Valedictorian encourages students to appreciate the great community they have in Washtucna

Valedictorian Calby VanHollebeke gave her graduation speech to a small in-person audience while Washtucna High School's graduation was televised over Zoom to those who could not attend Friday, July 31.

VanHollebeke was the only one of the three class of 2020 graduates able to attend in person. Also receiving diplomas were Daphnee Smith and Emma Hulett.

The Washtucna 2020 Valedictorian's speech is as follows:

I would like to say thank you to my family for being my in-person audience, and to everyone who is attending via Zoom. For a lot of people, this is probably the strangest graduation they've ever been to. It's definitely the strangest graduation I've ever been to.

When Mrs. Kraft first told me that I was Valedictorian and going to have to write a speech, I asked her, "Can't I just play by oboe instead?"

She said no. So, here we are.

When I first came to Washtucna in third-grade, I had no idea how much it would change my life. From my very first day in Mrs. Mayer's class to when I transferred back in 10th-grade, I have been welcomed with open arms by everyone in the school.

This was something nine- and 16-year-old Calby desperately needed.

Over the course of six-and-a-half years, Washtucna has become my home and second family. But it took that three years of being away to make me realize how special Washtucna is, and how good the kids in this school have it.

To the classes below me, I say, don't take this community for granted ... because you don't know what you have until it's gone. There are very few other places like Washtucna and we need to cherish them so they're here for future generations.

I would not be where I am today if it weren't for the amazing teachers I've had throughout my life. You have inspired me to continue learning and pursue my passions, whether it be music, computer science, history, writing or obsessing over "Hamilton."

There have been times when I questioned whether or not I was choosing the right career. But during those times of doubt, there has always been someone there to remind me that if this career is what I want, then go for it, because you only live once.

To these teachers, and especially my parents, I thank you with a quote from Uncle Iroh from "Avatar: The Last Airbender." "While it's always best to believe in oneself, a little help from others can be a great blessing."

There are two teachers, in particular, I want to give thanks to. Mrs. Gloyn, you have become my school mom and stand-in therapist. Mr. Dorman, you've become my school dad and not having you in Washtucna this year was hard on all of us. You've both changed my life and helped me grow, not only as a student, but as a person. I will be forever grateful for the things I have learned from you.

To say this year has been crazy in an understatement. Each month has brought something new. And just when you thought things couldn't get any crazier, 2020 said, "You think crazy, just wait till next month," as if a global pandemic wasn't enough.

Even though COVID-19 completely changed the end of our senior year and a lot of things are uncertain in the world right now, we're still starting the next chapter of our lives.

One of us is married and living in Virgina, another one of us is planning to move to Spokane and work, and I'll be moving to Montana in a little over a week to start college.

The 11th Doctor once said, "The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don't always soften the bad things. But vice versa, the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant."

So, while the world may not necessarily be a very fun place right now, we can't forget how good it can be.

While a lot of people see the defining characteristic of the Class of 2020 as being the first class to graduate during the pandemic, there's something particularly special about Washtucna's Class of 2020.

We are the first of four classes to graduate from Washtucna that helped make Palouse Falls the state waterfall when we were in elementary school. What started out as an idea mentioned during class one day, turned into taking a field trip to the falls, learning about Washington state, getting to meet Rep. Joe Schmick, a select few of us speaking in Olympia, being able to get an in-depth look at the legislative process and culminated in getting to watch Jay Inslee sign the bill that made Palouse Falls the state waterfall at Palouse Falls State Park.

Not many kids have those kinds of bragging rights.

As we enter a strange and sometimes slightly scary new world, we should continue to achieve our dreams, whatever they may be. We have to continue taking chances and finding opportunities.

After all, you only live once, and if there's one thing I've learned from "Hamilton," it's that "I'm not throwing away my shot."

- Valedictorian Calby VanHollebeke

For more on the graduation, see this week's (August 5) edition of The Ritzville Adams County Journal.