by aidan eno
Ayana Smith Kooiman
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Joyce Snyder
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Mac Ryan
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Craig’s class of 2018 is planning a celebration.
Commencement happens on Thursday, June 7, at Monterey Stadium. Seniors will walk across the podium to receive their diplomas and officially be considered alumni of Craig High School.
One of the unique traditions of commencement is that Craig holds auditions to select its student speaker.
Unlike other schools, whose student speakers are valedictorians, Craig allows any graduating senior to speak and holds auditions.
On May 2 and 3, eight seniors auditioned to be the commencement speaker. They presented their speeches to a committee consisting of the four class of 2018 officers--Liza Hodge, Zach Currie, Ashley Partello, and Maria Mendoza--and principal Dr. Bjoin and English teachers Mrs. Hilbelink and Mr. Holmquist.
Graham “Mac” Ryan and Ayana Smith-Kooiman were selected to speak.
“It was a hard decision,” said David Holmquist, who organized the auditions. “We heard good speeches and engaged in a lively discussion about whose speech would best represent the occasion.”
The speeches of candidates who were not selected are included on pages 21-23 of this issue.
The field was diverse, including two international students and an exchange student.
“Every speech was appropriate and inspiring for the occasion. We chose Mac’s and Ayana’s speeches because of how they inspire their classmates to be thankful and proud of where they are from and to be optimistic about their futures,” said Holmquist.
Holmquist added, “Mac’s speech gives an interesting look back in time to the class of 1943, and Ayana shares stories of the lessons she has learned on her journey from foster child to top student.”
In addition to selecting a student to speaker, the senior class selects a Craig staff member to speak to the graduating class. In the past, the students have been addressed by Mr. Loizzo, Mr. Kealy, and Mr. Ward.
This year, the 2018 graduating class has invited Joyce Snyder to speak. She is one of the attendance clerks and is admired for her positive attitude and for knowing so many students.
“The commencement ceremony is a perfect send off to our students,” said Holmquist. “What I am most proud of is that we had more students audition this year than ever before.”
Mac Ryan was impressed with this fact. “That says a lot about this senior class.”
Commencement happens on Thursday, June 7, at Monterey Stadium. Seniors will walk across the podium to receive their diplomas and officially be considered alumni of Craig High School.
One of the unique traditions of commencement is that Craig holds auditions to select its student speaker.
Unlike other schools, whose student speakers are valedictorians, Craig allows any graduating senior to speak and holds auditions.
On May 2 and 3, eight seniors auditioned to be the commencement speaker. They presented their speeches to a committee consisting of the four class of 2018 officers--Liza Hodge, Zach Currie, Ashley Partello, and Maria Mendoza--and principal Dr. Bjoin and English teachers Mrs. Hilbelink and Mr. Holmquist.
Graham “Mac” Ryan and Ayana Smith-Kooiman were selected to speak.
“It was a hard decision,” said David Holmquist, who organized the auditions. “We heard good speeches and engaged in a lively discussion about whose speech would best represent the occasion.”
The speeches of candidates who were not selected are included on pages 21-23 of this issue.
The field was diverse, including two international students and an exchange student.
“Every speech was appropriate and inspiring for the occasion. We chose Mac’s and Ayana’s speeches because of how they inspire their classmates to be thankful and proud of where they are from and to be optimistic about their futures,” said Holmquist.
Holmquist added, “Mac’s speech gives an interesting look back in time to the class of 1943, and Ayana shares stories of the lessons she has learned on her journey from foster child to top student.”
In addition to selecting a student to speaker, the senior class selects a Craig staff member to speak to the graduating class. In the past, the students have been addressed by Mr. Loizzo, Mr. Kealy, and Mr. Ward.
This year, the 2018 graduating class has invited Joyce Snyder to speak. She is one of the attendance clerks and is admired for her positive attitude and for knowing so many students.
“The commencement ceremony is a perfect send off to our students,” said Holmquist. “What I am most proud of is that we had more students audition this year than ever before.”
Mac Ryan was impressed with this fact. “That says a lot about this senior class.”