The Haines High School Class of 2023 tossed their caps into a shower of green and gold confetti at the May 23 commencement ceremony, moments after receiving their long-awaited diplomas.
“Graduates, the same feelings your parents and caretakers had on your first day of school, they feel again today,” said superintendent Roy Getchell, whose daughter Avari Getchell was among the graduates. “Pride, excitement, love and worry.”
Salutatorian Matilda Rogers kicked off the ceremony by thanking family, friends, teachers and community members for coming out to celebrate.
“The support you have shown us all, right up to this very moment, has been overwhelming,” Rogers said. “To say thank you would be an understatement. We are all beyond grateful.”
This year’s graduating class nearly doubled last year’s numbers.
The High School Concert Choir sang a rendition of “The Circle Game” by Joni Mitchell and “We’ll Meet Again” by Ross Parker.
Former middle and high school teacher Pete Degen delivered the commencement address. Salutatorian Marin Hart introduced him to the crowd.
“Be open to learning new things. Lessons in life are everywhere,” Degen said.
The Haines Man Choir surprised the crowd with an unexpected performance of “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift while Maddox Rogers beat boxed.
“That was pure fun,” graduate and choir member Luke Davis said. “We sang it at Music Fest and the crowd just really ate it up. We had a ton of fun singing it and we thought it would be just a riot to do it again at graduation.”
The Man Choir also sang a hearty acapella version of “Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke, Herb Albert and Lou Adler. Matilda Rogers performed “Vienna” by Billy Joel, accompanied by Debra Schnabel on the piano.
Valedictorian Alison Benda gave a spirited speech about her class’s experiences at the Haines High School.
“I remember in fifth grade we would talk about how far away graduation seemed,” Benda said. “At the end of every year, anticipation for graduation would always grow stronger. When senior year came, everything started accelerating even faster. We suddenly wished that time would slow down. We realized we would be starting a new chapter in our lives and going separate ways from our friends, family, and everything we had known and it’s absolutely terrifying. However, I know we can get through it.”
Benda noted the challenges she and her classmates faced attending school throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Her speech brought some students to tears.
“We will always appreciate and remember this small yet mighty town, and we will try our best to make you proud,” she said.
Benda also shared a few “shenanigans,” that her class had pulled during their time at the school.
“Our class had tried, and sometimes even succeeded, in things like getting out of classwork by getting Mr. Davis to go on side tangents, pressuring Mr. Robinson into letting us play the game Taboo, or encouraging Mr. Van Wyhe to take increasingly complicated ways to make class decisions. Regardless of our occasional troublemaking, you have still been patient with us.”
school board President Shelly Sloper presented the students with their diplomas, and the graduates flooded the field to the song “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth, Wind and Fire. After the ceremony, the students paraded the streets in a promenade of decorated vehicles. Honking horns and the music of the Haines Marching Band serenaded their celebration.
“It feels quite bizarre (to graduate) but I’m so glad our class got to come together and celebrate our successes and our futures,” Avari Getchell said after the ceremony. “It’s very bittersweet. I love this community so much and I love every single one of my classmates.”
This year’s graduates include Alison Benda, Uriel Bravo, Sal Chapell, Luke Davis, Koa Doddridge, MacKenzy Dryden, Avari Getchell, Eric Brouillette, Marin Hart, Phoenix Jacobson, Malia Jorgenson-Geise, Grace Long Godinez, Seth McClurg, Owen McPhetres, Arik Miller, Zac Ritzinger, Matilda Rogers, Garrett Stickler, Paulina Warasit, Jacob Weersinghe, and Tydus Woodfin.