Daily Sitka Sentinel

Caps and Gowns – Big Night for Sitka High Class of 2019

By Sentinel Staff
    ‘‘Pomp and Circumstance,’’ played by the Sitka High School symphonic band, will provide the celebratory atmosphere as 70 seniors enter the gym for the 89th annual commencement exercises  7 p.m. tonight.
    The audience will be welcomed and the speakers introduced by Principal Laura Rogers, Brian Duncan, Nyla Duncan and Aaní Perkins.
    Most Representative Boy Jacob Gagner, Most Representative Girl Princess Joei Vidad and Senior Class Representative Avery Voron will speak.
    ‘‘Espana Cani,’’ arranged by Robert Longfield, will be played by the symphonic band, directed by Mike Kernin.
    SHS teacher Jody Smothers-Marcello will be guest speaker.
    A video presentation of the classmates, prepared by the senior class and advisers, will be shown.
    ‘‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’’ arranged by Howard Arien and performed by the symphonic band and vocal jazz members, will follow.
    Sitka School Board President Jennifer McNichol will present the co-valedictorians Bailey Clifton, Abigail FitzGibbon, Kyleigh McArthur, Joseph Pate, Aaní Perkins and Lucy Poulson, and salutatorian Ella Lubin.
    Rogers will present the class.
    Diplomas will be awarded by Sitka School Board members, assisted by Sitka School District Superintendent Dr. Mary Wegner, Assistant Co-Superintendents Sarah Ferrency and Phil Burdick, Rogers and Assistant Principal Sondra Lundvick.
    For the recessional, the symphonic band will play a medley by John Williams, arranged by John Moss and ‘‘Freedom Rising’’ by Dawn Shaffer.
    Karina Belcher, Erin Blankenship, Bailey Clifton, Ella Lubin, Kyleigh McArthur, Skyler McIntyre, Joseph Pate, Aaní Perkins, Lucy Poulson, Morgan Simic, Avery Voron and Olivia Wilcox received School Service Awards.
    Those given Principal’s Awards are Jessica Davis, Angelina Doggett, Abigail FitzGibbon, Harry Lysons III and Austin Morrison.
    Senior class members of the Baranof Chapter of the National Honor Society are Erin Blankenship, Bailey Clifton, Jessica Davis, Abigail FitzGibbon, Jacob Gagner, Ella Lubin, Brayden Massey-Jones, Kyleigh McArthur, Joseph Pate, Aaní Perkins, Lucy Poulson, Cole Riggs, Mattey Stroemer, Princess Joei Vidad and Avery Voron.
    Karina Belcher is class president and Erin Blankenship, vice president. Associated Student Body Officers are Ella Lubin, president; Joe Pate, vice president; Aaní Perkins, secretary/treasurer; and Chloe Cagle, publicity manager.
    Serving as senior class advisers are Mikolas Bekeris, Kersten Christianson, Keri Gray, Meggan Turner, Tim Pike, Jody Smothers-Marcello and Ted Bahrt.
    Graduation ceremony officials from the class of 2020 are marshals Asa Demmert and Tiffany Elefante. Serving as ushers are Dominic Baciocco, Rheece Heim and Pamela Veshti.
    Members of the 2019 Sitka High School graduating class are:
    John Mark Mase Arce, Haley Janeece Bartolaba, Marycruz Perez Bautista, Karina Nicole Belcher, Molly Skye Blackmon, Erin Nicole Blankenship, Tabor McKinley Buxton, Michael Colin Cahill, Bailey Victoria Elizabeth Clifton, James Emanuel Comas, Tristan Evan Cooper, Maia Rose Thi Cushing, Kevin Joseph David, Jessica Elizabeth Davis, Angelina Doggett, Aedon Jerold Dumag.
    Also, Miah Marie-Gilbert Dumag, Brian Dwayne Duncan, Nyla Rayleen Duncan, Kyle Adam England, Casey Hunter Finn, Abigail Rain FitzGibbon, Ian Evans Fletcher, Abby Renee Forrester, McKenzie Jules Fredrickson, Jacob Darin Gagner, Calista Cheyenne Gallant, Robert William Gibson, Kaia Irene Gleason, Gavin Anthony Hammock, David Devlin Haynes, Taylor Rae Helem, Reilly Fredrick Holden, Zakary Duane Hutton, McKinley Richard Janik, Shaye Lynn Jensen, Bailey Renee Joens, Tanayia Napier Jones, Bryce Allen Brushafer Kelly.
    Also, Lance Moses Laity, Garrison Richard Lass, Ella Paulie Lubin, Harry Alan Lysons, Lorraine May Manuel, Brayden David Massey-Jones, Kyleigh Nichole McArthur, Thao My Marianne Mary Carol McBride, Chantiliy Rose McClenahan, Chavala Makayla McClenahan, Skyler James McIntyre, Riley Elizabeth Mingo.
    Also, Austin Edward Morrison, John Evert Morrow, Bryant Lee Mudry-Howard, Brooke McKenzie Mulligan,  Joseph McLeod Pate, Aaní Biorka Perkins, Lucy Chastain Poulson, Paige Mackenzie Reissmann.
    Also, Cole Richard Riggs, Dhariel Patrick Rodrigo, Morgan Scott Simic, Mattey Maria Stroemer, Aaron Thomas Swanson, Christian Jacob Vidad Taccad, Princess Joei Lavander Calubaquib Vidad, Avery Lee Voron, Kaylahni LeeRose Weddel, Whitney Olivia Wilcox, Wayne Bennett Young.

Bailey Clifton
Co-Valedictorian
School Service Award

    Co-Valedictorian Bailey Clifton has been awarded a School Service Award. She plans to attend Eastern Washington University where she will study nursing.
    Clifton is a state championship track and field team member. She ran the 4x200 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay. She swam on the SHS swim team sophomore and freshman years.
    She has completed Emergency Medical Technician 1 training and certification, and Certified Nurse Aide training and certification.
    Clifton is a National Honor Society member.
    She is the daughter of Becky and Lance Ewers.

Abigail FitzGibbon
Co-Valedictorian
Principal’s Award

    Co-Valedictorian Abigail FitzGibbon was presented a Principal’s Award.
    She plans to study English at Mills College in the fall.
    FitzGibbon has been a member of Young Performers Theater for six years where she performed in 14 plays. She is a four-year member of the Drama, Debate and Forensics team. In 2019 she was first in state for oration and second for solo performances. She was also a National Merit Scholar.
    She was a member of the Battle of the Books team for nine years. It earned first in state in 2016 and 2018, and second in 2017.
    FitzGibbon is a National Honor Society member and a member of Sitka Youth GSA. She has been a receptionist at Baranof Chiropractic for two years.
    She is the daughter of Karen Zamzow and Paul FitzGibbon.

Kyleigh McArthur
Co-Valedictorian
School Service Award

    Kyleigh McArthur has been named Co-Valedictorian of her class and also presented a School Service Award. She plans to study fisheries at University of Alaska Fairbanks.
    At Sitka High, McArthur was on the  swimming, basketball and softball teams. She is a four-time state qualifier for swimming, and a member of this year’s girls team that placed second in the state. She has been a varsity basketball player for two years and has been on the varsity softball team for four.
    McArthur is National Honor Society member and a member of the robotics team. She has played in the symphonic band for two years.
    She is the daughter of Scott and Nicki McArthur.

Joseph Pate
Co-Valedictorian
School Service Award

Joe Pate is Co-Valedictorian of his class and was chosen to receive a School Service Award.
    He will study astrophysics at Brown University this fall.
    Pate was part of the state championship 2015 cross-country team, and has been one of the top 15 players in the state for four years. He was 4x800 relay champion in 2015.
    He is a member of the Drama, Debate and Forensics team. He was public forum state champion in 2017, and readers theater state champion in 2019.
    Pate was on the Battle of the Books state champion tean in 2015 and 2018, and Mock Trial state champion team in 2015, 2018 and 2019.
    His awards include U.S. Presidential Scholar, Most Inspiring Freshman and University of Alaska Presidential Scholar.
    ‘‘Without support from my loving mother and father, Jude and Christine Pate, my brother, Will, and the many dedicated teachers and coaches who taught and inspired me, I wouldn’t be where I am today,’’ Joe said.
    He is the son of Jude and Christine Pate.

Aaní Perkins
Co-Valedictorian
School Service Award

    Co-Valedictorian Aaní Perkins also was presented a School Service Award. She plans to study Native American studies at Dartmoth College in the fall.
    Perkins has been on the Student Council and is a National Honor Society member. She was on the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee for three years, and has been a Mock Trial member for three. She is a two-time Mock Trial state champion.
    Perkins has played the piano for eight years.
    She is the daughter of Jessica and Kim Perkins.

Lucy Poulson
Co-Valedictorian
School Service Award

    Lucy Poulson has been named Co-Valedictorian of her class and was awarded a School Service Award.
    She plans to attend Harvard University to study English or anthropology.
    Poulson is a National Honor Society member. She is a member of two state championship Battle of the Books teams, and has been a member of the team for four years. She has played the tuba for eight years and is a two-time All-State Band member and four-time Regional Honor Band member.
    Poulson is a 15-year member of the Sitka Studio of Dance. She has been on the Future Problem Solvers team for three years. The team holds a two-time state championship title.
    She is the daughter of James Poulson and Kristen Homer.

Ella Lubin
Salutatorian
School Service Award

    Ella Lubin is Salutatorian for her class and was presented a School Service Award.
    Lubin plans a course of study in geophysics at Yale University.
    Lubin studied music and was state first chair trombone player. She was a member of the Drama, Debate and Forensics team where she was state debate champion. Ella is student council president and a member of the National Honor Society. She participated in the National Ocean Science Bowl. She also co-organized Blessings in a Backpack.
    She participated in both the track and cross country teams.
    ‘‘Thank you to all my friends and teachers for supporting me throughout high school and encouraging me to always strive for excellence,’’ Lubin said.
    She is the daughter of Davey Lubin and Lisa Busch.

Joei Vidad
Most Representative Girl

    Joei Vidad was voted Most Representative Girl of her class. She plans to study nursing at University of Alaska Anchorage.
    Vidad has been a three-sport athlete for all four years of high school, where she has been on the varsity teams of volleyball, basketball and track and field. She has accumulated 14 region titles and has been chosen for Region V’s All-Tournament Team five times.
    Her junior year she received the Region V ‘‘Overall Girl’s Outstanding Competition Award’’ for track and field. She has 14 state medals.
    She is a middle school program Sitka Young Life student leader. She also has been a member of the National Honor Society since her sophomore year and has volunteered more than 80 hours to the community.
    Vidad has studied Spanish for four years and translates Tagalog in the community.
    She plans to run track at UAA. She is the daughter of Joe and Val Vidad.

JD Gagner
Most Representative Boy

    JD Gagner was chosen as Most Representative Boy of his class.
    At Midland University Gagner plans to study education. He also received a swimming scholarship.
    He is a member of the swimming, wrestling, baseball and track teams. He is a three-time state qualifier in swimming, four-time state qualifier in wrestling and two-time regional champion; and was the first freshman to reach the state finals for Sitka High wrestling. He is a member of the 2017 baseball state championship team.
    Gagner is a National Honor Society member.
    He is the son of Roxann and Darin Gagner.

Avery Voron
Senior Class Representative
School Service Award

     Avery Voron was presented a School Service Award and is Senior Class Representative. She was chosen by her class to be the student speaker at graduation. She plans to study nursing and music at Montana State University.
    She is a two-year varsity volleyball and three-year varsity softball player. She played both sports for four years.
    Voron is vice president of the National Honor Society. She led Wyldlife for middle schoolers for two years, was a Music Mentor volunteer for two years, and is a Best Buddies volunteer.
    Voron received a service award and is the class speaker at graduation.
    She is the daughter of Chris and Natalie Voron.

Karina Belcher
School Service Award

    Karina Belcher was presented a School Service Award.
    Her plan is to study business administration at Boise State University.
    She was on a Battle of the Books team, and was a member of the student council and Mock Trial team.
    Belcher was a music mentor and played in the jazz band, symphonic band, pep band, and was a member of the All-Alaska Jazz Band.
    She is the daughter of Theresa Weiser and John Belcher.

Erin Blankenship
School Service Award

    Erin Blankenship received a School Service Award.
    She plans to study business administration at Mississippi State University in the fall.
    Blankenship is a member of the Sitka High swimming and softball teams; has been a member of the Student Council for three years; and is vice president of her class. She is in the National Honor Society, is an All-Academic Team sports member. She was a preschool Pumpkin Patch volunteer.
    Blankenship is a commercial fisherman and works at Bev’s Flowers and Gifts.
    She is the daughter of Eric and Jenny Blankenship.

Skyler McIntyre
School Service Award

    Skyler McIntyre was presented a School Service Award. He plans to attend University of Alaska Anchorage to study physical therapy. He plans to run cross country and track at UAA.
    While at Sitka High, he ran four years of track and three years of cross country. He was on the regional team all three years and won regionals his senior year. The team at state earned second place twice. McIntyre medaled twice as an individual, and placed fourth his senior year.
    In track, the team won regions all three years and ‘‘will win again this year,’’ he said. He is a multiple-time region champ and at state his junior year earned third in the 3,200 meter and second in the 4x800 relay.
    He is the son of Anthony McIntyre.

Morgan Simic
School Service Award

    Morgan Simic earned a School Service Award.
    Simic plans to attend Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California, where he will play on the baseball team. He plans to pursue sports photography or history.
    Simic played basketball all four years and was co-captain his senior year. He played baseball all four years and helped with youth baseball camps and fundraisers. For two summers he played baseball in Washington. His freshman year he ran cross country.
    He was in the school play his sophomore year.
    ‘‘I am thankful to all of the adults in my life who have helped me through school – especially grateful to my parents and sister who have shown me so much love and support,’’ he said.
    He is the son of Clint and Anita Simic.

Olivia Wilcox
School Service Award

    Olivia Wilcox has been given a School Service Award.
    Wilcox has been involved in drama, debate and forensics, and is a state champion. She spent her junior year in Sweden on a Rotary Youth Exchange. She is a member  of the cross country and track team, where she is a distance runner. She was cast in two high school plays, and was a member of the Young Performers Theater for four years.
    She is the daughter of Brett and Kris Wilcox. She plans to attend Utah State University.

Jessica Davis
Principal’s Award

    Jessica Davis was given a Principal’s Award. She plans to attend Harding University in the fall.
    Davis is a two-year National Honor Society member.
    In swimming, she won five individual state titles (3x100 backstroke, 1x200 individual medley, 1x100 butterfly), three relay state titles (2x200 fre relay and 1x200 medley relay) and four individual Sitka High School records and three relay school records.
    She is a three-year varsity basketball player whose teams were state runners-up twice.
    In track and field, Davis placed third at state (twice in shot put and once in discus). She is a team member of 2018 girls track and field state champions. She holds the school record in the discus.
    She is the daughter of Jack and Jennifer Davis.

Angelina Doggett
Principal’s Award

    Angelina Doggett was presented a Principal’s Award.
    She plans to study architecture at the University of Alaska in Juneau.
    Doggett played volleyball and soccer all four years. She also studied art.
    ‘‘I would like to say thank you to my parents and teachers for all the work they have done for the past seven years of my life. I’m really appreciative for your hard work. Without you, I might not be graduating today,’’ she said.
    Doggett says she wants to travel, help people and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
    She is the daughter of Tim and Julie Doggett.

Harry Alan Lysons III (Trey)
Principal’s Award

    Harry (Trey) Lysons received a Principal’s Award.
    Lysons has had his artwork displayed all four years at WhaleFest and Pops Concerts. His works have been displayed at the State Museum in Juneau  for two years.
    His wolf art creation will be displayed on the SHS student planners for the 2019-20 school year.
    He is the son of Harry and Marsha Lysons.

Austin Morrison
Principal’s Award

    Austin Morrison received the Principal’s Award. He plans to study criminology at Washington State University in the fall.
    Morrison was a member of both the baseball and basketball teams for four years. He is a member of the National Honor Society.
    His volunteer work includes teaching baseball workshops for kids, serving on Elks fundraisers for sports and other activities, and volunteering at Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
    He traveled to Guatemala with his Spanish 3 class.
    Morrison sings in both the Vocal Jazz and Sitka High Choir.
    He is the son of Joe Montagna and Jen Reid.