Graduation is a time of closing on the cusp of a new adventure. Students in school across the county are wrapping up a dozen years of education this June and preparing for their next steps. Some may be pursuing two or four year degrees, some vocational training and others travel. Wherever life leads the seniors of 2019, they will always call Clatsop County home.
Seaside School District
“There is no doubt about the capabilities of this class,” Mike Hawes, Seaside Social Studies teacher and Pacifica Project Director brags. He has seen this year’s seniors reach for greatness this year through the senior year requirement of community driven service. Working for up to one hundred hours outside of the school day, seniors in Seaside help their neighbors and local organizations to raise money, reach goals and support those in need.
To celebrate their hard work, Seaside graduation events begin with a Baccalaureate Service on Sunday June 9 at North Coast Family Fellowship. Graduates will be walking across the stage the next day at the Seaside Convention Center at 8:00 p.m. All are welcome at the event, although graduates will be receiving reserved seating tickets on Friday for close friends and family. Jeff Roberts, Seaside High School principal touts the greatness of this year’s one hundred ten graduates, “This is a very accomplished class.” The athletic teams have been distinctly decorated for their performance, Hawes notes, and academically the class has excellent marks overall.
Warrenton Hammond School District
“We have an outstanding group of students who is going to be missed next year,” Warrenton-Hammond Vice Principal Ian O’Brien cheers. The certificated class will walk on Friday June 7 at 7:00 p.m. The sixty students graduating are all headed down different paths. Some are headed to two or four year colleges, O’Brien says, listing Pepperdine, Eastern Oregon and Clatsop Community College as future destinations for Warrenton’s students. A few, he says are going to join the military, while others are going to trade school or jumping into the workforce. The community is proud of each and every student and what they have accomplished while attending Warrenton-Hammond High School, “Our girls basketball team had an incredible season this year and many of our kids have excelled in plays, athletics, academics and the arts,” O’Brien lists. With all of these amazing students being honored, arrive early for a good seat and parking spot!
Astoria School District
Astoria High School seniors will be celebrating their hard earned accomplishments at several events around the community beginning with a Baccalaureate service on June 5 at 7:00 p.m. in Astoria High School auditorium. Thursday morning graduates don their cap and gown and walk the town. They begin at the district schools, showing younger students hard word and dedication can earn, and end by walking downtown from the Flavel House to Liberty Theater.
That night a special awards night will be held at the Liberty Theater at 6:30 p.m. Scholarships will be presented, including over $275,000 from the Astoria High School Scholarship Inc.
Graduation begins at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday June 8 in the high school gym. Tickets are not required for this event or any of the graduation events, so arriving early is suggested. Astoria High School counselor Beth Fausto is proud of the graduating class, as is the rest of the district, “The graduating class of 2019 has greatly contributed to the tradition of excellence that Astoria High School has established since 1854. Their academic efforts, athletic accomplishments, and community achievements have benefited those who have had the opportunity to work with them.”
Knappa School District is celebrating seniors on Saturday June 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the gym. Attendees can arrive early to honor the thirty-two seniors, gift tables will be set up in the library for each student starting at 6:30 p.m. The 101st graduating class will be cheered in the ceremony along with many other special awards. Valedictorian and Salutatorian along with Gold Gown awards and even a Wall of Fame inductee will be honored. The entire class, however, deserves kudos for their hard work over the last four years, their advisor Jeff Miller points out, “They have devoted countless hours to volunteering and working in our local area.”
Jewell School will be celebrating their graduates on June 1 from 2:00- 4:00 p.m. A performance from the high school band will begin at 1:30 p.m. for early arrivers to enjoy. “This year’s graduating class is the most determined I have ever seen,” Renee Meier, Jewell School’s counselor states. “They have all worked so diligently this year in planning their postsecondary plans, I can’t wait to see where life take them.” In addition to certificates, scholarship money from Jewell School Scholarships and Jewell Memorial Scholarship will be awarded. According to Meier, this year’s class has earned more money in scholarships than any previous class. All of their hard work will be awarded with a class trip to Hawaii after the ceremony. Aloha Jewell seniors!
