High School Graduation

I do not clearly remember the commencement ceremony I went through although I believe it was outside, at Tatlock field, and if my memory serves me I am thinking we had some 400 or so graduates! Truly I cannot imagine trying to put one of those together and orchestrate it. 1976 seems so long ago ...

The White Mountain School commencement takes place in the gymnasium and this year saw 8 seniors and 4 eighth graders receive their diplomas on May 17th.









Our ceremony is held at 2 in the afternoon and is truly a community event. The Post Office closes as well as the store so everyone can attend and help celebrate the journey the students have completed and the new journey they will begin to travel along.










A tradition at our school that I believe is truly wonderful is the the opportunity for each graduate to address the audience and share their thoughts on education and their future. Each one of the 8th graders and the seniors can write a speech and share.










Carrie Jones was the choice of the seniors for their graduation speaker. Carrie started her career in White Mountain and taught these seniors for two years. She is now teaching in Unalakleet. She flew up on Thursday and went back home on Friday afternoon after lots of visiting. It was great to have her in White Mountain and she enjoyed a barbeque on Thursday night as well as the school picnic on Friday.













After the speeches are done we have a spot where we award and recognize scholarships that have been awarded. This young lady was the UA Scholar and receives four years of paid tuition at any University of Alaska campus.













I think another of the traditions we honor in our ceremony is wonderful as well. The students choose whom they would like to have present them their diploma. They are then called down to the floor for the presentation and pictures. Many include a grandparent or special uncle as well as parents.










As usual their is the traditional flipping of the tassel as they are proclaimed the 'graduated class' many congratulations. We finish the afternoon with cakes, juice, and coffee as people visit each other before going home.