Class of 2015 off to the future

The class of 2015 celebrated their graduation from Sisters High School last Friday, June 5.

The students were overjoyed to be done with high school and celebrate with their friends and family.

The night started out with the singing of the national anthem by the SHS Jazz Choir and the processional of the senior class in front of a packed gym that had been specially decorated for the event.

Principal Joe Hosang provided words of wisdom to the students and provided thank-yous to the students and staff of Sisters High School, especially thanking event coordinators Pinky Pagano and Suzannne Lind, who are retiring this year.

Associated Student Government President Shea Krevi - also the Ford Scholarship winner - said thank you to the teachers for never giving up and also spoke directly to the class with some quotes from his classmates: "There are no ends, only beginnings" - a very appropriate quote for students going out to college and into the world.

The three valedictorians were then introduced and gave their speeches. Langley Vogt started off the speeches and offered her list of 10 things she would miss about Sisters High School and the students. Topping the list was, "I'll miss the caring, genuine teachers." Nila Lukens was up next, thanked her 114 classmates and said, "We are indescribable.

"I am filled with a lot of emotions tonight," Lukens said, "but highest on the list is gratitude." She thanked many people, including "thank you class for your adventurous spirit."

Valedictorian Maddi Boettner then provided the most comical speech of the night, describing the quirks of her peers. But she also turned serious, saying, "I've become a better person because of the teachers here, noting that her parents and her teachers "taught me many lessons beyond the classroom."

And she said directly to her peers: "We will always be Outlaws."

That theme of community was expressed often through the weekend.

Graduate Kendra Kemp told The Nugget, "The senior class is made of a bunch of different, unique people, but we genuinely care about our school, community and each other, we are a big crazy family."

The graduation ceremony continued with the senior song sung by Emily Christen, Kendra Kemp and Dakota Wagner, with additional music provided by members of the Sisters High School Band and Americana Project class. Graduation night ended with the presentation of the diplomas by Mark Stewart to the senior class. The seniors then had their recession out of the high school for the last time.

To cap the night, the class was escorted by ambulances, hanging out of buses on their way to the all-night grad party at Juniper Pool to celebrate the Class of 2015.