By Sentinel Staff
Eighty-four Mt. Edgecumbe High School seniors walked across the stage this morning to receive their diplomas in a graduation ceremony held at the school field house.
The class of 2025 chose Michael Mahoney as its commencement speaker. He has taught at Mt. Edgecumbe for 28 years, coached volleyball and basketball, advised student council, and is an award-winning science teacher.
He was chosen for his sense of humor, outgoing personality, inclusive classroom dynamic, and, as senior Anastasia Wasky from Pitkas Point says, “He seems to never give up on you.” Senior Nicholas Manumik from Nunam Iqua also appreciates that Mr. Mahoney always has hot chocolate available.
Also speaking were co-valedictorians Sage Martin of Port Alexander, and Keeley Dushkin, Sand Point. Both earned 4.00 grade point averages.
When seniors voted for their two student representative speakers, there was a tie, so three students were selected to speak: RJ Didrickson from Hoonah, Kennedy Johnson from Bethel, and Martin Olsen from Golovin.
Seniors voted for the class motto to be, “I thought of something funnier than ’24. Let me hear it. ’25”; class flower, the Forget Me Not; and colors, sage green and dusky rose.
Superintendent Suzzuk Huntington gave the welcome and senior advisers read the names of the graduates. The slide show and awards were available on video at through the school website.
Marshals for the ceremony, juniors chosen by the senior class, were Asha Foruria from Anchorage, Donald Olsen from Golovin, Ariana Wassilie from Eagle River, and Kolby Clark-Pruitt from Old Harbor.
Seniors filed in to “Pomp and Circumstance,” played by the MEHS concert band directed by Heather Gluth. During the evening, the band played “When You Wish Upon A Star” by Leigh Harline, arranged by C. Paul Herfurth, and senior Eva Nay, of Dillingham, sang “Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera).”
A luncheon for graduates and their families followed the ceremony.
Members of the graduate class are:
Gustina Natalia Grace Alexie, Dillingham; Evan Joseph Andrew, Nunapitchuk; Shantae Wassilene Inez Brenda Panillkuk Tanuk’aq Andrew, Quinhagak; Zenaida Takuyaq Nellie May Andrew, Napaskiak; Addisyn Grace Ilaanaq Anthony, Nightmute; Trenten Davey Phillip Avugiak, Anchorage; Abigail Sara Mae Kingutiq Palmera Ayapan, Kwethluk; Magen Ann Naaġaayiq Barr, Kiana; Brenaye Cingarkaq Berlin, Bethel; Aries Bioff, Nome; Lennie Chris Tanner J. Brandell, King Cove; Soren Connor Branthoover, North Carolina; Isis Rose Qaqaaq Canoe, Nunam Iqua; Lauren Cangarraq Helena Cedars, Bethel; Mary Tanya Paniyaar Charlie, Kipnuk; Jezelle Nora Qapqan Mikiiraq Cleveland, Ambler; Jared Cross, Elim.
Also, Raegan Aataq Roxanne David, Kwigillingok; Richard Eugene Didrickson Jr., Hoonah; Leon Richard Dock, Akiak; Riley Michelle Dock, Anchorage; Zakk Shane Dunton, Wasilla; Keeley Dushkin, Sand Point; Teri Kayci Evatt, Togiak; Timothy (Tito) Raymond Garcia, Wrangell; Nevaeh Yakira Kakiac George, Newtok; Zachary Max Gray, Nome; Elizabeth Irene Taqikaq Griggs, Anchorage; Sebastian Kwaye Hadley, Koyuk; Makenzie Elena Parascovia Heckman, Pilot Station; Tyler Kenneth Sergie Heckman, Pilot Station; Ava Jane Holmberg, Sand Point; Jewel Chanelle Atauggarraq Hoover, Kasigluk; Cheree’ Tiarra Qaġġuna Horner, Kobuk; CyAri Theresa Nunaraq Maas’aluq Hunt, Kotlik; Katie Alma Uteksen Hunt, Kotlik.
Also, Camron Isaak, Saint Mary’s; Jillian Apaaliq Jada Ivanoff, Unalakleet; Carson James Joe Miisaq John, Kwigillingok; Camille Lauraine Cik’aq Johnson, Quinhagak; Kennedy Pearl Nangyun Johnson, Bethel; Naomi Daja Łika Jones, Tyonek; Jaylynn Angelena Natalia Kozloff, Saint Paul Island; Jalene Frieda Marie Larson, Koliganek; Shaun William Lekanof Jr., Saint Paul Island; Bianca Elekonida Lestenkof, Saint George Island; Jenna Nancy Lynn Marie Lockuk, Togiak; Opriann Angniun Angakaq Lomack, Akiachak.
Also, Nicholas Pingayaq Manumik, Nunam Iqua; Brooke Kimberly Markoff, Togiak; Brea Marissa Markoff, Togiak; Sage Owen Kimzey Martin, Port Alexander; Aurora Gale McCrary, Noorvik; Hannah Joy Zhongyi McEwen, Sitka; Kenna Mercede Avergyaq Miller, Kenai; Raymond Mork, Sitka; Gus Martin Mork, Sitka; Hayden Adriauna Arnaqulluk Naneng, Bethel; Eva Victoria Nay, Dillingham; Tanya Helena Nelson, Napakiak; Dorothea Justina May Okitkun, Kotlik; Martin Luther Olson, Golovin; Naomi Iġniq. Marion Grace Oxereok, Wales; Shakira Trishelle Panruk Pauk, Manokotak; Sam Canaar’ Paul, Kipnuk; Kaylynn Janessa Pelowook, Wales; Amos Terenty Philemonoff, St. Paul Island; Hailee Raean Rexford, Kobuk; Brooklyn Mckenna Roland-Dewitt, Haines.
Also, Searaya Qikiqtaq Saccheus, Elim; Brodie Adam Schell, Hope; Carl Steven Joseph Canaar Small, Quinhagak; Thomas Kidikee Smith, Iliamna; Samson Maximilian Smith, Sitka; Elliott Kasak Smyth, Fairbanks; Kaylyn Eliiquq Katrina Steeves, Kalskag; Donovan Jericho Stephan-Standifer, Tyonek; Brent Marvin Sun, Shungnak; Abe Ryder Vaden, Nome; Nathaniel James Vincler, Akutan; Anastasia Ursula Olga Cagluaq Wasky, Pitkas Point; Maelyn Martha Son-Man Westdahl, St. Mary’s; Sassa Joy Copps Wilson, Naknek; Alexia Laadax Marie Crowfeather Zacharof, Saint Paul Island.
