Lind-Ritzville graduates 33

RITZVILLE – Thirty-three graduates making up the Lind-Ritzville High School Class of 2021 graduated at an afternoon ceremony on the athletic field Saturday, June 5.

Principal Kevin Terris presided over the event, with music provided by the school band directed by Jennifer York.

Terris said when he arrived in Ritzville in 2018, the teaching staff told him of the special characteristics of the sophomore class; a class with "so much enthusiasm, pride and potential."

"They have not disappointed," Terris said. "Even through the highs and lows of last year, they have been a group that has reminded all of us why we all got into the business of educating kids. Why we have school and why we need school. And I am so proud of each and every one of them and the accomplishment of making it to this day."

Valedictorian Julia Klein and Salutatorian Grace Saint John both addressed their classmates and audience.

Klein said the class had been through a lot together, taking them back to their freshman year, where they "started out in the freezing, yellow, old high school.

"After enough complaints, they decided to renovate the school and we spent our sophomore year in Lind bunking with the middle schoolers," Klein recalled. "Junior year we got to break in the new high school. Just as they finally let us put some posters on the new walls and it felt less like a hospital, COVID-19 hit. We were split up and sent home to spend the rest of our junior year in our bedrooms."

Klein said the majority of their senior year which they did get to spend in school, was by no means normal with mask requirements, condensed sports seasons and less social interactions. But she thanked the administration, faculty and parents for "working to make this last year as normal and enjoyable as possible for us.

"Despite the challenges we have faced, we leaned on each other to survive school and enjoy the journey. So here is what I want you guys to remember," Klein told her fellow graduates. "In life, people are what matter, people are what make life meaningful. As we embark on the next chapter of our lives, whether that is college, an internship, or the workforce, there are going to be trials. In the face of those challenges it is really crucial that we cling to our values and the people that matter the most to us. In every season, there is going to be good and bad, so don't let the hardships steal your joy or time with people in that season."

Klein also went back to her roots, sharing how her great, great grandfather J.J. Klein came to America at age 15, making the journey alone, with nothing but $5 in his pocket and "trust in the Lord that he would be able to make a better life for himself and his descendants.

"Reading the challenges he faced to make a life in America has given me a heart of gratitude," Klein said. "We stand here as graduates with the freedom and ability to work hard and accomplish anything we put our minds and work ethics towards. Hard work is good. Dreams are good. Striving is good. But always remember that people are the most important part of life. Don't get too focused on a degree that you forget to make memories with your friends, or get so invested in a career that you don't prioritize your future spouse and kids. People are where we have the opportunity to inspire, impact and influence. People are where we experience God's goodness and love in showing kindness and generosity to one another."

Another inspiring speech was given by Gonzaga University women's basketball coach Stacy Clinesmith, who was born in Othello and grew up in Washtucna. Clinesmith spoke of how when she was a high school freshman she was advised to focus on soccer, because she just wasn't tall enough for a career in basketball. The unsolicited advice made Clinesmith all that much more determined to play the sport she was most passionate about. She not only had extremely successful high school and collegiate basketball seasons, but is enjoying a victorious career in her sport of passion.

She advised the Class of 2021 to do likewise.

"Find your passion, and your goals will fall into place," Clinesmith said. "And yes, to the parent who spoke to me when I was in the ninth grade, I was the shortest player in the WNBA at that time."

Clinesmith admitted being nervous about speaking to a class about to graduate.

"Put me in front of 500 people to talk about the game plan to beat Stanford and I'm fine, but put me in front of graduates who are about to embark on the next adventure, that's outside my comfort zone. That makes my heart pound. That's why I said 'yes,'" Clinesmith said. "Saying 'yes' to things outside your comfort zone is the space you learn and grow in, and you gain experience. If you haven't found your passion, this is where you find it."

Donna Koch and Thomas Pulliam served as this year's senior class advisors. The officers of the Class of 2021 were President Julie Klein, Vice President Mercedes Miller, Treasurer Grace Saint John and Secretary Jordyn Fode.

Douglas Morris was nominated by his classmates to give the farewell speech.

The freshman graduation representative, Brock Kinch, assisted throughout the windy ceremony. This is LRHS's fourth year of the tradition, with 2021 graduate Jay Harder first serving in the position.

The graduates, who were led through the opening processional by junior class representatives Owen Telecky and Sydney Kinch, were presented their diplomas from Lind and Ritzville School Board chairpersons Jani Melcher and Marci Miller.