La Conner High graduates 'commence' Thursday

Thirty-six La Conner High seniors, including 11 National Honor Society students, will receive diplomas during the school’s 125th annual Commencement Exercises tomorrow night at Landy James Gym.

The June 6 program, featuring a mix of inspiring messages and uplifting music, begins at 7 p.m.

Class Valedictorian Sophia Benetti and Salutatorian Matty Lagerwey, both of whom are National Honor Society members, will deliver major addresses.

Other senior class speakers are to take turns on the podium as well. Class President Erik Nelson will offer the welcome, while Arlo Liddell and Jack Tronsdal are slated to provide closing comments.

Kendall Johnson, another of the Class of 2019 National Honor Society members, will perform Arabesque No. 1 by Debussy. Several musical pieces will be played.

Johnson and classmate Alexandria Bill will receive La Conner diplomas after having already earned associates in arts degrees as Running Start participants. Johnson completed degree requirements through Skagit Valley College. Bill finished coursework at Northwest Indian College.

La Conner Schools Superintendent Dr. Whitney Meissner will formally present the Class of 2019. First, she will recognize the National Honor Society members, whose ranks include her daughter, Molly Meissner.

Nearly one-third of the class, a group lauded for its lofty achievements in academics, athletics, extra-curricular activities and an array of public service projects, met the challenging scholastic guidelines and citizenship standards required for National Honor Society selection, said La Conner Middle and High School Counselor Lori Buher.

In addition to Benetti, Lagerwey, Johnson and Meissner, Rachel Drake, Alicia Guerrero-Gobert, Kayla Hagen, Matthew Harper, Madison Kooch, Ian Markert, and Ashleigh Thomas made the grade for membership in National Honor Society.

Guerrero-Gobert will join Jasmine Cayou at Commencement in recognizing retiring longtime La Conner High teacher Mike Carrigan, Buher said.

Buher told the Weekly News that Carrigan has spent most of his career at La Conner, first arriving in 1992, and during that time has taught Industrial Arts while assuming key roles with senior seminar and Lushootseed language instruction.

Buher will also be part of the program, teaming with special guests to present the many scholastic and service awards attained by the graduates.

La Conner School Board Directors Dr. Brad Smith and Janie Beasley and Principal Todd Torgeson have the honor of presenting class members their graduation diplomas.

Prior to closing remarks, the Class of 2019 will be celebrated with music by the Swinomish Canoe Family.

Class member Maizie McCollum has been chosen to make the annual presentation of flowers.

Following Commencement ceremonies, the public is invited to attend a reception for the graduates in the La Conner Middle School Gymnasium.