Vashon High School Class of 2024 graduates

Down Vashon Highway, they came — waving to the crowd from boats and flatbeds hitched to balloon-festooned trucks, family sedans, and standing tall in their graduation gowns in the beds of vintage pickups.

And as they arrived in town, they saw hundreds of islanders lining the road to cheer them on.

They were the 132 graduates of Vashon Island High School (VHS) Class of 2024 — an intrepid group of teenagers who started their high school careers four years ago during some of the darkest days of the COVID pandemic. Their first two years in high school were a roller coaster of ever-changing precautions and restrictions.

But on Saturday, they had their time in the sun at what has become a treasured tradition on Vashon.

The parade originated in June 2020, when it comprised the entire graduation ceremony, ending at Vashon High School, where kids jumped out of their cars to collect their diplomas and then dash back to the safety of their vehicles. But Vashon loves a parade, and it’s high school grads, so the parade rolls on.

On Saturday, hard rain and thunderstorms were forecasted, but grey clouds quickly passed high overhead and the sun shined down on the grads as they passed through the adoring throng of family members and friends.

This year’s parade was, as always, hosted by Voice of Vashon — and the graduates, driven by parents and friends, stopped briefly in front at the outdoor stage in front of the Jean Bosch Broadcast Studio. There, they were named, greeted, and sometimes lovingly ribbed by emcees Sabrina Kovacs, assistant principal of VHS, and Mary Marin, board member and show host for Voice of Vashon.

Kovacs and Marin asked questions of the grads, too, finding out their plans including college, military service and gap years.

And then they moved on — down the road, toward commencement, and new beginnings.

The risk of stormy weather led the high school to hold the graduation ceremony later that evening indoors, at the high school gym — and while the storms didn’t pan out, the VHS gym thundered nonetheless with cheers, applause and music as the graduates collected their diplomas.

VHS Principal John Erickson opened the ceremony with words of encouragement to the graduating seniors.

“Your achievements, both big and small, visible and often invisible, are a testament to your dedication and bravery in support of your families and this entire community of teachers, friends and relatives,” he said.

Erickson acknowledged the school’s exchange students and those graduating seniors who have earned an associate degree through Running Start, and assistant principal Sabrina Kovacs extolled those who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy.

VHS Social Studies teacher Jason Butler bestowed the Pieces of Eight Awards, a tradition at the high school since 1983 honoring eight graduates’ character with a sterling silver medallion — this year once again produced by the school’s own jewelry instructor, Kate Dunagan.

Those students, selected by school administrators, staff and substitute teachers, are Nora Lavigueur, Arda Demir, Ivy Merkl, Finn Magonegil, Jan “Oli” Nielsen, Dylan Fick, Theo Strain andJamie Choo.

Graduate Christian Kincaid was chosen as the class speaker, and he delivered a sweet, loving ode to his Vashon classmates, who wholeheartedly accepted him even though he felt like “a goldfish in a shark tank” when he first came to the tight-knit island in middle school.

“Why would I ever want to be in a different class,” he asked. “Why would I ever choose anyone … except these people graduating with me? Look at all these beautiful people in front of me in caps and gowns. Would it surprise you if I told you all these young men and women are two times more beautiful on the inside than outside?”

The question when it comes to his peers is not: “Are they going to be okay, to be able to handle the world,” Kincaid said — instead, it is: “Is the world ready for us?”

This year’s class included six valedictorians — Olivia Boyes, Liv Ormseth, Alana Bass, Madeline Yarkin, Taylor Huffman and Jett Legry— along with salutatorian Ethan Hawkins. Those students implored their peers to retain the sense of community they found on Vashon — and to keep seeking new heights in life.

“I competed in cross country and track throughout high school,” Yarkin said. “And as much as I love the sports, the anxiety I felt leading up to races was always there. This consistent feeling … before races led me to do a simple equation in my head: If races equal stress, then no races must equal no stress. But the equation didn’t add up, because … races don’t create stress, they channel it. And by doing so, they prevent it from seeping into other aspects of your life.”

In between speeches, graduates rocked out on guitar. Senior Wyatt Bates blended Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” with John Lennon’s “Imagine” for a cross-generational C major jam, and senior Eli Nelson followed later with The Beatles’ “Across the Universe.”

Nelson returned to the stage later in the ceremony for a volcanic five-minute guitar solo, his music swelling into an ocean of psychedelic fuzz.

The graduating class chose Mike Kirk, a longtime Vashon Island Fire & Rescue volunteer firefighter and island educator, as its class faculty speaker. Kirk, who has spent nearly 60 years giving back to the Vashon community, shared three values he observed in the class of 2024: Perseverance, community and service.

Kirk and other speakers marveled at the class for their success in light of the COVID pandemic, which struck during some of their most formative years. (This class of seniors began their freshman year in September 2020 online, just as the virus was poised to reach one of its most destructive seasons.)

The class of 2024 returned to school showing strength and a caring attitude, he said, and left a positive legacy for future graduates.

Kirk also shared statements about their school experience from graduates he surveyed, including: “I felt safe.” “It was welcoming for me as a queer student.” “We had a good turnout for our athletic teams and celebrated their success.” “I was helped when I was ill. The staff jumped in right away.” “It was noisy. It was fun.”

The day prior, a more intimate ceremony celebrated the 21 graduates of the school district’s StudentLink program, an alternative school in which students finish their school work independently and can study a diverse range of topics that interest them.

“Your presence here today is a tremendous accomplishment,” StudentLink teacher Tara McBennett said at the ceremony. “It’s a testament to your hard work and your grit, your character, and your perseverance.”

This year’s class, StudentLink teachers said, includes a graduate who has purchased and rebuilt a car; another who pursued graphic design and 3D modeling; one who created a high-quality production using drone shots; one who expressed patience and skill in coding; a graduate who put on a show with soulful choreography, and more.

Teacher Kent Chappelka praised Richard and Michelle Barrett-Wood for their writing and expressive personalities, thanked India Blue Elliott for introducing him to “Braiding Sweetgrass,” a book about Indigenous knowledge, and reminisced about laughing with Eli Nelson while studying history.

“I want to say congratulations because you belong to a long-standing tradition of free thinkers on this island,” said Thomas Elliott, parent of StudentLink graduate and the former director of the district’s alternative learning programs. “StudentLink graduates are among the most creative people that I know who have come out of this district.”

Tutors and teachers also spoke to the integrity and compassion they saw in the class.

“What you all have in common is that you are young people of your word,” said tutor Karen Person, who recalled talking with the students about classics like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Catcher in The Rye,” and the works of Audre Lorde.

Students shared how StudentLink was a good fit for their personality or gave them the flexibility they needed to complete assignments.

“Throughout my entire education … I struggled with actually turning in (assignments), because I spent a lot of time trying to make it perfect,” Richard Barrett-Wood said. “Throughout my time in StudentLink, I got to learn a bunch of new things … and figure out ways (to) make learning interesting and appealing, and actually get work done. … StudentLink giving me that opportunity has been really beneficial for my schooling, the rest of my life, and especially for college.”

Graduate Avery Richmond stated his opinion definitively to The Beachcomber: “StudentLink is better than VHS.”

Richmond joined StudentLink halfway through his sophomore year. After his all-online freshman year and another semester at VHS, Richmond connected with teacher Tara McBennett and appreciated the flexibility that came with not needing to go to class every day.

“I feel like they’re more personal with everyone,” he said. “I think they focus on how the kids want to learn.”

A student smiles during the graduation ceremony at Vashon High School. (Alex Bruell photo)

VHS Principal John Erickson addresses the class of 2024 during the graduation ceremony June 14. (Alex Bruell photo.)

Senior Wyatt Bates blended Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” with John Lennon’s “Imagine” during a performance at the graduation ceremony. (Alex Bruell photo.)

Volunteer firefighter and longtime educator Mike Kirk addresses the class of 2024 during the graduation ceremony June 14. (Alex Bruell photo.)

VHS Social Studies teacher Jason Butler bestowed the Pieces of Eight Awards on the class of 2024 during the graduation ceremony June 14. (Alex Bruell photo.)

Graduate Christian Kincaid delivered a sweet, loving ode to his Vashon classmates during the graduation ceremony on June 14. (Alex Bruell photo.)

Graduate Eli Nelson shreds a volcanic guitar solo during graduation on June 14. (Alex Bruell photo.)

Richard (left) and Michelle Barrett-Wood share their experiences at the StudentLink graduation on June 14. (Alex Bruell photo.)

Elizabeth Shepherd Photo This truckful of teens included Cash Cochran (far left), who returned to the island just in time for the parade after a hospital stint and surgery in Seattle, much to the joy of his friends and family.