WAITSBURG-Seventeen members of the Class of 2019 made the traditional march down Kison Court to receive their diplo- mas at Waitsburg High School's 123rd commencement ceremony on Fri., May 30. Friends and family celebrate with the exiting seniors who spoke about shared experi- ences and future dreams as they proudly joined the ranks of WHS alumni.

Strains of "Pomp and Circum- stance" filled the gymnasium as graduate siblings Megan Forney and Kirsten Miller served as flag marshals. Associated Student Body President Brayden Miller led the flag salute.

Waitsburg Schools Superin- tendent Dr. Jon Mishra gave the opening welcome and recognized teachers Jim Leid, Nancy Bickel- haupt and Maddie Martin, who will retire with the end of this school year.

Mishra noted that the class opt- ed not to choose a class motto and bypassed traditional invitations in favor of creating individual invites. Mishra said the Class of 2019 is a perfect example of what it means to be Waitsburg "One-of-a-Kind."

Honor speaker Kelsey Alleman, daughter of John and Liz Alleman, who holds a 3.948 GPA took the graduates and audi- ence on a trip down memory lane. Alleman recounted favorite mem- ories from taking home Corduroy the stuffed bear in Mrs. Beasley's Kindergarten class to the many skills students learned through their four years in high school. She also recounted how to distract math and science teachers Jim Leid and Mel McWhorter by initi- ating conversations about football or baseball.

"Luckily, since they'll both be retired, this won't give the under- classmen any ideas," she said.

"One day, these memories will be faint, so for now, let's just enjoy what we've had together as a class. Congratulations and continue making memories," said Alleman in closing.

Honor speaker Mackenzie For- ney, daughter of Paul Forney and Dana Barnes, who holds a 3.955 GPA, thanked those who have sup- ported the Class of 2019 through the years. She addressed coach- es and advisors, custodians and lunchroom staff, principals and office staff, teachers, parents and family, commenting on the unique ways each provided support to the Class of 2019.

"Behind every single student graduating tonight, there has been a team providing their support and working together in some way to make sure that we could have the chance to graduate here tonight. There isn't a big enough thank you to show our gratitude to each of you for all you have done. The best way we can do this, is to take heed to your advice and take advantage of this opportunity as well as con-

tinue to grow," Forney said.

Class Salutatorian Loren Ne- gron, daughter of Kevin and Gene- vieve Negron, holds a GPA of 3.995 from WHS and a 4.0 GPA from Wal- la Walla Community College where she will graduate this month with an AA degree. Negron, who was born in the Philippines, contrast- ed the difference of being born in poverty with the opportunities

available in America.

"The opportunities in this

country are so overwhelming. We have resources available to us that I hope some family members and friends of mine in the Philippines could have. We are blessed to be in this country, to have a supportive community and a chance to get a good education. I encourage all of you to not take for granted the opportunities around you. Seize them and use them to empower yourself and the people around you," she said.

Negron described living life as writing the pages of our lives, "bound together by patience, pas- sion, perseverance, vulnerability, humility and faith.

"Our stories are unique and inspiring. As we write and em- brace our stories daily, let's find inspiration from the world around us, cherish the stained and dusty pages and never forget those who have helped us write our stories," she said.

Valedictorian Leena Baker, daughter of Tim and Heather Bak- er, who holds a 4.0 GPA shared the three keywords that she uses as motivation: excitement, flexibility and dedication. She encouraged her fellow classmates to be excited about the world and many opportunities that lie outside Waitsburg and the familiar, re- minded them to be flexible in a life that is inevitably filled with unexpected changes, and to be dedicated in making the most of every experience.

Baker encouraged her fellow graduates to think about what a "good life" means to them as they navigate this next chapter in their lives.

"We are all individuals living our own life and it is up to us to decide what we want out of it," she said.

"My last piece of advice to my class comes from a friend: your future is what you make it. Spark the change you want to see and never become complacent. As said by Bradely Whitford, 'Infuse your life with action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love,'" Baker said in closing.

Special presentations were made to Kelsey Alleman and Mackenzie Forney who received the P.E.O. Citizenship Award

for outstanding citizenship, character and service. Forney was also awarded the Kar- en Huwe Mohney Memorial Scholarship. Loren Negron was recognized as sec- ond place 12th grade winner in the Fleet Reserve Association Northwest Region Americanism Essay contest.

The crowd stood to applaud Austin James and Jakeub Daltin Lambert who have joined the military. James joined the United States Army and leaves for basic training on June 24. He plans to train as a mechanic. Lambert joined the United States Navy and will report to Great Lakes, Illinois for basic training in November where he will train as an aviation mechan- ics mate.

More than $150,000 in Scholarships were awarded followed by the presenta- tion of valedictorian and salutatorian. (A complete list of scholarships will run in the June 13 issue of The Times.) The class was presented by Class President Devon Harshman and received diplomas from school board chairman Ross Hamann.

The newly graduated class exited the gymnasium to the "The Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams in honor of retiring teacher Jim Leid, WHS Class of 1969.