By Sentinel Staff
Ninety-four Mt. Edgecumbe High School seniors made history as they graduated in a virtual ceremony 1 p.m. today, May 7.
The annual ceremony was held online due to the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students and their families watched the ceremony from their homes on the MEHS website, mehs.us. A link to the video will remain on the website for all to view.
Superintendent Janelle Vanasse gave the welcome.
The class chose ‘‘That Rule is There Because of Us’’ as its motto.
Students took multiple photos and videos of themselves in their graduation caps and gowns for the team to put together in a video presentation.
‘‘The virtual graduation ceremony is our replacement event to recognize and appreciate the accomplishments of this milestone in our students’ lives, made necessary by the March closure of the MEHS campus,’’ the school said in a press release. ‘‘Students received news from dormitory staff the evening of March 16 that the school was sending all students home in the coming days. Surprised students began packing their belongings and preparing for their quick departure. They received incredible support from both residential and academic staff during this untimely transition.’’
‘‘Staff worked tirelessly to coordinate an effort to return 400 students to their homes safely,’’ the school said. ‘‘Despite numerous challenging complications created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the transportation of all students was completed in less than a week.’’
With students at home, the school has continued the daily class schedule online via Zoom, Google classroom, and individualized student mail home packets of assignments and materials. Teachers have adapted to the web-based system as students have re-adjusted to life at home.
The remote end to the semester has presented difficulties in learning and in teaching, the school said. “Our teachers have gone above and beyond to adapt their curriculum to online classes and have found creative ways to reach out to students with limited internet.”
Mt. Edgecumbe High School seniors are pictured on March 17 when they donned graduation attire after it was announced they would soon be sent home early because of the pandemic. The school hosted a virtual graduation today because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
Staff members have coordinated efforts to commemorate the class of 2020. They have organized a statewide effort to ensure students can participate in the virtual graduation ceremony while taking into account the wide diversity in students’ locations, the school said. Working within the State Commissioner’s Guidance on 2019-2020 Graduation Ceremonies, MEHS staff members have been in contact with local entities across the state to help kids without internet access view the ceremony.
The school acknowledged teachers Margo Livermore, Lynn Bastoky and Paul Fitzgibbon for their efforts in creating the online graduation ceremony.
MEHS also thanked counselors Paula Clayton and Joel Leuders, who are retiring, for their career dedication to the school. Clayton began as a nurse in the dorms in 1987. She left in 1997 to teach at Keet Gooshi Heen before returning to MEHS as the school improvement specialist in 2007. Leuders has worked at the school for 11 years as the academic counselor.
‘‘We wish them both a happy and relaxing retirement,’’ the school said in a press release.
At the ceremony, class valedictorian Vernae Ramoth from Ambler, was introduced by Academic Principal Bernie Gurule; and salutatorian Robin Masterman from Bethel was introduced by Academic Principal Andrew Friske.
Students chose two student representative speakers, Adeline Dyment of Bethel, introduced by Friske, and Drew Jackson of Kake, introduced by Emily Clark. Students elected Katie Mulligan, the MEHS art teacher, as commencement speaker. She was introduced by graduating senior Benjamin Melovidov.
Speeches were delivered via recordings.
‘‘Although it will be an unorthodox graduation, seniors and staff have worked to uphold traditions and adapt to this unique situation,’’ the school said.
Class officers are: president Benjamin Melovidov, vice president Adeline Dyment, treasurer Heather Kozloff, secretary Jamela Anderson, parliamentarian Haley Osborne, and student council representatives Maggie Miller and Melissa Steven.
Senior class members of the National Honor Society are Ariana Adams, Aana Ayagalria, Malayna Demoski, Adeline Dyment, Amyaa Edwards-Davis, Laura Fields, Matt Hunt, Mercedes Kashatok, Leisha Lozano, Robin Masterman, Maggie Miller, Lynsie Paul, Vernae Ramoth and Taya Warren.
The class chose fireweed as its flower, and navy blue for its color.
‘‘MEHS hopes its students and families will observe and participate in the virtual ceremony while adhering to state and CDC guidelines,’’ the school said ahead of the ceremony. ‘‘This is an opportunity to bring staff, students and families together as they take time to celebrate the class of 2020. Viewers will commemorate the brave steps this year’s senior class have taken over the last four years through uncertainty, challenges and obstacles. Congratulations to the MEHS class of 2020.’’
Gurule presented members of the class; and senior advisers Josh Arnold, Michael Mahoney, Jack Davis, Marcia Drake, Jessica Twydell, Stephen Courtright and Michael Kimber handed them the diplomas.
Graduating seniors and their hometowns are:
Ariana Nicole Adams, Nome; Jaylee Gwendolyne Adams, Mentasta Lake; Niko Orion Afcan, Nunam Iqua; Francesca Ruth Akpik, Utqiagvik; Austin Jacob Alexie, Mountain Village; Jeremy Jimmy Aloysius, Bethel; Jamela Danielle Anderson, Fort Yukon; Alix Danielle Anelon, Anchorage; Casey J. Anthony, Nightmute; Luceen Cherish Apangalook, Sitka; Lucas Robert Arnold, Sitka; Aana Marraq Ayagalria, Bethel; Lloydy Kenneth Ayojiak, Togiak;
Also, Emmalena Alice Bayayok, Anchorage; Gregory George Bourdukofsky, Saint Paul; Vladimir Dionisy Bourdukofsky, Saint Paul; William Nicholas Brown, Kongiganak; Joeli Elise Carlson, Bethel; Michelle Sandra Casey, Sitka; Murphy Daniel Charles, Newtok; Sofia Grace Comolli, Hoonah; Jonathan William Constantine, Tok; Malayna Jewel Demoski, Wasilla; David Martin Dock, Anchorage; Adeline Louise Dyment, Bethel; Stephanie Bijoux Eakin, Kotzebue; Amyaa Elizabeth Edwards-Davis, Utqiagvik; Veruca Skye Etcitty-Ramirez, Kenai; Shayna Rae Etuckmelra, Manokotak;
Also, Laura Mae Fields, Kotzebue; Abbie Rose Fish, Sitka; Mackenzie Jewel Forbes, Quinhagak; Jaden Daniel Frost, Togiak; Iris Helena George, Kwethluk; Brittney Elizbeth Goldy, Nome; Galen Todd Gologergen, Nome; Kevyan Anne Greenley, Togiak; Jesse Samuel Hanson, Sitka; Madeline Shandis Hardy, Fort Yukon; Elaine D Hill, Chevak; Chad Alan Horner, Kobuk; Matt Justin Hunt, Kotlik; Drew Morgan Jackson, Kake; John Qaqtaurluq James, Platinum; Corey Golga Jasper, Akiak; Keith Joseph Johns, Glenallen;
Also, Caitlyn Nicole Kaigelak, Nuiqsut; Mercedes Janae Kashatok, Anchorage; Kayla Anastasia Kashevarof, Anchorage; Alvin Glen Kimoktoak, Koyuk; Heather Alexsondra Kozloff, Saint Paul; Amiah Lynne Kroto, Glenallen; Jasper Gene Kuhne, Sitka; Leah Kiely Lekanof, Anchorage; Courtney Renee Lestenkof, Anchorage; Shayla Paige Loveland, Kodiak; Leisha May Lozano, Kongiganak; Robin Emma Masterman, Chugiak; Benjamin Ezra Melovidov, Saint Paul; Casper Eason Merculief, Saint Paul; Maggie Mae Miller, Nome; Jasmine Sierra Moore, Eagle; Ajey Derek Moses, Chevak; Maliyah Katya Moultrie, Anchorage; Tara Nicole Nassuk, Koyuk; Cungass’aq Brandon Nelson, Napakiak; Haley William Osborne, Nome; Richard Earnest Oxereok, Northway;
Also, Caley Agnes Paul, Kipnuk; Lynsie Nellieann Paul, Kwigilingok; Kaitlyn Danielle Peters, Nenana; Justina Danielle Peterson, Mountain Village; Latasha Ann Philemonoff, Saint Paul; Caleb Scott Phillips, Aniak; Rachel Marie Piltz, Anchorage; Jaden Leon Post, Tununak; Vernae Martha Ramoth, Ambler; Tyren J. Rexford, Utqiagvik; Eedan Rane Ross, Sitka; Alice J. Sage, Buckland; Terri Brianne Sage, Mountain Village; Nya Renee Schaeffer, Kobuk; Jordan Gene Shugak, Old Harbor; Soren Spirit Simeon, Aniak; Nathan James Small, Platinum; Paul J. Springer, Bethel; Aurora Clay Standish, McGrath; Melissa Faith Steven, Bethel; Ravenne Lorraine Storms, Anchorage; Shayna Rose Warnke-Green, Nome; Taya Danielle Warren, Sitka; Sunset Marilyn Woods, Bethel; Katharine Grace Zaczkowski, Tok; and Chelsea Dylan Zaukar, Sleetmute.
