LPOHS seniors look to the future
<p>Lake Pend Oreille High School graduate Seth Smith shows off the attitude that challenged his teachers on a daily basis. His demonstration drew a big laugh from the audience. (Photo by CAMERON RASMUSSON)</p>
SANDPOINT — There’s nothing like a Lake Pend Oreille High School graduation.
With smaller graduating classes compared to the district’s other high schools, LPOHS officials use the time saved from the shorter diploma award session to make the occasion special for each student. Throughout the evening, community leaders awarded scholarships, teachers bestowed personality-appropriate gifts and the students themselves had a chance to express their thanks.
After the graduates made the ceremonial walk down the aisle at the Sandpoint Events Center Thursday night, the two-and-a-half hour evening included many laughs, tears and reflection on the obstacles the students overcame along the way.
After the students settled in, a selected few of them had the chance to share some of their experiences. Senior class president Jack Carleton took the microphone first. He recalled some funny memories and congratulated his peers for their persistence and hard work. He also praised the school staff for including volunteer work among their studies.
“There’s no better lesson to be learned than giving without expecting anything in return,” he said.
Similarly, Cassandra House credited the school and her teachers with all the opportunities that are now ahead of her.
“Everything I want to accomplish is now possible, and three years ago, it was exactly the opposite,” she said.
After the students had an opportunity to speak, local organization representatives took the stage to award scholarships. The Community Assistance League, Beta Sigma Phi, Angels Over Sandpoint, the Iron Horse Riders, the Friends of Scotchman Peaks, the Ambrosiani-Pastore Foundation, the Sandpoint Rotary Club and the Idaho Department of Labor, among other organizations, all had representatives available to bestow scholarships personally.
House turned out to be the big winner when it came to scholarship awards. According to her teachers, she filled out dozens of applications. All that hard work paid off. Scholarship presenters said the anti-bullying initiative she spearheaded, Project Respect, was particularly impressive. Graduate Rachel Chapman also landed a number of scholarships.
Before the distribution of diplomas, LPOHS teachers called up each graduate to distribute parting gifts inspired by their individual personalities. The presents included journals and pens for writers, canvas or sketch pads for artists, tools and equipment to complement the student’s desired profession and books by favorite authors.
By the time the evening wrapped up at about 9:30 p.m., the students had collected a whole new set of memories to carry them into the future. Thanks to the personal touch that pervaded the evening, the event felt more like a family celebration than anything else.
“Thank you Sandpoint for having an alternative choice in high schools,” Carleton said. “If that wasn’t the case, I might not be standing here tonight.”