It was a celebration of a century for the Ridgefield School District with their commencement June 8. The 100th graduating class celebrated their accomplishments by walking in a district-wide graduation parade, while also receiving over $1 million in scholarship awards at the annual Senior Tea.
Over 1,000 family members, friends and community members packed the Ridgefield High School gymnasium to watch the 147 graduates receive their diplomas. Two alumni who’d served in the military also received diplomas as part of Operation Recognition.
Superintendent Art Edgerly awarded Petty Officer First Class Daniel Baker from the class of 1965 and his brother Sergeant David Baker from the class of 1969. Daniel Baker left high school before graduating to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, while the younger Baker left to join the Marines in 1970 and died of wounds suffered in Vietnam at the age of 19.
Daniel received both diplomas and was given a standing ovation from the audience. Washington State permits school districts to issue diplomas to honorably discharged members of the armed forces who left high school before graduation to serve in World War II, the Korean Conflict, or during the Vietnam era through Operation Recognition.
Earlier in the week, many graduates put on their caps and gowns to participate in the district’s first-ever Grad Parade, and event where graduating seniors walk in mini-parades at Ridgefield’s two elementary schools and one middle school.
“We wanted students in younger grades to fully visualize the end goal of their school careers,” said Monica DeShazer, one of the high school counselors who organized the event. “Celebrating graduation gives students of all ages something to look forward to, while the graduates are able to visit their past teachers and the schools they attended.”
Students lined parade routes at each school, excitedly waving and giving high-fives to the graduates as they passed. “The parade was such a success that we will try making it a yearly tradition,” said DeShazer. “Many of the graduates and teachers were overwhelmed by the showing of support from the younger students.”
Members of the centennial graduating class also proved successful in academics as well, earning a total of $1,225,708 in scholarship awards this year. The awards were given out at the district’s Senior Tea and Awards ceremony on June 4.
“Our students strive to live well-rounded lives and excel in all areas of them,” said Principal Tony VanderMaas. “These scholarship winners show what can happen when a student puts in concentrated effort.”
Among the 25 recipients who earned scholarships:
• Josette Bisbee received $251,500 from the Ridgefield Lions Club, the Ridgefield Public School Foundation, the Ridgefield Education Association, the American Legion, and from several schools and universities.
• McKinzee Pachl received $195,260 from the PEO Sisterhood, Intel Employees’ Scholarship and several colleges and universities.
• Miranda Bean received $151,300 from the Ridgefield Lions Club, the Ridgefield Booster Club, Comcast, Washington State 4-H and several colleges and universities.
• Taylor Konkright received $112,338 from Weber State and St. Martin’s University.
• Maggie Yaddof received $108,000 from the Class of ‘61 Golden Gift Scholarship, and several colleges and universities.
• Jon Nguyen received $95,500 from Mary Christian Jones Trust Scholarship from Central Oregon Community College Scholarship, Kaiser Health Care Career Scholarship, and several colleges and universities.
