‘Heroes of the next generation’

SANDPOINT — The ceremony was equal parts colorful and close-knit at Saturday’s closed graduation ceremony for Forrest Bird Charter School’s class of 2021.

The 31 students who graduated all have big plans. Some will be going to college, while others take a gap year, or enter trades — firefighting, dog grooming, plumbing arts and more.

Their paths are wide-ranging, but for all of them, their stories might best be likened to the hero’s journey, said teacher John Stevens — or rather, his chainmail and crown-attired persona, “King Steve,” said.

It’s a common story type, wherein the hero must weather trial and tribulation before eventually returning home, victorious. What sets the hero apart, and makes people love them, though, is their struggle to overcome adversity, Stevens said.

“We saw magic. We saw you grow, laugh, cry, and so much more. We challenged you to learn, and learn you did,” he told the graduates. “This is what we call the crossing of the threshold. It is a key part where we fall in love with our heroes and they learn who they are.”

Teachers and staff got to see students cross that threshold this year, Stevens told his students, but that won’t be the end of their journey, he said.

“This foundation is not one to be left behind. It is what builds hereafter only if you have practiced it yourself,” he said. “Mentors have helped, but the hero must accomplish their task alone.”

The graduates, Stevens told them, had proven themselves to be heroes in a time when the world needs heroes. As students prepared to receive their diplomas, “King Steve” ordered the students to kneel in front of the stage, to a series of grins and giggles.

“Rise, class of 2021. You are no longer students, you are heroes of the next generation,” he said.

Though they may be heroes, Dylan Solly, FBCS senior class speaker, took the chance to sneak in one friendly riff before departing.

“We live in a very serious world [with] very serious things going on. So why be so serious?” he said.

Being able to find humor in trying times is important, he told his classmates — as is learning to “use your resources” when it comes to online learning tools, or find out which teachers might be prone to hate War Memorial Field, or throw a book, or “make you bow, for some weird reason.”

“You just went along with it, and you didn't ask any questions,” Solly said with a grin. “You just never bring it up until graduation day.”

Students Brent Howerton performed the "Star Spangled Banner" on electric guitar and Taya Goodwin performed a song on the piano.

Charter school administrator Mary Jensen said she was proud of the way students continually supported and respected each other, even when they disagreed. The tools for learning and working with others, she said, were even more important than individual lessons they’d had in school.

“I want you to leave here and remember the kindness people have shown you so far in your life and take that kindness and spread it across our community and our world,” she said. “These traits are far more important than the academics that I know may slowly drift away depending on what your vocation is.”

Rachel Sun can be reached by email at rsun@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @RachelDailyBee.