WAITSBURG-It is almost the end of the school year and Waitsburg is gearing up to celebrate its graduating seniors. Each week we will highlight students from the Class of 2023.

Claudia Benavides

Claudia Benavides' future goal is to move to Billings, Montana, to work for Labcorp, a global life sciences and healthcare company. Benavides is working towards that goal by taking classes at SEATech in the Health Sciences Careers program.

In June, she will finish her studies as a medical emergency department technician (ED Tech.) She is also working to become a certified nurse's aide (CNA) and a phlebotomy technician. 

As a four-sport athlete, Benavides said an interesting memory is that she's been hurt in every sport she has played. Her favorite sport is basketball, but she missed her senior season due to a knee injury. 

Benavides will soon have knee surgery and looks forward to returning to the golf course. Playing golf during her junior year was a memorable time, she said.

At Waitsburg High School, Benavides takes the Current World Problems class. She has been an FFA member and is on the honor roll. She will walk with the Class of 2023 on June 9

Laura Hill

Laura Hill has been busy taking online classes at Walla Walla Community College for the last two school years. She will graduate from high school and earn her Associate of Arts degree in June. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year before heading to Washington State University to take courses to become an Emergency Medical Technician. Her future goal is to become a paramedic.

During her freshman and sophomore years, Hill participated in Future Farmers of America, showing chickens and rabbits at the fair. Hill enjoyed playing on the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams.

"Softball was a kick, and I had a lot of fun," said Hill.

She also said that her friend Hendrix Groom made her high school years amazing, "She is an awesome friend."

When not studying, Hill is a barista at Ten Ton Coffee and works making wood-fired pizzas at American 35 in Waitsburg.

Levi Boudrieau

Levi Boudrieau is a member of FFA, the National Honor Society President, and the Salutatorian for the Class of 2023. He has played football and baseball on the school's teams for many years. His favorite sport is baseball, and he loves pitching. He also is adept at both the shortstop and second base positions.  

Boudrieau shared some of his favorite moments at the Waitsburg schools. After the last middle school baseball practice, he remembered the giant slip-n-slide made from tarps. "That was a blast," he said.

He also had a lot of fun during the water slide kickball game at the end of his junior year. 

Boudrieau is a teacher's assistant for one class and taking a wildlife and leadership class at WHS. He also attends SEATech in Walla Walla in the criminal justice program. He plans to attend Walla Walla Community College in the fall to continue his studies in criminal justice.