MEHS Commencement
Scheduled on Thursday
Seventy Mt. Edgecumbe High School seniors will graduate in a ceremony 10 a.m. Thursday, May 5, at the school’s field house.
Featured speaker of the commencement address is Bernie Gurule. He has worked in education for 43 years, with 17 of them as the school’s principal.
Gurule was principal of Blatchley Middle School before working at Mt. Edgecumbe.
Gurule will be retiring this year, and will be missed greatly by students and staff, the school said.
The four valedictorians, Annalyse Conforti (Sitka), Rio Bacha (Sitka), Jordan David (Huslia) and Virginia Nassuk (Koyuk) are scheduled to speak.
Mia Anderson (Sitka) and Kallan Hill (Kotzebue) were voted by their class to make presentations.
“Nothing we do changes the past, everything we do changes the future,” is the class motto.
Seniors also voted on a class flower, the dwarf bearded iris, and their class colors are lilac and white.
Superintendent Janelle Vanasse will give the welcome and teachers will present diplomas.
The slideshow and awards will be available on video at 9 a.m. on Thursday morning through the school website.
The marshals for the ceremony, 11th-graders chosen by the senior class, are Shaedyn Barr (Kiana), Marissa Crabtree (Chugiak), Connor Journey (St. Mary’s), Eliana Hatch (Chistochina), and Miles Bourdukofsky (St. Paul Island). They will usher in the class of 2022.
Due to COVID-mitagation plans, families will be limited to eight or fewer seats per graduate. Limited seating is available for community members. Those wanting to attend live should contact the school. Everyone can watch the live stream from the MEHS website.
Following the ceremony will be a limited luncheon for the guests in attendance.
Baccalaureate will be held at the Assembly of God church 7 p.m. Wednesday.
A full story with the names of graduates, photographs and a sponsored graduation page will be published in Thursday’s edition of the Daily Sitka Sentinel.
Summer Expo
Slated May 6
The annual Visit Sitka Summer Expo is planned 3-6 p.m. May 6 at Centennial Hall.
Information about this summer’s tourism activities and events this summer will be given. The event is free and open to the public.
‘‘It’s a perfect time to update yourself and educate your employees on the events and attractions in Sitka,’’ Visit Sitka said. ‘‘This will help you answer questions from visitors on what there is to do and see in Sitka. Come visit the local attractions’ booths to gather knowledge and literature to share.’’
An open house and reception will follow at the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, 4513 Halibut Point Road, 6-8 p.m.
Sitkans can tour the phase two expansion of the cruise terminal and learn about summer season plans. Due to limited parking at the terminal, attendees are being encouraged to take the free shuttle from Centennial Hall. It will run continually throughout the event.
Sponsors of the Expo are Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal and Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce/VisitSitka, with contributing sponsors Alaska Airlines, Royal Caribbean Group and The Odom Corporation.
Woman’s Club
Meets Saturday
Sitka Woman’s Club will meet noon Saturday, May 7, at Pizza Express.
The group will vote on board membership. After the Saturday gathering, the group will be taking a hiatus from meeting until September.
Lincoln Street
Closure Noted
Lincoln Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. May 7 and 9 in accordance with the Short-Term Tourism Plan.
No parking will be allowed on Lincoln Street after 9 a.m. on both days. To view the calendar of preliminary closure dates for the summer season and more information about the plan visit https://www.cityofsitka.com/departments/PlanningCommunityDevelopment.
SOS: Lifeline
Group to Meet
Sitka Outreach and Support: Lifeline Group invites the public to a Zoom meeting, 2-3 p.m. Thursday, May 5.
For further information and the Zoom link, call Julia Smith at 907-738-6336.
Trail Works Sets
Bike Ride May 7
In observance of National Bike Month, Sitka Trail Works and the Sitka Cycling Club will host a group ride 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 7.
Cyclists will start and end at the Salty Spoke Bike Co-op, 1 Lincoln Street. Riders will go to the Sitka Cross Trail and be back at the Salty Spoke around noon.
Woman’s Club
Meets Saturday
Sitka Woman’s Club will meet noon Saturday, May 7, at Pizza Express.
The group will vote on board membership. After the Saturday gathering, the group will be taking a hiatus from meeting until September.
Lincoln Street
Closure Noted
Lincoln Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. May 7 and 9 in accordance with the Short-Term Tourism Plan.
No parking will be allowed on Lincoln Street after 9 a.m. on both days. To view the calendar of preliminary closure dates for the summer season and more information about the plan visit https://www.cityofsitka.com/departments/PlanningCommunityDevelopment.
