Islanders celebrate the graduating class of 2025

The Friday Harbor High School senior class of 2025 held their graduation ceremony June 7 in a packed Turnbull gym. Family and friends cheered, laughted and shed tears through out the celebration of the fifty plus class. The c0-valedictorians gave moving speaches, before delving into the disperments of scholarships and awards.

“I’m honored to be be a part of a school filled with so many unique perspectives, from sports and Student Government to our shows and summer jobs, every experience has shaped us in ways we could never predicted,” co-valedictorian Megan Mellinger told the audience. “Every single one of us has faced challenges we weren’t sure we could overcome.. but we kept going and embraced the change. We will keep going wherever life takes us, I know we will keep striving, keep growing and keep overcomeing because we’ve already proven that we can.”

Fitting thoughts for a class who’s motto, is ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal. it is the courage to continue that counts,” Anonymous.

Co-valedictorian Kira Clark also touched on this theme saying “You have all developed into a new version of yourselves. While recognizing this, change, you may also recognize the aspects of yourself that you have held close throughout the years, the parts that are crucial to who you are and the parts that will allow you to continue to do great things as you move forward…. Those aspects of yourself are valuabel in teh same way that the change you experience and the power you have to change further into who you want to be are important. Appreciat how you’ve been as you set goals toard who you want to be.”

Two relatively new scholarships were awarded, both recognizing former alums, the Griffin Cuomo scholarship was awarded to a graduate planning on attending a four year college or university com, community college technical or professional school. The recipients recieved an $2,500 scholarship in memory of Griffin Cuomo. Paige Carlton, Malichi Cullen and Thomas Richell each received the scholarship.

The Vida White Memorial Scholarship was given to “a young woman who shares Vitas vibrant spirit, determination, strong work ethic and overall desire to better her life and the lives of those around her,” Alexis Hauk, who presented the scholarship said before announcing the recipient, Georgia Keune.

The class slide show, put together by Paige Carlton-Flierl, brought down the house. The ceremony wasn’t quite finished yet – the students received their diplomas and tossed their caps, before meeting their loved ones outside for congratulations and hugs where there was still more laughter and tears.