La Conner High Class of 2014 exits in grand style

Short and sweet is always great.

But there are times, as was the case Thursday night inside Landy James Gymnasium, when long and bittersweet is even better.

Just ask members of the La Conner High Class of 2014, which was honored during emotional, heartfelt two-hour commencement exercises that often resembled those usually reserved for college and university graduation ceremonies.

It was a night filled with serious themes and messages, humorous asides and dialogue, inspirational choral performances and Native drumming, tributes paid to retiring faculty and staff, presentations of academic honors and scholarships, a flawless piano solo, and insightful reflections by class members.

And, of course, the long-awaited presentation of diplo-mas.

The school’s 120th annual commencement program had a little something for everyone.

Much of the evening was an impressive testimony of local support for education in general and of La Conner students in particular.

School counselor Lori Buher, La Conner Community Scholarship Foundation spokes-man Vince Wilbur, and various guest presenters announced a myriad of awards, totaling well into six figures.

Alex Wirth, one of 18 National Honor Society students in the 45-member class, received a standing ovation from the large audience when introduced as recipient of the coveted Lea McMillan Diacos Scholarship, a comprehensive funding package covering all student expenses.

There was plenty more applause, as well.

Buher took time to acknow-ledge the tireless efforts of local organizations on behalf of La Conner’s graduating seniors — from Rotarians and Kiwanians to Soroptomists and Masonic Lodge members, and many more.

“All of us in La Conner,” Buher said, “feel so fortunate to have these great service clubs that take such good care of our students. We’re so grateful to have them.”

The Swinomish Tribal Com-munity, as it has for many years, presented several tuition and fee scholarship awards.

“This is a proud moment for the community of La Conner,” Tribal representative Brian Porter said. “We have an opportunity to see our students move on in life, and we can thank our school faculty for its due diligence.”

Retiring staff and faculty members Mary Kirkwood, Susan Erickson, Scott McDade, and Wayne Johnston were singled out for special praise.

“These ladies,” senior Kelley McClung said of Kirkwood and Erickson, “will truly be missed. They’ve been a big part of what makes La Conner such a great school district.”

Seniors Lauren Aguilar and Carly Johnson noted the compassion and devotion exhibited daily in the classroom by McDade, the school’s yearbook advisor and choir director.

Class members Sean Hulbert and Madison Smith thanked Johnston, an English instructor, for placing trust in students and teaching them the value of thinking critically and independently.

In a touching response, Johnston — who entered teaching two decades ago after a previous maritime career — said he was grateful for having had the opportunity.

“It’s been an honor to work here with the outstanding young men and women of La Conner,” he said. “This experience has been rewarding beyond expectations.”

Co-Valedictorians Carly Anderson and Bjorn Mejlaender offered a series of anecdotes, all of which generated laughter, before closing their shared address on a serious note. They said among the vital lessons learned at La Conner High was the importance of “getting back up every time the world knocks you down.”

Failure to do so, said Mejlaender, means putting at risk potential triumphs later on.

“Life,” he explained, “only gets more exciting from here on out.”

In related news and notes:

• Senior Corrina Kaubin called forward members of her family to share a musical presentation at the outset of commencement.

• Salutatorian Anna Carlton also invoked the family theme, thanking her mom for support provided and sacrifices made through the years so she could pursue her dreams.

• Senior Katie McKnight was the first of a dozen class members to fulfill speaking roles. She termed graduation “a bittersweet moment,” calling it “the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next.” But one constant — a lifelong appreciation of La Conner — remains, she said. “We’ll always know where our heart is,” McKnight stressed.

• Johnston introduced senior members of La Conner High’s chapter of National Honor Society. Those students, he said, have maintained high academic marks while displaying outstanding citizenship and demonstrating leadership skills on and off campus.

• Commencement was a most memorable event for senior Wylie Thulen. He brought the audience to its feet with a stirring piano rendition of a Beethoven classic. And it was from his proud dad, La Conner School Board chair John Thulen, from whom he later received his diploma.

• High School Principal Marsha Hanson joined Thulen in awarding diplomas to the class, which was formally introduced by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tim Bruce.

• McDade was invited to deliver an encore, directing the La Conner High concert and jazz choirs one last time near the end of commencement.

• The Swinomish Canoe Fam-ily was accompanied by teacher Mike Carrigan on its traditional Honor Song, dedicated to the graduates.

• Wirth and classmate Alec Azure delivered closing remarks, but it was Dr. Bruce who had the last word. “You will definitely be missed,” he told the seniors. “Please come back and visit, and let us know what you’re doing. And may what you do in life be truly what you love.”