. She can speak five: Romanian through family, Ukrainian, Russian, and more in English and Spanish.

She originally came to Idaho with her parents, an older sister, younger sister, younger brother and a brother-in-law.

After she graduates, she and family are set to return to Boise to be near other relatives. This fall, she plans to start at Boise State. Motresku wants to be a teacher and major in elementary education with an ESL endorse -

Graduation

the school’s arena, 2832 E. Poleline Ave. in Post Falls. Principal: Mark Mason Valedictorian: Lola Barron

ment. She also plans certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages to teach adults and online.

Brenda Valentine, her ESL teacher, said Motresku has a gift for languages.Motresku “has been pretty phenomenal in how quickly she has acquired English,” Valentine said. “She has a natural talent for languages, but she is also extremely motivated and goal oriented.

“I had no qualms

Taelor McMillen found a school where he could rebuild himself

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Taelor McMillen’s hobby is building cars and then wrecking them. His biggest rebuilding project, though, was when he reinvented himself.

The New Vision High School graduate spent three years at Post Falls High School, arguing with his parents and siblings and picking up lots of bad habits, he said.

“I had a hard time with in-person school,” McMillen said. “I wasn’t really behind in credits, but I wasn’t hanging around with the best people, and I wasn’t the best person myself. I wasn’t giving myself a chance to become better, to be the person I wanted to be.

“My parents and friends told me that they were worried about me, but it took a long time for me to realize that they were right and that my life would be easier

Graduation

The New Vision High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 11 at Post Falls High School auditorium, 2832 E. Poleline Ave. in Post Falls. Principal: Dawn Mackesy

if I let the people in who wanted to help me. The people who cared about me were trying, and I wasn’t.

“I’m not sure when the light went on,” he added. “My grandpa died when I was young, and I wanted to make him proud, and not many people in my family have walked across a high school stage to graduate. It would have been easier for people to give up on me, because they did not deserve the things I said or how I treated them much of the time.”

New Vision worked for McMillen because he was

about her learning Spanish on top of learning English and on top of all her classes. She’s just that talented and well-rounded. She’s always positive and cares about other people.”

Motresku isn’t looking back.

“There are a lot of opportunities for me here,” she said. “People are really kind. They’re not willing to let me give up on my goals. I’m really glad to be in this country.”

able to integrate his program at Kootenai Technical Education Campus with his online classes. And he raved about the staff at New Vision.

“They’re amazing,” he said. “It’s the kindest group of people I’ve ever encountered. They don’t hesitate to help you, going above and beyond. I really don’t think that I would have graduated if I hadn’t gone there.”

McMillen earned Industrial Welding certifications upon completion of his KTEC program, and plans to go into pipeline welding, starting with an apprenticeship. His high school experience should provide him opportunities to move through the steps quickly, and he hopes eventually to have his own business with a mobile welding unit.

About that hobby? McMillen started by helping a friend build cars for Auto Roller Derby, more aptly described as a demolition

contest where the goal is to have the only running car remaining. His friend urged him to compete, and the first time he was on the track, he was hooked.

“I bought my own car recently,” he said. “We never spend more than $300 to buy one, and after the derby we either repair and reinforce it, or get a new one. It’s a great way for me to work out my anger, doing something that I love and that makes me proud to be there.”

What makes McMillen’s accomplishments even more incredible, is that he

did them while facing his mother’s serious illness and his own shoulder injury that required surgery, New Vision instructor MeShell Nadeau said.

“The simplest tasks could feel like an uphill battle, and Taelor wasn’t just a student anymore,” Nadeau said. “He was also both a patient and caregiver. I watched him mature, learn patience and valuable time management. He was determined not to let any setbacks stop him. Witnessing his tenacity is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.”

‘Failure isn’t an option’

Kaitlyn Collins ready for everyday life after transplant

By Mia Stillman FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Kaitlyn Collins has not let health complications get in the way of excelling as a student and putting one foot in front of the other.

Collins, who was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 10, is a student at Three Springs High School, an alternative learning program within the Cheney School District, with small class sizes and a focus on hands-on, community-based learning.

When Collins had to start going to dialysis three days a week in October 2024, she started taking online classes through Apex Learning.

Travis Weese, Collins’ counselor at Three Springs, has supported her throughout her high school years as she has balanced her healthcare needs with being an engaged student.

“She’s done an amazing job at … her self-management, her self-regulation, coping through the difficulties and through the challenges. She has shown resilience. She has shown grit,” Weese said.

Between road trips to Seattle Children’s Hospital and weekly appointments, Collins said her need for a hybrid learning experience has made high school less social.

Jenna Johnson, Collins’ mom, said her daughter was able to stay motivated while managing at-home learning through taxing health complications.

“Kaitlyn has a mindset that failure isn’t an option. No matter what life throws at you, you

just keep moving forward and show up and do the best you can,” Johnson said.

Weese said Collins was able to stay academically engaged while her health worsened over her high school career.

“Over the last few years, a lot of those health complications have intensified for her to the point where she has become eligible for an organ transplant, and it’s been a journey for her,” Weese said.

On April 20, Collins had kidney transplant surgery and is now turning a corner. She is set to walk the stage to graduate in June with her classmates.

Collins said the transplant has brought her some relief – and she thinks it will make life a lot easier.

“I think I’m just really excited to get back into everyday life with other people,” Collins said.

Despite her health, Collins has maintained a 4.0 GPA for the past several quarters and is an honor roll student.

“I think that right there speaks volumes to her as a person,” Weese said.

Weese describes Kaitlyn as a kind soul and a friend to all. “When she is on our campus … she’s a spotlight, she’s somebody who just has a smile on her face and is just happy to be here,” Weese said.

Outside of school, Collins has explored her passion for drawing. She said that she enjoys art because of its flexibility and lack of boundaries.

Beyond graduation, she hopes to attend Spokane Falls Community College and study in the

Kaitlyn Collins received a kidney transplant in April.

school’s art program.

“I just hope she gets out there, enjoys college, finds some good art friends and really starts sharing her art with others,” Johnson said.

Johnson said she would love for Collins to eventually showcase her art to others and get involved in the art community in Spokane.

“I think she has a very unique lens to share with other people about being positive and persevering through hard times at such a young age,” Johnson said. Collins said she is excited to graduate and move forward.

“There’s no other student who really shines as bright as Kaitlin,” Weese said.

Bridger Fobes is developing a business plan to open a gym.

BUILDING ON HIS STRENGTHS

Bridger Fobes uses both his creativity and analytical mind for projects

By Treva Lind FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

While constructing a tiny house this year, Bridger Fobes also built a framework to help others.

The Liberty Launch Academy graduate documented his construction steps and materials, with plans to create a website showing other people how to design and build similar structures.

Fobes, a Coeur d’Alene resident, was among the first students when the private Liberty Lake K-12 school began four years ago. The school encourages internships and hands-on learning.

“Through my internship, I’m building a tiny house and when it’s done, I’m going to live in the tiny house,” said Fobes, 18. The house is just over 400 square feet and set to be completed in June.

He’s doing the project under an internship through his father, a civil engineer, on family property.

“That connects to my capstone project – I’m going to be creating a whole website that shows people in-depth how to build a tiny house under $60,000, because houses now are so expensive.” He believes young adults who want to buy a home should be able to, although affordability is

often a barrier.

“I think moving out of the house is an essential step for your own growth,” he said. “I’m trying to help people to take that first step.”

Jason Miller, leadership and English teacher, said Fobes shows resilience, gratitude and a constant self-growth mindset. His abilities range from creative to analytical.

“His right brain and left brain are both fully active – you don’t usually see that in a human,”

Miller said. “He’s very artistic with his drawing and music. He plays the piano well. Then, he has this engineering, logical, scientific, inquisitive mind.”

Miller said Fobes is known for mentoring younger students, helping to resolve conflicts.

During his own setbacks, Fobes remains positive and moves forward.

Fobes has regularly lifted weights, after a childhood bout of pneumonia.

“I started weightlifting, and then everything started to get better,” he said. Later in childhood, he had severe bronchitis that lingered. “It reset all my progress, but I got back into the gym” and improved again.

At Liberty Launch, he and a friend created a weight-training club for younger students, with oversight by a school coach.

Fobes also enjoys surfing, mountain biking and snow-

LIBERTY LAUNCH ACADEMY

Graduation

The Liberty Launch Academy commencement was at 5 p.m. May 21 at MODE Campus, 2110 N. Molter Road in Liberty Lake.

Principal: Jason Miller

Class of 2026

Expected to graduate are:

Mailee Akers

Carson Faller

Bridger Fobes

Hudson Horst

Judah Mann

Caleb Robison

boarding. He said he’ll keep that up, despite a hard landing while snowboarding more than a year ago that broke his collarbone.

“Now, I have a plate and 14 screws in my shoulder,” he said. Still, he returned to the gym and slowly exceeded his weight-lifting targets.

“In the past year since my last injury, I’ve gained 30 pounds just in muscle, which was a huge goal.”

He also finished college classes through Arizona State University, including biology and world history. After graduation, Fobes plans to start a business right away.

“I don’t plan on going to college, but I’m keeping the door open,” he said. “My goal after high school is to start my own gym, and I’m developing a business plan.”

Cohen MacLeod’s love of world events spurs career goals

By Treva Lind FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

A chance to build Lego robots first attracted Cohen MacLeod to North Idaho STEM Charter Academy. He started fourth grade at the Rathdrum school with its science, technology, engineering and math focuses. Later, history and international relations became his passions.

MacLeod is a National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society member and recipient of the school’s Trailblazer award. But during the middle of high school, he went through a tough time. His sister Sadie died at age 9.

“I was in eighth grade when my sister was diagnosed with brain cancer,” said MacLeod, 17. “Two years later, when I was nearing the middle of my 10th grade, she passed away.

“It impacted my grades quite a lot. There was definitely a period of detachment from school, both in physical absence and with the loss being emotionally and intellectually very draining.”

MacLeod said he found a way to refocus, earning high grades in his junior and senior years.

“After she passed, I don’t know what exactly motivated me to work harder, but I think it showed me how finite the people and the life around me were ... I realized life gets real sometimes. I don’t want to waste it.”

English teacher Betsy Sims said MacLeod embodies two character traits that school leaders seek to foster: hard work and kindness.

“Among the four years that I have taught Cohen, he is that student,” Sims said. “He works his tail off. He’s had to face a lot of adversity and has overcome it with a lot of grace.”

She said MacLeod is inclusive of others, kind and seeks to draw others into conversations.

“He’s just very aware of others and compassionate, making sure they’re heard. It’s just his character.” These are traits he attributes to his parents.

“They raised me to be very attentive, emotionally adept, just knowing how to read emotions and care for people, because the world can sometimes be a very scary, uncaring place,” he said. “Whatever I can do to make people feel more seen and more cared for, I like to do.”

In addition to earning a high school diploma, MacLeod took dual credit courses to earn an associate degree in political science from North Idaho College. MacLeod said he lives between his dad’s house in Spokane Valley and his mom’s in Hayden. At age 12, he started reading the news during long drives to school.

That fostered his interest in world events and history. He was in the student leadership council and was Quiz Bowl team captain, winning in competitions with his history knowledge.

Next, he plans to attend Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government & Public Service for an international relations degree.

“I realized I found world politics and events a lot more interesting than I did American politics and events,” he said. “Looking at world news feels like history in the making.”

He hopes to work at the U.S. State Department, or an international organization such as the United Nations.

“Seeing and being part of history in the making,” he said, “whether it be a peace agreement or trade, it’s like the ultimate calling.”

a love for math, music and the mat

By Charlie Oltman FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Throughout his high school career, Cheney High School senior Cooper French has grappled with academics and extracurriculars with the support of his family, teachers and coaches.

“There’s a lot of good teachers at Cheney High School and athletic programs – especially wrestling – that really taught me a lot about how to work hard to get stuff done,” French said.

French first got into wrestling during the COVID-19 pandemic after seeing a video on YouTube that inspired him.

“(I like) seeing how different moves connect to each other and just working on technique over and over again until you can do something perfectly,” French said.

Cynthia Dukich, French’s mom, said he started in eighth grade, later than many other wrestlers.

“He had a pretty steep learning curve at the beginning,” she said.

Dukich said French took the challenges in stride. He placed sixth in the 2026 WIAA Mat Classic for 3A Washington State competition in his weight class.

French said since the beginning, his coaches have inspired and encouraged him to always show up and work hard – something he has taken into other areas of his life.

On top of wrestling, French juggles academics, playing trombone in jazz band and baritone in marching band as well as a social life.

“With marching band, it’s the same thing as wrestling where you learn how to work hard,” he said. “But (band) taught me how to have fun and how to relax.”

While taking AP classes and performing in ensembles at the high school, French also attends classes through the Running Start program at Eastern Wash-

ington University.

“Academically, Cooper’s been a rarity, especially with math,” school counselor Tyler Neely said. French has taken eight college-level math classes prior to his high school graduation.

French said that his favorite subject is math, and he plans to continue studying it in college. In the fall, he is attending the University of Chicago and is excited for the increased rigor of college classes, professional connections and research opportunities.

Dukich said she is excited for French to be able to attend his top-choice university.

“But it’s bittersweet

because we’ll miss him a lot,” Dukich said. “The great thing about this world that we live in now is we’re so interconnected through the internet, FaceTime, phones and all that kind of stuff, so it’s not as big a deal to leave as it used to be.”

Dukich said Cheney will always be French’s home, but she is excited for him to spread his wings and see how he grows in the next chapter of his life.

Looking back on French’s high school career, Neely said he is impressed by French’s involvement on and off the high school campus.

“He’s shown that you can do both,” Neely said. “You can balance staying involved

Graduation

The Cheney High School

commencement will be at 6:30 p.m. June 11 at Reese Court at Eastern Washington University, 1136 Washington St. in Cheney.

Principal: Brett Hale

Valedictorians: Rachel Bae, Savannah Born, Rachel Carpenter, Alayna Daul, Cooper French, Amira Zwart, Estelle Jordan, Sawyer Kissell, Nora Lonam, Addison Mink, Myles Moomey, Lauren Ricketson, Eleanor Roewe, William Thomsen, Xharlie Witt

and being active in lots of different things and still just be through the roof academically.”

While maintaining this rigor, Neely said French has remained humble throughout his time in high school.

“Super humble kid, very talented and very gifted, and at the same time is not one to boast or brag,” he said. “That’s been one of the things I’ve been most impressed with.”

French said there was no secret to his success.

“We wake up every day, we go to school, we go to work, and it’s the little things every single day that impact us and make us who we are.”

Ryder Wilbanks keeps grounded despite many moves

By Mia Stillman FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

WIN Academy senior Ryder Wilbanks has taken change in stride during his high school years, adapting and growing during transition.

Wilbanks has experienced his fair share of moving as the son of an active-duty military dad. With each change in location came a change in schools.

His mother, Kristi Wilbanks, said that during these transitions, Ryder Wilbanks remained flexible in the face of change.

“When he went out of the public schools and into home school, he adapted very well,” Kristi Wilbanks said. “When we got here and he went into more of a classroom setting again, he adapted very well ... We’re very proud of him.”

Ryder Wilbanks began attending WIN Academy in his junior year, transferring from HomeWorks. The small public school in Cheney operates through a hybrid competency model, with students learning in person and at home.

“It’s actually great for him because he can work at his pace ... He can work on what he needs to work on, focus on what he needs to focus on ... in his own style,” Kristi Wilbanks said.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning and field experiences to provide students with a tailored and empowering environment. Looking back at his two years at WIN Academy, Ryder Wilbanks said he grew not just academically but personally.

“I definitely didn’t want to talk to anybody. And now, I mean, I can talk a lot more and a lot more confidently, not so quiet, not so shy and reserved,” Wilbanks said.

Teacher Haley Rayburn echoed these sentiments.

“Over the course of the last two years, we’ve just really seen him come out of his shell ... Now he’s really engaging with others. He’s shown his curiosity,” Rayburn said.

Wilbanks’ growth in the classroom has allowed him to engage with his peers and explore his academic interests, in and out of the classroom.

“He’s a great kid, very kind, very respectful. He works really well with his classmates. He’s always there to help,” Rayburn said. “He’s just always participating and curious and asking questions … He’s worked really hard the last two years.”

This spring, students have embarked on passion projects, exploring their interests and potential paths after graduation.

Wilbanks has interviewed a history teacher at WIN Academy and a history professor at Gonzaga University for the assignment. He said this exposure has opened his eyes to the possibility of pursuing his long-held passion for history, something he had never considered until now.

“I think what really makes me passionate is probably just all the crazy things you can hear about, all the crazy things you can learn about,” Wilbanks said. “You read one book on one topic and you’ve heard about 15 different, almost unbelievable things that happened.”

Wilbanks said his love for history began in middle school and has carried on over the past five years.

“When I was about 13, when my family moved to Washington state ... I learned about a couple subjects. I don’t remember exactly what, but it just kind of sparked something in me,” Wilbanks said.

Looking forward, Wilbanks is weighing his options after graduation and looking at colleges in North Idaho, as well as Spokane Community College’s trades program.

“I’m thinking about college for a kind of history education while going down the trades route so that I have my options open to me,” Wilbanks said.

Rayburn said she hopes Wilbanks can find a way to pursue his love of history beyond his school years.

“He is a total history buff ... He always will work with me too and offer his perspective ... so I appreciate that about him,” Rayburn said.

Wilbanks is set to graduate in June and is excited for life beyond high school, taking his newfound sense of confidence along the way.

Principal:

Need a hand completing the FAFSA?

STCU is here to help. We’re partnering with local high school and college career advisors and LaunchNW to offer free assistance for anyone considering college or vocational training.

Visit stcu.org/FAFSA to schedule an appointment at an STCU branch near you.

Membership not required.

CLass OF 2026

SHE’S GOT SPIRIT

By Jim Allen FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

School spirit doesn’t come cheap, so Scout Brown did something about it. As a sophomore at Lake City High School, she lamented the high cost of shirts, jackets and all the other gear that make Friday night lights so special.

Looking back, the idea seems so simple.

After winning a seat on the student council, Brown began her sophomore year with a goal of boosting school spirit.

“It’s hard for some kids to find affordable things to wear to games,” said Brown, now a senior. “The online store has some nice things, but it’s pretty expensive.”

With her mother’s support, Brown and others in student government opened an on-site thrift store and hoped that Lake City alumni would answer the call for donations of vintage gear.

The message went out on Instagram, Facebook and old-fashioned word of mouth.

The response in that fall of 2023 was immediate and almost overwhelming.

“We got $200 worth of items on the first day and $400 on the second day,” said Brown, who collected bags dropped by former athletes, alumni and other people in Coeur d’Alene.

Led by Brown and several friends, the Lake City ASB established the thrift store on campus, allowing students to gear up at affordable prices. Donations dropped off a bit after the initial response but have remained steady ever since.

The project has raised thousands of dollars for a variety of school functions, such as decorations for school dances and other school activities.

“I’m very proud of her,” said Scout’s mother, Gina Brown. “It was so great to see the community come around. And the staff has been really helpful.”

For Brown, who’s also a Timberwolves cheerleader, the results were heartwarming. “It’s been really fun,

and I loved Friday nights, cheering on the boys in football and basketball.”

Even better, students turn out for games wearing the jerseys worn by past athletes.

In nominating Brown for inclusion in The Spokesman-Review special section, Lake City staffers praised her for “turning a hobby into a fundraiser and has established a great system for future student council leaders.”

Brown is also ranked in the top 10% in her class academically – an all-

Graduation

The Lake City High School commencement will be at 11 a.m. June 6 at the school’s Van Troxel Field, 6101 N. Ramsey Road in Coeur d’Alene.

Principal: Bryan Kelly

Valedictorian: Erik Pierce

around success story even more noteworthy because she was a late entry into Coeur d’Alene Public Schools.

One of three children, Brown attended North Idaho Christian School for elementary, then made a big jump for middle school to Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, enrollment 400.

“It was easy to make friends there,” Brown said. And, despite its 1,500plus students, she had no trouble adjusting to Lake City. At the same time she remains active in her church youth group and works part time in a

Coeur d’Alene confectionery store.

The next transition will be tougher.

“I feel like I’m going to miss everything here,” Brown said. “When I when I think about graduation, I cry almost every time.”

Come fall, Brown won’t be far away. She’s already well on her way to an associate degree at North Idaho College, thanks to its dual-credit program.

And after that?

“I think I want to be a teacher,” Brown said.

Connor Gallaher, who spent two years sailing the Atlantic, Caribbean on a catamaran, will now cross the Pacific to start his engineering studies

LEARNING ADVENTURES

By Treva Lind FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

A 44-foot catamaran once served as a classroom for Connor Gallaher, who was raised in the Florida Keys. At the start of 2021, he embarked with family for two years of ocean sailing.

When his family moved to North Idaho four years ago, he traded those voyages for Coeur d’Alene High School, where he navigated advanced classes, clubs and service projects. Next, he will study engineering at the University of Idaho.

Among his achievements are Eagle Scout, National Honor Society, and November 2025 Kiwanis Student of the Month for community service. He also participated in speech and debate and DECA.

“Connor is one of a kind,” said Megan Franklin, his counselor. “He’s so poised, responsible, capable and varied in his interests.

“I’d trust him in the future as my doctor, my lawyer – but he wants to go into engineering, and I’d trust him to engineer anything that I would use, because he’s so bright and capable. He has such a good heart and spirit.”

Gallaher has committed to UI’s Microchip Engineering and Security Alliance program, which has students spend their first two years studying at Hiroshima University in Japan.

“I’m very adventure-focused,” said Gallaher, 18. “I like to go out and see the world and do things. I’m definitely a nerd.”

He and his family – including dad Michael, mom Stephanie and brother Cameron, 17 – took on a project after they bought a catamaran as a fixer-upper.

“We worked on it for two years,” he said. In Key West, he lived with family on the catamaran in a marina, “and, of course, I was going to school and everything.”

“Then on New Year’s Day of 2021, we left the dock and sailed up the Eastern Seaboard for 2021, and for 2022, we sailed down to the Caribbean. I spent tons of time in the Bahamas, U.S. Virgin Islands.”

While in the north Atlantic, they navigated New York Harbor and the East River and sailed up to Boston. While sailing, Gallaher was home-schooled using

textbooks and paper – no computers. After finishing his schoolwork, he could explore an island or city, or go diving.

“I got to see amazing things while sailing around. I also got leadership experience.

Everybody contributes when you’re on a boat.”

His family moved to Coeur d’Alene seeking the Northwest’s beauty, he said. They also sought a traditional high school experience, and Gallaher took several Ad-

D’ALENE HIGH SCHOOL

vanced Placement and honors classes.

His Eagle Scout project covered the building of aluminum picnic tables for a park in the city of Dalton Gardens.

In DECA, he got a firstplace award for his startup business plan to make U.S. housing more efficient and less expensive for construction, maintenance and energy use.

He and classmates in the Model U.N. studied the Unit-

Graduation

The Coeur d’Alene High School

commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 5 at the school’s Viking Stadium, 5530 N. Fourth St. in Coeur d’Alene.

Principal: Victoria Beecher

Valedictorian: Olivia May

ed Nations and were assigned to learn about the member nations. Gallaher tested well in his AP classes, scoring a high of 5 for AP U.S. History. He’s been to many of those historic U.S. places, among other travel highlights.

“Going out to the ocean really taught me a lot of leadership experience that has carried forward into my high school career, but also into Scouting and the other areas of my life,” he said.

Madisen Hart found stability at Venture

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For senior Madisen Hart, success at Venture Academy in Coeur d’Alene runs in the family. Hart was on her way to an unsuccessful high school career, failing classes, starting arguments, and being disrespectful to teachers, she said. She recalls that she passed only one class in two semesters at Coeur d’Alene High School.

“I was horrible there,” she said. “I had terrible anxiety and didn’t do any of my work. I was skipping classes, just hanging out or going to another teacher’s classroom. I had already been in several schools by the time I started high school, and moved back and forth between Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kellogg.

“I didn’t have much stability at home, and I felt like everybody was against me so I was angry at the world. But at the end of my freshman year, my brother Isaiah talked to me about Venture, how it was a lot smaller and there were people to talk with there. Honestly, I didn’t mind transferring there because I wasn’t hanging around with good people then.

“As soon as I got to Venture, I had teachers who helped me in class and with my anger issues. It took a while, but I’m a lot better person now than I was my freshman year.”

Hart intends to enroll this fall in the Certified Nursing Assistant program at North Idaho College, and hopes eventually to become a pediatric nurse. She likes helping people, she said, and has wanted to become a nurse ever since she was a child.

“I will miss the teachers and the people I’ve been in school with at Venture. They have become my family,” she said, calling Skyler Mantz, the Venture assistant principal, her favorite person. “I was caught up in credits by my junior year, and at Venture I’ve had lots of classes that I’ve never seen before, practical classes that will help me after high school. The last thing I had to finish was my senior project, on pediatric nursing, radiology and cosmetology.”

Hart won’t forget the role that her brother, Isaiah, played in her success: “He and I had the same struggles, and he wanted me to be successful instead of a brat.”

Mantz echoed Isaiah’s importance in his sister’s life.

“He was a constant for her,” Mantz said. “He would come to me when he was concerned about her and ask me to check in. And we checked in through a lot of different circumstances.

“After she started at Venture there were some ups and downs. Madi was angry, and she struggled when people told her what to do or when she perceived that she was being wronged. There were times I didn’t think she would make it, but she came in every day when she was having a hard time with math or English.

“She’s a great kid who’s had some ups and downs, but I am so proud of her for getting to the finish line.”

Graduation

ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS

An International Baccalaureate diploma candidate, Per Sande will attend UW next fall

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Grounded, measured, kind, respectful, well-liked and really funny.

That’s the way Jamie Billings describes student Per Sande.

Sande is an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate and has attended St. George’s School since kindergarten.

“He’s got a level head,” Billings said. “He’s logical and makes good decisions. His humor is understated, and he’s a friend to everyone.”

She’s had Sande in her Spanish class for four years and is his Knowledge Bowl coach.

“He’s a reserved leader – he leads by example, and his peers look up to him.”

Sande said he’s enjoyed his time at St. George’s. The private, independent, non-religious, college-preparatory school fosters connection and community.

“It’s a smaller school and provides a lot of different opportunities,” he said. “Any student can try anything, and I like trying new things!”

He participated in sports such as soccer, basketball and track and field.

Track proved to be his passion and he wanted to participate in as many events as possible.

“The school doesn’t offer pole-vaulting, and I wanted to try it, so I joined Spokane Speed.”

Alongside his academic pursuits and sports, Sande participated in the Science Club and contributed to the water-quality research of the Little Spokane River.

He also spearheaded the Operation Christmas Child program at the school.

“My sisters started running it at St. George’s, and I helped out,” he said. “When they graduated, I took over. This year, I passed the baton to a family with younger kids.”

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. Volunteers fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies,

Graduation

The St. George’s School commencement was May 31 at Saint George’s School Graduation Lawn, 2929 W. Waikiki Road. Principal: Nathan Lill

hygiene items, and a note from the sender, and the boxes are distributed to children around the world.

The program has a special meaning for Sande’s family.

“Mom grew up in Bosnia during the independence war,” said Sande. “She received a Christmas box – it was so emotional for her. It was a scary time, and having this box with a note let her know someone out there was thinking about her.”

Sande will attend the University of Washington in the fall and plans to study biomedical engineering.

“I really want to go into research, specifically for prosthetics,” he said.

“I’m really passionate about track and seeing how prosthetics have evolved to help athletes.”

He feels his time at St. George’s has equipped him for the next phase of his life.

“I think St. George’s has prepared me well,” he said. “Direct communication

with the teachers has taught me how to reach out and communicate, and I’ve had lots of hands-on experiences.”

Billings is excited to see what the future holds for Sande.

“Per will continue to be curious and find new passions while remaining true to who he is,” she said. “He’s a great example of what we hope the youth of today will be.”

‘Angels watching over her’

Moving forward to experience new things

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

If anyone has learned at an early age that life is full of ups and downs, it is Lakeside High School senior Kyleigh Wolfe.

First, the ups. Wolfe was the Class 2A Scenic Idaho Conference Girls Basketball Most Valuable Player this season for the second straight year. She averaged 23 points per game, scored 35 in the 2A District 1 championship game and was honored several times as Athlete of the Week.

“Kyleigh has constantly been working on her game and ways to improve,” her coach, Chris Dohrman, told the Coeur d’Alene Press in February. “She has become a better shooter, leader, teammate and defender.”

In the classroom, Wolfe has completed numerous college courses through Idaho Distance Learning Academy and graduated from Lakeside with honors. She will attend Spokane Community College in the fall and play basketball there, and her intention beyond that is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration. “That’s a very versatile degree,” she said,” and I think that college will be an experience for me to figure out what I want to do next.”

As she looks back at her time at Lakeside, she hopes her on-court legacy is leadership.

“To me, that means being there for my teammates, not myself, working to get along with everyone and helping to make them better,” Wolfe said. “I have tried to encourage my teammates to do more than they think they can do.”

All those accomplishments have come in the face of numerous tragedies over the years. Her father, a star three-sport athlete at Lakeside, was murdered when she was an infant, and other close family and friends suffered untimely deaths throughout her childhood and adolescence.

“All that loss has been really hard,” she said, “but I’ve pushed myself for them. Through sports and school, I live my life for them. People say that I play basketball just like my dad. I lost my best friend two years ago and I didn’t know what to think or do. My family is my biggest support system, and my mom has been my biggest support through everything.

“I’ve lived in Worley my whole life,” she said, “and moving away will be hard. Everything that I’ve ever known is here, so it will be hard to leave this place. It has just started sinking in. I’m a little worried about that, but I know that I need to move forward for myself, try new things, meet new people and have new

Graduation

The Lakeside High School (PlummerWorley) commencement was May 30 at Miller Court, 1255 E St. in Plummer.

Principal: Carly Green

Valedictorian: Ericka Flower

Success in school, on ice runs in this family

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

If Enlightium Prep graduate Jared Shcherbina’s story sounds familiar, that’s because it should.

Like his older brother Caleb – who was picked to be spotlighted in this section by his school three years ago – Shcherbina is graduating two years early and plays hockey on the 18U North Idaho Knights AA team based in Coeur d’Alene. But that doesn’t mean that Shcherbina operates in his brother’s shadow.

He decided to graduate early only at the beginning of the current academic year when he discovered that by including several additional electives to his core requirements, he could finish at Enlightium even sooner than he had planned.

“It was exciting and I was really happy to figure that out,” he said. “But it was also stressful because this spring I have had to choose what college classes I want to take next year.”

He will spend the next two years at Spokane Falls Community College, working toward an associate degree in arts with an accounting focus. After that, he hopes to enroll at Gonzaga University and continue to study accounting. His mother is a professional accountant, and Shcherbina has noted the numerous business pathways that an accounting degree offers.

experiences. It sucks not to know about basketball, but I believe that things will work out how they’re supposed to.” Her counselor at Lakeside, Jaclynn Watson, has the final word on Wolfe and her inspiration to succeed.

Hybrid program helps Isabella Mattke excel

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Isabella Mattke has shone in her years at the East Valley Parent Partnership, a program that brings together homeschooling with school district support that includes classes, curriculum and equipment.

Mattke has been in the program since kindergarten. She is autistic and her mother thought she would need extra support in school. “I have a learning disability, so it seemed like a better option to homeschool me,” she said.

She particularly likes the supplemental classes the program offers. “The classes are fun,” she said. “There’s pottery and art and I really like doing that.”

Mattke said she has enjoyed her time at the East Valley Parent Partnership and is grateful she didn’t have to attend a much larger mainstream school. “I like it a lot,” she said. “It’s easier to make friends.”

Counselor Mary-Hope Lakin said the EVPP has enjoyed working with Mattke.

“We have had the honor of watching her grow into an amazing young woman,” Larkin said. “She had her bumps along the way, especially in math, but her work ethic and perseverance allowed her to successfully navigate these times.”

Mattke said she was able to get through her math classes with the help of the EVPP.

“I definitely struggled with that,” she said. “I had to have one-on-one help and the East

Graduation

The East Valley Parent

Partnership commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 12 at First

Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: Jabez Harlan

Valedictorian: Isabella Mattke

Class of 2026

Expected to graduate are: Michael Abrahamson-Dietrick

Kelsie Brulotte

Asher Chapman

Knight Davis

Isaiah Flock

Ayden Hall

Julianna Keller

Lilly Lightfoot

Isabella Mattke

Isaiah Merha

Max Mikoski

Nathan Nazar

Malaki Nunn

Grayson Sizemore

Ruvim Sushchik

Valley Parent Partnership provided that.”

On the other end of the scale, she has loved studying English. “I like writing and telling stories,” she said. She spent much of her childhood competing in horse shows, including dressage and jumping, on a horse her family bred and raised named Timbuctoo. She stopped doing shows last year and now she and her horse can be found riding the trails near her house.

She’s definitely been keeping busy, however. For

“The motivation behind Kyleigh’s athletic and academic drive comes from all the angels watching over her,” Watson said. “All these souls had such an impact on her life and continue to watch over her.”

the past two years Mattke has been enrolled in the criminal justice program at the NEWTech Skills Center. She said she’s interested in pursuing a career in social work and believes studying criminal justice will help her. This year she also joined the girl’s varsity wrestling team at East Valley High School. She said she enjoys the physicality of it and that it’s based on her skill alone. She earned a letter in the sport. “It’s not the typical sport,” she said. “It’s one on one.”

She’s also been spending some of her time helping out in the EVPP kindergarten room. “It’s nice helping out where I was raised,” she said. Larkin said Mattke has been “amazing” with the

younger students and if she ever pursues a career in early childhood education, she would be welcome at EVPP.

“We would love for her to come back and teach some classes for us,” Larkin said.

After she graduates this spring, Mattke plans to attend Spokane Falls Community College and get a certificate in social work. She would then like to finish her bachelor’s degree at a four-year college, possibly the University of Washington. Her ultimate goal is to start working in a school, perhaps as a teacher, and then transition into social work.

“I think it looks cool,” she said of social work. “I just really want to help people. I think it’s a good way to help people and help kids.”

He’s excited about the next steps in his life, and credits Enlightium with providing him the challenges to accomplish his academic goals so far.

“I’m very goal-oriented,” he said. “I’ve always been disciplined and set high standards for myself in school and in hockey. I’ve been at Enlightium (previously Summit Christian) since kindergarten, and I’ve had great teachers. They’ve pushed me and all their students to do our best, and I had the opportunity to graduate early by earning several high-school credits while I was in eighth grade.”

Shcherbina credits hockey with helping to provide many of the qualities which have helped him to also be successful in the classroom, and says his love of the sport dates from his early childhood when his grandfather took him to games.

“The crossover between hockey and school translates to every area of my life,” he said. “I have practice almost every day after school, and we play 30-35 games during the season. I’m always working out or doing schoolwork. I have to make sure that I stay caught up with my classes.”

This season Shcherbina and his brother played on the same U18 team – Caleb’s last year at that level. Jared Shcherbina will remember it fondly as “a memorable season with a really great group of players.”

Jared’s work ethic and disciplined approach to his studies hasn’t gone unnoticed by Enlightium teacher Laura Carver.

“Jared’s natural creativity and curiosity drive a genuine interest in new ideas and challenges,” she said, “contributing to high academic achievement. He is a committed leader, serving on the Student Council and participating in school events, including speaking engagements. His faith, respect for his parents, and considerate nature reflect a maturity well beyond his years, and he brings positive energy and determination to both his academic pursuits and his interactions with others.”

PUSHING TO THE FINISH

Wrestler Chloe Bennett tackled challenge of more rigorous classes

By Treva Lind FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Wrestling gave Chloe Bennett a reason to show up at school. That motivation broadened when she chose to challenge herself with a full slate of rigorous classes.

In her senior year at East Valley High School, Bennett tackled four Advanced Placement courses along with leadership roles in a college readiness class, called Advancement Via Individual Determination.

She also kept competing in EVHS girls wrestling and as a track athlete, while working for Walmart in online deliveries.

“I wanted to prove to myself I could handle that much work,” said Bennett, 18, who took AP biology, government, pre-calculus and literature. “I’m not sure if four AP classes was the play, but it hasn’t been too horrible. It’s just been a lot of work.”

Reflecting on her first three years of high school, Bennett said she didn’t push herself very hard, and she had to get past an early disappointment.

“I took AP biology my sophomore year, and I did really bad in it. I ended up dropping (it) after that semester.”

But Bennett knew that top universities would require rigorous academics.

“I took AP Biology again, specifically, because I wanted to prove to schools that I can do it,” she added. “I just wasn’t prepared in my sophomore year.”

Now, she plans to study

biochemistry at the University of Washington.

Canada’s Simon Fraser University was another option, where she could compete in Division 2 wrestling, but UW proved a better fit.

“UW is one of the best science schools in the country,” she said. “I think it’s going to open up a lot of opportunities for me. There is still a wrestling club there.”

JoAnne Cook, EVHS teacher, has taught Bennett in geometry, algebra and in junior and senior AVID classes.

While some seniors seek an easier load to end high school, Cook said that Bennett went the opposite direction and leaned into it. During AVID sessions, Bennett patiently tutored younger classmates.

“Chloe is a hyper-determined person,” Cook said. “She has a genuine thirst for knowledge, which is a joy to teach.”

“At her core, she is just a lovely human, very sweet and willing to work with other people.”

UW will be a bit of a homecoming. In eighth grade, Bennett moved to Spokane from the Seattle area. Landing in a smaller city and school were at first a shock, she said. Getting into sports helped.

Once on the cross-country team, Bennett narrowed her focus to track and wrestling this year. She received honors as a Greater Spokane League winter 2025-26 student athlete for overall academic, athletic and community achievements.

“Since I started wres -

tling my sophomore year, it’s been really important to me, and the reason I showed up in school the

Graduation

way I do,” she said.

Then, college readiness took on a greater role.

“I do a lot through

The East Valley High School commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 12 at First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Principal: Ryan Arnold

Valedictorians: Brigid Dinnen, Olivia Gallagher, Mikaela Lavasseur, Taryn Lynch, Ava Payne, Trinidie Roybal, Cloey Taylor, Jocelyn Weger, Valentin Westerlund-Floyd

AVID, honestly,” she said.

“We do a lot of things for the school, a lot of tutoring projects. I’ve had a lot of opportunities to make a large impact. I really like being able to help people.”

‘I wanted to be the best I could be’

Elizabeth Miller shows gratitude for educational opportunities

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

East Valley Online senior Elizabeth Miller felt lost in large public schools but has blossomed since beginning online classes in her freshman year. As Miller tells it, she found her motivation.

“I picked myself back up,” she said. “I wanted to be the best I could be. I wanted to show improvement.”

Teacher Paula Cavaness said Miller’s turnaround to a student who has earned straight A’s for the past two years has been remarkable.

“She is the most positive and grateful student I’ve ever worked with,” Cavaness said. “She never hesitates to thank staff for even the smallest thing.” Miller said she felt unsafe

in her previous schools because of the constant threat of school violence and drugs. “I felt like I didn’t belong there,” she said. “East Valley Online, they made me feel welcome. It helped me greatly. I got to get my grades up, I got to do hobbies.”

She’s had time to explore drawing, playing piano and writing poetry. “All of it is self-taught,” she said. “I like to do opera musicals. I got to explore myself and explore me and what is of me.”

She said she enjoys that East Valley Online allowed her a time of self-discovery and appreciates that the school feels like a family where she feels wanted and heard.

Miller was born in Las Vegas and moved to the area with her family when

she was 3. In the past few years, her family has suffered terrible loss – her brother died in 2015, her grandmother in 2018 and her father in 2022. She and her mother have struggled financially and have few extras, but Miller said she doesn’t mind.

“Some say it’s simple,” she said. “That’s fine. I love this life.”

Their financial situation forced Miller to give up her extracurricular activities. Their car broke drown and they haven’t been able to pay to get it fixed. She used to participate in wrestling, volleyball, basketball, track, choir, Key Club and Future Business Leaders of America.

Miller said she misses her school activities, but now focuses on her hobbies. “I just keep swimming,

just like Dory,” she said, referencing a character in “Finding Nemo.” “You don’t have to forget about the people in your life, but you can’t mourn in the past. You have to keep going.”

Miller said that though her journey has not been easy, she believes everything has a purpose.

Cavaness said Miller’s teachers have noticed the difficulties she’s had at home. “She has had struggles with her personal life as well but those who meet her would never know,” she said. “She is an extremely hard worker and just a great human being.”

Miller once thought about going into aerospace engineering, but is now having second thoughts. “I really love psychology,” she said. “I get to learn about think-

ing, mental processes.” She has a College Bound Scholarship, a state program that offers free tuition at state universities for those who qualify. She’s considering taking some classes at a community college before

‘she’s

Haven Ryan keeps in step with school despite health struggles

By Treva Lind FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Serious health issues, including a heart transplant at age 14, meant that Haven Ryan often had to miss school.

Still, she kept up with her education and will graduate this June before starting a workstudy program.

“She’s a miracle,” said Lynn Stolken, a Lakeland High School extended life skills teacher.

As Ryan’s teacher for four years, Stolken has admired her strength and compassion. “She has a wicked sense of humor,” Stolken said. “With all the things she’s had to overcome, it makes her wise beyond her years.” Ryan, 19, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning the left side of the heart was underdeveloped and too small to pump blood effectively.

She required early surgeries to reconstruct the aorta and redirect blood flow, but then had ongoing health concerns.

“I still miss school sometimes because I’m going to Seattle for checkups,” Ryan said. “I take immunosuppressant meds, and sometimes when I don’t feel good, I have seizures.”

Her mom Tanya Ryan said that her daughter’s first corrective procedure was at 10 days old.

“She had four open-heart surgeries as a child,” Tanya Ryan said. At 2 months, a second surgery didn’t go well.

“It failed and she coded, so they had to re-crack her chest open and do the whole thing over again,” her mom said. A third surgery came at age 3, but it all offered only a temporary reprieve.

“At 5 years old, she went into heart failure for the first time,” Tanya Ryan said.

Her daughter then got a pace-

maker and was placed on a heart transplant waiting list.

Meanwhile, Ryan suffered seizures and required constant oxygen.

“Before my transplant, I had an oxygen tank on wheels,” Ryan said. “I had to bring it everywhere. I named it Jerry, like the mouse in ‘Tom and Jerry,’ because it was always chasing me around.”

Her heart transplant surgery came through in 2020 at Seattle Children’s Hospital. It lasted just over 17 hours.

She missed all of seventh grade. During some absences, Ryan said teachers and paraeducators would bring papers and check in. She attended school whenever possible. This year, her favorite Lakeland subjects included a culinary class and math.

Next, Ryan will do Project SEARCH, a one-year educational program for students with disabilities through Coeur d’Alene Public Schools and Kootenai Health. It combines classroom time with a yearlong unpaid internship at a Kootenai Health site.

Her favorite activity is babysitting, and she also rides horses. Ryan and her family live in the Hayden-Rathdrum area, including her sister Eden, 13, now at Lakeland.

Since her transplant, Ryan’s quality of life has improved, but she still has health challenges.

“She has her good days, she has her not-so-good days, but she’s always that student who will take that step forward with the struggles,” said Stolken, who also credits strong family support.

“Haven is incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated and compassionate support circle at home, and having people like Tanya, her mom, and Cindy, her grandmother, who provide an immediate, calming presence.”

LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL

a miracle’

Graduation

Robert Terry put in the work to get what he needed

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Whatever Mountain View Alternative High School senior Robert Terry does in the future, there’s a good chance that he’ll be an exceptional teammate because he has had plenty of real-life experience.

When Terry was 12 years old, his father died and he has lived with his grandmother for the past six years. With his mother not in the picture, Terry had already spent much of his time with his grandmother, so that part wasn’t much of an adjustment, but now it was permanent.

years at Timberlake High School, he found himself far enough behind in credits that he would not be able to graduate there, so he transferred to Mountain View at the beginning of his senior year.

“It was a lot to go through,” he said. “I lost my dad, but it was her son that died, and that made it hard for her, too. But we helped each other through everything and spent lots of quality time together. She has always been my most consistent source of stability.”

Stability was something that was lacking in Terry’s academic experience as well. After three

“I have dyslexia and it’s hard for me to do reading assignments,” he said. “At Timberlake, I would get behind, and I was working so I didn’t have time to come in after school to finish them. I didn’t really feel that my teachers had the time to help me the way that I needed.”

He wasn’t initially excited about the transfer.

“I wanted to graduate with my friends at Timberlake, and I hadn’t heard the best things about Mountain View. But I found a few people who I knew there and we stuck with each other, and I’ve made the best of my senior year.

“It’s been a completely different learning environment there for me. Teachers have gone out of their way to help me, and it was everything that I needed. My dyslexia hasn’t really been an issue there, because my teachers have explained things in a way

that I was able to understand. At Timberlake, I felt that many of my teachers didn’t understand what I was going through personally.” Terry said that he has been

Graduation

working since he started doing yard work at 11 years old, and he is now working at McDonald’s and Silverwood. He’ll continue until next month, when he ships

out to Army basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

“I’ve worked out of necessity, to help get the things I needed,” he said. “During high school, I worked to save money for my driver’s license, a car, and insurance. I haven’t really had much of a social life because I was focused on work, but that’s been a little better this year.”

And just to show that Terry isn’t all work and no play, he plays the trumpet as a member of the school Color Guard he helped to create, honoring the flag as it is raised and lowered each day. That sense of patriotism is something that Mountain View paraeducator Jimmy Benson admires most about Terry, along with his commitment to graduating on time.

“I told Robert that the only thing that would hold him back from recovering the credits he needed was himself,” Benson said, “and that if he was willing to work hard there would be nothing to stop him from crossing the stage at graduation. He often sought assistance from MVHS teachers and he has succeeded where previously he was lost.”

Finding his niche

Jeremiah Rummerfield had speedcubing and band to help him find community

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Timberlake High School senior Jeremiah Rummerfield has fingers like lightning, but it isn’t because of his time playing the saxophone. Rummerfield has participated in speedcubing, a competitive sport, since he was 10.

“It’s like professional Rubik’s Cube solving,” he said. “I learned by watching a YouTube video and I got faster and faster. I’ve gotten down to the 10-second mark on the regular Rubik Cube.”

Rummerfield admits that not many people are into speedcubing. “It’s pretty niche,” he said. “You have to learn to flick your fingers. It’s small, precise movements.”

Rummerfield is one of four people who works to organize local speedcubing tournaments. “It has a very welcoming community,” he said.

Rummerfield has lived his entire life in North Idaho. He attended schools in Priest River before transferring to Timberlake last year after his parents became concerned about the stability of the West Bonner School District. “The school district was having a lot of superintendent issues,” he said. “My parents decided to switch us.”

Rummerfield said he has enjoyed his time at Timberlake. “I’ve had a great time there and I’ve found it easier to meet people,” he said. “It somehow feels like I’ve been there forever.”

He has never been into sports and instead has focused on music. When he was in elementary school, his class was shown a video that demonstrated a variety of musical instruments. He decided he wanted to play the saxophone.

“I really liked the way the sax looked,” he said. “I also really wanted to play ‘Pink Panther.’ ”

He did, in fact, play the “Pink Panther” theme. “I did learn it when I first started and I’ve completely forgotten it since,” he laughed.

He now plays in Timberlake’s pep band, jazz band and wind ensemble.

The jazz band recently attended Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho. “We had a lot of fun,” Rummerfield said. “It was certainly one of my favorite school trips that I’ve ever been on.”

Timberlake teacher Katelynn Eppenstein said the school has enjoyed having Rummerfield as a student and she’s pleased he is involved in several bands.

“Jeremiah transferred here as a junior and we are so happy he did,” she said.

“He is such a sweet, fun kid to have at our school.”

Rummerfield plans to attend North Idaho College for two years, then move on to the UI. He isn’t certain of his career goals, though he said he could see himself being a band teacher.

“I’m still really undecided,” he said.

“I’ve been looking at a musical career. I know it’s something I’d love to do.”

Graduation

to see the difference you'll make.

Chelsey Cate keeps her eyes on her blessings

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Chelsey Cate learned way before a child ought to have to that you can only play the cards you’re dealt. The North Idaho Christian School senior was only 9 years old when she was sent by her parents from Las Vegas to her paternal grandparents in Coeur d’Alene. Her parents intended to move to Idaho shortly thereafter. The move never happened.

Although her parents visited occasionally and she did her best to stay in contact, Cate has lived with her grandparents ever since and has built a life filled with love and support.

“I’m really blessed with my grandparents and my friends,”

Cate said, “but it definitely wasn’t easy. It was hard growing up seeing other kids with their parents and I didn’t have that. It was always really confusing for me, but I have done my best to move through those feelings a little bit at a time. I feel that I know more now about what happened now that I’m older, but I may always have questions.”

With the exception of a year in seventh grade, Cate has been enrolled at NICS since fourth grade, and treasures the close-knit community there. This year, she was student-council president and captain of the basketball team.

“Our senior class isn’t very big,” – 10, besides herself, as she counted – “and all of the kids are really nice. We all want to love and serve Jesus and each other. I know that

is different from what many other kids experience. Everyone gets involved in activities and fundraisers, and kids who have graduated often come back to help out.”

After she graduates, Cate will work at North Idaho Eye Institute as an optometric technician. She has been intrigued by the intricate design of the eye ever since her grandmother read her a book about optometry, and says that its function reminds her “that we were created by a loving God.”

That faith is noted by her long-time basketball coach, Jerry Bittner.

“Chelsey lives her Christian faith every minute of every day,” he said. “Her commitment to her church, family, school, team and friends is unbelievable. Her maturity is way beyond her years. I never had to ask her to watch over a new player, and she would help

Charter school helps Kaylee Spaulding grow as a student and parent

By Azaria Podplesky FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Before her first day at Lumen High School, Kaylee Spaulding was reluctant to attend. She remembers being upset when her mother told her about the school, which serves teen parents, because she was active in her previous school and had made friends she didn’t want to leave.

But after her first day, Spaulding’s feelings changed.

“My first day was actually amazing,” she said. “Everybody came up to me, they gave me hugs and were saying, ‘Hi.’ Everyone was really friendly, and then it just kept getting better. I definitely regret how I felt the first day. This is by far the most amazing school I’ve ever been to, and I think anyone will ever go to.”

The school offers students a full education while also providing for them as parents, including childcare and other resources such as clothing, diapers and access to programs like the Women Infants and Children Nutrition Program.

Spaulding and counselor Katy Vancil know not everyone has a support system in their family, so they see the Lumen community as a chosen family.

With the help of this chosen family, Spaulding has been able to pursue interests like art and being outside. Last year, for example, she created one of her favorite pieces of work, a tree growing against a pink and purple background, that represented starting over. And last month, she spent the day with classmates doing research at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge, where they saw a moose and her baby.

All while her son was being cared for and making friends of his own.

Outside of school, Spaulding has been

Graduation

The Lumen High School commencement will be at 10 a.m. June 13 at Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave.

Principal: Aleisha Concepcion

Class of 2026

Expected to graduate are:

Caleb Dellinger

Gabe Drouhard

Ivory Griese

Aubrie Lowman

Kaylee Spaulding

Shelby Wilkerson

Maliyah Wilson-Abney

able to get work experience as well.

What was meant to be an internship at People’s Waffle turned into a job on the first day. She’s also picked up work at the Grain Shed. At both businesses, she does a mixture of prep work, washing dishes, cleaning tables and welcoming guests.

After graduation, Spaulding is considering becoming a dog handler in the military, which she’s been interested in since she was young, or pursuing a different path: a career in criminal investigation.

“I find that really interesting, learning the inside of people’s brains and why they do things,” she said.

Vancil said Spaulding is a fixture at the school and will be missed when she does pursue her post-high school plans. She’s the first to offer help to students and staff and interacts with everyone in a kind, empathetic, mature way.

“We won’t have a go-getter who’s going to be the person who’s going to say,

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Spokane Valley High School senior Alexis Reyes had a childhood marked with multiple disruptive moves that made settling in difficult.

She was born in Omak, then moved to Spokane with her mother and brother when she was 4. They moved around town several times, then to Texas for a while before coming back to Spokane. When she was in the eighth grade, she returned to Omak for part of the year before coming back again to Spokane.

Reyes said she had been a social child who made friends at each new school, but it got harder to leave her new friends over and over again. Soon, she withdrew and stopped making friends.

Now, she said, she can appreciate her moves “because I got to meet so many different people,” she said. “In elementary school, it was a lot harder.”

By the end of her eighth grade year, she said she was unmotivated and skipped school. That was also a year of tough family and health issues. “I just wasn’t feeling it,” she said. One of her teachers at Centennial Middle School suggested she look into Spokane Valley High School. She liked that it was small and that she would be in classes four days a week and have Fridays off.

“I loved the idea of having small, personal classes,” she said. “It’s not a huge school. I figured I’d try it out. I ended up loving it.”

During her sophomore year, her family moved to north Spokane. Reyes said her mother wanted her to go to the neighborhood school, Rogers High School, but she didn’t want to.

“I really fought with her to stay at Spokane Valley High School,” she said. “We figured it out.”

She’s been involved with Future Business Leaders of America and is the president this year. She serves as a student representative on the West Valley School Board and also serves on the Ronald McDonald House teen board.

Reyes is an enrolled member of the Colville Tribe and helps out at the Salish School, a Salish language immersion school. She helps provide babysitting for the evening language classes for parents of enrolled students. Her younger sister is currently enrolled in the school.

School counselor Elise Barlow said Reyes works hard. “Alexis embodies Spokane Valley High School and the values we uphold,” she said. “Alexis is a young adult who I believe really will make a positive change in the world around her as she continues to grow and mature.”

This year, however, Reyes doesn’t attend Spokane Valley High School full time. She attends part-time while also attending the NEWTech Skills Center’s nursing assistant program. She’s currently doing clinical work at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center. Reyes said she’s been thinking about becoming a nurse and saw the NEWTech program as a way to test whether she

them to understand drills and to feel comfortable.

“She was a fierce competitor, but always treated the other team with compassion and grace. I have had many parents from other teams come up and tell me how great a young lady Chelsey was. In her last game at the regional all-star game, she had 19 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots against players from larger schools. She has been a blessing from God to me for the last nine years.”

“I could have chosen to be negative and difficult, mad at every adult, and make bad decisions,”

Cate said, “but I’ve gone down the right path and people tell me that they’re proud of me. Leaving NICS will be hard because I love being in school, but everyone in my class will stay in the area and we’ll still get to see each other.”

‘OK guys, let’s do this. This is fun.’ Our cheerleader,” Vancil said. “We need that person at our school, and that’s who she is. We’re going to really miss that when she’s gone.”

The feeling is mutual, but Spaulding knows her time at Lumen has prepared her for wherever her post-high school

would like it.

“I just wanted to know if nursing is the thing for me,” she said. “It really reassured me that nursing is what I want to do.”

She plans to attend Whitworth University for her bachelor’s degree in nursing, then work for five years as either an

gency room or ICU nurse. Her ultimate goal is to work as a nurse with Life Flight. Reyes said she will be the first in her family to attend college. “Things are really looking up,” she said. “That’s helped moti-

life takes her, something the school hopes all students feel by the time they graduate.

“They’re constantly trying to make you grow and do better,” Spaulding said. “I feel better as a person being here, stronger and more capable, being a parent and carrying my life out after high school.”

A JACK OF ALL TRADES

Cooper McQuitty uses craftsman skills to help others

By Azaria Podplesky FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

If you can dream it, West Valley High School senior Cooper McQuitty can build it. In his home shop, McQuitty completes a lot of woodworking and metal working projects. Lately, he’s been building custom subwoofer boxes and is also doing some fiberglass work.

At West Valley, he can often be found in shop class, building everything from yard games for school barbecues and garden boxes to a cat house made for a Pet Savers auction.

And the work doesn’t stop with McQuitty’s own projects, as he and his friends have been approached by teachers to repair things from their own homes, most recently an old table.

“We’re the guys that people want to go to to get things fixed and things done,” he said. “I really like helping people in aspects that I’m good at, of course. You feel good about it.”

McQuitty has been a craftsman since he was young, following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, who introduced him to various tools and guided him through projects. The pair started with things like birdhouses before moving onto more advanced work as McQuitty became more skilled.

“I really like being a jack of all trades,” he said. “I do a lot of random stuff. I build a little bit in a lot of fields. I just learned a bunch of fiberglass stuff pretty much by myself. I’m a self-taught welder. I had an old truck that I rebuilt, dropped the transmission and everything. I’ve never done any of that

before. I like jumping into projects and figuring it out.”

McQuitty takes a lot of pride in his work, which helps at West Valley, where he said students take pride in the school’s legacy, especially when it comes to athletics.

McQuitty himself is on the track team as a discus thrower. Everyone in his family, he said, is a giant who isn’t built for running. Both his brothers pitch in baseball though, so he knew he could throw.

He’s also proud of how the school fared in the Golden Throne and Golden Plunger spirit competitions against rivals East Valley High School. This year, he and some friends participated in a halftime show doing stunts with the cheer team.

He stays busy before school, as well. McQuitty, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, started each day of his high school career in seminary, a gospel study that begins at 6 a.m. After high school, McQuitty is considering attending school to become a lineman.

“He is a very focused student,” manufacturing teacher Josiah Hunter said. “He knows exactly what he wants. He knows how to get it.”

And even when he faces setbacks, like not receiving a grant for the Pet Savers cat house project, Hunter said McQuitty doesn’t let that stop him. Instead, McQuitty and the friends he was working with approached local businesses and raised the necessary funds to complete the project.

This year marks Hunter’s first teaching in the manufacturing program, which is only becoming more popular with students. McQuitty, he said, is the type of student

WEST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2026

Expected

Audrey McClinton

By Azaria Podplesky FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Dishman Hills High School senior Audrey McClinton Priestly is not one to seek the spotlight.

McClinton Priestly is more interested in being there for others and taking some of the load off their shoulders. If someone is behind on their work, for example, she will help them as much as she can so they stay on top of assignments.

needed in the program, someone who is focused on their own work but also will

ing to stop and help others. He’s hoping that some of the younger students Mc-

Graduation

The

Principal:

Valedictorians:

“They’re

firsthand experience with an older student that is as high quality as Cooper, and that rubs off a little and that helps inspire the next group that’s coming up,” he said.

Priestly is there for others

She shows a lot of grit in her personal and academic life, and can often be found in the middle of school drama – as a mediator, not an agitator.

“Her character is top notch,” Groshoff said. “Of the 30 years I’ve been teaching, she is definitely in the top 1% of kids that are caring and compassionate and can do it even through such tough times that she’s had in her life.”

“I try to show up with a smile and not try to be all gloomy and down, because when you’re gloomy and down, it makes other people around you gloomy and down,” she said.

Teacher Eric Groshoff, who had McClinton Priestly in advisory and Makerspaces classes, noticed that quality in McClinton Priestly soon after she arrived at the school for her junior year. McClinton Priestly, he said, is more concerned about others than she is about herself, even down to the projects she chooses to work on, which are almost always gifts for others.

McClinton Priestly attended another high school in Spokane for her freshman year before moving to Ocean Shores with her family. After her mother Cara died, she moved back to Spokane, where she now lives with her grandmother. McClinton Priestly said her mother raised her to think more of others than about herself. She also credits her mother for being the reason she is graduating high school, saying it was one of the last things she asked McClinton Priestly to do before she died two years ago, a month before McClinton Priestly’s 16th birthday.

“She’s very much the light of my life story,” McClinton Priestly said. “I

have a necklace with her ashes in it that I wear every single day. She very much was my rock in my life.”

After graduation, McClinton Priestly plans to attend Spokane Community College to study cosmetology. She hopes to become a hairstylist, as she’s been doing her own hair since fifth grade, and she and her mother used to do each other’s hair. She has also helped style her siblings’ hair, saying hair is fun to play with.

While at SCC, she also wants to take business classes with the goal of one day opening up a shop with her friends. One is interested in doing nails, another is interested in tattooing. Combined with McClinton Priestly’s hair salon, she thinks they can bring in a lot of customers.

McClinton Priestly said she tries not to make big plans for the future lest she be disappointed when they don’t come to fruition, but when it’s something she’s really interested in, she can’t help it.

“I go with the flow of life, and when things pop up, I’m like, ‘I’m going to try this,’ ” she said. “When things come up and it’s something I really want to do, I’m very driven to do it.”

JUGGLING HER PRIORITIES

Gabrielle Hill sets nursing path after tutoring and government roles

By Treva Lind FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

A frequent tutor, Gabrielle Hill is known for making young students feel valued in one-onone sessions.

Hill juggled regular classes at Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, dual credit courses at North Idaho College, a NIC student senator role and tutoring. Earlier this year, she worked as a page in the Idaho Legislature.

“She is someone who can do a lot of different things at the same time, but whenever she is with one person, one-on-one, you feel like you are the only one she is thinking about,” said Drew Burfeind, the school’s tutoring center coordinator.

Charter has students in sixth through 12th grades. After school tutoring has upper-class students helping younger peers in typically science and math. Hill regularly met with sixth-graders, Burfeind said.

“She meets them where they’re at,” he said. “She is a very gifted individual in working with people.”

Hill entered the Legislative page program for high school students this year, serving in the House from mid-January through most of February.

“I was assigned to specific committees where I would set up and tear down committee rooms, assist secretaries, and then help on the floor daily,” said Hill, 18.

“I learned a lot about how – at least on the state level – our government runs, especially on the House side. I’m a lot more familiar with how bills are made, how they’re passed and what it looks like to put ideas into law.”

However, a political future isn’t in the plans. Hill wants to be a nurse after completing those studies at NIC. Then, she hopes to train as a midwife.

“After my cousin was born, I realized how much of an interest I had in all things pregnancy, labor and delivery,” Hill said. “I know that a nurse midwife needs a master’s degree, but I don’t have specific plans where that will be yet.”

Hill said math comes naturally to her, and she first helped at Charter’s math camp for sixth-graders. In tutoring, she helps students understand how one math concept builds off another one. “I try hard to go back or to help students with those concepts.”

Making others feel valued is a priority, she said. “I think the biggest reason that I am like that is because of my relationship with God, and how that influences my life.

“I really enjoy spending quality time with people, and I try hard to make that a priority,

even though life can be crazy and sometimes it’s difficult. It’s always worth it.”

She said being a NIC dual credit senator helped connect her to campus and students, while she also learned about leadership. With NIC dual credits so far, she’s on track to complete a general associate degree this year.

For fun, she dances ballet, tap and swing. She joined a “Need A Little Christmas” production this past season.

“After I got over the stress of learning the dances that were challenging, it was a cool way to release the stress of the school year and just do something fun.”

Twins got comfortable enough to come out of their shells

Cheyenne and Remmy Irvine leaving lasting impression after thriving at

By Azaria Podplesky FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

As with many sets of twins, there are a lot of similarities between the pair but also a lot of differences that make each individual.

Riverside High School students and twin sisters Cheyenne and Remmy Irvine both like to work with their hands but in different ways.

Cheyenne is interested in welding sculptures (she’s currently working on a sculpture of an owl) and keeping orchids, a hobby inspired by the Irvines’ late grandmother. In school, Cheyenne explores those interests through Career and Technical Education classes.

“I want to learn skills that are going to help me, not just in my career, but in life as well,” she said.

“I’ll take classes that are going to give me more life skills. I want to be able to know how to use power tools, how to repair an engine.”

Remmy likes reading and writing fiction and short stories. She enjoys English and other creative-based classes, including digital photo and media classes and yearbook. She was drawn to these classes because, while growing up, she didn’t feel like she had a safe place to express herself.

“Taking those classes and being able to explore and try different things and just be creative has really helped me,” she said.

The sisters felt like they were a little conservative when it came to participating in activities in or out of school their freshman year because they were feeling shy, but they’ve since made up for it.

Remmy and Cheyenne Irvine are two of Riverside’s three valedictorians.

Both Cheyenne and Remmy participated in LaunchNW Youth Council last year, for which Cheyenne packed kits for homeless youth and Remmy worked on a fire safety project for Latinos en Spokane. They also participated in the Production and Manufacturing Institute in the summer and, in their sophomore and junior years, the pair helped with Hillbilly Haunted House in Chattaroy building sets and working as scare actors.

After being affected by a death in the family, Cheyenne and Remmy credit their grandma and the Riverside community for helping them to step out of their comfort zones.

“We became so comfortable that you start growing because you’re like, ‘I can start doing this now. I can start talking to people. I’ve been through so much. Now, it’s nothing,’ ” Remmy said. “Meeting those people is how we came out of our shells, all of our friends, being away from bad situations, it all allowed us to take daring moves and

be willing to go and do something.”

Cheyenne and Remmy are two of Riverside’s three valedictorians this year. After graduation, Cheyenne plans to attend Whitworth University or Spokane Community College to earn a degree in business and minor in political science. Remmy plans to attend Whitworth or Spokane Falls Community College to study graphic design or cybersecurity.

Spanish teacher Mary Ressa has taught Cheyenne and Remmy since they were sophomores and is happy to brag about the pair. They’re Spokane Scholars, for example, with Remmy excelling in history and Cheyenne in math.

Ressa said both sisters are the whole package, with above-average intelligence and work ethic but also a desire to roll up their sleeves and get involved with the community.

“They will give more than they take,” she said. “I’ve taught for 35 years, and I probably don’t remember all of my students. I will always remember these two.”

Class of 2026

Graduation

BY THE NUMBERS

By Azaria Podplesky FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Medical Lake High School math teacher

Tina Shull remembers one of the only times student Katherine Hart raised her hand in geometry class as a freshman.

“It was, ‘Can I maybe do some Algebra II independently on my own?’ ” she said. Shull allowed it, and Hart began completing her algebra work independently. She finished that course over the summer and went into precalculus, continuing her math studies fairly independently during her time at Medical Lake and began tutoring students in Shull’s geometry classes.

“This is my 31st year teaching, I’ve taught calculus all 31 years, she’s probably one of the top five students I’ve ever taught,” Shull said.

Hart has been interested in math since elementary school, where she would help her fellow students during class. She placed first in fifth and sixth grade out of students from around the region in Math is Cool competitions and took advanced math in middle school. She arrived at Medical Lake already a year ahead. Hence, the desire to work ahead in Shull’s class.

“(English) is really a matter of opinion, but math, for the most part, you’re working toward one answer, and at least in school, it’s always going to be right or wrong,” Hart said. “There’s no in between.”

Hart has also excelled in JROTC, which she joined freshman year for the academic portion, which covers things like aerospace science and history, as well as the leadership portion, which includes participating in things like color guard and flag folding at school and in the community.

It was an easy choice to join JROTC, as

her father was in the Air Force, and two of her brothers also participated in JROTC while students at Medical Lake. When Hart’s father retired, the family moved off Fairchild, and Hart saw JROTC as an opportunity to return to a similar environment. She participated all four years, earning the rank of cadet colonel and acting as the cadet group commander her senior year. She was also a member of the school’s Windborne choir her freshman year, played flute and piccolo in band and has been a member of the National Honor Society since she was a sophomore. With that group, she taught kindergartners and first-graders about fire safety in partnership with the American Red Cross.

She is also the treasurer of Book Talkers, the school’s book club, and edits Cardinal Reads, the newspaper Book Talkers produces. She’s a mentor with MPower, a peer mentoring program, vice president of the senior class and spent most days after school her freshman year with the robotics club building wooden structures used to test the robots.

Hart is one of three valedictorians at Medical Lake. It wasn’t something Hart necessarily strove for, but she knew she had a good chance of earning the distinction because of her grades and the classes she took during her high school career.

Plus, there’s the matter of sibling rivalry.

“I have three older brothers, very competitive,” she said. “They all like sharing how much smarter they are than me, and so I’ve got to keep up with them.”

In the fall, Hart will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, where she’ll study forensic biology. She loves the small campus and small town and that the school focuses on project-based learning.

“From a parent’s perspective, it has been so inspiring to watch her journey, the grit that she has demonstrated, the strength that she’s shown,” said Hart’s mother Tera Hart, who works at Medical Lake as a graduation specialist. “She doesn’t let anything stop her.”

Graduation

Faith and math add up

Sean Conway sees similarities in the two

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The mission of Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame is to educate its students in the classical tradition and the truths of the Catholic faith, and to help them develop the skills and character necessary for success in college and professional life as well as in building up the kingdom of God.

Graduating senior Sean Conway is an exceptional example of what Chesterton strives to do.

Conway, one of 18 seniors, has been at the Academy for all four years of high school after being home schooled. His parents were part of a group that sought to launch a Spokane chapter of the Chesterton Schools Network, which supports new Catholic high schools across the United States. The Spokane school is only 6 years old.

the opportunity there to live my faith as a choice and not as a requirement.”

He sees no conflict between the certainty of mathematics and that of faith, and feels that it is not a problem to integrate the two.

“Our teachers help us to find our own solutions to problems instead of just giving them to us,” Conway said. “That often involves teaching methods like Socratic seminars, where students are asked questions and invited to ask our own.”

Conway plans to study mathematical science at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio next year, but doesn’t know what he wants to do beyond that. He has always been good at math, he said, because there’s always one answer and “you keep working until you find it.”

He knows that his faith may be challenged at Franciscan.

“I’m looking forward to Steubenville,” he said. “I chose that school because I think it’s best for me to be around others who are strong in their faith. But I know that there will not be complete uniformity in religious views there, and I will have

“In math, there are basic principles that you have to follow, nonnegotiables,” he said. “It’s the same in faith; there are some things you can’t deny. When there’s a hard math problem, you have to find your way through it. In the same way, when there’s a real-world problem in faith, you also have to work through it to find the best solution. The beauty of faith is that there’s not just one answer. There are different answers, and you trust in God to help you do the right thing.”

Conway has been active in the school community as an altar server at daily Mass and as a member of the soccer, basketball and golf teams. He had never played competitive basketball until ninth grade, but eventually became an AllLeague guard and team captain despite injuries that limited him during his senior season.

Chesterton students were given the job of choosing which of their classmates would be recommended for profiling in this section. Headmaster Shane O’Doherty said it was easy to guess that the seniors would choose Conway to represent the school.

“Sean is an incredibly gracious and kind person,” O’Doherty said. “He works hard at everything he does and there is nothing that he does half-speed. In the classroom, there is nothing that doesn’t get done despite his busy sports schedule, and he always wants to know how high the bar is so that he can make it.”

Graduation

The

Principal: Shane O’Doherty

Valedictorian: Sean Conway

TALENT COMBINED WITH WORTH ETHIC

Emily Harris excelled through academics, music and

By Jase Picanso FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

When Emily Harris walks across the stage at graduation, she will leave behind more than a perfect GPA and the title of valedictorian.

Harris has brought steady leadership and creativity to nearly every corner of campus – in the band room, on stage, as a Link Crew leader and as the student leader of Stag TV.

What began as a middle school interest in cameras grew into a defining part of her high school career, culminating in serving for two years as the main editor for Stag TV.

“Since junior year, it’s really shaped the career path that I’d like to pursue after high school,” Harris said. “It’s allowed me to become more confident in the fact that I’d like to pursue broadcasting.”

She said the role pushed her into leadership in ways she didn’t expect.

“I usually wouldn’t consider myself a leader in terms of friend groups or assignments, but for Stag TV I really grew into being one,” Harris said. “It was really great to share the joy of creating media with other students.”

This year, Harris also took on a teaching role, helping new students learn how to run

the broadcast to ensure the program continues after she graduates.

“The overall experience of being in Stag TV is definitely one that I’m going to hold with me after graduating,” she said.

“Whenever I’m working on film stuff in the future, I think I’ll definitely look back to my moments in Stag TV.”

Outside of broadcasting, Harris has built a long-standing presence in the music program, where she’s been involved in percussion, band and steel drum ensembles.

“Emily is somebody who I’ve had in band since fifth grade,” said her band teacher Cory Thompson.

Thompson said her impact on the department extends beyond performance.

“She’s developed her skills as a musician for sure, but she’s also developed in terms of becoming a leader and somebody that all the students respect and look up to, especially the younger students,” he said.

Harris credits Thompson as a key influence throughout her school years.

“I’ve had him since even before middle school,” Harris said. “He also taught my brothers, and he’s just been my biggest motivator to keep going with music for all these years.”

Thompson said Harris con-

student media leadership

Emily Harris wants to continue studying broadcasting.

sistently holds herself to a high standard.

“Emily, probably more than any other student I’ve ever worked with, has such incredibly high standards for herself in everything she does,” he said. “Everything she completes, turns in or performs is always developed and prepared to such a high level.”

Harris plans to pursue broadcasting production in college, likely at a community college in the Seattle area with plans to transfer to the University of Washington. She is also considering a second major in photography to further develop her work behind the camera.

For Harris, the path forward feels closely tied to the support

Graduation

The Deer Park High School and Deer Park Achievement High

DEER PARK ACHIEVEMENT HIGH SCHOOL

Clara McEachran knows the importance of hard work

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The Oaks Classical Christian Academy senior Clara McEachran is no stranger to hard work, whether she’s at home, on the volleyball court or in classes.

Her family lives in the Mead area, where they have an orchard, lots of land, and chickens. McEachran said her father has always emphasized work before play, so it’s not unusual for her to be outside feeding the chickens, cleaning up after them or collecting their eggs.

“Things like that have really helped me see the importance of work,” she said.

McEachran is the third child and she said her parents wanted them to attend the Oaks because they wanted their children to have a biblical foundation in their lives. “That was actually very important to them,” she said. “I’ve always gone to school there.” Her mother died of cancer when McEachran was a year old. Her father has since remarried, but she said he has always made it a point to talk about her mother. “I don’t really remember my mom at all,” she said. “I’ve heard great stories about her. He makes sure we don’t forget her.”

McEachran has followed in her mother’s footsteps by playing volleyball, which her mother played at Washington State University. McEachran started playing on the high school varsity team when she was in the eighth grade, though she doesn’t think her skills were as good as they should have been. However, she was 5-foot-10, an asset on the volleyball courts.

“That’s definitely why they wanted me early,” she said of her height. “I was a little

COURTESY

system that helped her get here.

“I unexpectedly lost some people that were important to me this year and have been grieving since,” Harris said. “However, this has led me to realize the grand importance of support systems and further appreciate my family and friends and those who have been by my side.”

Thompson is optimistic for her future.

“I just hope that she is able to find a creative outlet to showcase all of her gifts,” he said. “She really does have some extraordinary talent and work ethic, and whatever path she pursues, she’ll continue at a high level just like she’s done in high school.”

Pedar Tobeck embraces challenge on and off the field

By Jase Picanso FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Whether he was earning college credits, stepping up for his baseball team or preparing for his future at Gonzaga University, Pedar Tobeck built his high school years around one goal: pushing himself to take on difficult challenges.

Tobeck has attended Deer Park Home Link since kindergarten, where he balanced home-schooling core subjects with supplemental classes on campus.

“It was more like fun classes, and that was a good social thing,” he said. “I had a lot of fun experiences.” His mother, Tracy Tobeck, said his independence showed early on in his academic career.

“I rarely needed to hound him about getting his work done – which is rare for a home-schooling parent,” she said.

Tobeck graduated with a 3.7 GPA and an AA degree through Running Start at Spokane Falls Community College, where he earned quarterly Honor Roll recognition. He will attend Gonzaga University this fall and plans to study physics or business. After college, he hopes to join the military and pursue special operations or flight school.

“In two years, when I get my bachelor’s, I plan on going to the military and we’ll see from there,” he said.

Consulting teacher MaryEllen Germaine said Tobeck has shown steady growth throughout his time at Home Link.

“Pedar exemplifies strong character, integrity and a solid work ethic,” she said.

That mindset has carried into baseball. As a senior shortstop on the Deer Park High School varsity team, he earned First Team Greater Spokane All-League honors and was named Offensive MVP, which Tobeck said is one of his proudest achievements. He also earned Northeast A League academic awards for three consecutive seasons and first-team all-league infielder honors as a junior.

“I just like to do things that are difficult and challenge myself,” he said. “I think failing is a great thing, and the more you do it, the better you’re going to be for it.”

He said baseball also taught him how to be a stronger leader and communicator.

“My coach has taught me to communicate a lot and really make sure we as a team are on the same page,” Tobeck said.

More than anything, he said, the team itself stands out.

“Honestly, it’s definitely my favorite sport,” Tobeck said. “The community is the best. Overall, I just have had a really fun time there with my team over these last four years.”

Graduation

The Oaks Classical Christian Academy commencement will be at 7 p.m. June 12 at the Oaks Classical Christian Academy, 11711 E. 24th Ave. in Spokane Valley.

Principal: Charlie Dowers

Valedictorian: Anna Garriques THE OAKS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Anna Garriques

Class of 2026

Expected to graduate are: Aimee Cook Mairenn DeRuyter Amanda Dorta Jim Doster IV Colin Foster Hope Funchess

sloppy then.”

She also started playing basketball in middle school and has been on the varsity team for years. “I love team activities,” she said. “It’s a great way to get a workout in but just hang out with people and have fun.”

She also participated in swimming for a while, but had to give it up. “If I had infinite time, I would love to do that,” she said.

She’s been in her school’s Select Choir for three years and also played percussion since the sixth grade. She stopped doing percussion this year because of time constraints. “It was really fun, but it was a lot, so for senior year I decided to pick just

one,” she said.

A skier since age 4, during the winter she keeps busy by visiting local ski slopes with her family. She said her family normally goes to Mount Spokane because it’s close, but they’ve also skied at 49 Degrees North and Lookout Pass.

School counselor Lynn Gibson said McEachran demonstrates leadership, humor and compassion. “Clara’s easygoing and joyful countenance is her trademark at the Oaks, where she has attended since kindergarten,” Gibson said. “Now a senior, her moral leadership, integrity and contagious laughter have strengthened our school community.”

McEachran plans to attend Gonzaga University for a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She said she hasn’t decided what kind of nursing she’d like to specialize in, but likes helping and caring for others.

“It really brings me joy,” she said. “I love medical stuff, also.”

One of his favorite memories came during Deer Park’s 2023 state baseball run, when as a freshman he unexpectedly stepped in as a pitcher.

“We kind of ran out of pitching,” he said. “I ended up starting that game and pitched well. That was a really cool experience.”

Outside of school, Tobeck has worked at Deer Park Golf Course and the Wild Rabbit Wedding Venue and participated in Home Link Game Night events, playing volleyball and basketball.

As graduation approaches, he said he is looking forward to independence and seeing what comes next.

“I’m just excited to get away from my house, to progress and to become something,” he said, “to see the world a little bit.”

Graduation

Down-to-business attitude helps Isabella Figueroa excel

By Azaria Podplesky FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Spokane International Academy student Isabella Figueroa had a startling first day at her internship at a drugstore pharmacy.

To start, Figueroa wasn’t even supposed to be at that location, but her instructor accidentally mixed up placement with two other students. The three students decided not to switch to the correct locations, and everyone at her pharmacy was really nice, but even still, Figueroa had a weird feeling.

Toward the end of the shift, she would understand why when a man started yelling at the pharmacist for oxycodone, threatening to shoot the pharmacist .

Eventually the man left and no one was hurt, but Figueroa was shaken .

“My parents got there, so they were able to comfort me,” she said. “It was definitely a crazy experience. I tried to keep calm and not freak out, because I didn’t want to add more to the situation.”

English teacher Chad May recalls the next day at school hearing the story of the robbery from Figueroa’s brother. Figueroa herself, May said, didn’t seem all that rattled.

That down-to-business attitude seems to be a staple of Figueroa’s time as a student, with May noticing it after she transferred to the school her sophomore year. She

SPOKANE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

Graduation

The Spokane International Academy commencement will be at 4 p.m. June 7 at Spokane Community College Auditorium, 1810 N. Greene St.

Principal: Morgen FlowersWashington

Class of 2026

Expected to graduate are:

came into Spokane International already knowing she wanted to apply to the pharmacy program at NEWTech Prep.

“Obviously a lot of high school students aren’t sure and figure it out later and that’s totally fine,” May said, “but it’s cool because she always had a really clear idea of what she wanted to do and what kind of work that would take.”

Figueroa’s interest in health care grew from watching medical

professionals assist her father through his ailments.

“My big passion is helping people, and seeing the way that doctors and pharmacists and nurses have helped my family and been there has really inspired me,” she said. “I want to make people feel better, being an outlet for people to go to. Being a comforter, in a way.”

Along with her work in the NEWTech program, Figueroa is also a member of the Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital teen board which creates fundraisers to support the children receiving in-patient treatment . After working at the drugstore last year, Figueroa spent her senior year working at Sacred Heart.

“I rotate through all the different types of pharmacy, so getting to meet different people and seeing the different things you can do in the hospital, where it’s not just being a doctor and nurse,” she said.

After graduation, Figueroa plans to work as a pharmacy technician during the summer before attending Eastern Washington University or Gonzaga University to study biochemistry or biology on a premed route. She ultimately plans to become either a pharmacist or a doctor.

Thinking back on her senior year, Figueroa enjoyed the opportunity to tour colleges and will miss hanging out with friends, both fellow Spokane International Academy students and those

After shy start to school, Gavin James breaks out of his shell

By Azaria Podplesky

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Grace Alliance Christian School student Gavin James loves to draw and read – he said his younger brothers sometimes throw toys at him to get him to stop. Perhaps because of this experience, James was surprised to see older students and younger students getting along so well when he entered GACS as a sophomore.

Students at GACS are divided into four houses, all of which include students from first through 12th grades. Each house has two leaders who help with, among other things, Friday activities that bring students of all ages together for various challenges.

Looking for a chance to grow and develop his leadership skills, James expressed interest in being a house leader at the end of his junior year and was selected. He said his main responsibility is making sure everybody has fun.

“The primary focus is nobody’s sitting in the corner not doing anything, really making sure that everybody’s participating and having a great time, making sure that nobody gets injured,” he said. James is also a student leader in his youth group and helps students bridge the gap between middle and high school. He also made his GACS stage debut as a headmaster in “Puffs,” a parody of the “Harry Potter” series.

He previously participated in Spokane Civic Theatre summer camps, and James thought it would be fun to join his friends onstage. Outside of school, James has run the lightboard for several of Civic’s youth productions.

That all marks a major

milestone for James, who is high-functioning autistic and has ADHD. When he first arrived at GACS, he was dealing with social anxiety and worries that he wouldn’t fit in.

James decided to make more of an effort his junior year and quickly found a supportive group of friends and faculty.

Jenice Baker, James’ writing and sociology teacher, has known James since before he attended GACS and said it’s like night and day to look at James now compared to his younger, more shy self.

“His parents have done a good job working with him, but the school has also been this really safe place for him to find out who he is and not said, ‘Hey, you need to fit in this hole,’ ” she said. Instead, it was, “ ‘Let’s figure out who you are and what you’re good at.’ ” After graduating, James

plans to attend George Fox University and study either social work or counseling.

“I really love hearing people’s stories and helping them through that, being a part of it,” he said. “It’s always been something that’s really interested me. That really feels like a good fit in general.”

James’ mother Laura James is of course sad to see him go but is so proud of all the work he’s done to get to this moment.

“He has overcome a lot,” she said. “We got to his senior year, and there was a time, probably five or six years ago, where we weren’t sure what this would look like at this stage, because he had so many hurdles to overcome. He has honestly risen to a place where I know he’s able to set out into the world and do whatever he’s called to do and do it with excellence and thrive.”

she met at NEWTech from other schools.

She wants to give a special shout-out to her teachers and counselors, who she said deserved the spotlight. May, of course, wants to put it right back on Figueroa.

“She is a really good friend to a lot of other students, a really sup-

Graduation

The Coeur d’Alene Classical Christian School commencement was May 28 at Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Road in Coeur d’Alene.

Principal: Michael Howard

Valedictorian: Benjamin Kummer

portive friend in terms of being there for them and being willing to help them with school or with other things they have going on,” he said. “She’s been a really consistent presence too, she’s very involved. … There’s a lot of positive energy and involvement and activity and doing things to help the community, help the school.”

Despite challenges, she persisted

Masame Osborn and her siblings were adopted from Ethiopia

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Overcoming difficulties with grace and quiet resilience makes Masame Osborn stand out in the Lakeside High School class of 2026.

She, her twin brother, and her older brother were adopted from an Ethiopian orphanage after their biological parents died of tuberculosis.

“Throughout high school, Masame has faced significant personal challenges,” said counselor Lisa Perdue. “Her story reflects perseverance and strength of character.”

Her first challenge was finding a school that fit.

She started at Mead High School as a freshman.

“It was a horrendous fit – I felt excluded. There was racism, and the hazing event was disgusting and heart-wrenching,” Osborn said, referring to sexual assaults of several Black football players in 2022 and 2023.

She attended a small private school during her sophomore year, before landing at Lakeside in 11th grade, where her dad is the principal.

Osborn quickly plugged into the community and enjoyed playing soccer.

“Attending a smaller school allowed her to make some great connections and get involved with things like LaunchNW, where she served as a youth advocate,”

Perdue said. “She’s just amazing.”

Unfortunately, her older brother’s mental health issues were spiraling.

“It got bad – I felt like I didn’t know him,” Osborn said.

On New Year’s Eve, 2024, she and her family enjoyed

their traditional bowling outing.

“My brother was home, and my dad got a call from a neighbor saying our house was on fire,” she said. “My brother had set it on fire.”

It took months for the home to be repaired, and the family stayed in a rental.

“It was stressful,” she said. “I had no clothes – no school stuff. It was really hard.”

Yet she forged ahead.

“I never felt like I was the strongest in my school subjects. I just tried to maintain my grades and have a positive attitude.”

Perdue said school staff were impressed by her resilience.

“Despite these obstacles, Masame remained committed to her education, pushed herself academically, and stayed actively involved in her school and community.”

In addition, she got a head start on her career.

“She attends NEWTech

and plans to attend WSU,” said Perdue.

Medicine captivated her interest early.

“I’m in the medical assistant program at NEWTech and will receive my MA certificate,” Osborn said. “I’ve known since I was a freshman that I wanted to be a nurse. I want to help people and be there for them. I’m looking forward to seeing where life takes me.”

Perdue has no doubt she’ll make an excellent health care provider.

“Masame is so caring,” she said. “She’s grounded, mature and really determined to have a great future. I can’t wait to see what she does.”

During the turmoil of her high school years, she found that open communication with her parents helped her process events, and her innate steadiness enabled her to persevere.

“I’m a quiet person – I don’t react fast,” Osborn said. “I just kept moving forward.”

‘Pressure is a privilege’

Avery Boswell said she was fortunate to

involved in so many activities at school

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Take one look at the long list of Freeman High School senior Avery Boswell’s accomplishments, and you can’t help but wonder how she has had time for everything.

In the classroom, Boswell has earned a 4.0 GPA. She has been a successful threesport varsity athlete, winning a Washington State doubles championship on the tennis court, being named All-State on the state-runner-up Scotties volleyball team, and serving as co-captain in both basketball and volleyball.

She has been first-chair clarinet in the Advanced Band, a student government officer, Future Business Leaders of America regional-award winner, National Honor Society member and an active community volunteer.

So how did she balance all those activities?

“Just time management,” she said, “working to be able to fit everything in. I always put my best effort toward everything. I love what I do, whether it’s been sports, school, or band. It helps that my parents are very supportive.”

Is there stress from her own expectation to perform at a consistently high level in so many different areas?

“The way I view stress is that pressure is

a privilege,” Boswell said. “I consider myself fortunate to be in a small school where I have been able to do so many things that I like. I have really enjoyed my time at Freeman and I have been determined to get the most out of it. I know that in college I won’t have as many similar opportunities, so moving on will be sad, leaving all these experiences behind.

But she is also very excited about what the future holds when she starts at Whitworth this fall, where she’ll play volleyball and major in kinesiology and exercise science.

“I want to be a physical therapist after I’m done with school,” she said. “I had an ACL injury during my sophomore year, and my recovery really opened my eyes to that profession. I want to help other athletes the way my therapists helped me, to be that person for other people. It was challenging to be on the sidelines during my recovery, but that time helped me to grow as a person. I don’t know if I would have looked into PT if it hadn’t been for that.”

Serving others has been an important part of Boswell’s high school experience, and that is one interest she intends to continue.

“It’s important to me that I find ways to give back to the communities that have given a lot to me,” she said. “FBLA provided several opportunities for me to do that,

Graduation

LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL

Graduation

The

Valedictorians:

Lauren Lowery relishes helping her community

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

If at any time during the next few years you find yourself in need of an emergency medical technician who can also do backflips, look no further than the Lewis-Clark State College campus in Lewiston.

That’s where you’ll find Kootenai High School graduate Lauren Lowery, who for the past three years has balanced a demanding academic schedule with extracurricular activities and her position as an EMT volunteer with the Harrison Ambulance Association.

Lowery hopes to attend medical school and become an emergency surgeon, but first she plans to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at LCSC. She also will be joining the cheer team after receiving an invitation from the coach there.

Lowery is graduating after only three years in high school, thanks to a full load of classes at Kootenai combined with dual enrollment at both North Idaho College and the University of Idaho. She didn’t realize until the beginning of her junior year that she was only a couple credits short of graduation, and made the decision to move forward after this year.

While at LCSC, she will continue to volunteer occasionally as an EMT in Harrison, and after her 18th birthday, she will be able to work alone. She was licensed this year, and is able to administer basic medical procedures under supervision.

and I hope to be able to continue to serve. I chose Whitworth because I wanted to attend a Christian college, and when I visited I saw how the students there interacted with each other.”

Her band instructor, James Jydstrup, said that Boswell is one of the most dedicated, responsible and well-rounded students that he’s ever taught.

“As impressive as her accomplishments are,” he said, “Avery’s character is what makes her truly exceptional. She is positive, dependable and always willing to step forward when help is needed. She approaches every challenge with determination and humility.”

“My dad and science teacher were both EMT volunteers,” she said, “and they recommended that I take the class if I was interested. At the beginning, I went on really cool calls and got to see how medics work. My instructor in the class had military experience in ER surgery, and I became interested in that too.

Her Kootenai science teacher, Matt Greer, noted that Lowery is receiving an Idaho Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics diploma and that this year she completed a significant senior project that involved refurbishing a retired ambulance and restocking it to functional capacity.

“In addition,” he added, “I have watched her be a role model to other students, a good listener, a sage adviser, and a mentor to other young women in our school.”

Lowery has been involved in the cheer program at Kootenai for all three years there, watching it grow from four students to more than 10. She was elated when she got the opportunity to participate in the LC State program.

“I’ve always wanted to go to LC State,” she said. “I just filled out a sports interest form with my college application, and the cheer coach emailed me after that. She contacted me at competitions and gave me resources to build my skills. I submitted a video tryout, and I went to a clinic in April.

“I’m super excited about the nursing program and cheer at LC State,” she said. “I will miss knowing every person that I see in the halls and the closeness of the Harrison community, but I’m grateful for the support that my friends and family have given me.”

MAKING THE CUT

Nazo Campbell finds true friends, caring teachers at Innovation

By Azaria Podplesky FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Innovation High School student

Nazo Campbell said he has two mothers to thank for getting him to where he is today.

The first is his birth mother who put him in an orphanage in his native Johannesburg, South Africa, shortly before her death when Campbell was 6 years old. The second is his adoptive mother who brought him to Spokane.

“A lot of people need to understand that without the people in our lives, we wouldn’t be who we are,” he said.

Thanks to those two mothers, Campbell has grown into someone

Innovation counselor Jesse Dhillon said was a positive part of the school community from the moment he stepped into the building.

“He came in with a big smile on his face, positive attitude, ready to jump right in and be a part of the school,” he said.

Campbell transferred to Innovation for his junior year. He liked it right away because it was smaller, both in number of students and the size of the building, than his previous school. He also likes the atypical classes the school offers.

Band, for instance, doesn’t just include the expected groups like brass and woodwinds. At Innovation, students can play instruments like the guitar, bass and ukulele. Campbell is a ukulele player, following in the footsteps of his sister.

“Since I was young, I’ve loved listening to music and dancing to it or playing it,” he said. “Music makes me happy. It also makes me have fun. It’s a good way to have fun and dance to it. Also when I play the ukulele, I can express myself through those words on a ukulele.”

At his previous school, Campbell said it was hard to tell who he was and who his good friends were. He

Graduation

Valedictorian:

got into trouble for being late to class or not doing his work because he was hanging with the wrong group.

Once he enrolled in Innovation, he quickly found friends who told him “Hey, bro, make sure you get to class on time.” The teachers were also good about checking in on his progress on a project, being patient with him and being gracious with extensions when he needed them.

“Everybody needs someone in their life that helps them with something, whether it’s schoolwork or job work or life work, you need that person in your life to help you out,” he said. “For me, it was the teachers at Innovation.”

Outside of school, Campbell enjoys Minecraft and Fortnite and likes to play basketball.

Unsurprisingly then, one of his favorite things about Spokane is Hoopfest. This year will mark his second year playing on a team.

After graduation, Campbell plans to become a barber, inspired by his barber and longtime friend Big Mike who works at Headhunters and who gave Campbell his first haircut in America. Campbell thought about how much Big Mike loves his job and all the people he gets to speak with everyday and thought he wanted to follow in those footsteps.

“I realized barbering is a great job to help people get a fresh look whether you’re going to a new school or going to a job,” he said. “That’s good, but also barbering is a way to connect with people and make them feel good. They can be impactful.”

‘She’ll

make the world a better place’

Presley Somes expected to be an asset anywhere she goes

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For someone who spends a great deal of time on horseback, Presley Somes seems to have her feet firmly planted on the ground.

“I got my first pony when I turned 1,” she said.

By age 7, she was competing in rodeo.

Currently, she’s a member of the Washington State High School Rodeo Association and serves as the student board secretary. Somes plays a vital role in organizing, promoting and leading the youth activities for the association.

“I compete in barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping,” she said, “My favorite is racing barrels. The top four in each event go to Nationals, and I’m hoping I’ll make it. I’ve been blessed with great horses.”

Despite fierce competition for points, Somes said the rodeo community is a tight-knit, supportive group.

“It’s the only sport where other people (competitors) are cheering you on and rooting for you,” she said. “They’ll loan you a horse if yours is hurt.”

When she came to Northwest Christian High School as a freshman, she found a similar environment.

Graduation

The

Valedictorians:

“I’ve loved Northwest Christian,” she said. “The school feels like a community – the teachers really want to get to know you.”

Fine arts instructor Deborah Sinclair enjoyed having Somes in class.

“I’ve had the honor of being more than just a teacher, but a mentor,” she said.

Sinclair watched Somes exhibit qualities she feels will serve her well in life.

“She’s a deeply kind, caring person – a genuine empath,” said Sinclair. “She’s gracious and sees and includes others.”

Somes enjoyed playing basketball for the school during her freshman and sophomore years and was part of a team that went to State.

But her commitment to rodeo meant she didn’t have time to spend on the basketball court.

“I played my whole life,” she said. “But as junior year approached, I had to keep my

COURTESY

Kaily Davis is heading to Arizona for college with confidence.

Graduation

The Northwest Christian Homeschool Program commencement was May 16 at Crossover Church in Mead.

Principal: Sara Jones

Valedictorians: Raegan Mayberry, Emma Stewart

Childhood

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Ask any 4-year-old what they want to do when they grow up, and there’s a good chance the answer will be,

“I wanna be a firefighter.”

For most kids, that’s just a phase, but not for Upper Columbia Academy graduate Caleb Crawford.

“That’s a common goal for kids,” Crawford said, “and I’ve been interested ever since I was little. I just never grew out of it.”

horses in shape.”

The family has six horses, and Somes gives riding lessons.

“Riding my horses is where I get mental clarity,” she said. “Horses have a way of connecting with you. There’s no better feeling than when you swing your leg over a horse and go for a ride.”

When it comes to academics, she said she especially enjoyed her Bible classes. That doesn’t surprise Sinclair.

“Presley doesn’t just attend a Christian school, she’s a believer and faith is a central piece of her life,” she said.

Somes has been accepted to Grand Canyon University, and Cal Poly has invited her to join its renowned rodeo team.

As she weighs her decision, several things are clear.

“I have a business mindset, and I’ve always wanted to work for myself,” Somes said. “Whatever path I take, I’ll be in the equine industry. I want to love people and produce a positive impact.”

Sinclair is confident Somes will thrive.

“She’s going to knock it out of the park and be an asset to whatever school she selects,” she said. “Presley’s not just about advancing herself, but serving others. She’ll make the world a better place.”

Class of 2026

Class of 2026

Expected to graduate are:

Kailyn Davis

Logan Hawkinson

Raegan Mayberry

Darian Moore

Seona Phillips

Emma Stewart

Home-school program gives Kaily Davis support for her learning needs

By Cindy Hval FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Kaily Davis attended Northwest Christian School from second through sixth grade, her family drawn by the support she knew she’d receive there.

“I’m dyslexic, and they have a good learning center program,” she said.

In middle school, she moved to NWC’s home-school program.

“I work better independently and need more flexibility.”

Davis appreciated that the school uses physical textbooks in addition to online learning.

“I’m a kinesthetic learner,” she said. “I need to interact with what I’m learning. I take notes and make lists.”

During her junior year, her family moved to Camano Island to be near extended family.

After leaving her familiar surroundings at Northwest Christian’s home-school program, she pivoted and became deeply connected with the Camano Island community.

“I got involved with the youth group and served in student leadership at the church,” she said.

Last year, her family returned to Spokane. It was a difficult transition for Davis.

“It’s not what I expected,” she said. “I wasn’t happy at the beginning of my senior year.”

Her teachers understood the challenges she faced and admired

the way she’s persevered.

“Kaily worked her tail off retrieving credits because of interrupted high school time –she’s a hardworking, kind, genuine student,” said teacher Courtney Manuel. “She’s spent lots of effort building friendships, as well as excelling in school.”

Kristy Boblet agreed.

“It can be pretty intimidating, returning as a senior, but Kaily got plugged in right away,” she said. “She’s detail-oriented and very thorough.”

Boblet’s Bible class requires analysis and introspection, and she said Davis shines at both.

“She gives thoughtful answers –she goes the extra mile.”

April Young, director’s assistant and registrar, said, “Kaily is a strong individual – she overcomes any obstacle thrown her way. At school, she’s the one to reach out and lend a hand – she’ll take a leadership role when needed.”

Davis gravitates to history and art.

“I’m a history nerd,” she said. “And I’m enjoying sketching this year – I set a goal to get better at realism.”

A self-taught crocheter, she made a beautiful cardigan for her senior project.

As she looked toward her future, she considered pursuing a counseling degree, but a job-shadowing experience revealed another possibility.

interest sparked a career path

firefighter program a couple years ago,” he said.

“One of my cousins did it and I went with her one time and it seemed like fun. I loved it from the start. There were very few departments with junior programs, so even though it was an hour drive from school, it was my only option.

And so Crawford, who now serves as volunteer firefighter with Pend Oreille Fire District 2 in Newport-Ione, plans to make a career from that interest, and has already taken the first steps.

“I joined the junior

“We used to live in Newman Lake, and I went to all their open houses then. I didn’t think about it for a while, but my interest was reignited when I went with my cousin, and around that same time there was an electrical fire at UCA and it was chaos –no one knew what to do or how to help.”

Crawford credits UCA teacher Jesse Melendy, a retired firefighter, with

guiding him in the right direction.

Melendy says that Crawford didn’t need much guidance: “He is super self-motivated and a perfect candidate for a career as a firefighter. He’s done everything he needs to do to get started.”

Crawford has graduated from the Grizzly Mountain Fire Academy, which he attended three days a week during the winter, and will spend this summer doing wildland firefighting throughout Washington. He hopes to begin an Emergency Medical Technician program in the fall, and when that’s completed he plans to apply to different area departments.

Crawford has attended and boarded at Upper Columbia Academy for all four years of high school, and he says he has loved

the experience.

“I didn’t really get homesick when I started there,” he said. “I like being able to do things on my own, and I’m with my friends pretty much all the time. UCA has offered me the opportunity to develop adult-like independence at a young age.

“When it comes to my career, I want to learn as much as I can as quickly as I can. I’m pretty quick to get things done, and I don’t want to wait around to start working. I couldn’t work at a desk job; I like being outside and on my feet. I’m a decent student, but I don’t like to sit still.”

“As a firefighter, you can see the results of your work in a positive way, and a career as a firefighter aligns with my spiritual beliefs, serving others with kindness. You’ll see

“I’m job-shadowing Mrs. (Michelle) Gibson in the learning center,” Davis said. “She works with students who need extra help reading and writing, and she’s part of the Inland Northwest Dyslexia Alliance.”

Davis plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Arizona in the fall.

“Maybe I’ll become a dyslexia advocate – maybe a counselor or teacher.”

Boblet has no doubt that her student will succeed.

“Whatever she does, she will do it well,” she said.

Davis credits her parents for investing in her education.

“They’ve always encouraged me in my schooling,” she said. “My mom pushes me to do the best I can.”

She values the participation of the staff in the NWC home-school program.

“Northwest Christian has given me a lot of perspective and skills that I wouldn’t have gotten at another school,” Davis said. “The teachers really invest in your spiritual life.”

Adapting to living with dyslexia and a challenging move during a pivotal time has given her insight and depth and left her profoundly thankful.

“I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had,” Davis said. “They formed me into who I am. I know God’s been directing my path.”

FIRED UP FOR HER FUTURE

Alaina Kudrna will balance fire department duties, studies at UI

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Spokane Valley Tech senior Alaina Kudrna has kept a packed schedule all through high school.

She doesn’t see that changing anytime soon as she prepares for a firefighter residency program while attending the University of Idaho in the fall.

Kudrna has attended Spokane Valley Tech for all four years of high school, recruited by her older sister. “She really liked it,” Kudrna said. “... It’s definitely a different experience from what I’ve seen of normal high school. It’s a very small community and easy to get involved.”

She said she really likes that classes are small and teachers have time to give attention to every student. One class was just her and one other student.

The other reason she was attracted to Spokane Valley Tech is that she wanted to enroll in the school’s EMT program. She said she likes the idea of doing something that helps people while also putting something good back into the community. “I’ve known for a while I wanted to do something medical related,” she said.

In addition to studying for finals, Kudrna has also been getting ready for her EMT exam in June. “I’ve been studying a lot for it lately,” she said.

This year she has also been president of the HOSA club, which is for students interested in joining a medical field. She went to the HOSA state competition for EMT and medical spelling, where she took sixth place.

She is also the starting catcher on the University High School softball team, a role she has filled for four years. “It’s one of my favorite parts of my day,” she said. She also plays club softball to

Graduation

The Spokane Valley Tech commencement will be at 6 p.m. June 5 at University High School Theatre, 12420 E. 32nd Ave. in Spokane Valley.

Principal: Amanda St. Pierre

Valedictorian: Noah Cook

keep her skills sharp. “Softball takes up most of my time,” she said.

Teacher Elizabeth Warren said Kudrna is a student who takes advantage of every opportunity that is available to her. “Alaina is a standout student at Spokane Valley Tech,” Warren said. “Alaina works hard, shows up consistently and is an excellent representative of Spokane Valley Tech. She is a student that our staff can count on to be an example for others.”

Kudrna has also been preparing for her next step. She learned about a Moscow Fire Department resident program, which will allow her to go on calls and live in a fire station while also attending college full-time.

The resident program is competitive. Kudrna said she sent in an application early this year and the department selected 25 people to interview. She also had to pass a physical test that included carrying fire hoses and other firefighting related tasks. In the end, she was one of a handful of people selected for the program. “It was really fun,” she said of the application experience. The fire department program is the cherry on top of her studies at the University of Idaho. “I was going to go there anyway because they have a really good forensics program,” she said.

Kudrna said she is considering a career in forensics “if I don’t get sucked into the whole firefighter thing,” she said. “I just wanted to do something cool.”

Congratulations Graduates!

Students across our high schools earned outstanding recognition at state and national competitions, highlighting excellence in academic achievement, career pathways, leadership, and career and technical education, alongside success in athletics and performing arts. Students captured top honors through Washington HOSA–Future Health Professionals, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program, with Spokane Valley Tech teams earning �rst in Washington and national rankings in cybersecurity.

Congratulations as well to our caring, committed educators and staff for helping make this an award-winning district with improved academics and a 94.2% graduation rate.

As graduation approaches, these accomplishments re�ect our students’ dedication, innovation, and readiness for college, careers, and future success, as well as the ongoing commitment and support of our staff and families. We are incredibly proud of our 1,135 graduates in the Class of 2026—our future leaders.

The Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University recognized CVSD as among Washington’s Districts on the Rise in both math and reading, “Central Valley School District (CVSD) stands out for scaling a truly system-wide instructional model across all 29 schools.”

Seven of our schools were recently recognized by the Washington School Recognition Program for their work in closing opportunity gaps and supporting students' growth and academic achievement, including Ridgeline High School and Spokane Valley Tech.

McDonald Elementary became one of four Washington schools to receive a National Distinguished Schools Award for exceptional student performance and academic growth.

Superintendent John Parker was honored with a Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Award for large districts by the Washington Association of School Administrators.

TAKING AIM AT WHAT MATTERS

Quinn Lipke leads by doing, on and off the track field

By Jim Allen FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

There are no easy labels for Quinn Lipke, and that’s just as well.

Poised to graduate from University High School, Lipke has excelled at almost every Advanced Placement class, placed at the state track meet in the javelin and volunteered with the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council.

Yes, Lipke is hard to define, but his track coach gave it a good shot.

“He’s that Clark Kent-kind of guy,” said Ernesto Aguilar, who also is a counselor at U-Hi. “He’s quiet on the inside but very gifted,” Aguilar said.

Lipke has quietly made a difference on the track team, which lacked a javelin coach. Not only did Lipke go on to place fourth at state last year, he transformed javelin into the most popular event in the program.

“Now we have about 25 guys throwing the javelin,” Aguilar said. “He runs our athletes through the workout drills, putting all of them first, before himself.

“That is so humble,” Aguilar said. “Quinn respects everyone and is wellliked by everyone in the building. And he’s made a big impact for our school.”

In selecting Lipke for inclusion in The Spokesman-Review’s graduation edition, the school said in a statement that “what

truly distinguishes Quinn is his approach to learning. His personal philosophy is to try everything once because opportunities are rare and everyone is smart in different ways.

Track and field wasn’t Lipke’s first choice. A solid baseball pitcher, “he kept hitting his friends, and he didn’t like that,” said his mother, Lindsey Dunham.

Lipke also started on the Titans basketball team.

Lipke has an even bigger workload in the classroom. “Lots of AP classes … my parents have always asked me to challenge myself.”

His favorite: AP European History with teacher Sara Wagenblast. “It’s not the most enthralling topic, but she was excellent in her planning.”

Lipke’s passion for the underdog goes far beyond helping struggling javelin throwers.

He has spent many hours volunteering with the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council, specifically its efforts to reduce sentences for first-time DUI offenders through the court system.

Ideally that means working with judges to impose alternatives to jail time.

The connection came through his grandmother, who babysat Lipke years ago. Across the street lives Linda Thompson, director of GSSAC since 1993.

“We work in a formal setting with serious issues, and it’s a meaningful way to help the community,” Lipke said.

Back at school, Lipke devoted his senior capstone project to discrimination, especially the less-obvious forms that can profoundly affect a young person’s future.

“I focused on multiple forms of dis-

Quinn Lipke will attend USC in the fall, where he plans to study gerontology.

crimination,” Lipke said. “For example, when a student is passionate about a subject like biology but a teacher dissuades her from pursuing that.”

Lipke’s academic pursuits will take him to USC, where his parents graduated.

“They were pushing it a little, but it really is the best option for me,” Lipke said Once there, Lipke will take the road less traveled. On the premed track, his undergraduate focus will be on gerontology, the study of aging and human development.

By Joe Everson FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

This is a story about Mica Peak High School senior Ethan Vaughn. Or more accurately, about Vaughn and the sister he says saved him.

Vaughn was almost halfway through his sophomore year in Oklahoma, failing most of his classes, with little interest in school or anything else. He decided to visit his older sister, Julia, for Thanksgiving, and it wasn’t long before he asked if he could move in with her, subject to his parents’ approval.

“At that point, I didn’t have any thoughts about my future and I didn’t care about anything,” he said. “And even after I moved, when I started at Mica Peak, I was indifferent about the idea. I had never heard about alternative schools where you could make up credits and I didn’t

know what to expect.”

It wasn’t a wake-up call right away, he said, but as he was able to meet more students and staff at Mica Peak, he began to understand that an education was not just a requirement, but a privilege: “When I did, I found more purpose to everything that I was doing. That was something that I hadn’t previously understood.

“I was no angel, though, and I gave Julia plenty of reasons to regret keeping me before I turned it around. She’s 10 years older and had practically raised me and my siblings anyway, so she understood that it would be a challenge, but she knew that she could give me a better chance at a future. For a while, though, I kept not listening to her.

“But Julia never gives up on anything, even if it costs her everything, and she didn’t give up on me. She’s an amazing and

compassionate person, and she was always patient with me.”

When Vaughn realized that at Mica Peak he could make up his missing credits, his attitude and his effort took an abrupt turn for the better.

“During my freshman and sophomore years before I moved up here,” he said, “I used to say that I wanted to run away and live in the woods. No one at home or school was really invested in me, but that changed when I got up here. I was still way behind, but I was able to regain some credits through state testing and eventually graduating on time with my peers was something that I really wanted to do. I don’t think that I would have graduated if I stayed in Oklahoma.”

Vaughn has been enrolled during his senior year in the Automotive Tech program at NEWTech Prep, the

Spokane-area cooperative skills center.

“NEWTech gave me amazing opportunities,” he said. “I’ve always loved math and eventually I’d like to become a mechanical engineer. Right now, I just want to get my foot in the door somewhere and get a start as a technician.”

The lesson that Vaughn has learned from his experiences, and from his sister?

“Never give up, no matter how hard things seem. You may be your biggest problem until you figure that out, and when you do, you can accomplish anything. I owe my sister everything. She and her fiancé are the reason that I am where I am today.”

‘Education is the biggest privilege in the world’

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Central Valley High School senior Faylanna Moore can trace her love of dance to hours spent dancing with her mother in their tiny kitchen.

The skills she developed there brought her to the Central Valley dance team.

Moore said her mother is disabled, but would watch online videos so she could teach her daughter to dance.

“My mom taught me,” Moore said. “We just spent hours and hours dancing in the kitchen. It has obviously paid off.”

Her mother’s goal was to channel Moore’s energy into something positive.

“I have really bad ADHD,” she said. “She was like, we’re going to put that energy to work.”

Moore said she tried medication for her ADHD when she was younger but felt it “stripped me from me,” so she stopped taking it.

When she got to high school, she joined the dance team. She’s been the captain the past two years and the team has gone to State three years in a row. “I’m really proud to have grown that program,” Moore said. “Its first year was my freshman year.”

Although she loves just about every style of dance, hip hop is her favorite. “I love hip hop, just the history of it,” she said.

She has also danced with the Alegria

dance company. “I love dancing with a team but I also love dancing with a company,” she said. “I feel like I was being pushed every day.”

It’s not just dance that keeps her busy.

She has played the violin since the fifth grade and is in the school orchestra. She’s a member of Key Club, has studied French for four years and enjoys taking Advanced Placement classes.

“I love educating myself,” she said. “Education is the biggest privilege in the world.”

She also has the responsibility of doing a lot of the housework her mother is unable to do. She is a regular volunteer at Second Harvest. Moore said she and her mother used the food bank in the past and so she volunteers as a way to give back.

“I keep myself busy,” she said. “I just do

Graduation

The Central Valley High School commencement will be at noon June 6 at Gonzaga University’s McCarthey Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St.

Principal: Katie Louie

Valedictorian: Joesph Hilton

what I love.”

Teacher Mason Flemmer said Moore is an inspiration. “Life hasn’t always been easy for her, but she has this incredible way of overcoming every obstacle without ever letting it slow her down,” he said. “She’s constantly proving that she can handle anything thrown her way. Seriously, nothing seems to stop her and I just know she’s going to do huge things in the world.”

Moore has not finalized her college plans for the fall, other than she wants to focus on media studies. She’s thought of attending San Diego State so she can also dance in Southern California. One of her dreams is to dance for the NBA and she’d like to see if she can make it happen. “Mainly I want to be able to do something in dance,” she said. “I know that things are going to work out.”

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

By Nina Culver FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Andrew Bota was excited to be starting at Ridgeline High School four years ago because he expected interesting classes. He got them, and this year he’s signed up for six Advanced Placement courses.

“I wanted to take on that challenge,” he said. “I enjoyed them better than regular classes in the past. I always try to push myself as much as I can.”

Bota was born in Seattle and spent time living in Rhode Island and Texas before moving to Liberty Lake in the sixth grade. When he started at Ridgeline, he signed up for an introduction to engineering class on a whim.

He learned how to use CAD software and his teacher in that class led the school’s robotics program. He recruited Bota to join. “That got me hooked up with a lot of things,” he said.

He has stayed in the robotics program all four years, helping build a new robot every year that had to be able to complete a specialized task. In his junior and senior years he helped design the robot. “I felt really proud of being able to do that both years,” he said.

He also signed up for tennis his freshman year because he wanted to try something new and had a couple of friends who played the sport. “It ended up being really fun,” he said. Since then he has played varsity doubles and a mix of singles and doubles, continuing to enjoy the sport. “I’ve met a bunch of new people doing that,” he said.

He’s also a licensed amateur ham radio operator, but he doesn’t have a setup at home. Instead he can be found in local parks, climbing trees to string wire. “I like to go out to parks and just make a station and reach out to people across the country,” he said. “It’s kind of my excuse to get me outside.”

Bota has also done well in competitions, but he hasn’t always been able to go as far as his skill allowed. He’s been a member of Future Business Leaders of America and in his sophomore year he did the business plan event and qualified for Nationals but wasn’t able to go.

In his junior year, he took first place in the region for network design and computer problem solving. However, he had to skip the State competition because of robotics. Students are given a relatively short amount of time to build their robots and it’s not unusual to work until midnight some nights, Bota said.

“Robotics steals the whole fall,” he said.

Bota has worked as a courtesy clerk at the Liberty Lake Yoke’s since last June. He said he enjoys his co-workers and his time there has earned him the nickname “Bagman” among his tennis teammates. “I really enjoy it,” he said of his job. “It’s a good gig for a high schooler.”

Teacher Brandon Dailey said Bota

has been doing excellent work while taking a very rigorous course load.

“He is dedicated, kind and inclusive, consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to both his academics

and his community,” Dailey said. “Andrew is not afraid of a challenge and approaches his goals with determination and persistence.”

Bota will attend Oregon State

University, where he plans to study electrical engineering while continuing to play tennis. “They actually have a ham radio club that I will be joining when I get there,” he said.