Moving On: A big day for the class of 2014

Published 11:21 am Tuesday, June 17, 2014

The weekend rain held off on Saturday when the first group of students to attend the new Vashon High School graduated in the school’s stadium.

Friends and family gathered for the ceremony, which opened with the high school band playing the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduates processed in. Senior Maya Krah sang the national anthem, and then the ceremony gave way to a host of speakers, including teacher Anders Blomgren, who said he first heard of that group of students from the McMurray librarian, who told him, “Anders, you will love these guys. They check out books.” He ended his speech by singing a rap and inviting several students up to perform the chorus.

Among the more poignant moments that followed were several during student Philip VanDevanter’s speech, when he recalled classmate Ryan Krug, who died in a car accident last year. VanDevanter also recalled the classic children’s tale, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” which says beings can be made real only when they have been loved a long time. “We have become real men and women,” he said. “Who else will we make real? That is the most exciting question of all.”

Valedictorian Harper Howard, who graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, reminded her classmates to disconnect from technology but connect with others. “We must remember and remind everyone around us that they are talented and special,” she said.