SUQUAMISH — Fifteen West Sound Academy graduates ended their high school careers to the tune of “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds, performed by the school’s music ensemble.
With metaphoric fists in the air, the students said their farewells and thanks to teachers, family and friends before being handed their diplomas, changing their tassels over and tossing their caps in the air in celebration.
There were 17 students in the graduating class of 2015 from West Sound Academy, though two were unable to remain for the ceremony.
Each student was given the opportunity to say a few words during the ceremony May 28 at the House of Awakened Culture in Suquamish.
One student, Dhouha Djerbi, advised future and current Academy students to “Never forget where you came from, and always be true to your roots.”
West Sound Academy is an International Baccalaureate World School offering a college preparatory curriculum for middle school and high school students. Some of the graduating students have been in attendance for all seven grades offered, and some for only a couple of years.
Anna Zacovic, during her turn at the microphone, said, “At West Sound, I was given an opportunity to try new things. I was pushed to try new things.”
A theme among the 15 student speeches was gratitude to the opportunities they gained at the Academy, to the teachers — “especially the ones who were tough on me,” said Djerbi — and to their friends, families and, in the case of the international students, host families.
Megan Staker also took the time for to thank someone else.
“I’d like to take a moment to thank myself,” Staker said, “and I think we all should. We’ve (accomplished) a lot. Go us. We rock!”
Graduation ceremonies are the symbolic end of a stage in a person’s education. It’s a celebration, but a bittersweet one, as it means graduating students are leaving behind the familiar, parting ways with friends and embarking on a new adventure.
As Zacovic said, “It is now time for me to make new memories, and new friends, at a new school.”
Upcoming graduation ceremonies in North Kitsap:
— Chief Kitsap Academy, 5:30 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. ceremony June 11 at Kiana Lodge, Suquamish.
— North Kitsap High School, 7 p.m. June 12 in North Kitsap Stadium, Poulsbo.
— Kingston High School, 2 p.m. June 13 in North Kitsap Stadium, Poulsbo.
