Members of the class of 2015 at North Olympic Peninsula high schools will have their moment in the spotlight over the next two weeks with 11 commencement ceremonies.
This week, nearly 500 graduates from five schools will receive their diplomas in ceremonies in front of their family, friends and teachers.
The first week includes ceremonies for Port Townsend, Chimacum, Neah Bay, Forks and the combined Quilcene/Crossroads high schools.
Next week, another 500 graduate from Port Angeles, Lincoln, Sequim, Clallam Bay and Crescent high schools.
The total number of graduates in each class is estimated until all final grades and exam results are complete.
Port Townsend
The Port Townsend School District will award diplomas to about 100 members of the Redhawks’ class of 2015 at 7 p.m. Friday at McCurdy Pavilion, 200 Battery Way, Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend.
Due to limited seating, entrance to the commencement ceremony will be by ticket only.
Tickets are distributed to seniors and are not available to the public.
Co-valedictorians will be Andrew Anthony and Ryan Clarke, and the salutatorian is Louise Bednarik.
Colin Coker and Rose Ridder were selected by students and faculty to speak.
Ridder also received honors as the Washington Scholars recipient for the legislative jurisdiction, said Principal Carrie Ehrhardt.
Chimacum
The Chimacum School District will award diplomas to 75 members of the Cowboys’ class of 2015 at 1 p.m. Saturday at McCurdy Pavilion.
Tickets are not required. Doors open at noon.
The valedictorian is Orion Weller, and the salutatorian is Colton Shaw.
In addition to their high school diplomas, six students will earn associate degrees.
Molly Music and Weller will receive degrees from Peninsula College, while Sarah Allen, Sage Brennan, Rachel Maki and Taylor VanNess will receive degrees from Olympic College.
Weller and Jonathan Bell placed second at the state Future Business Leaders of America competition and will be competing in nationals.
Weller also competed at the state math contest.
“We do have a higher-than-typical percentage of students in the top 10 percent of the state for academic achievement. A high percentage of students are expected to go on to college,” said Principal Whitney Meissner.
Four other students will speak at the graduation.
Levi Clum and Alyssa Wolfe were elected by staff as selected speakers, while student body co-presidents Alyssa Hamilton and Kiersten Snyder will deliver a student address on behalf of the student government.
Neah Bay
The Cape Flattery School District will award diplomas to 24 members of the Red Devils’ class of 2015 at 1 p.m. Saturday, Neah Bay High gymnasium, 3560 Deer St.
Information about the honor graduates was not available.
Quilcene/Crossroads
The Quilcene School District will award diplomas to 12 members of the Rangers’ class of 2015 at 2 p.m. Saturday in the gymnasium at 294715 U.S. Highway 101.
The students attended both Quilcene High School and Crossroads Community School.
Class valedictorian is Samantha Rae and salutatorian is Andrew Soderberg.
Mark Thompson, school athletic director and history teacher, will be the staff speaker.
Veda Wilson, senior class adviser, chaperoned the entire class on a five-day trip to Florida, where it visited Daytona Beach and Disney World.
“This was the first time flying on an airplane for several students,” said Principal Gary Stebbins.
Forks
The Quillayute Valley School District will award diplomas to 70 members of the Spartans’ class of 2015 at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Forks High gymnasium, 261 Spartan Ave.
The class valedictorian is Brooke Jacoby, and the salutatorian is Brooke Peterson.
Speakers will be Brenda King and Wendy Bennett.
Other rites
North Olympic Peninsula commencement ceremonies will continue next week.
The schedule for the second week of graduations is:
■ Lincoln High School — 6 p.m. June 11, Peninsula College Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.
■ Sequim High School — 6 p.m. June 12, Sequim High School stadium, 601 N. Sequim Ave.
■ Port Angeles High School — 7:30 p.m. June 12, Civic Field, corner of East Fourth and South Race streets.
■ Clallam Bay High School — 2 p.m. June 13, Clallam Bay High gymnasium, 16933 state Highway 112.
■ Crescent High School — 3 p.m. June 13, Crescent High gymnasium, 50350 state Highway 112, Joyce.
And Peninsula College will hold its graduation ceremonies starting at 2 p.m. June 13 in the college gymnasium in Port Angeles.
Students of Distinction
Meanwhile, the Peninsula Daily News will again publish a magazine, Students of Distinction, featuring photos of all North Olympic Peninsula high school honors and scholarship recipients Sunday, June 28.
In addition to the honor students, the names of all graduates will appear in the keepsake publication.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
