Haines High School graduates Royal and Patrick Henderson had grandparents and friends visiting during this week’s graduation. Grandmother Pat Potwin traveled from Reno, Nev. Stepfather Mark Fontenot’s parents, Ann and Michael Fontenot of Boulder, Colo., also were in town. Friend Charlie Moody, who completed his freshman year at Northern Arizona University, and Charlie’s mom, Stephanie Yard, made it back to Haines in time for graduation. They’ll be here for summer. Charlie’s grandmother Gwen Moody, from Phoenix, Ariz., is visiting. Friend and recent Haines graduate Brandon Haxton, who just finished his freshman year at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., also is here for the summer.
Margarette Jones, who moved to Redmond, Wash., with her family last year, returned to Haines to graduate with her class. She has been spending time with grandmother Linda Palmer as well as with grandparents Stan and Kathy Jones. Margarette’s whole family came back to Haines for the graduation ceremony – parents Mark and Frankie Jones, sisters Abby and Grace Jones, and brother Aaron Jones. Sister Kendra Knight lives in Haines with husband Alex Knight and their son Evan. They are getting to know the newest member of the family, McKinley Jones, son of Samantha Clay and Margarette’s brother Nathan Jones, of Haines.
Chris Clifton-Thornton has been promoted to managing editor of two game divisions at Microsoft Game studios in Seattle. Chris is daughter of Carol Clifton of Haines.
Abby Jones has been named as Peninsula College Student of the Month for April. An honor student with a 3.9 grade-point average, she’ll graduate with an associate of arts degree next month. Jones was also named the recipient of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Academic Leadership Award last month, and earlier this year was named to the 2012-13 NWAACC All-Academic Team. In 2011-12, she won the Art Feiro Award as the athlete in women’s basketball who best exemplified leadership, athleticism, academics and citizenship. “Abby is an amazing young lady with a brilliant future ahead of her,” says Peninsula College’s Rick Ross. Jones plans to study medicine at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., where she will also play basketball for the Boxers.
Kate Harrop is putting together a scrapbook for former resident Karin Bagley, who is now living in Petersburg. Friends of Karin who have photos or messages can send them to Kate at P.O. Box 608, Haines. Messages of 75 words or fewer and images about four inches square are best, Kate said.
Scott Visscher is looking forward to commercial fishing with his daughters this summer. Daughter Erica Visscher recently graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor of arts degree in history. Erica lives in Bozeman, Mont. Daughter Teslyn Visscher will earn her bachelor of science degree from University of Alaska Fairbanks, with majors in natural resource management and fisheries. She will finish a field class in Fairbanks before heading out for field work tracking sea lions on remote islands offshore Prince of Wales Island. She will join her dad and sister to fish in July.
The Haines Uglys hosted their last party at The Institute, their former beachfront clubhouse located just south of Mount Riley. The property recently changed hands, so the men’s social and service organization will be looking for a new meeting location, according to president Chuck Mitman. Saturday’s party was well attended by friends who braved the wind and feasted on spit-roasted pig.
Mary Cochran said she started her day in a witch’s hat and wig because “I didn’t want anyone to think ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is my favorite movie because of Dorothy!” The First National Bank loan assistant was honored Monday for more than 26 years with the Haines branch. Coworker Inez Gross decorated Mary’s desk area with Oz icons, including a suspended cyclone and a yellow brick road, while the movie played for visitors. Mary began her career with the bank as a teller at the branch’s former Main Street location and fondly remembers “dog fest,” when all 12 employees would bring their dogs to work after hours to socialize. “They all got along fabulously,” said Mary.
Robin Grace’s knit sculpture “Crossing Mud Bay” is on display at the Maude Kearns Gallery in Eugene, Ore. The piece is part of the 14th biennial “Oregon Made for Interiors” exhibit.
Chilkat Valley Preschool graduated nine students to kindergarten. Teachers are Janet Hayes and Josie Nelson. This year’s graduation and potluck celebration took place at the Haines Senior Center. Graduates included Nathan White, James Stickler, Andrew Winkle, Ava Graham, Aubrey Gonce, Ella Feldman, Samara Quick,
Colton Combs and Nolan Wald. Students slid down the schoolyard slide to receive certificates of graduation at Haines Head Start Thursday. They also sang three songs to their parents. Graduates included Isabelle Alamillo, Audrey Bader, Arik Koverdan, Adam Lockhart, Mikey Maas, Addie Prisciandaro, Quinn Taylor, and Merrissa Verhamme.