LPOHS celebrates fun-filled graduation

SANDPOINT — Lake Pend Oreille High School graduation always feels more like a family gathering than a ceremony.

That tradition held true for the 2013 graduating class, even though the ceremony was bigger than ever before. Twenty-eight young men and women walked across the stage to receive their diplomas at Tuesday evening ceremony.

Even with more than two dozen students to acknowledge, school officials maintained the ceremony format that makes the event feel personal and distinct. According to the alternative school staff, the students deserve the special consideration after beating the odds and putting in the work to earn their high school diplomas.

“I’m so proud of each and every one of you,” class president Lolisa Kuewa said. “You did it — you made it here.”

As with all graduations, the occasion was bittersweet, but in this instance, staff members had as much cause for emotion as the students. The ceremony marked the last Principal Rick Dalessio and teacher Mona Stafford would attend as staff members before heading into retirement.

“Every staff member means so much to me,” student Audra Potter said.

 “I wish I had more time to express my thoughts and love for each and every one of them.”

Students who put the time and effort into writing scholarship applications were also rewarded for their diligence.

According to counselor Colleen Ross, every student who applied for scholarships received one. Of particular note was Will Nelsen, who earned a total $12,500 to continue his education. A student with a wife and young child, he went above and beyond to make a better life for his family, Ross said.

“He’s our big star winner, and no one deserves it more,” she added. “This young man is flipping awesome.”

One of the special touches that make LPOHS graduations a special and individualized occasion are the gifts given by staff to students. Usually humorous, sometimes touching and always heartfelt, these presents highlighted some aspect of the student’s personality that impressed teachers throughout their education. The class of 2013 was no exception to this tradition. Gifts like framed photos, beach supplies, princess tiaras and even a gold-colored kendama — a Japanese ball-and-cup toy — filled the ceremony with genuine sentiment.

According to the teachers, that’s exactly the note they want to strike. At-risk students too often fail to earn the cap and gown, and by proving the statistics wrong, 28 students laid the foundation for a better future.

“This past year, I didn’t just learn about government and biology and literature,” Kuewa said. “I learned about life.”