Correspondence School graduates 67

May 25, 2007

By Amie Pappas

Frontiersman

WASILLA - Most high school graduations are loud and held in echo-filled gyms. For the graduates of the Mat-Su School District Correspondence Study School, Wednesday night's commencement ceremony, held at the Church on the Rock, was calm and quiet.

Instead of metal folding chairs and wooden bleachers, the rows of seats were cushy, with strategically placed tissue boxes - just in case.

The correspondence school is part of the school district, organized with activities outside the home in sports, music and science to complement students' in-home education.

“It's a unique combination of

a lot of different schooling

models.” said Principal Rod Everding.

A total of 67 seniors are graduating from the program. Of those, 13 walked in the ceremony. Some seniors are year-round students, so they won't receive diplomas until June.

Valedictorian Zachary Cattell said in his speech to the class of 2007, “Follow your dreams and do everything to the best of your ability.”

Nathaniel McKimson, 11, was happy to play the drums in the processional for his sister's graduation. He said he is proud of her.

“She got tons of scholarships, she worked so hard. Every time she got another one she would jump up and down.” His sister, Brandy Hieb, received several scholarships, including $2,000 from the Masonic Foundation and a Diversity Scholarship to Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash.

“I never thought the day would come,” Hieb said.

Former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman gave the commencement address.

“Our primary motivation is to make a difference.” Leman said. “Three ways to do that are to get started, build a team and stand firm.”

Leman also said that besides living in a challenging world, we also live in exciting times.

“America and Alaska need you,” Leman said as he encouraged the seniors to have an effect on public policies.

A senior slideshow was presented, displaying photos accompanied by biographical voice-overs recorded by the graduates. They talked about their likes and dislikes, their families and their futures.

The presentation of diplomas moved quickly, and the graduates turned to face the audience to mild and happy applause. Graduates waited until they got outside to throw their hats and celebrate more audibly than in the quiet church.

One student, Gretchen Buswell, was treated to a Silly String shower of victory by friends and family. After the commotion, the graduates went back inside for a balloon, cake and punch-filled reception.

Contact Amie Pappas at

352-2284 or amie.pappas@ frontiersman.com.

MAT-Su Correspondence STUDY School

Class of 2007

Anna Bailar, Chelsea Bossart, Duran Breshears, Megan Bruckner, Gretchen Buswell, Zachary Cattell, Alexandra Craft, Yuliya Danilyuk, Luke Ferrett, Heather Goslin, John Grossi, Dennis Hansen, Melissa Hansen, Brandy Hieb, Alyssa Hippler, Caroline Holt, Maegan Hunt, Nicole Jenkin, Benjamin Jewett, Desiree Jones, Michael Katkus, Bethany Kettler, Jessica Kirkwood, Tyler Knight, Alex Koffard, Valery Kudryn, Yeng Lee, Richard Leitner, Marina Levchenko, Pavel Levchenko, Shawn Lindberg, Samuel Lofgren, Heather McGregor, David Meneses, Mark Moeller, Daniel Murry, Anna O'Loughlin, Stephanie Petersen, Erica Pleier, Rachael Ratzlaff, Jessica Raymond, Melia Renfer, Ellen Roth, Lorna Salchenberg, Rachel Shouck, Providence Sovereign, Eric Stoltze, Marjorie Strawn, Anna Stupak, Lyubov Stupak, Michelle Sybouts, Natallia Taborko, Inna Ugrin, Oleg Ugrin, Michelle Webley, Alexandra Wiggins, Christopher Wyckoff, Irina Zagorodniy.