Charter school celebrates first commencement

SANDPOINT — Charter school graduates first senior class, announces name change.

On Saturday, Sandpoint Charter School celebrated its first commencement exercise. The commencement address on “Fostering the Spirit of Innovation” was delivered by Dr. Noel Fenwick, Board chair of the Forrest Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center.

The class of 2012 had 14 graduates, including National Merit Scholar Jenny Marie Baker, who received a full scholarship to the University of Idaho.  Other notable achievements included a 10,000 dollar acting school scholarship for Talienna Kae Darrow, participation in the Music Conservatory from Dustin James Corbett, Scott Taylor Corbett and Keegan Camino Bernardin and artwork featured in Sandpoint’s Artwalk from Katya Michele Grimes.  In additions, students from this group earned 18 college credits from dual enrollment programs.

Other graduates included Christian Nathaniel Heneise, Morgan Amber Sandish, Yiyuan Ying, Mathew Douglas Smith, Amanda Ashley Wion, John Daniel McLeod, Caitlyn Jordis Uecker and Logan Tanner Gunderson.

Principal Alan Millar announced that this fall, the school will reopen under the name of Forrest Bird Charter School.

 “Dr. Bird has been willing to honor us by allowing us to name our school after him,” Millar said. “ What’s in a name?  More than mere geography.

“As noted by our Dr. Fenwick, Dr. Bird is an extraordinary thinker, inventor, aviator and innovator,” he added. “His inventions have saved countless lives and his museum has provided programs, services and enrichment for our local community. He is a patriot and a classic American story.

“It is our hope that his legacy and our school will inspire future students to a life of creativity, innovation and service.”

Dr. Bird and Dr. Pamela Bird were unable to attend, as they were traveling back from Europe, where he was honored by the French government, Millar said.

However, in a statement to the school, Dr. Bird wrote: “It is with great honor and humility that the charter school will change its name and be changed after me. I never thought an individual, like myself would receive such an honor. … I don’t know of very many individuals who are still alive and have a school named after them. I am only 91 years young and look forward to many more years.”

The school will work closely with the Forrest Bird Museum as well as the Inventors Association to provide enrichment and educational opportunities.