8 WHS graduates earns $21,395 in scholarships

Eight students stood proudly in front of a large audience in Washtucna on Saturday, June 1, where they earned their high school diploma as the Class of 2013.

Two students, Jared Stark and Amber Dainty, also celebrated completion of 12-years as students of the Washtucna Schools.

The class was led by valedictorian Sam Harder and salutatorian Sawyer Hostetler who each took time to thank families, community members and school staff for supporting the class throughout the years.

“As we depart from our alma mater today, we enter a world that is very different from this small community, and much larger. Personally, as I contemplate on my own future, I know what I want to do in this world, and I know what to do to live the life I want to live, however I am still uncertain of what will actually happen. Something may happen that changes my plans,” Harder said.

“However, with everything I have been taught by my teachers, coaches, mentors and parents, and based on my own experiences of growing up in a loving and supportive community, I am confident that I will succeed in living an extraordinary life.”

“However, this is not really the end, it is really the beginning,” Harder concluded. “A new chapter is waiting to be written. Our time as youth is over; our time as adults is about to begin. From the valedictorian and the graduates of 2013; thank you, and go Tigercats!”

Michael Dorman, social studies teacher at Washtucna Schools, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony. He emphasized how important and unique each of the students of the class are, and how they truly have become his friends instead of just his students.

The speech created a wave of emotion for the teacher and graduates, and the eight students quickly stood to applaud and embrace their teacher at the conclusion of the speech.

Sam Harder received two scholarships, amounting to a total of $12,500. He received the $9,500 University of Idaho-Merit Scholarship and Access Waiver and $3,000 Washtucna-Benge Communities Scholarship Award. Harder earned a variety of awards including Excellence in English 12, Honor Society Medal, Outstanding Musicianship-All State Marching Band, ASB President, Health and Fitness, Weight Training and Current World Problems.

Sawyer Hostetler also earned a variety of awards, including the Elmer B. Lee Friendship Award, an award bestowed to a student who exemplifies kindness and positivity to those around them. Hostetler also received awards for Honor Society Medal, ASB Vice President, FFA Vice President, Weight Training, Health and Fitness, FFA Livestock Judging and Current World Problems.

Amber Dainty received a variety of scholarships, totaling $7,395. Dainty earned a $4,095 Pell Grant, $2,000 Washtucna-Benge Communities Scholarship, $1,000 Washington State Grange Marie Snyder Scholarship and $300 Education Opportunity Grant. Dainty also received the Citizenship Award, an award voted on by the teachers at Washtucna Schools. Dainty collected awards for FFA Overall Senior, FFA Job Interview, FFA Treasurer, Livestock Judging, Livestock Project, Current World Problems and a 12-year student at Washtucna Schools.

Logan Harder received two scholarships, amounting to $1,500. She received a $1,000 Washtucna-Benge Communities Scholarship and $500 Washtucna Alumni Scholarship. Harder also earned awards including Outstanding Mechanical Science Student, FFA President, Overall Senior Agriculture Student, Livestock Judging, Livestock Project and Current World Problems.

Rodrigo Santos earned five awards including FFA Chapter Degree, Food Science, Agronomy, Tigercat Pep Band Certificate and History.

Jared Stark received recognition for assisting with elementary keyboarding class and was honored as one of the two 12-year students of the Washtucna Schools.

Johnathan Holdren received a certificate of completion of Stihl training and testing academy, and awards for FFA Secretary, Soil and Land Judging, Livestock Judging and Band President.

Wesley Kelley earned a certificate of completion of Stihl training and testing academy, and awards for FFA Sentinel, Soil and Land Judging, Livestock Judging and Tractor Driving.